• We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems.
• We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in super natural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation.
• We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life
• We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities.
• We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state.
• We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding.
• We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating dis- crimination and intolerance.
• We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves.
• We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity.
• We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.
• We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest
• We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence
• We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to com prehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity.
• We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences.
• We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and compassion.
• We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences.
• We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos.
• We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking.
• We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others.
• We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality.
• We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings.

1. 281 Points: Provide intellectual stimulation for members through lectures, guest speakers and philosophical discussions.
2. 155 Points: Build a humanist organization whose scope would earn respect and become an influence in the area.
3. 109 Points: Communicate our philosophy to the wider community via the media and our sponsorship of special events.
4. 60 Points: Offer opportunities for members to interact socially at meetings, dine-outs, trips and other special activities.
5. 19 Points: Other (Certain projects, activities etc.)
6. 10 Points: Acquire funds to lease, buy or build a facility for HSSB headquarters, meetings and other activities.

This Month as you know we will be hosts to the President of the American Atheists, Ellen Johnson, for a talk, a reception and dinner. Please support this activity for in addition to its intrinsic value, it is a costly endeavor for our Society. A reception will be held, immediately after her talk, at Victoria's Restaurant, at Encina Lodge, 2220 Bath, near Cottage Hospital. We have a lovely private room with individual tables for 6-8 and a sumptuous hot appetizer buffet, with wine, coffee or soft drinks. (There will be no refreshments at our regular meeting for her talk). All inclusive price is $10 pre-paid and $12 at the door (Tax and tip included). I still have a few places remaining, so call before sending check (564-6086). After the reception, Mrs. Johnson will be our dinner guest at the same location. This is our "Dining Out" venue for the month of October. Good food and service at Victoria's. Be there!

Older News. The pizza party at Rusty's drew about 2 dozen members and friends. All seemed pleased with the food quality and especially the all inclusive price of $8.00. We will return.

The Last Sunday Breakfast was held at Cody's in Goleta. We changed to this location as some requested we do so. Only 7 persons showed up, the seating was not great, and the noise level was high. We will return to Hola Amigos for the next Last Sunday Breakfast October 26th. We get excellent treatment there.

Please send me your comments and concern

Upcoming Events October 23 - 26th: Skeptics Conference on Myths and Hoaxes; Albuquerque NM
Nov. 15th. Grand Opening for Center for Inquiry West (CFI), in Hollywood. We would hire a charter bus if there is sufficient interest.

The Winter Solstice Party will be held on Sunday. (Not Saturday) Dec. 21st at Sizzler's private room - Wonderful entertainment has been booked. Remember, December 21 st ,Mark it now!

JAY LENO ON A NEW IRAQI CONSTITUTION As you may have heard, the U.S. is putting together a constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? Think about it - it was written by very smart people, it's served us well for over two hundred years, and besides, we're not using it anymore. Thomas Henry Huxley Many of Huxley's expressions became famous. He introduced the word agnostic to describe one who believes that the existence of God or a spiritual world cannot be proved. He coined the word biogenesis to emphasize that life arises only from previous life.