When Religion Goes Wrong

Greetings Humanists,

We will be meeting on the first Thursday, February 4, 7-9 PM at Charlie & Gwen Clayton's house, 306 Riverton Rd., Matthews, NC. We do not yet have a new permanent location and are grateful to the Claytons for accommodating us. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks to share.

Our presenter this month is Bob Voelker, Ph. D. He is in his sixth year of retirement and recently won a court battle in Salisbury against exclusive sectarian prayer at the Rowan County Board of Commissioners meetings.

His career includes:

• 28 years – Geneticist/evolutionary and molecular biologist at N. C. State University and at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, N. C.

• 5 years – Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Granite Quarry, N. C.

• 13 years – Adjunct professor of biology, Catawba College, Salisbury, N. C.

The synopsis of his presentation on “When Religion Goes Wrong” follows:

To many humanists the word "religion" is a “four-letter word.” For various reasons they conclude that the world would be better off if all religions were abolished. Yet, history tells us that virtually all human cultures have included religion as part of their development. Does that mean that religion provides some essential contribution to our being human? If so, what is it? Can the good that religion might offer be separated from the bad? This presentation and accompanying discussion attempt to find answers to those questions.

The Union Humanists will be joining us, led by Daniel Chaney. If you live in Union County, NC, please make a special effort to attend this meeting.

Come out and enjoy a thought provoking evening with friends.

W. Steve Bivens