What we’re about
The Capital District Humanist Society provides a supportive community for exchanging ideas, heightening our knowledge of the world and ourselves, fostering moral and ethical growth, and promoting the principles of non-theistic humanism.
CDHS is a member organization for individuals who share humanist values and who reside in the Capital District region of New York State and neighboring areas. Our values include commitment to free inquiry, rational thought, life-long education, democracy, social concern, and fellowship.
The Society provides various activities including monthly speakers, socials, book discussions, and a newsletter.
For more information please see our website: humanistsociety.net
Upcoming events (1)
See all- The Shadow Gospel: Anti-Liberal Demonology and Religion, Media, and PoliticsNeeds location
When people talk about the chaotic, increasingly precarious political landscape in the United States, they often blame polarization and the culture wars. The Shadow Gospel tells a very different story. Analyzing eighty years of densely overlapping religious and secular messages preaching the dangers of liberalism, the book shows us the root causes of the problems we face today. Some of which are satanic conspiracy theorizing, the crusade against “wokeness” and LGBTQ existence. It also helps explain the most vexing elements of our politics: that the most potent source of religious messaging and influence in the United States is secular, that the most ruthless destroyers of Republicans are other Republicans.
By offering new ways of thinking about religious influence, the left/right dichotomy, and the appeal of Donald Trump, The Shadow Gospel reveals the true roadblocks to pluralistic democracy and emphasizes what people across the religious and political spectrum stand to lose if we don’t exorcise our anti-liberal demons. There are no easy solutions to our vast and complicated political problems. It is long past time to drag the shadow gospel out into the light, and make use of some of the actions that folks can take to set us on a path toward a brighter future.
![img]()
![img]()
Whitney Phillips studies information politics and media ethics and is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at the Univ. of Oregon. She earned a BA in philosophy from Humboldt State University in 2004, an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in 2007, and a PhD in English from the Univ. of Oregon in 2012. She has authored and co-authored five academic books and a digital ethics guide for teens. Her most recent book is the topic of this program.
Mark Brockway hails from Denver, CO. He earned a PhD at the Univ. of Notre Dame, and a BA in political science at the Univ. of Oklahoma. He is currently an assistant teaching professor in political science at Syracuse Univ. His research centers on political identity and activism. He investigates the consequences of changing political and social identities for party politics. His research also examines religion and politics, political polarization, and public opinion. He is co-author of The Shadow Gospel.
This program begins at 1:00 PM, both in-person and via Zoom. The in-person event will be held at Pinnacle Living, 45 Forts Ferry Road, Latham, NY. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available starting at 12:30 PM. Please bring your own beverage.
If you wish to attend via Zoom and are not a current member of CDHS, email your request to CDHS.Albany@gmail.com no later than Wednesday, August 6th. Do NOT use the RSVP on this page. It does not work. The ONLY way to get the link is to e mail a request.
The Capital District Humanist Society provides a supportive community for exchanging ideas, heightening our knowledge of the world and ourselves, fostering moral and ethical growth, and promoting the principles of non-theistic humanism. CDHS is a member organization for people with humanist values. Our values include commitment to free inquiry, rational thought, life-long education, democracy, social concern, and fellowship.
To learn more about us, please go to www.humanistsociety.net
