What lessons we can draw from solar eclipses? They've frightened animals and fueled the supernaturalism of our ancestors. While science now offers us logical explanations, eclipses still provoke wonder and awe. For the scientist Ann Druyan, they offer “informed worship" - experiences that might help us have greater respect for the fragility of life. Strangers from all over the country gathered in peace along the path of our April 2024 celestial event. Can we capitalize on this harmony and use the darkness of future eclipses to brighten our lives?
","summary":"What lessons we can draw from solar eclipses?","date_published":"2024-04-15T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/0397095a-4350-455c-9942-029e6473dbff.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17976342,"duration_in_seconds":561}]},{"id":"f947a5b1-a3ae-4663-8df7-1707ce971ac2","title":"The Renewal Of Spring","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/12","content_text":"All around the world people celebrate springtime. The return of warmth and light can make us feel revived and rejuvenated. Smell the flowers, reach up toward the sun, or try some \"tree-bathing\" by walking through the woods as the buds open. Children seem the most open to the wonder of spring. Let's follow their example and find a way to access this energy and life. You just may be healthier and happier. ","content_html":"All around the world people celebrate springtime. The return of warmth and light can make us feel revived and rejuvenated. Smell the flowers, reach up toward the sun, or try some "tree-bathing" by walking through the woods as the buds open. Children seem the most open to the wonder of spring. Let's follow their example and find a way to access this energy and life. You just may be healthier and happier.
","summary":"All around the world people celebrate springtime. The return of warmth and light can make us feel revived and rejuvenated. Smell the flowers, reach up toward the sun, or try some \"tree-bathing\" by walking through the woods as the buds open. Children seem the most open to the wonder of spring. Let's follow their example and find a way to access this energy and life. You just may be healthier and happier. ","date_published":"2024-03-24T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/f947a5b1-a3ae-4663-8df7-1707ce971ac2.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":13813677,"duration_in_seconds":575}]},{"id":"bd07a48c-9026-4f51-bff7-dba53b7ce77a","title":"How To Do Good","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/11","content_text":"We have so little time and there are so many good deeds to do. When prioritizing how to do good, let’s strive to: 1) honor inherent worth of every person; 2) build social justice; 3) nurture ethical personal and organizational relationships grounded of mutuality and respect; and let’s do so by, 4) nurturing pragmatic cooperation where we agree; 5) using evidence and reason; and, 6) sustain commitment through a fulfilling and joyous life.\n\nCHOOSING ETHICAL ACTION PROJECTS\n\nIn choosing concrete ethical action projects, it is important to keep in mind which ones best represent the values and mission of Ethical Culture. Ethical Culture is not simply a social justice or community service organization. It is a humanistic ethical movement dedicated to inspiring people to do good. \n\nThe following are some suggested criteria when choosing an ethical action, community service, and/or social justice project. Ideally, the project should reflect:\n\n1) the importance of inherent worth;\n\n2) the development of potential of individuals (i.e. consider where potential is least realize and how to maximize our leverage);\n\n3) the importance of relationships, mutuality, and community;\n\n4) the long-term goal of social transformation;\n\n5) a pragmatic conviction to work together where we can agree on ethical action; and,\n\n6) the importance of reason (at least not violating reason, i.e. balancing emotional appeal by logic/science/empiricism/reality checks.)","content_html":"We have so little time and there are so many good deeds to do. When prioritizing how to do good, let’s strive to: 1) honor inherent worth of every person; 2) build social justice; 3) nurture ethical personal and organizational relationships grounded of mutuality and respect; and let’s do so by, 4) nurturing pragmatic cooperation where we agree; 5) using evidence and reason; and, 6) sustain commitment through a fulfilling and joyous life.
\n\nCHOOSING ETHICAL ACTION PROJECTS
\n\nIn choosing concrete ethical action projects, it is important to keep in mind which ones best represent the values and mission of Ethical Culture. Ethical Culture is not simply a social justice or community service organization. It is a humanistic ethical movement dedicated to inspiring people to do good.
\n\nThe following are some suggested criteria when choosing an ethical action, community service, and/or social justice project. Ideally, the project should reflect:
\n\n1) the importance of inherent worth;
\n\n2) the development of potential of individuals (i.e. consider where potential is least realize and how to maximize our leverage);
\n\n3) the importance of relationships, mutuality, and community;
\n\n4) the long-term goal of social transformation;
\n\n5) a pragmatic conviction to work together where we can agree on ethical action; and,
\n\n6) the importance of reason (at least not violating reason, i.e. balancing emotional appeal by logic/science/empiricism/reality checks.)
","summary":"We have so little time and there are so many good deeds to do. ","date_published":"2024-03-08T11:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/bd07a48c-9026-4f51-bff7-dba53b7ce77a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12426888,"duration_in_seconds":517}]},{"id":"c6ea0581-fde2-44fc-9e3c-703629817954","title":"The Story Of Ethical Culture","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/10","content_text":"Ethical Culture, a humanist alternative to traditional religion, focuses on doing good in this world. It promotes ethical relationships in which everyone is treated as being of inherent worth. Created by Felix Adler in the late nineteenth century, it emphasizes \"deed before creed\" and continues to try to build a better world today. ","content_html":"Ethical Culture, a humanist alternative to traditional religion, focuses on doing good in this world. It promotes ethical relationships in which everyone is treated as being of inherent worth. Created by Felix Adler in the late nineteenth century, it emphasizes "deed before creed" and continues to try to build a better world today.
","summary":"Ethical Culture, a humanist alternative to traditional religion, focuses on doing good in this world. It promotes ethical relationships in which everyone is treated as being of inherent worth. ","date_published":"2024-02-23T15:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/c6ea0581-fde2-44fc-9e3c-703629817954.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":15706405,"duration_in_seconds":654}]},{"id":"5744cb7f-3693-4612-9bea-8ad28fc4d44f","title":"Valentine’s Day","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/9","content_text":"While the traditional romantic paradigm of Valentine’s Day has its charms, maybe it needs revision. Rather than only emphasizing being swept up in a wave of emotions, healthy romance should take into account reason and action. It should include thoughtful, kind behavior that respects the autonomy and uniqueness of those in love. Valentine’s Day can even reach beyond romantic relationships. Let's celebrate the loving bonds that hold communities together. We need that kind of love more every day, not just February 14th.","content_html":"While the traditional romantic paradigm of Valentine’s Day has its charms, maybe it needs revision. Rather than only emphasizing being swept up in a wave of emotions, healthy romance should take into account reason and action. It should include thoughtful, kind behavior that respects the autonomy and uniqueness of those in love. Valentine’s Day can even reach beyond romantic relationships. Let's celebrate the loving bonds that hold communities together. We need that kind of love more every day, not just February 14th.
","summary":"While the traditional romantic paradigm of Valentine’s Day has its charms, maybe it needs revision.","date_published":"2024-02-12T11:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/5744cb7f-3693-4612-9bea-8ad28fc4d44f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17952100,"duration_in_seconds":560}]},{"id":"85e97f21-ac37-40a2-a7e1-1b4ced773130","title":"Heroes & Drum Majors","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/8","content_text":"Martin Luther King Jr. explained that, “Structures of evil do not crumble by passive waiting. Evil must be attacked by a counteracting persistence, by the day-to-day assault of the battering rams of justice.” We tend to retreat from this challenge. We think it’s not our place to be drum majors of justice. We feel too small in comparison with our moral heroes. But our moral heroes have feet of clay. When we realize that, can we better strive to be like them? In the speech titled “The Drum Major Instinct”, King encourages us to think boldly enough about ourselves to try to be out front, to be a drum major for justice. ","content_html":"Martin Luther King Jr. explained that, “Structures of evil do not crumble by passive waiting. Evil must be attacked by a counteracting persistence, by the day-to-day assault of the battering rams of justice.” We tend to retreat from this challenge. We think it’s not our place to be drum majors of justice. We feel too small in comparison with our moral heroes. But our moral heroes have feet of clay. When we realize that, can we better strive to be like them? In the speech titled “The Drum Major Instinct”, King encourages us to think boldly enough about ourselves to try to be out front, to be a drum major for justice.
","summary":"Martin Luther King encouraged us to think boldly enough about ourselves to try to be out front, to be a drum major for justice. ","date_published":"2024-02-02T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/85e97f21-ac37-40a2-a7e1-1b4ced773130.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":13660704,"duration_in_seconds":569}]},{"id":"a84501e7-5209-4b40-9c6b-b1c17b296926","title":"The Winter Solstice ","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/7","content_text":"This year of 2023, on Thursday, December 21 at exactly 10:27PM, the sun’s rays will shine on the northern hemisphere at their lowest most acute angle. Since colder air holds less humidity, the stars can seem at their brightest. So when we bundle up, wander into the cold night, and stare up at the stars, we can feel both alone and connected to everything. \n\nIf you are in the Philadelphia area, come to 1906 Rittenhouse Square for our humanist Winter Solstice program at 11:00AM EST. If you are elsewhere on our planet on December 17, join our Zoom version at 2PM here: www.tiny.cc/phillyethics","content_html":"This year of 2023, on Thursday, December 21 at exactly 10:27PM, the sun’s rays will shine on the northern hemisphere at their lowest most acute angle. Since colder air holds less humidity, the stars can seem at their brightest. So when we bundle up, wander into the cold night, and stare up at the stars, we can feel both alone and connected to everything.
\n\nIf you are in the Philadelphia area, come to 1906 Rittenhouse Square for our humanist Winter Solstice program at 11:00AM EST. If you are elsewhere on our planet on December 17, join our Zoom version at 2PM here: www.tiny.cc/phillyethics
","summary":"This year of 2023, on Thursday, December 21 at exactly 10:27PM, the sun’s rays will shine on the northern hemisphere at their lowest most acute angle.","date_published":"2023-12-15T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/a84501e7-5209-4b40-9c6b-b1c17b296926.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23141482,"duration_in_seconds":723}]},{"id":"1fb5b866-9ac6-4e6a-8991-89556b060e5c","title":"The Spirit Of Giving","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/6","content_text":"The holiday season can bring joy, but also can overwhelm us with consumer anxiety. We're conditioned to focus more on the material gifts we give than nurturing our relationships with those close to us. Paradoxically, this can increase our sense of alienation during a time of supposed togetherness. What can we do to honor the spirit of giving in a way that uplifts us all?","content_html":"The holiday season can bring joy, but also can overwhelm us with consumer anxiety. We're conditioned to focus more on the material gifts we give than nurturing our relationships with those close to us. Paradoxically, this can increase our sense of alienation during a time of supposed togetherness. What can we do to honor the spirit of giving in a way that uplifts us all?
","summary":"What can we do to honor the spirit of giving in a way that uplifts us all?","date_published":"2023-12-15T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/1fb5b866-9ac6-4e6a-8991-89556b060e5c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":18655108,"duration_in_seconds":582}]},{"id":"2e706e28-0bc2-437a-9687-5f467cd24e8a","title":"The Golden Rule","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/5","content_text":"Is the Golden Rule overly idealistic and vague? Don’t we have to consider the issue of power? Tokens of generosity may be a good thing, but they don’t address the profound inequality in society. Some say that the “real” golden rule is, “Whoever has the gold makes the rules.” How do we respond to Kwame Anthony Appiah, who writes The Ethicist in the New York Times, who thinks that the Golden Rule doesn’t go far enough in embracing the uniqueness of every person? We need to empower others and give them space and autonomy and encouragement and… resources. Only then does the sacred nature of the Golden Rule arise.","content_html":"Is the Golden Rule overly idealistic and vague? Don’t we have to consider the issue of power? Tokens of generosity may be a good thing, but they don’t address the profound inequality in society. Some say that the “real” golden rule is, “Whoever has the gold makes the rules.” How do we respond to Kwame Anthony Appiah, who writes The Ethicist in the New York Times, who thinks that the Golden Rule doesn’t go far enough in embracing the uniqueness of every person? We need to empower others and give them space and autonomy and encouragement and… resources. Only then does the sacred nature of the Golden Rule arise.
","summary":"Is the Golden Rule overly idealistic and vague? Don’t we have to consider the issue of power?","date_published":"2023-12-01T12:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/2e706e28-0bc2-437a-9687-5f467cd24e8a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":19598860,"duration_in_seconds":612}]},{"id":"96e8e662-908a-4410-91a7-36db1c4f66b8","title":"Deadly Sins","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/4","content_text":"Do we really need to worry obsessively about deadly sins and the damnation they bring? Or should we nurture moderation and goodness in that is a part of human nature? Hugh Taft-Morales suggests that we stop flagellating ourselves and focus more on sharing the good things in life with millions of people struggling to survive.","content_html":"Do we really need to worry obsessively about deadly sins and the damnation they bring? Or should we nurture moderation and goodness in that is a part of human nature? Hugh Taft-Morales suggests that we stop flagellating ourselves and focus more on sharing the good things in life with millions of people struggling to survive.
","summary":"Do we really need to worry obsessively about deadly sins and the damnation they bring? Or should we nurture moderation and goodness in that is a part of human nature? Hugh Taft-Morales suggests that we stop flagellating ourselves and focus more on sharing the good things in life with millions of people struggling to survive.","date_published":"2023-11-18T11:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/96e8e662-908a-4410-91a7-36db1c4f66b8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17981357,"duration_in_seconds":561}]},{"id":"63ea6498-683b-4243-81d0-b5af86f0e9cd","title":"Wonder","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/3","content_text":"In this episode we explore wonder and its place in our lives. Is it something we should pursue, or should we have \"loftier goals?\" Experiencing wonder in nature can lead to feeling both insignificant and connected to everything. Does that help us live more fully? Maybe the best thing about wonder is when share it with others, bonding together with energy and joy.","content_html":"In this episode we explore wonder and its place in our lives. Is it something we should pursue, or should we have "loftier goals?" Experiencing wonder in nature can lead to feeling both insignificant and connected to everything. Does that help us live more fully? Maybe the best thing about wonder is when share it with others, bonding together with energy and joy.
","summary":"Experiencing wonder in nature can lead to feeling both insignificant and connected to everything. Does that help us live more fully? ","date_published":"2023-11-03T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/63ea6498-683b-4243-81d0-b5af86f0e9cd.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17173024,"duration_in_seconds":536}]},{"id":"9e5dce95-f7cb-4b0c-8fbb-16ba2f343686","title":"The Fragility Of Goodness","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/2","content_text":"Today's show is about the fragility of goodness. Committing to goodness often means opening your eyes and heart to the suffering of the world. It can be heartbreaking. How do we open up without being crushed or retreating into self-centeredness? Philosopher Martha Nussbaum explains how often we construct rational explanations to distance ourselves and create a “goodness without fragility.” Phillip Hallie in Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed was drawn into protective rationalization while researching Nazi atrocities. But settlement house pioneer Jane Addams dealt with this pain through action. I admire her, and try to face the pain of the world and, as consistently as I can, act to comfort and empower others. As Adler wrote, “Suffering is a passive state; the cure of suffering is action.”","content_html":"Today's show is about the fragility of goodness. Committing to goodness often means opening your eyes and heart to the suffering of the world. It can be heartbreaking. How do we open up without being crushed or retreating into self-centeredness? Philosopher Martha Nussbaum explains how often we construct rational explanations to distance ourselves and create a “goodness without fragility.” Phillip Hallie in Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed was drawn into protective rationalization while researching Nazi atrocities. But settlement house pioneer Jane Addams dealt with this pain through action. I admire her, and try to face the pain of the world and, as consistently as I can, act to comfort and empower others. As Adler wrote, “Suffering is a passive state; the cure of suffering is action.”
","summary":"How do we open up without being crushed or retreating into self-centeredness?","date_published":"2023-10-20T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/9e5dce95-f7cb-4b0c-8fbb-16ba2f343686.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":19312975,"duration_in_seconds":603}]},{"id":"c7d766da-9176-4ce4-9eb2-81a7a113feb7","title":"Assuming the Best","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/1","content_text":"What do we talk about when we talk about goodness? The fact is, we’ve been talking about it for centuries, trying to dial it in for ourselves both what it is and how it is all along the way. \n\nWelcome to the first episode of In Good We Trust. My name is Hugh Taft-Morales speaking to you from the Philadelphia Ethical Society, a place where we try to build meaning, offer community, and nurture goodness. ","content_html":"What do we talk about when we talk about goodness? The fact is, we’ve been talking about it for centuries, trying to dial it in for ourselves both what it is and how it is all along the way.
\n\nWelcome to the first episode of In Good We Trust. My name is Hugh Taft-Morales speaking to you from the Philadelphia Ethical Society, a place where we try to build meaning, offer community, and nurture goodness.
","summary":"Welcome to the first episode of In Good We Trust. ","date_published":"2023-10-06T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/c7d766da-9176-4ce4-9eb2-81a7a113feb7.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":13606996,"duration_in_seconds":425}]},{"id":"9ade2014-8b8e-4d79-a8b2-0f4d0ef4a84a","title":"Coming Soon: In Good We Trust","url":"https://ingoodwetrust.fireside.fm/trailer","content_text":"What does it mean to be good? How do we be good not just for ourselves, but for others, too? These are the questions at the heart of Ethical Humanism, a non-theistic movement that’s been around since 1876, but is more relevant today as ever. Hosted by Hugh Taft-Morales, an Ethical Humanist Leader in Baltimore and Philadelphia, In Good We Trust is an exploration of being good, being human, and trying to do both at the same time. \n\nIt’s a great podcast to listen to if you’re into being human.\n\nIn Good We Trust is brought to you by the Philadelphia Ethical Society, and is available soon wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple and Spotify. \n\nFor more information on the Philadelphia Ethical Society, visit phillyethics.org.","content_html":"What does it mean to be good? How do we be good not just for ourselves, but for others, too? These are the questions at the heart of Ethical Humanism, a non-theistic movement that’s been around since 1876, but is more relevant today as ever. Hosted by Hugh Taft-Morales, an Ethical Humanist Leader in Baltimore and Philadelphia, In Good We Trust is an exploration of being good, being human, and trying to do both at the same time.
\n\nIt’s a great podcast to listen to if you’re into being human.
\n\nIn Good We Trust is brought to you by the Philadelphia Ethical Society, and is available soon wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple and Spotify.
\n\nFor more information on the Philadelphia Ethical Society, visit phillyethics.org.
","summary":"It’s a great podcast to listen to if you’re into being human.","date_published":"2023-10-02T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/c290d51e-14fb-4841-81d3-8a6fe059239c/9ade2014-8b8e-4d79-a8b2-0f4d0ef4a84a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":1860671,"duration_in_seconds":58}]}]}