[BES Friends] December BESpeak; weekend events

[Emil Volcheck]

Dear BES friends,

Here is a link to the December issue of BESpeak:

    http://BaltimoreEthicalSociety.org/Documents/BESpeak_2009_12.pdf  .

A lot is happening this weekend at BES and nearby.

On Saturday, 12/5 at 7 PM the Ethical Coffeehouse is featuring writers
of BES, including Karla Mancero, Rosemary Klein, Karen Elliott, and
Carolyn Brown plus an open mic that often includes some of the best in
Baltimore poetry (and some great music as well).

There's more poetry on Sunday morning as the Poetry Group meets in the
library at 9:30; contact poet at BaltimoreEthicalSociety.org to find out
this week's topic.

On Sunday, 12/6 at 10:30 Leader Emeritus Fritz Williams will speak on
the topic "God on Trial".  Never has believing and not believing in
God been the source of so much controversy and hostility.  In their
writings, lectures, and media appearances, Richard Dawkins, Sam
Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens have launched a
barrage of high-profile attacks on the legitimacy of believing in God.
Meantime, all sorts of believers have rushed to the defense of their
beleaguered Almighty.  While others who live on the edge of religion,
including Armstrong herself, want to call the whole business an
unfortunate mistrial.  As members of a religious and philosophical
movement that considers arguing over believing and not believing
tangential to the ethical challenge of elevating our lives and
improving the world in which we live, we look on with curiosity and
puzzlement.  What's all the fuss? And why should we care?

Later on Sunday, 12/6, there is an event that is not sponsored by the
Baltimore Ethical Society but which may be of interest to many of our
members and friends, so we are including it here.  Greg Epstein, the
Humanist Chaplain of Harvard University, is visiting Baltimore on his
national tour to promote his new book "Good without God: what a
billion nonreligious people do believe".  At 3:00 pm, there will be a
reception and book signing at First Unitarian's Enoch Pratt Hall
(entrance on Charles St.).  At 4:00 pm, Epstein will present a lecture
in the main Church hall.  First Unitarian Church is located at the NW
corner of Charles and Franklin Streets.  This event is sponsored by
First Unitarian Church and the Baltimore Coalition of Reason.
Epstein's book will be available for purchase.

I hope to see you downtown this weekend!

Karen Elliott
President,
The Baltimore Ethical Society