Recent Platforms and Events

• May 2008
  • Why I believe, presented by ESA Member Rich Harrison.

• April 2008
  • Where We Live, presented by Kate Lovelady, Leader of the Ethical Society of St. Louis, Randy Best, Leader of the North Carolina Society for Ethical Culture, and Tony Hileman, Leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture.
  • Living in the Materialist World: Liberating Ourselves from Our Insane Preoccupation with Material Possessions, presented by ESA Member Irene Tobis

• March 2008
  • Living Well - How could we design our lives so they nurture people and the planet? by Brandi Clark
  • What I Believe by the ESA membership

• February 2008
  • Discovering the Meaning of Life by Charles O'Dell

• January 2008
  • My Humanist Concept of Sacred by Michael Kriegh

• December 2007
  • History of Ethical Culture by Jennifer Scates, President, American Ethical Union

• October 2007
  • Understanding Altruism by Janet Love
  • Bringing out the Best by Adam Gravois

• September 2007
  • Unifying the Eight Commitments Through Action - Looking for the Golden Thread by Michael Barnett
  • Giving by Tim Hayles

• August 2007
  • Ethical Humanism as a Source of Comfort and Hope: by Randy Best
  • Silent Racism: How Well-Meaning White People Perpetuate the Racial Divide by Dr. Barbara Trepagnier

• July 2007
  • Understanding the Stages of Moral Development: by Janet Kaye Love
  • the Ethics of Forgiveness: by Randy Best
  • Ethics in the Legislature: by Texas State Representative Donna Howard

• June 2007
  • Coevolution - how unrelated organisms have developed together over time: by Steve Bratteng
  • How Can Sympathy Cause Trauma: by Janet Kaye Love
  • An Ethics of Human Worth: by Randy Best

• May 2007
  • The Plug-in Hybrid Car Campaign: by Lisa Braithwaite
  • Bringing Meaning to Life: by Randy Best
  • State Budget - A Moral Document: by F. Scott McCown

• April 2007
  • Fundamentalism and the War on Terror: by Tim Hayles
  • Myth and Modernity: Is there a Place for Myth and Ritual in the 21st Century?: by Rebecca Armstrong
  • Standing for Ethics: Ethical Culture Positions on Issues Past and Present: by Randy Best

• March 2007
  • Ethical Politics: How Ethical Voters Elect Ethical Officials: by Charles O'Dell
  • The Ethics of Emptiness: by Barbara Kohn

• February 2007
  • The Life and Philosophy of Dr. Richard Feynman: by Tim Hayles
  • Ethics and the Meaning of Life: by Bart Worden
  • Dangerous Ideas: by Randy Best

• January 2007
  • Ethical Behavior and Forgiveness of Ourselves and Others: Laying the Burdens Down: by Dolores Gunter
  • Bridging the Polarization Gap: by Tomas Spath

• December 2006
  • A Winter Solstice Celebration: by Randy Best
  • Immigration Ethics: by Jennifer Long
  • The Ethical Culture Movement in America and Abroad: by Tim Hayles

• November 2006
  • Remembering our Ancestors: by The ESA Congregation
  • Rules for Living - Our Wellspring of Ethics: by Randy Best

• October 2006
  • Existential Humanism: A Minority Viewpoint: by Nick Salome
  • Our Obligations to Others: by Randy Best

• September 2006
  • Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Concept of the World House: by Dr. Ronald Swain
  • Ancestral Magnitudes: Contemplating our Evolutionary Heritage: by Adam Gravois
  • Doubt, Faith and Truth: A Humanist Perspective: by Randy Best, Leader Without Walls, AEU

• August 2006
  • We are Resolved to Follow our National Dream: by Lynn Gilbert
  • We Need the Military, Why?: by Tim Hayles

• July 2006
  • Free Will and Responsibility: How Free are We?: by Randy Best, Leader Without Walls, AEU

• June 2006
  • Ethics as a Spiritual Practice: by Randy Best, Leader Without Walls, AEU
  • A 'Very Off Broadway' Look at the Founding of Ethical Culture: by Joe and Pam Farley

• May 2006
  • Spirituality Without Religion: by Tim Hayles
  • Ethical Culture Hospital Chaplain: by Betty Hilton

• April 2006
  • Rconciliation in Bosnia: by Dolores Gunter
  • Heroes of Ethical Culture: the Eliot Black Award Nominees: by Rich Harrison

• March 2006
  • Habitat for Humanity: by the Ethical Action Committee
  • Spring Festival: A Celebration of Hope and Renewal

• February 2006
  • Usefulness of Religion: by Tim Hayles
  • Empathy: Concern for the Other: by Adam Gravois

• January 2006
  • Ethics as a Religion: by Jennifer Scates

• December 2005
  • The Death Penalty in Texas -- Up Close and Personal: by Walter Long
  • Ethics from a Jewish Perspective: by Rabbi Kerry Baker

• November 2005
  • Thanks and Giving: by a panel of ESA members
  • Infidels in 19th century Northeast Texas: by Paulette Delahoussaye

• October 2005
  • A Buddhist Perspective on Ethics: by Sergio Ayala
  • Ethical Dilemmas: by Ken Liechti

• September 2005
  • Ethical Dilemmas: by Joe Farley
  • Our Brains, our Selves, our Cultures; Why are they so complex: by Tim Hayles

• August 2005
  • Friendship in Harry Potter: by Jennifer Scates and family
  • Building Community: A Practical Exercise: by ESA Members

• July 2005
  • Growing with the American Ethical Union: by Peter Brady
  • Ethical Action In The Community: by various ESA members

• June 2005
  • The Speech That Launched Ethical Culture: by Tim Hayles
  • Father's Day: A Participatory Celebration: by Kate Lovelady

• May 2005
  • Citizen Mom: Mother's Day and Ethics: by Kate Lovelady
  • Ethical Leadership in Business: by Linda Ford
  • Ethical Dilemmas: by Tim Hayles

• April 2005
  • The History of Ethical Culture: by Jennifer Scates
  • What is Religious Humanism: by Kate Lovelady

• March 2005
  • How Many Earths?: Ecological Ethics: by Kate Lovelady
  • The Complexity of Simplicity: by Pat Farley

• February 2005
  • The Terrible, Beautiful Mess of Life: Humanism and the Arts: by Kate Lovelady
  • Where Does Ethical Culture Come From?: by Anoek Inbar

• January 2005
  • Editing your New Year: Copy, Paste or Delete?: by Joe Farley
  • Ethical Culture Spirituality: by Nancy Montagna

• December 2004
  • Winterfest - The Quest for Illumination and Warmth: by Kate Lovelady
  • Nurturing Self-Esteem in Children of All Ages: by Marsha Jean

• November 2004
  • Thanks and Giving: by Kate Lovelady
  • Religion and Science in Modern Culture: by Tim Hayles

• October 2004
  • It's Not Easy Bein' Green: Living Ethical Culture Every Day: by Kate Lovelady
  • The Heart of Religion: by Valerie Bencivenga

• September 2004
  • Standing on the Table: Leadership in Everyday Life: by Kate Lovelady
  • Ethical Culture's Emphasis on Community: by Jennifer Scates

• August 2004
  • Looking Inside Our Ethical Society: Image vs. Reality: by Joe Farley and panel
  • Ethical Communication: Talking and Listening: by Peter Brady

• July 2004
  • How do Ethical Personalities Develop: by Curt Collier
  • What Freedom Means to Me: by Lisa Harris and panel

• June 2004
  • Our Parents through Our Eyes: by Joe Farley and panel
  • Deed Before Creed: ESA in Action: by Tracie Reyher

• May 2004
  • How You Can Be Happy: by Peter Brady, ESA President
  • Changes in the Conception of God: Adler and Others: by Pam Farley

• April 2004
  • Freedom of Speech versus Good Manners: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Ethics: the Next Generation: by Kate Lovelady, AEU Leader-in-Training

• March 2004
  • Starting Point for Generating Compassion: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Human Worth: by Rich Harrison, ESA Member

• February 2004
  • Love, Sex and Eros: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Ethical Culture - A Way of Life: by Don Montagna, Senior Leader, Washington Ethical Society
  • Intergenerational Equity Issues in Social Security Reform: by Valerie Bencivenga, ESA Member

• January 2004
  • Abraham Lincoln's Philosophy of Life: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Reflection on Goals and Wants for the New Year: by Joe Farley, ESA Member

• December 2003
  • ESA Winter Festival: Bringing Back the Light: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Let the Child Within Come Out and Play: by Lee Epstein, ESA Member

• November 2003
  • Why Ethical Culture is a Religion: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Ethics in Scientific Research: by Professor Gus Lomia

• October 2003
  • Laughter - The Spice of Life: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Visit to the Republic of Georgia: by Professor Roger Columbik

• September 2003
  • Setting Limits vs Empathy: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader
  • Veterans for Peace: An Ethical Choice in Today's World: by Richard Underhill and Bill Kelsey

• August 2003
  • Why God Won't Go Away: by Tim Hayles, Member, ESA
  • American Ethical Union Visioning: by John Hartmann, AEU Executive Director

• July 2003
  • Ethical Energy Generation: by Mark Kapner, Austin Energy Speaker's Bureau
  • What Does Living the Good Life Mean?: by Judy Toth, ESA Consulting Leader

• June 2003
  • Coming Home, Our Journey Back to Worth: by Judy Toth, Consulting Leader, ESA
  • Ethics in Business: by Professor Paul Woodruff

• May 2003
  • On Being Ruthful: by David Bagley, Member, ESA
  • Ethical Action Sunday: by Rich Harrison, Board Member, ESA

• April 2003
  • Creatively Engaging Aging: by Judy Toth, Consulting Leader
  • What is a Cult?: by Russell Elleven, Founder of the Humanists of Fort Worth

• March 2003
  • Spirituality without God: by Kate Lovelady, Leader-in-Training
  • The Taming Power of the Small: by Barbara Taft and Abraham Davidson

• February 2003
  • Dealing with Lying, a Perspective from Ethical Culture: by Ken Liechti, Board Member, Ethical Society of Austin
  • The Ethical Implications of the Universal Living Wage Movement: by Richard Troxell, National Chairman of the Universal Living Wage Movement

• January 2003
  • Compassion vs Judgment: by Judy Toth, Consulting Leader, Ethical Society of Austin
  • A Personal Approach to Ethical Culture: by Rich Harrison, Board Member, Ethical Society of Austin

• December 2002
  • Friendship: a Colloquy by Joel Feinglass, Board Member, Ethical Society of Austin
  • On the Wings of an Eagle: a Platform by Bob Greenwell, Leader, New Society Program, Ethical Society of St. Louis

• November 2002
  • A Harvest of Gratitude: a Platform by Judy Toth, Consulting Leader, Ethical Society of Austin
  • Free Will: a Platform by Francis Stefani, member of the Ethical Society of Austin

• October 2002
  • Membership Meeting: discussion of future plans and issues
  • "Integrity": a Platform by Jennifer Scates, member of the Ethical Society of Austin

• September 2002
  • "Nine-Eleven: Impact and Legacy": a Platform by Judy Toth, American Ethical Union national membership committee
  • "Our Week in Ethical Culture Boot Camp": a Platform by Melanie Schlickeisen and Rich Harrison, ESA Board Members

• August 2002
  • "Homelessness in Austin": a Platform by Helen Varty, Executive Director of the Capital Area Homeless Alliance
  • "The Hands-on Housing Project": a Platform by Dr. Hugh Sparks, Coordinator of Hands-on Housing for AAIM

• July 2002
  • "Oral History: Connectedness and Belonging": a Platform by John Williams, Associate Director of AAIM
  • "Domestic Violence: Breaking the Silence - Community Stakeholders in a National Tragedy": a Platform by James Sylvester, Travis County Sheriff's Department

• June 2002
  • "Compassion: The Heart of the Good Life": a Platform by Fritz Williams, Leader of the Baltimore Ethical Society.
  • "Living more Simply: Making Ethical Choices": a Platform by Susan Teshu, AEU Leader-at-Large

• May 2002
  • "Opening Your Heart and Your Home": a Platform by Betty and John Harris.
  • "An introduction to the Bahá’í Faith": a Platform by Jan Emberson, PhD.

• April 2002
  • "Prayer in the Schools": a Platform by Vivian Harriman, mother of a Palestine, Texas, middle school student.
  • "the Drug Development Process": a Platform by Rita Danklefs, member, ESA.

• March 2002
  • "Why is Music?": a Platform by Dr. Hugh Sparks, Professor Emeritus of Music, UT Austin.
  • "Springfest, a Member-Led Celebration": facilitated by Peter Brady, ESA Board Member.

• February 2002
  • "Friendship": a Discussion by Lauren Sloan, Adjunct Leader of the Ethical Society of Austin.
  • "Working Toward Reconciliation, the Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue Program": by Eddie Mendoza, VOM/D Director.

• January 2002
  • "Community": a Discussion by Melanie Schlickeisen, member of the Ethical Society of Austin.
  • "The Artist as Prophet": a platform by Chuck Freeman, Minster of Live Oak Unitarian Church.

• December 2001
  • "Creating a Setting for Personal Metaphors: Bellydancing as Weltanschauung": a platform by Lissa Anderson, member of the Ethical Society of Austin.
  • "God and Godding: A Noun Becomes a Verb", by Dr. Laura Hobgood-Oster, Elizabeth Root Paden Chair, Department of Religion and Philosophy, Southwestern University

• November 2001
  • "99 Reasons to be Grateful": a platform by Richard Harrison, member of the Ethical Society of Austin.
  • "The AEU and You": a platform by Ellen McBride, past president of the American Ethical Union.

• October 2001
  • "Ethical Heroes": a play by Stanley Wayne, presented by the Ethical Society Players.
  • "Human Worth": a platform by Dr. Bob Berson, Leader of the Ethical Society of Northern Westchester.

• September 2001
  • "Los Trabajadores" (The Workers): Focusing on the lives of Austin's day laborers, this documentary was produced by Austin filmmaker Heather Courtney.
  • Psytography: Photography on the Couch-Photography is more than meets the eye (I), by Henry Friedman and Megan Baldwin. Through dialogue and lecture Henry and Megan challenged us to redefine our visual, philosophical and spiritual vision, so that we may arrive at a better understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. Henry has had many occupations, but is best known locally as a professional photographer and photography instructor at Austin Community College, and as an eclectic, iconoclastic, and controversial radio talk show host. Megan is an instructor of Psychology and a counselor at Austin Community College.

• August 2001
  • Colloquy on Faith; ESA Member and Founder Joel Feinglass led the group on an introspective discussion about faith.
  • The Ethical Responsibility of the Textbook Publisher to Public Education, by David Lippman, Senior Vice President and Publisher Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

• July 2001
  • The Faith of our Founding Fathers, ESA Member David Bagley took a closer look at the hopes and beliefs of some of the United States' founders.
  • Social Justice and Volunteerism, a presentation by John Williams, Director of the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries' Community Mentoring Network.

• June 2001
  • Due Process for Texas Minors by Diane Philips, Executive Director of Jane's Due Process. Jane's Due Process is an organization which works for fair & equal access to legal representation for Texas minors with particular emphasis on abortion rights.
  • A Father's Love a participatory reading and group discussion lead by Peter Brady, ESA Vice President and Member. In honor of Father's Day, we discussed parents' unconditional love for their children.

• May 2001
  • Matters of Life and Death, by Susan Teshu, American Ethical Union Leader and Interfaith Chaplain. Ms. Teshu works with people who have experienced the death of a loved one, have gone through divorce or are contemplating a move to smaller quarters. Some of her clients are people of the Sandwich Generation, needing to juggle the concerns of elderly parents and children at the same time. In addition to being an Ethical Culture Leader and member of the Association of Professional Chaplains, Susan is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.
  • Felix Adler's Original Founding Address, delivered by Joel Feinglass, Ethical Society of Austin Founding Member and Former President, on the occasion of Ethical Culture's 125th Birthday.

• April 2001
  • Vietnam: Capitalism in a Communist Society, by Alyx Kellington, combat photojournalist
  • Defining Hinduism: Confronting the Myths, by Vrinda Devi, Community Liaison for Barsana Dham, Austin's only Hindu Temple

• March 2001
  • A Cure Worse than the Disease: The Drug War Examined, by Craig Schoer, Board Member, The Drug Policy Forum of Texas
  • A workshop: The Ideal Ethical Society: What would it have and how would it grow?, by Judy Toth, Senior Leader of the St. Louis Ethical Society
  • What Matters Most in Life, by Judy Toth Senior Leader of the St. Louis Ethical Society

• February 2001
  • An Interactive Approach to Youth and Social Justice, by John Williams Program Director of AAIM's Community Mentoring Network
  • Mental Complexity and Moral Development, by Allison Brause, Ph.D. a researcher in organizational development and management systems

• January 2001
  • Religion and the State a platform delivered by David Weiser Attorney
  • Peace and Justice a platform by Federal Judge William Wayne Justice

• December 2000
  • Gratitude a discusson led by Lauren Sloan and Peter Brady, President and Vice President of the Ethical Society of Austin
  • Peace with Justice by Susan Wills, Executive Director of Austin Area Interreligious MInistries

• November 2000
  • Experiences of the Accused in Texas Courts by Betty Blackwell, President-Elect, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Neutral News? How the Myth of Objectivity Traps Journalists, Misinforms the Public and Endangers Democracy by Robert Jensen, PhD, from the Department of Journalism at the University of Texas.

• October 2000
  • An Introduction to Animal Rights by Francis Stefani, Ethical Society of Austin Member and former President of the Vegetarian Network of Austin.
  • Why You Should Care About the State Board of Education: We're Not in Kansas, but We're Close! by Donna Howard, Democratic Candidate Texas State Board of Education and board member of the Austin Metropolitan Ministries

• September 2000
  • Kid-Starts for Ethical Thinking by Su Armstrong, Member and Former President of the Ethical Society of Austin. Also Comfort House founder Florence Ponziano and Board President Mimi Bramuchi made a special presentation. Comfort House, is an afterschool care program for children in the Montopolis neighborhood of Austin.
  • How to Communicate Rationally with Religious Friends and Family by Dr. Larry Brownstein, Associate, the Center for Rational Living.

• August 2000
  • Report from the American Ethical Union Leadership Conference by ESA President Lauren Sloan and Vice President Peter Brady.
  • From Whence the Humanistic Impulse: Is there a Humanistic "Tribe"? by Rabbi Monty Eliasov of the Heart of Texas Havurah

• July 2000
  • Religious Aspects of Ethical Culture
  • Beyond the Golden Rule

• June 2000
  • Personal Ethics and the 'Eversion' of the Status Quo
  • With Courage and Common Sense: Memoirs from the Older WomenŐs Legacy Circle

• May 2000
  • Ethical Culture: Religion or Philosophy? (panel discussion)
  • Is Ethical Humanism Becoming Accepted among Mainstream Religions?

• April 2000
  • A Woman's Experience in a War Zone
  • Helping your Friends When They're Grieving

• March 2000
  • Mind/Body Wellness
  • Sexuality Education for Underprivileged Youth

• February 2000
  • The Trouble with Tolerance
  • Full Count: Inside Cuban Baseball

• January 2000
  • Original Sins and Ongoing Lies: Race, Racism, and White Privilege in the United States
  • Lessons from the Year One: the Essenes

• December 1999
  • Creating Community during the Holidays
  • Coming of Age in America: a Norwegian Social Anthropology Student's Thoughts on the American High School Experience

• November 1999
  • Maxwell Maltz and the Butterfly: The Distinction between Change and Transformation
  • Religion and the First Amendment

• October 1999
  • FOUNDER'S DAY: Longtime Members Share their Stories
  • East Timor and U.S. Foreign Policy

• September 1999
  • Romantic Love and Ethics: Are they Compatible?
  • What does Business Ethics Mean? (colloquy)

• August 1999
  • How can Ethics be Objectively Real?
  • Corporate Ownership of the Press, a Threat to Democracy

• July 1999
  • Humanism in Norway
  • What it means to be an American (group discussion)