The Humanist Advocate

A series of articles from NOSHA member William Sierichs

A series of articles from NOSHA member William Sierichs

NOSHA will be posting a series of articles by member William Sierichs, who was a copy editor with The Advocate, the daily newspaper in Baton Rouge, and who also published in Free Inquiry, the national magazine for the Council for Secular Humanism.    “These articles were written for several secular and humanistic publications from 1991 to a few years ago. A number are derived from a book I wrote attempting to explain why Christianity is one of the most murderous…

The New Morality (1917)

Upton Sinclair was an author, political candidate, and progressive activist just about 100 years ago. His book, “The Jungle”, was an exposé on the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, which ended with laws enforcing clean and safe operations in the industry. On the other end of the spectrum, he published “The Brass Check”’ which was an extended diatribe against “yellow journalism”— which  publisher William Randolph Hearst  abused—leading to to the creation of a journalist code of ethics, which guides…

The New Orleans Archdiocese Digs Its Own Grave

“NOSHA brought in 49 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank for Saturday’s program.”   This bulletin showed up on last week’s NOSHA Facebook page, as have many others similar following the third Saturday meetings. Several years’ worth third Saturday meetings, in fact. It has been a tradition our generous humanists/humanitarians started a few years before COVID broke out and paused during the period of isolation, and then resumed after a green light was given to resume public gatherings….

We Can Be Heroes, Just for One Day

Comedian and banjoist Steve Martin collaborated with members of roots band Steep Canyon Rangers on writing and performing  “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs” over a decade ago, and the humorous acapella verses remain a haunting enigma for atheists—no songs equals no love, no hate, no friends…well, you know: no purpose, no anything. It’s a musical shaming of atheists, if ever there was one (but probably not).  Add to the list of things under the heading of No, the conclusion that…

Thoughts: We Got ‘Em

The New Orleans Secular Humanist Association expresses its condolences to all of New Orleans’ visitors and citizens  and their families who were victims of the terrorist attack in the early morning of January 1, 2025. The event became the predominant  mainstream media and cable news network story of the day, and resulted in the postponement of a major football game. The brutal killing field littered with 15 bodies equaled those that have occured in Europe and other parts of the…

Supporting climate champions in the year to come

Supporting climate champions in the year to come

Award winning journalist Bob Marshall spoke to NOSHA this month about our climate situation regarding the history that has led to where our state is now and what we can expect in the future. And while many of us have grim views of the condition of climate issues in our current political circumstances, he did provide a list of groups he recommends that can use our support and which will keep us informed and offer some bright spots in this…

You’re 25 Only Once

The following is an address made at the 25th Anniversary celebration of NOSHA’s founding, held at Messina’s Runway Cafe located at the Lakefront Airport on September 21, 2024. Following the address, recognition of the members in attendance who were at the very first meeting and some that joined very soon after: David and Connie Schultz, Will Hunn, Lucy Tierney, and John-Patrick and Patricia Lestrade and Grant and Suzy Smith, as well as Charlotte Klasson stood to the appreciative applause of…

Hello New Orleans

Hello New Orleans

On reading the following article—which was New Orleans’ informal public “introduction” to NOSHA—written by the now-retired Times-Picayune columnist Bruce Nolan one Saturday morning, I remember thinking to myself something like “hmm, very interesting..” followed by a quick rejection of the idea of getting involved, using the standard rationalizations that everyone has for not joining a group—”too busy…not enough spare time…I really wouldn’t like it….too much other stuff I need to do”. Twelve years later all those excuses had somehow disappeared…

In the Beginning…..A Group Seeking Answers

In the Beginning…..A Group Seeking Answers

It’s that time of year again. Although the  formation of NOSHA  has been marked as August, 1999, other birthday commemorations have been scheduled in September, or later.  Somewhere around this time each year though, we recognize the resolve of the dozen or so dedicated freethinkers that saw the importance of establishing a forum for their contemporaries—in a city where a group openly touting religious heresies mixed with social and individual freedoms would have been unthinkable, or short lived at best.  David…

BOOK REVIEW: Create Your Own Religion: A How-To Guide for Believers, Doers, and Seekers by Daniele Bolelli

BOOK REVIEW: Create Your Own Religion: A How-To Guide for Believers, Doers, and Seekers by Daniele Bolelli

Review by Daniel Meden. August 2024   Create Your Own Religion: A How-To Guide for Believers, Doers, and Seekers by Italian professor and martial artist, Daniele Bolelli, explores personal spirituality and belief systems across all corners of the globe. Bolelli encourages a critical examination of traditional religions and asks readers to consider creating their own belief systems based on unique needs and values. He argues that many conventional religions are outdated and fail to address the complexities of modern life….

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