• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

  • Home
  • About
    • Platform
    • From our Society’s President, Susan Lesh
    • FAQ
      • How does Ethical Culture make a difference in society?
      • What social life is there in Ethical Culture?
      • How is Ethical Culture religious?
    • Ethical Brew
    • Ceremonies
    • Philosophy
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Our Building Calendar
    • Contact Us
  • Ethical Kids
    • Sunday School
      • Primary Class
      • Elementary Class
      • Junior Class
      • Senior Class
      • Sunday school FAQ
    • Youth Group
  • Leader
    • Wedding Officiant
    • Speaking of Ethics: Living a Humanist Life
    • Leader’s Talks
  • Social Action
    • All Social Action Articles
    • Battling Racism
    • Environmental Action
    • Healthcare
  • Adult Ed
    • Job Club
    • Socrates Cafe
    • Do Tell!
    • Ethical Culture Review of Books
  • News
    • President Column
    • UN Report
    • Platform Addresses
  • Events

A Collision: My Humanist Values and the Election

November 22, 2016

By Janet Glass, President of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County

Maybe by the time you read this I will have been able to think about something other than the results of the presidential election, its consequences and what it says about the values of many of our fellow citizens. By now you will have heard, read, viewed and discussed an endless stream of speculation as to how we got here. I have nothing much to add on that.

On a bright side, this election has made me cherish even more the connection with the Ethical Culture Society. Our members got a chance to watch the election results roll in at our own Meetinghouse and to share our thoughts at a debriefing several days later. My appreciation for those who have been participating in the “Being White and it’s Hidden Assumptions” workshops is stronger than ever. Our social action speaks volumes about our wishes to care for the planet, oppose the oppression of the vulnerable and promote peace. At Ethical, we commiserate, reflect and strengthen our resolve together.

Scapegoats: However, one of our core tenets as humanists has me especially challenged. How do we respect and connect with the humanity of those we find disrespectful of the humanity of others? How do we honor the dignity of those who scapegoat Muslims, immigrants, Latinos, etc., for the problems of globalization and the effects of fake news? Defining respect in the context of active bigots, or those willing to overlook bigotry, leaves me with a semantic headache and a war within my humanist values.

There are examples of how to do this in other religions. One Christian approach is, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” But does this work with the scale of putting a bigot into the White House?

Love and empathy: In an example of an indigenous religion at work, this afternoon I attended a rally against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Sioux tribe is trying to peacefully protect their water from potential contamination. They are being met by the authorities who are shutting down journalists, monitoring with drones and using tear gas. One Native American woman reported that her belongings were taken from her and she was under intrusive surveillance for months. When she finally got her things back she told a witness about the police, “I’ve already forgiven them.” The organizers repeatedly chanted, “Love will win, love will win, love will win.”

So what about Ethical Culture? Bart Worden, in a statement from the American Ethical Union following the election, states, “We will encourage people to listen empathetically and work together despite our differences and disagreements.” Listen. Listen empathetically. To bigots? In my current state of heightened emotion, it seems unfathomable. But then, I remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who certainly knew something about bigots. Back in 1956 he said, “We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization.”

As a humanist, I must find a way to empathize with all, even with bigots. I may not yet be ready for the love stage, Dr. King, but I recognize that they are also human beings and not just a label. This is my challenge, and I’m so glad Ethical Culture is right there with me.

Primary Sidebar

Sign up for our newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Fri 05

Mindfulness at Midday: Meditation, Movement, and Discussion Group

March 5 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Sun 07

Platform: The Culture of Ethical Culture

March 7 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Sun 07

Ethical Eating for Humane and Healthy People and Planet

March 7 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Sun 07

Job Club Workshop

March 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Fri 12

Mindfulness at Midday: Meditation, Movement, and Discussion Group

March 12 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

View More…

Being White

Society asks Teaneck to Make BLM Mural Permanent

About Us

Ethical Culture was founded to focus on community and good works, rather than personal salvation. Read more…

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Ethical Brew

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Archives

Footer

Connect with Us

Address: 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-836-5187
Email: admin@ethicalfocus.org

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Despite the Snow, Cold, and Covid, Camaraderie Finds a Way February 24, 2021
  • The Power of our Ethical Culture Way of Life February 24, 2021
  • One Step at a Time–and Watch the Ice! February 24, 2021
  • Political reform and gun-law reform rank high in Social Action survey February 22, 2021
  • Goodwill and good luck propelled philanthropist and cultural statesman behind a cosmetics empire February 18, 2021

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Topics

atheism atheist church book review children civil rights climate change community compassion death democracy Doris Friedensohn Elizabeth Warren environment Ethical Brew Ethical Culture ethical dilemmas ethical education ethics everyday ethics Felix Adler global warming happiness healthcare humanism humanist humanists human rights Israel Joseph Chuman meetinghouse Middle East politics racism religion Robert Gulack Secular Humanism social action Socrates Cafe Sunday School Susan Golden technology Trump unemployment winter solstice world health

What We Do For Fun….

There's always time for play: celebrations, discussions (some in Spanish -- find Conversemos on our calendar on the fourth Tuesday of the month), hikes, picnics, cultural outings, and affinity groups like our monthly Men's Dinners and Women's Dinners.
Kids get into the act
Diane running the show

Important Links

  • Member of the American Ethical Union
  • Ethical Brew
  • Sanctuary Committee
  • BC Gun Violence Prevention
  • NJ Website Designer
© 2021 | The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Copyright © 2021 · Kreativ Pro On Genesis Framework · The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County · Log in

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE