What we’re about
Welcome to HAT's (Humanist Association of Toronto's) Official Meetup Page! Let's get together and support the advancement of scientific, academic, medical and human rights efforts! Humanism is a worldview which says that reason and science are the best ways to understand the world around us, and that dignity and compassion should be the basis for our actions. Visit us at our WEBSITE | FACEBOOK
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- HAT Forum - HAT speaker SeriesLink visible for attendees
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/)
- HAT Forum - “An Honest Appraisal of China”Link visible for attendees
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’s topic is:
“An Honest Appraisal of China” Presented by Richard Dowsett
China is one of the world’s great cultures with a history stretching back at least four millennia. For much of this history, the idea of China as “the Middle Kingdom”, the very centre of world civilization, was deeply rooted in Chinese culture and politics. It influenced how Chinese rulers viewed their relationship with other countries and their role in the world. The self-image of the Middle Kingdom contributed to a sense of isolation and a reluctance to engage with the outside world in a meaningful way. This inward-looking attitude made it difficult for China to modernize and adapt to the changing world in the 19th century, leading to periods of vulnerability and conflict.
The Cultural Revolution and the rise of the Communist state (1966-1976) brought an end to this hubristic malaise but the speed and violence of the societal changes they wrought continued for a further 20 years as China tried to get its own house in order while finding a place in the modern world.
By the mid-90’s new leadership and a modified version of the previous hardline isolationism saw China start to use its huge human resources to become the manufacturer to the world. GDP went from being stagnant at about US$1000 billion per year for the 80’s and 90’s to growing at boom rates averaging 9% per year, topping US$18000 billion in 2024, making it the world’s 2nd largest economy. This new found wealth and economic power would make China a superpower and a force to be reckoned with, even it its values, ideals and governance agreed with Canada’s and the other developed nations of the world but with many of its principles being seemingly anti-thetical to many of our own ways of life, it’s hard not to see China as not just a rivalbut a threat
Today I want us to make an honest appraisal of China –what powers it holds, what are its aims, and whether its governing principles and values can be evaluated as a negative, positive or neutral for the Chinese people and for the health and stability of world culture.
Questions
1. Do you feel that China is a current threat to the health and stability of world culture? Why or why not?
2. How does the influence of China differ from the ways western governments have influenced the behaviour of developing countries in the recent past and currently?
3. Is G7 criticism of China and the Chinese Communist Party more based in the concern we have about losing our own influence due to the failures of our own efforts? Are we afraid of competition?
4. Our ability to assess China has been hampered by their lack of transparency and our own willingness to create poorly researched information and outright propaganda to fill the gap. Are we in Canada confident that our appraisal of China is rationally based?
5. How can democratic, capitalist, humanist countries act more effectively to win the hearts and minds of the citizens and governments in countries outside the G7?
Resources
Here are some aspects to consider:
1. Economic Power:
Pro: China’s economic boom has been responsible for lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty. China has significantly contributed to global economic development, particularly in the Global South, through The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) a program of infrastructure investments, loans, and trade partnerships.
Con: Critics argue that China's BRI projects often result in debt dependency, as some countries struggle to repay loans and are forced to cede strategic assets (e.g., Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port). China has been accused of using economic leverage to silence criticism and extract political concessions.
2. Human Rights:
Pro: China has provided substantial medical aid, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, sending vaccines, medical supplies, and health professionals to numerous countries.China is a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations and financial aid to international institutions.
Con: China’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, crackdowns on dissent in Hong Kong, and surveillance state practices have drawn widespread international condemnation. China promotes authoritarian governance models, undermining the democratic norms and freedomsthat many consider basic human rights. China's Social Credit System (SCS) is a 2014 government initiative to track, evaluate, and influence the behavior of individuals, businesses, and government institutions. • Critics argue that the SCS is a surveillance tool that infringes on privacy and personal freedoms used to enforce political conformity and suppress dissent.
3. Military:
Cons: China military the 2nd most powerful military on earth, in every theatre of operation including space and cyberspace. China’s economic influence and territorial expansion has been backed by military might. They are in territorial disputes with 9 neighboring countries. Its strategic alliances and military aid to authoritarian regimes are viewed as destabilizing.
4. Cyberwarfare:
Cons: China has been accused of influencing foreign media, academic institutions, and technology infrastructure to shape global narratives in its favor. Its export of surveillance technology to authoritarian governments raises concerns about global data privacy and digital authoritarianism. China is widely regarded as a major source of cyberattacks globally. These activities range from state-sponsored espionage and intellectual property theft to financially motivated cybercrimes by criminal groups.
5. Climate Change & Green Technology
Con: China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Its overseas infrastructure projects have been linked to environmental destruction, deforestation, and unsustainable resource extraction.
Pro: China is a global leader in renewable energy production, including solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. It has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and has invested heavily in green infrastructure.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/)
