The US Secretary of Defense, recently, released a memo with plans for severing of government ties with Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America. Hegseth's reasoning stems from the organization's allowance of girls as members, which he argues has transformed it into a group that undermines “boy-friendly spaces.” Douglas' personal reflections as a former Boy Scout provide context to this discussion, emphasizing the depth of support the military historically provided, including logistical and medical assistance for events like the National Scout Jamboree.
We make note of Scouting America’s evolving policies, particularly their decision to accept girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community. But the organization still excludes atheists and promotes Christian Nationalism since evangelicals took over the group in the late 1980s. This is why the federal government should cut ties, not for made up gender issues.
We pay tribute to Bob Barnes, a notable Canadian humanist leader and friend to the show, who recently passed away. We share some personal anecdotes about previous interactions with Barnes and his contributions to the humanist community, while honoring his work with the Bluewater Atheists Humanists and Agnostics group. We replay a segment from a previous interview with him, encapsulating his vision for the humanist movement and its importance in fostering community and support.
Finally we answer the biggest question of the day, 'what humanism means today', particularly within Unitarian Universalism. Reflecting on a sermon delivered by Reverend T.K. Barger, we underscore the common threads of humanism that resonate across different beliefs, highlighting both the overlaps and distinctions between secular and religious humanism. There is the emphasis that humanists are tasked with the responsibility of fostering compassion and rationality in addressing global issues, ultimately framing humanism as an actionable philosophy that empowers individuals to effect change in their communities.
01:00 Military Plans to Cut Ties with Scouting America for wrong reason
21:07 Remembering our friend Bob Barnes
24:41 What Does Humanist Mean Today?