Interview with the Eastern Shore Humanists of Salisbury, Maryland

by | June 22, 2019

By Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Here we talk with the Eastern Shore Humanists of Salisbury, Maryland.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: If we’re looking at the founding of the Eastern Shore Humanists, how did this happen?

Eastern Shore Humanists: About five years ago several Humanists in our congregation (the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Salisbury MD (UUFS) felt there should be more Humanists speakers in the Sunday services, and that there was a need for a forum so non-theists, atheists, Humanists and free thinkers could meet on a regular basis.

Jacobsen: In terms of core values and principles of the group, what are they? 

Eastern Shore Humanists: Our core values parallel those of the Unitarian Universalist principles:

The inherent worth of every person,

Justice and equity in human relations,

Acceptance of all and encouragement of growth in our individual members,

An uninhibited search for truth and meaning,

The use of the democratic process within our membership and at large,

The goal of peace, liberty and justice for all and,

Respect for the interdependent web and recognition of the role of humans in it.

Further, we value science and reason and have no belief in the supernatural.

Jacobsen: Following the previous question, how are these related to core declarations of humanists (humanists seem rather fond of making declarations over the years)?

Eastern Shore Humanists: Our values are consistent with those expressed in Humanist Manifesto III.

Jacobsen: What activities are provided by the Eastern Shore Humanists for its constituency, its membership and community?

Eastern Shore Humanists: The Eastern Shore Humanists hold monthly meetings. Their focus is to further our understanding of Humanism by reading and discussing relevant current articles and books. We have two Humanist Sundays with outside speakers during the church year to which the community is invited.

Jacobsen: Sometimes, the secular can be on the defensive. How does this impact potential social and political work of the Eastern Shore Humanists?

Eastern Shore Humanists: We don’t feel a need to be defensive because we believe in our core values.

Jacobsen: What have been positive developments of the humanist community in the Eastern Shore locale since the founding of the Eastern Shore Humanists?

Eastern Shore Humanists: We are building greater awareness about Humanism within UUFS and the community through membership in like-minded groups. We anticipate that our recent affiliation with the American Humanist Association (AHA)will expand our visiblilty here on the Delmarva Penninsula.

Jacobsen: Any recommended authors, organizations, or speakers?

Eastern Shore Humanists: A book that we are currently reading and would recommend is Creating Change through Humanism by Roy Speckhardt. Fred Edmonds, a former Executive Director, of AHA was a well-received speaker (He has a timely article in the September/October 2018 issue of The Humanist magazine.)

Jacobsen: Any final feelings or thoughts in conclusion?

Eastern Shore Humanists: We’re a small grass roots group and are being careful not to overextend our resources. However, we are considering a web site at some point in the future.

Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, everyone.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. He authored/co-authored some e-books, free or low-cost. If you want to contact Scott: Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.com.

Do not forget to look into our associates: Godless Mom, Nice Mangoes, Sandwalk, Brainstorm Podcast, Left at the Valley, Life, the Universe & Everything Else, The Reality Check, Bad Science Watch, British Columbia Humanist Association, Dying With Dignity Canada, Canadian Secular Alliance, and Centre for Inquiry Canada.

Other Resources: Recovering From Religion.

Photo by Zachary Young on Unsplash

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