Humanism on the Move

STAFF REPORT

For HumanistNetworkNews.org

June 09, 2010

College of Charleston Sophomore Awarded Silverman Secular Humanist Scholarship

Dyanne Vaught, a College of Charleston sophomore, has been awarded the Silverman Secular Humanist Scholarship. The $1,700 annually-renewable award, created by Secular Coalition for America President Herb Silverman, is presented each year to a College of Charleston student exemplifying secular humanism on campus. 

"I realized that there's not much logic behind a lot of things that are taught," Vaught said of her religious beliefs before humanism. "I wanted something more logical than that."

Greensboro Atheists Protest City Council Moment of Prayer

In light of Greensboro, North Carolina Mayor Bill Night's recent establishment of a moment of prayer preceding each city council meeting, local organizations are taking action. The Atheists/Agnostics/Skeptics of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro expressed their concern with the non-secular practice, along with the Greensboro Atheist's Organization, whose president addressed city council last week. 

Vatican Offers Dialogue With Atheists

The Vatican has unveiled plans for a foundation encouraging discussion between theologians and atheists. Pope Benedict XVI hopes to open the lines of communication between believers and non-believers alike, a gesture considered timely after a recent rash of sex-abuse scandals within the Catholic Church. High-profile atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, however, will not be welcome into the series of debates tentatively scheduled to be held in Paris next year.