Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society For more than a decade, Hugh has served on the core team of Peace Day Philly. This small, dedicated organization stresses the connection between inner and outer peace: a relationship also expressed in the philosophy of Stoicism. In this talk, Hugh will describe how Stoicism helps us nurture a [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society Voting is the most fundamental power in any real democracy. Yet Americans have been killed for using the vote to challenge systemic racism. Octavius Catto in 1871. Herbert Lee in 1961. Vernon Dahmer in 1966. To honor those slain activists, we must overcome voter suppression and apathy, demand greater [...]

Sarah Bush, Associate Professor of Political Science University of Pennsylvania Foreign influence on elections is widespread. Drawing on evidence from surveys of Americans and others over the past decade, Bush will explain how and why such outside interventions affect local trust. Bush’s research focuses on ways in which international actors try to aid democracy, promote [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society Almost a third of Americans admit to being at least somewhat superstitious. People knock on wood, throw salt over their shoulders, and avoid walking under ladders. Should we challenge such remnants of magical thinking, as Freethought Society founder Margaret Downey does at her Friday the 13th parties? Do superstitions [...]

Victor Pickard, Professor of Media Policy and Political Economy Annenberg School for Communication The plague of misinformation is a threat to democracy, made worse by the loss of local journalism. Pickard, co-director of the Media, Inequality & Change Center at University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School, explores the need for new approaches to mainstream news and [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society On the eve of an election whose outcome weighs heavily on us all, Hugh Taft-Morales explores the founding of Ethical Culture. What did Felix Adler regard as the greatest challenges to civilization back in 1876?  Why did he think that a new, nontheist congregational movement emphasizing deed over creed [...]

Roseann Liu, Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Swarthmore College The challenges facing urban school districts like Philadelphia’s often boil down to the need for more money. Through an inside look at the Pennsylvania state legislature and campaigns for fair funding, Liu will demonstrate how those responsible for funding maintain the privileges of majority-white school districts. [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society Come celebrate gratitude in this Thanksgiving season. Prepare one sentence to share during our program that expresses who or what—in this moment—you are grateful for. We will celebrate with a light meal. (Check the Weekly Bulletin for details.) Please bring food or drink to share and let Hugh or [...]

Rev. John Gardner Co-Rector, Church of the Holy Trinity Rev. Gardner will talk about Holy Trinity's efforts to support people living in deep poverty in Center City, including providing nutritious food and weather appropriate clothing, and creating opportunities for fellowship and community.  He will also tell the story of how the church engaged the support [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society Near the end of his life, the novelist Abraham Rothberg said that "fiction is a lie that tells the truth." Unlike so many politicians who lie to distort the truth and gain power, fiction only deceives us temporarily in order to share larger truths. It helps us suspend our disbelief so that we can imagine a world [...]