Humanist Society of Santa Barbara
Newsletter for August 2002

• Social Scene
• Chairman's Column
• Getting to Know You - James Kimberly

• Here and There - This and That
• From the Editor
• Web-site of the Month

We are pleased to acknowledge and welcome the following new members to our Society:

ÄIDA BULLOCK

MARGARET CASEY

SHIRLEY DIAMOND

KENNETH FORESTA

STEVEN ZIMBLEMAN

Members are notified when renewals are due. If you have not yet responded - please do not delay.

Last month, I explored the various definitions of theism, atheism and agnosticism and noted that none of them is synonymous with Humanism. However, the distinction is usually lost on the general public. The unfortunate fact is that Humanism is nearly a totally unknown commodity with the general public. In this final segment, I'll look at one possibility why the other "isms" are better known and what we might do to reverse the situation.

To be sure, the various forms of atheism and agnosticism can be subsumed under the banner of Humanism. That is one of it's strengths. But rejection of the supernatural is only a small part of Humanism. Far more important are the many positive assertions fundamental to Humanism such as respect for the individual, support for democracy, etc. More than atheism or agnosticism, principles such as these form the philosophical basis for a life well lived.

Given that Humanism is a powerful, positive life stance, why is it relatively invisible in the US while everybody seems to know what an atheist is? One view involves the Cold War, Eisenhower, and Madeleine Murray O'Hair.

During the Cold War the US government simplified complex international relations into black-and-white terms the man-on-the-street could identify with. "Godless Communism" was set in stark contrast with the "God-fearing" free world. "Our" side of this conflict was personified by Eisenhower, a genuine war hero, who could do no wrong as President. For example, there was not a significant peep of dissent when he approved the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge.

During the relatively placid Eisenhower years O'Hair was a pariah. She was an atheist and unabashedly so. She was outspoken and had a public persona that was abrasive and unpleasant. She used the court system to enforce First Amendment rights in the face of overwhelming odds. EVERY American - no matter their religious belief - owes her a debt of gratitude.

The main result was a reaffirmation of the limitations on governments at all levels regarding the promotion of any religious doctrine, ritual or symbol. The side effect has been that anyone who advocates the principle of religious freedom risks being labeled as "un-American."

It is not likely that an "O'Hair" of Humanism will emerge in spite of the fact that Paul Kurtz and so many others continue to articulate our perspective to the media. Thus, it is up to each of us to make our own small contribution to Humanism. Bring your non-perishables to our meetings. Write a letter to the News-Press or the other local print media and mention Humanism as one of your guiding principle. Bring you neighbor to our meetings. Write your local, state and federal representatives.

We're Humanists. And proud of it.

James became a charter member of our society after he answered one of the first newspaper ads produced by Keith Bailey that featured the ideas of Robert Ingersoll. To his surprise the initial ad had produced twenty-five responses. The following two were equally successful. He continues his participation as the Major Events Coordinator.

Having studied Russian in college, when he entered the service in 1963 he was sent to the Army Language School in Monterey. There followed a two-year tour of duty in Frankfurt, Germany, monitoring Russian telephone and other communications. While there a roommate introduced him to the writings of Bertrand Russell, an event that later would play a significant role in altering his religious thinking.

Throughout his early years in Buffalo, New York, James attended the local Episcopal Church with his family. However, in 1976 his much admired and loved brother died of multiple sclerosis, in spite of all of the family's prayers, prompting him to begin to question many aspects of his faith. Then in 1983 continuing his interest in Russia on a trip to Leningrad he visited The Museum of the History of Atheism where one of the exhibits was a replica of a monk's room. It contained a wooden bed with some straw on it, a large number of bibles in many languages AND life size statues of Voltaire, Mark Twain and Bertrand Russell. He remembers thinking, "If these guys couldn't swallow this stuff there must be something in what they have to say." Returning home he read two more of Russell's books, including 'Why I Am Not A Christian'. It seemed that the pillars of his early faith were made of cardboard and he was being forced, almost against his will, to reject whole elements of his upbringing. As a consequence he resigned from the Episcopal Church.

This past July 17^th James observed the thirtieth anniversary of his career as a professional fundraiser for non-profit organizations. His initial efforts were on behalf of retirement and children's homes, hospitals, libraries, the Urban League and private schools and colleges. Then in 1991 the Center for Inquiry in Amherst, New York, the largest free-thought organization in this hemisphere, recruited him to raise four million dollars needed to build a library for its headquarters. He raised five million. Later when the Center decided to establish a western branch he was given the responsibility of securing the six million dollars needed for the facility in Los Angeles. Currently, with fifteen months remaining on the schedule, sixty one percent of the funds have been obtained. He is confident that the goal win be reached on time.

James thinks the Christian movement has been in an ideal position to lead the world in teaching ethics and morals, but it has not taken advantage of the opportunity. He believes . the main reason for this failure is a 'chicken-hearted' priesthood afraid to teach the philosophy of kindness, the biblical example of the Good Samaritan and the ideas oontained in the beatitudes. Instead, it concentrates on 'miracles' and other irrelevant things like asking for money to build temples and cathedrals, while tacitly encouraging generations of unwanted children to be born.

He bas traced his lineage back to the first Kimberly to arrive in America, a tailor from Wooten-Under-Edge in England, who came over in 1638.

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?

Charismatics: Only one. Hands already in the air.

Pentecostals: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, a panel to debate satanic influences on the one that failed, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.

Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modem dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church-wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Unification Church: None. Services will be conducted by Moon light.

Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish: Whats a light bulb?

RIGOR MORRIS The cat is dead.

RESPONDEZ S'IL VOUS PLAID Honk if you're Scottish

HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? Can you drive a French motorcycle?

VENI, VIPI, VICI I came, I'm a very important person, I conquered

VENI, VIDI, VISA I came, I saw, I shopped.

COGITO EGGO SUM I think, therefore I am ... a waffle

QUE SERA SERF Life is feudal

LEROI EST MORT. JIVE LEROI The king is dead No kidding

POSH MORTEM Death styles of the rich and famous

PRO BOZO PUBLICO Support your local clown

MONAGE A TROIS I am three years old

HASTE CUISINE Fast French food

QUIP PRO QUO A fast retort

ALOHA OY Love; greetings; farewell; and from such a pain you

MAZEL TON Tons of luck

VISA LA FRANCE Don't leave your chateau without it

CARNE DIEM Seize the meat

Many of our newer members never met our Founder, Keith Bailey, and for that reason I am presenting this brief memorial to him. For many years Keith had, on his own, placed small ads in the local paper regarding his hero, Robert Ingersoll, the 19th Century's "Great Agnostic". Over time he had received numerous replies to his ads (mostly positive but some nasty). In early 1995 I wrote to him to see if he would be willing to cull through his letters to develop a list of potentially interested Freethinkers and Rationalists in this area to develop a forum for like-minded individuals. He would and did and about 25 letters went out in May of 1995. The first meeting, at which some 15 people showed up which was the initial foundation of the Santa Barbara Rationalists. While Keith did not want to be leader of the group he was the inspiration for it. With his strong humanistic moral system, and desire to confront and rebuff the religious fundamentalists in Santa Barbara.

Keith was born in 1923 in Southern Pines, North Carolina, and came to Santa Barbara in 1940. With his brother he built a Sears mail order house on the Mesa. Over the years he taught himself Classical Music, Opera appreciation, and Landscape Design and Ornamental Horticuhure. He became well known throughout the area for his expertise in exotic palms of all description, and consulted with many large property owners in Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Concurrently, he began his lifelong search for "truth" which took him through Jehovah Witnesses, Roman Catholicism, Buddhism, Transcendentalism, Theosophy, and Rationalism and to finally find his calling in Humanism. Keith was a true gentleman of the 'old school' but one who would stand for his beliefs against all odds. After founding our Society he was the Newsletter Editor for many years until illness prevented him from continuing. Keith died in 2002 and is still loved and missed today. This fine, honorable, and straight-speaking man is remembered by a plaque just below the first palm tree (appropriately enough) immediately east of the snack bar building in Chase Palm Park. Look for it the next time you are there.

Who demonstrates the most morally commendable position, the one who does right because it's the decent and civilized thing to do or the one who does right mainly because of an expected payoff in a future life?

SOLOMON had (count 'em) 700 wives and 300 concubines. JEPHTHAH slaughtered many people and killed his own daughter. JOSHUA murdered prisoners and hamstrung horses. ABRAHAM told his wife to lie and married his half-sister. MOSES led mass killings of women and children. DAVID ordered prisoners killed and arranged the death of Uriah so he could seize his wife.

On March 8 2000 Rev. Dr. Michael Newdow filed a complaint against the United States Congress, the State of California, and local School Districts. The complaint alleged that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment . On March 14 2002 oral arguments were held before Circuit Judges Goodwin, Reinhardt & Fernandez. On Wednesday, June 26, 2002, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, in a 2-to-1 vote, that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because it includes the phrase "under God", which amounts to a government endorsement of religion.

Mike Newdow is an average guy who actually started his first religious institution while in junior high school in New Jersey. He finished high school there, and then undertook some university work in assorted locations. In 1977, he became an ordained minister, and has since lived his life according to the tenets of the Universal Life Church, which basically state: "Do what's right." Sounds like a humanist.

All the background to these events including the history of the pledge can be found at