Humanist psychologist Erich Fromm’s philosophy of human potential and flourishing, including his fundamental view that human fulfillment is not an achievement but a process, greatly influenced Joe Chuman, starting at a young age. He discusses Fromm’s continuing relevance, personally and politically.
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Platform Meetings
Everyone is welcome to attend our Sunday morning platform meetings!
They are held at 11 AM (10 am in summer) in our building and also on Zooom. Non-members may obtain the Zoom link by emailing admin@ethicalfocus.org. Our thought-provoking platform addresses cover a wide range of subjects relating to ethics in modern life.
Our speakers offer thoughts related to the philosophy of humanism or share their experiences and commitments in the struggle to foster peace, justice, economic fairness and racial and religious harmony.
The Ethical Culture Leader of Bergen County speaks on the first Sunday of each month, occasionally on the differences between Ethical Culture and other religious movements. Sometimes our meetings take the form of interviews or group discussions. Three times a year, special celebrations are held in conjunction with the children of the Sunday School.
Music, small discussions, coffee and socializing are also important elements of our Sunday morning experience.
If you would like to sample our programs before visiting (or if you are too far to visit) you may also choose from a large selection of our content on YouTube.com/EthicalFocus.
The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County welcomes people of all races, ethnic origins, religious backgrounds, and sexual orientations. The Society has a barrier-free front entrance.
Selected Platform Addresses by Guest Speakers
As a Humanist, Should I Seek to Escape This World?
The great religions, despite their tremendous diversity, are all based on the assumption that the human condition is in some sense problematic. As humanists, we don’t need to seek invulnerability from life’s hardships.Read More
The Thinker Who Inspired Me Most and His Relevance for Today
Humanist psychologist Erich Fromm’s philosophy of human potential and flourishing, including his fundamental view that human fulfillment is not an achievement but a process, greatly influenced our Leader Joe Chuman starting at a young age. In this column, he discusses Fromm’s relevance today, both personally and politically.
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The Enduring Relevance of Ethical Culture
Today, our world is much different than when Felix Adler founded Ethical Culture in 1876. Yet, of all the “religions of humanity” created in the 19th century, it alone has survived into the 21st. In this platform address, leader Joseph Chuman discusses why Ethical Culture has endured.Read More
Loving Our Neighbor and the World: Cosmopolitanism and the American Future
With the deepening divisions in American society, politically, socially, and economically, perhaps the time has come to envision and to advocate for another way of understanding American society and American identity. In this platform address, leader Joseph Chuman discusses such a way.Read More
Einstein’s Religion
Einstein, a friend of Ethical Culture, believed that behind or within reality there exists an order that is rationally structured and is scrutable–but only partially–to the human mind. Einstein also believed that ethical behavior should be based on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs.Read More
