In his talk “What is Democracy and How Can We Reclaim It?”, Prof. Michael Thompson of William Paterson University took his audience back to a special time and place in history–Athens in 508 BC. He described the formation of the first democracy recorded in history, and democracy’s essential attributes.
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Platform Meetings
Everyone is welcome to attend our Sunday morning platform meetings!
They are held at 11 AM, for the time being via Zoom. 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 religous 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. Babysitting is available for infants and toddlers too young to sample our 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 audio tapes available for a nominal fee. Call (201) 836-5187 for more information or send us an email at admin@ethicalfocus.org.
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
Ethics For a Lifetime
Joe Chuman, Leader of the Bergen Society, gave a personal and heartfelt Platform address this morning on the topic, “Ethics For a Lifetime”. This was not, as one might think from the title, a reflection on his own life, rather it was a plea to us all that when we judge others, we do […]
Greg Zucker on “The Populist Attack on Democracy and Science”
Greg Zucker gave a thoughtful and provocative Platform address on Sunday (Sep 29) entitled, “The Populist Attack on Democracy and Science”. Greg is managing editor of Logos , a quarterly journal of modern culture, politics and society, is an editor of eight books and is a Ph.D. candidate in political science at Rutgers University. Although […]
The Little, Nameless, Unremembered Acts of Kindness and Love
Leader Joseph Chuman takes inspiration from the poet William Wordsworth, who wrote of “…little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love,” to explore the value of compassion, attention, and being present for one another in a world where most people are coping with hardship and adversity. Read More
Matt Smith, organizer for Food & Water Watch in New Jersey on “Fracking”
Sunday’s Platform (9/22) featured Matt Smith, organizer for Food & Water Watch in New Jersey. Matt spoke about “fracking” (short for hydraulic fracturing), a technique for extracting natural gas from hitherto uneconomic geologic formations. The technique works by pumping huge quantities of chemicals and water underground, under high pressure, and then causing an explosive force to […]
What’s Happening This Summer in our Society
By Susan Lesh We have switched into Summer Mode here at Bergen. Our platforms have begun to be a little more informal, as discussions rather than talks. They begin a little earlier, at 10:30 am, but offer the same provocative, intelligent content that you expect when you come to the Ethical Culture Society. This summer […]
