BC Humanist Association

Good news: The Federal Court ruled that the government was justified in excluding anti-choice groups from Canada Summer Jobs funding.

I normally try to separate church and state, [Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, a Christian] said during a press conference at City Hall on Friday. I don’t usually talk about this publicly, but I’m Christian, a person of faith. I’m not aware of anything in the Bible that tells me vaccines are prohibited. In fact, I think looking out for your friends and neighbours is actually profoundly responsible.

As humanists, it can be hard to prepare for the end of our lives. With that in mind, we've created a guide discussing the unique challenges nonreligious people face in planning and considering their deaths, along with measures to improve it. This guide, as the culmination of months of work by our campaign team, is available on our in both a downloadable print and audiobook form. We'll be releasing more content on a humanist approach to end of life and care in the next few wee...ksalong with another resource-packed guide on memorials and grief. To make sure you don't miss it, you can sign up for our weekly newsletter here: https://www.bchumanist.ca/newsletter #MAiD #humanism #dyingwithdignity https://bit.ly/2FLWecq

Today's the day! At 5 p.m., we'll be hearing from Matthew Remski on all things cultsfrom Ashrams, to MLMs, to QAnon. Make sure to RSVP by 5 p.m. to join us live on Zoom: https://bchumanist.ca/cults_then_and_now

We've officially launched our End of Year Fundraiser! This year, thanks to your support, we were able to accomplish a lotand for 2021, we've got even more ambitious plans. However, we need your help to get started.... By donating, you’re directly helping us to expand our research efforts and work to fight for equality and reason in Canada. This funding will go towards continuing ongoing campaigns and projects, along with allowing us to launch new initiatives. You can find all our goalsalong with our biggest accomplishments from the last yearon our official fundraiser page below.

This Thursday at 5 p.m., we're diving deep into the world of cults with Matthew Remski. RSVP now to join us live: https://www.bchumanist.ca/cults_then_and_now

For this week's spotlight on a prominent humanist in history: Albert Einstein. Have a favorite historical humanist you'd like to see featured? Let us know!

One week from today: join us for a talk on all things cults! Don't forget to RSVP to secure your virtual spot here: https://www.bchumanist.ca/cults_then_and_now

Do you want to join an active community of freethinkers and support the work we do? It’s never been easier. Starting from just $10 a year, you can become a member of the BC Humanist Association. For information on membership perks and how to apply, head to the link below. www.bchumanist.ca/join

Today, a conversion therapy ban bill was reintroduced to Parliament by the Liberals saving a potential policy that was previously left dead in the water by their decision to prorogue Parliament. Read more here: https://www.cbc.ca//politics-conversion-therapy-lametti-li There's still a long way to go, however, to ensure this ban will protect everyone targeted by conversion therapy and pass it into law. ... Sign our petition now to help us ensure this essential policy is adopted: https://www.bchumanist.ca/conversiontherapyban

We're just one week away from our next event, a panel with James Rowe, Emma-Jane Burian, and Kathryn Harrison! Don't forget to RSVP in order to watch the event live on Zoom here: https://www.bchumanist.ca/climate_justice_in_canada If you have any questions on climate justice for our panelists, don't hesitate to send us a message ahead of the event!

Yesterday was #WorldContraceptionDay ! Here's some facts about contraception in B.C.

Today's the day! Don't miss our talk at 5 p.m. you can RSVP to join the live event here: https://www.bchumanist.ca/the_arbiters_of_faith

For our first spotlight on Humanists in History, we took a look at Henry Morgentaler, one of the most prominent figures in shaping abortion rights as we know them today. Do you have a favorite humanist from history who you think we should feature? Comment below!

Only two more days until our next event, The Arbiters of Faith: Prayer in the BC Legislature and Religious Entanglement hosted by Teale Phelps Bondaroff! Have you RSVP'ed yet? If not, please follow the link below to receive an invite to our live Zoom event: https://www.bchumanist.ca/the_arbiters_of_faith

Less than a week until our next event! Make sure you've RSVP'ed here: https://www.bchumanist.ca/the_arbiters_of_faith

A heartbreaking story out of New Zealand on the importance of MAiD:

Did you miss last week's talk on Toxic Masculinity and Black Male Identity by Corey Clay and Matt Ashcroft? We've got you the full event is available on YouTube now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfg6YmcmSR8 (Pssst. Don't forget to RSVP below to receive an invite to the live Zoom for our next event, The Arbiters of Faith: Prayer in the BC Legislature and Religious Entanglement.)... https://www.bchumanist.ca/the_arbiters_of_faith

We're looking for health care providers with specialties in palliative or hospice care to review our death & dying guide. This guide will provide resources, information and advice for humanist and non-religious people living in BC. If you or anyone you know would be willing to spend 30 minutes providing feedback, please message us here or send an email to [email protected]. Thank you!

We've got another event coming up next week! Our Research Coordinator, Teale Phelps Bondaroff , will present the findings of our summer research team on sample prayers in the BC Legislature.

Last week, our Executive Director Ian Bushfield and Reasearch Coordinator Teale Phelps Bondaroff published an article that was the culmination of the BCHA's summer research team's work. Haven't had time to read the full paper yet? We've got you here's a brief, illustrated breakdown of the key points of their paper. For more, you can read the full paper here: https://secularismandnonreligion.org/artic/10.5334/snr.140/

"Two years ago, a B.C. Coroners Service death review panel said provincial regulation to ensure evidence-based care at all public and private treatment and recovery facilities needs to be a priority. The panel said this system should be developed by September 2019. Lead physician at B.C. addiction clinic says more treatment beds and a safer drug supply needed to save lives It's now September 2020. More people are dying of overdoses than ever before, but the system of regulati...on envisioned by the death review panel still does not exist. 'It makes me so angry, because it's not just me," LeRoux said. "I meet other mothers and they have similar stories. No one should be dying in a treatment centre.'" https://www.cbc.ca//as-overdose-deaths-spike-families-ask-

Tonight at 5 p.m., don't miss our latest talk with Matt Ashcroft and Corey Clay! RSVP here in advance to get an invite to the live Zoom event: https://www.bchumanist.ca/toxic_masculinity_and_black_male_

Canada needs an unequivocal conversion therapy ban, and it needs it now. In spite of recent setbacks with the federal government, we're taking this fight to the very end. Join our call for action by signing our petition:

"Until conversion therapy is legally banned in its entirety in Canadaa ban that firmly and resolutely eradicates orders of hateLGBTQ2 people remain at risk." A great piece by Peter Gajdics on Canada's rocky path to a conversion therapy ban, and the failings of Bill C-8: https://www.dailyxtra.com/canada-conversion-therapy-ban-bil

Next Thursday, September 10 at 5 p.m., returning speakers Matt Ashcroft and Corey Clay will dive into how the intersection of race, gender identity, and toxic notions of masculinity can cause harm not only on a societal level, but also to individuals. RSVP to receive an invite to the live Zoom event here: https://www.bchumanist.ca/toxic_masculinity_and_black_male_

In case you missed it: Last week's panel on Conversion Therapy in Canada, featuring Dr. Kristopher Wells and Matt Ashcroft, is now available on YouTube.