Humanism
An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.
The Humanist Club discusses all topics of general human interest and encourages open minded conversations. Speakers are Villages Residents or subject matter experts from outside the Villages.
The Humanist Club meets on the first, second, third and fourth Sunday of the month at 10 AM at the Canal Street Recreation Center. Social time starts at 9:30. The second and fourth Sunday of each month is a dedicated “social Sunday” which features mini-talks and focused small group discussion time. Villages Resident or Guest ID is required to attend.
The Humanist Club collaborates with the Free Thinkers Club, which meets on the second Thursday of the Month at Bridgeport Rec Center at 2:30 PM and the fourth Thursday of the Month at Aviary Rec center at 3:30 PM. Go to the Freethinkers Club page for information on topics and speakers for Thursday meetings.
Humanists and Free Thinkers Club Board (in no particular order)
Jim Laurent
Jim Bucko
Steve Post
Bill Womart
Bo (George) Goldsmith
Bud Webber
Peter Irwin
Karen Salzano
Contact us at villageshumanists@gmail.com
Humanist Club Schedule
2025
Jan 4 Sunday 10:00 Humanists
Hosting: Jim Laurent
Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street
Speaker: Bill Shang
Title: “Neuroscience Enters Plato’s Cave: The Brain's Surprising Making of Reality”
“Neuroscience, informed by a breakthrough in AI, has radically reshaped our understanding of how the brain reconstructs reality. From the sense of self, free will to schizophrenia, research on the Default Mode Network (DMN) reveals that much of what we perceive is generated internally. This talk explores how planning, dreaming, and hallucinations arise from the same circuitry—and how these discoveries give new meaning to the ancient question posed by Plato’s Cave.”
Bio: Dr. Bill Shang holds certifications from the American Board of Pathology and the American College of Sports Medicine. His prior experiences included serving as a USAF flight surgeon, primary care physician, autopsy examiner for three New York counties and hospital pathologist. He advocates for non-drug approaches to common metabolic diseases as well as author of two self-help books, The FIRST Program and The Thin Prediabetic. At present, he teaches diabetes prevention for the Enrichment Academy.
Jan 11 Sunday 10:00 Humanists Social Sunday
Hosting: Steve Post
Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street
Speaker: Steve Post
Title: Disagreeing Without Dividing: Skills for Difficult Conversations
Description: Many of our most stressful conversations don’t happen online or on TV — they happen with people we care about: family gatherings, old friends, and social groups. In this Social Sunday, we’ll explore why disagreements so easily become unproductive, and learn a few simple, evidence-based techniques for keeping conversations civil, thoughtful, and relationship-preserving — even when values differ. The session will include brief, structured group exercises focused on how we think and respond, not what positions we personally hold. A key goal is learning how to better understand where others are coming from, even when we disagree, and often feeling better toward them as a result. No debating skills are required — only curiosity and good faith.
Jan 18 Sunday 10:00 Humanists
Hosting: Bo Goldsmith
Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street
Speaker: Rod Broker
Title: Holy Humour
Description: Rod’s Most Memorable encounters with people of all faiths including Jewish, Christian, Atheists,etc.
Bio: Rod Broker is a retired academic and clergy-person with a background in communications, counseling, and non-profit management. He and his wife Doris have traveled extensively by RV in the US and Canada and via cruise ships to the shores of much of the rest of the world. Rod’s interests include lifelong learning, website development, the fight against Parkinson’s Disease, and the torment of being a fan of the Chicago Cubs. He holds a BA degree from Valparaiso University, an MA from University of Alabama, and both MDiv and DMin degrees from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
Jan 25 Sunday 10:00 Humanists Social Circle
Hosting: Karen Salzano
Topic: “Ethical and Moral Dilemmas “. What the difference is, how they are formulated and some common examples. Small group discussion about how to identify and manage moral dilemmas.
Location: Canal Street