HAT Forum - HAT speaker Series

The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/

Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.

The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance.

This week will be a special presentation as part of our speaker series:

"When Reason Fails Us: Bigotry, Transphobia, and the Crisis of Humanist Integrity" Presented by Sarah Coudert

Today we will be taking a critical look at the darker side of modern atheism and humanism, and the troubling ideologies that have been allowed to thrive unchallenged under the guise of reason and scientific inquiry.

In her presentation today, Sarah Coudert—a lifelong atheist, science enthusiast, and passionate advocate of critical thinking—will explore how celebrated figures in the secular world, such as Richard Dawkins, Jerry Coyne, and Lawrence Krauss, have contributed to a culture that increasingly embraces transphobia, misogyny, and anti-Indigenous rhetoric. These individuals and institutions, including the Center for Inquiry (CFI US) and the Richard Dawkins Foundation, have shifted their focus from promoting scientific literacy to attacking “wokeness,” DEI initiatives, and marginalized communities under the banner of “free speech.”
Sarah will also examine the recently published book The War on Science, edited by Lawrence Krauss—a man with a public record of sexual misconduct allegations and disturbing defenses of known predator Jeffrey Epstein. The book, despite its name, is not about political defunding of science or anti-intellectualism, but rather a coordinated cultural backlash against trans rights, gender diversity, and social justice in academia.

This talk will challenge secular audiences to question who we elevate as leaders and why—and to imagine a more ethical and inclusive form of humanism. Trigger warnings will be provided before the presentation of any transphobic or disturbing content, out of respect for community safety and care, particularly for trans and queer attendees.

Sarah Coudert is a computer engineer, neurodivergent individual, active part of the LGBTQIA+ community and intersectional humanist. She brings her lived experience as a skeptic, a partner to a trans woman, and a survivor of toxic secular spaces to ask: What does true critical thinking look like when we point it back at ourselves?

Here are some links:
https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/atheist-group-faces-backlash-after
https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/three-prominent-atheists-resigned
Meet our diverse group, trade perspectives in a free and open forum and learn from others as they learn from you!

BTW: don't be concerned if there are not many RSVP’s. Many HAT members attend regularly but don’t sign up on Meetup. Our online meetings have been very popular with 20-30 attendees.

NOTE: The HAT Forum adheres strictly to the City of Toronto Policy on Non-Discrimination (http://www.the519.org/public/content/policy-files/The519SpaceUsePolicy.pdf)

Our Website (http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/)