“Humanism and Ethical Culture: Alike and Different”

21 Apr 2013

“Humanism and Ethical Culture: Alike and Different” will be presented by Jackie Simms, Ethical Culture Officiant and Humanist Celebrant, at the Sunday, April 21st meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville 2:00-3:30 PM, at the Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road in North Asheville (off Merrimon Avenue near UNCA). Ethical Culture is an Humanist religion without a creed focused on activism. But, did it start out that way? What did founder, Felix Adler, have in mind in 1876 when the Ethical Culture movement began? How has the movement evolved? How are Ethical Culture and Humanism alike and different? These and other questions will be answered during the course of Simms’ talk. There will be a discussion period following the presentation. Following the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation. All are welcome! For more information contact: asheville@aeu.org, www.aeu.org, ethicalsocietyasheville@gmail.com or 828 687-7759.

Jacquelyn Shropshire Simms is a retired educator of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. She became involved in Ethical Culture in 1978 when she enrolled her daughter in the Ethical Society of St. Louis (Missouri) first grade Sunday School class. She has served as a board member of the American Ethical Union, on numerous AEU and local Ethical Society committees in St. Louis and Asheville and in 2001 was a founder of the the Ethical Society of Asheville. She currently serves as the president of board of the Ethical Society of Asheville. She has lived in Asheville with her husband, Fred, since 1990.

The Ethical Society of Asheville is a humanist, educational, philosophical, non-theistic alternative to traditional religions. It is affiliated with the American Ethical Union, which is affiliated with the American Humanist Association and the International Humanist and Ethical Union. Members are inspired by the ideal that the supreme aim of human life is working to create a more humane society. Their commitment is to the worth and dignity of the individual and to treating each human being so as to bring out the best in him or her.