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BC Humanists Podcast

BC Humanists Podcast

By BC Humanist Association

We are building a community based on reason and compassion in BC through education, outreach, support, and advocacy. This podcast contains recordings of speakers at our weekly Sunday Meetings in Vancouver. Some speakers may use profanity or discuss explicit content.
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Human Rights Dialogue Q&A

BC Humanists PodcastMar 13, 2018

00:00
43:14
Putting a cost on religion in Canada
Mar 26, 202401:14:56
Creating secular rituals and ceremonies
Nov 28, 202346:28
Tackling the Climate Emergency with Emiko Newman

Tackling the Climate Emergency with Emiko Newman

Despite decades of calls to action, our emissions are not on a path to stave off a horrific future for our children and future generations. The BC Climate Emergency Campaign is a group of civil society organizations, anxious about the climate emergency, who are collaborating to increase the ambition of climate policy and action in BC. We are not a formal coalition, but have chosen to work together on a joint campaign. Signatories, which include the BC Humanist Association, share a belief that BC’s climate plan, CleanBC, needs a profound jolt, one that would transform CleanBC into a genuine emergency plan and force the provincial government to take real action on climate change. In this webinar, BC Climate Emergency Campaign Coordinator Emiko Newman will prioritize an action-oriented, hope-filled approach that's heavy on solutions to the crisis. Presenter: Emiko Newman, BC Climate Emergency Campaign coordinator Emiko is passionate about exploring the intersections of social justice and climate justice. In 2022, she completed a master’s degree in Social Justice Education and Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto, focusing on the power of eco-pedagogies for fostering a praxis of hope within environmental education. Her past work experience includes coordinating anti-racism workshops, working as a research assistant on environmental and sustainability education, and teaching piano. She joined the BC Climate Emergency campaign with the desire to work alongside others to push the government away from incremental action towards the emergency-level action demanded by the climate crisis. Emiko is also an avid field hockey player, pianist, taiko player, and (sometimes) completer of reading challenges.

Oct 11, 202337:26
It's still unconstitutional: Municipal councils opening with prayers
Sep 26, 202345:31
Ending Institutional Religious Obstructions
Aug 30, 202320:33
The Supremacy of God and the Rule of Law

The Supremacy of God and the Rule of Law

The Canadian constitution does not have a formal establishment clause separating church and state as the USA does, so can Canada be considered a secular country? In this presentation, BC Humanist Association Executive Director Ian Bushfield will argue that Canada’s unique legal and political history, coupled with a forward-looking Charter of Rights and Freedoms and judiciary, has resulted in more robust protections for the nonreligious and state neutrality than presently exist in America. Bushfield will walk through several of the major legal cases in Canadian religious law, from Big M Drug Mart to Saguenay and Trinity Western University. Along the way, he’ll highlight how secular activists and humanist organizations have increasingly made their voices heard through the justice system and identify several issues on the horizon.

This talk by BCHA Executive Director Ian Bushfield was recorded at the Kelowna, Atheists, Skeptics & Humanists Association (KASHA) Forum on July 31, 2023. Please note that the final minute of the talk was re-recorded.

Aug 08, 202347:46
Open for Unconstitutional Business: Prayers at municipal council meetings in Ontario
Dec 15, 202201:22:11
Black in British Columbia; Resilience and Erasure
Apr 06, 202214:29
The Private School Giveaway
Nov 03, 202135:38
Researching an Absence of Religion

Researching an Absence of Religion

This is a recording of a live event held in collaboration with Nonreligion in a Complex Future in March 2021.

Mar 26, 202101:21:42
A Public Good

A Public Good

This is a recording of a live event held in March 2021, in which our research team breaks down the BCHA's latest report on tax exemptions.

Mar 26, 202152:36
Trinity Western and the Court of Public Opinion

Trinity Western and the Court of Public Opinion

This is the recording of an event originally held on Zoom in February 2021.

Mar 26, 202101:22:17
Panel: Humanism in End of Life

Panel: Humanism in End of Life

This panel was originally held live on Zoom on November 5, 2020.

Nov 13, 202001:23:54
Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Conclusion

Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Conclusion

This is the final section of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) and living with the death of a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For more information about end of life, including healthcare, advance care planning, legacy projects and emotional support, please see our first guide End of Life: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website.

Nov 02, 202000:44
Memorials & Grief Audiobook | The Arts

Memorials & Grief Audiobook | The Arts

This is the first section of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) and living with the death of a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For more information about end of life, including healthcare, advance care planning, legacy projects and emotional support, please see our first guide End of Life: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website.

Nov 02, 202001:16
Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Grief & Bereavement

Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Grief & Bereavement

This is the third section of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) and living with the death of a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For more information about end of life, including healthcare, advance care planning, legacy projects and emotional support, please see our first guide End of Life: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website.









Nov 02, 202003:17
Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Death Rituals

Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Death Rituals

This is the second section of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) and living with the death of a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For more information about end of life, including healthcare, advance care planning, legacy projects and emotional support, please see our first guide End of Life: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website.

Nov 02, 202003:07
Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Introduction

Memorials & Grief Audiobook | Introduction

This is the first section of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) and living with the death of a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For more information about end of life, including healthcare, advance care planning, legacy projects and emotional support, please see our first guide End of Life: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website.


Nov 02, 202002:14
A Humanist View on Toxic Masculinity

A Humanist View on Toxic Masculinity

This is a recording of an event originally held live on Zoom.

Oct 27, 202001:20:12
End-of-Life Audiobook | Conclusion

End-of-Life Audiobook | Conclusion

This is final section of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202000:55
End-of-Life Audiobook | Death and Dying in COVID-19

End-of-Life Audiobook | Death and Dying in COVID-19

This is part eight of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202002:19
End-of-Life Audiobook | Legacy Projects

End-of-Life Audiobook | Legacy Projects

This is part seven of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202003:20
End-of-Life Audiobook | Creating a Space of Comfort and Love

End-of-Life Audiobook | Creating a Space of Comfort and Love

This is part six of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202001:33
End-of-Life Audiobook | Emotional Support

End-of-Life Audiobook | Emotional Support

This is part five of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202004:25
End-of-Life Audiobook | Healthcare Issues and Medical Assistance in Dying

End-of-Life Audiobook | Healthcare Issues and Medical Assistance in Dying

This is part four of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202009:04
End-of-Life Audiobook | Advanced Care Planning

End-of-Life Audiobook | Advanced Care Planning

This is part three of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202007:20
End-of-Life Audiobook | Humanist Perspectives of Death

End-of-Life Audiobook | Humanist Perspectives of Death

This is part two of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202001:11
End-of-Life Audiobook | Introduction

End-of-Life Audiobook | Introduction

This is part one of our guide for anyone non-religious (humanist, atheist, agnostic) preparing for their own, or witnessing a loved one at the end of their life. This guide is also for those who are simply interested in learning more about the humanist perspective of life & death. For information and support about experiencing a loss, please read our second guide, Memorials & Grief: A Guide for Humanists and Non-Religious People in BC. This is available for free on our website bchumanist.ca

Oct 19, 202002:23
Kimberly Girling: Evidence in Action: How Governments Find and Use Evidence in Policy-Making

Kimberly Girling: Evidence in Action: How Governments Find and Use Evidence in Policy-Making

This event was originally held live on Zoom on August 13, 2020.

Aug 18, 202001:11:03
Corey Clay: Dehumanization and the Black Male Form

Corey Clay: Dehumanization and the Black Male Form

In the wake of George Floyd's murder, mass protests and calls to action across the globe have cast a light on critical issues of systemic racial discrimination and dehumanization. In a continuation of our lecture series taking a humanist look at systemic racism and criminal justice, our presenter Corey Clay focuses in this talk on how racial dehumanization intersects with wider issues around criminal justice and Black antisemitism.   

Back by popular demand, Clay has 14 years of experience studying and teaching classes about the criminal justice system in the USA. His work focuses on police violence, probation recidivism and the criminalization of cannabis. He identifies as a Humanist and is currently in the process of moving to Vancouver, BC.  

This event was originally held live on Zoom on July 30, 2020. For more information on our future events, please visit bchumanist.ca or follow us on social media.

Aug 04, 202001:06:24
From the Research Desk - Public funds for public education
Jun 15, 202045:12
From the Research Desk - Charity Law
Jun 10, 202058:43
From the Research Desk: Legislative Prayers
Apr 30, 202059:47
Inspecting the House of Prayers - Teale Phelps Bondaroff

Inspecting the House of Prayers - Teale Phelps Bondaroff

At the end of November, MLAs voted unanimously to begin every day's sitting of the BC Legislature with "prayers and reflections" rather than "prayers." The change followed the publication in September of the BC Humanist Association's landmark House of Prayers Report.

The Report examined the transcripts of 873 prayers said in the legislature between October 2003 and February 2019. It also included a thorough consideration of the various arguments against the practice and provided a series of recommendations for reform.

Dr Teale Phelps Bondaroff was the lead author on the report and visited Vancouver from his home in Saanich to speak about the report, changes since the report and some of BCHA's ongoing work on these issues.

Dr Phelps Bondaroff, is an experienced researcher with a PhD in politics and international studies from the University of Cambridge and BAs in political science and international relations from the University of Calgary. He is currently serving as the Research Coordinator for the BCHA, and also conducts research on behalf of his strategy and research consultancy the Idea Tree Consulting, and in his capacity as Director of Research for OceansAsia. Dr. Phelps Bondaroff is also the Chair of the AccessBC Campaign for free prescription contraception, coaches high school debate, and studies the strategic use of international law by non-state actors.

Mar 12, 202054:12
Furquan Gehlan - World Beyond War

Furquan Gehlan - World Beyond War

Furquan Gehlan is currently Co-Chair of the Vancouver chapter of Canadian Peace Initiative and is also on the board of the Global Alliance for Ministries and infrastructures for peace. From 2013 to 2019 he was the National Co-chair of Canadian Peace Initiative. He is currently chapter coordinator for World BEYOND War’s Metro Vancouver chapter and is focused on developing a culture of peace in Canada and around the world. His passion is to make the world a better place by focusing on resolving problems at the root cause level and in a sustainable way. His goal is to have society progress so that war is no longer considered an acceptable activity for humans.

World BEYOND War Metro Vancouver's events highlight a range of topics related to war and peace, and the steps needed to move us towards a world beyond war. Learn more at https://worldbeyondwar.org/vancouver/

The BC Humanist Association and Vancouver Peace Poppies are a cosponsors of Let Peace Be Their Memorial, an annual event to remember civilian victims of conflict. Learn more at https://peacepoppies.ca/

Learn more about the BC Humanist Association, become a member and support our work at https://www.bchumanist.ca/

Dec 16, 201944:33
David Barsamian

David Barsamian

Via wikipedia: David Barsamian (born 1945) is an Armenian-American radio broadcaster, writer, and the founder and director of Alternative Radio, a Boulder, Colorado-based syndicated weekly public affairs program heard on some 250 radio stations worldwide.

David spoke at the Vancouver Humanists Sunday meeting on October 20, 2019.

Photo by Shahen books - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47219104

Dec 04, 201957:32
Bree Gardner - AccessBC

Bree Gardner - AccessBC

AccessBC are a group of young people from around British Columbia who are concerned with removing barriers to accessing prescription contraception. Visit www.accessbc.org/

Bree is a multi-disciplinary activist originally hailing from Dartmouth, NS. Trans-spectrum, chronically ill, queer, disabled, and experiencing poverty, Bree’s primary focus is on Safer Spaces, Harm Reduction, and Access to Healthcare. They are an abortion doula certified through Full Spectrum Doula Collective Canada, and a practicing herbalist. Bree has worked with music festivals across the country to provide safer spaces and harm reduction policies, spoken at numerous conferences, regularly teaches workshops, and formerly hosted a podcast addressing the ongoing concerns of grassroots organizing - particularly as it pertains to queer and trans-spectrum folks.
Aug 30, 201941:12
Donald Baker: How South Korea became a democracy

Donald Baker: How South Korea became a democracy

THE GWANGJU TRAGEDY AND HOW SOUTH KOREA BECAME A DEMOCRACY
(Via Wikipedia) In May 1980, peaceful demonstrations took place in Gwangju against Chun Doo-hwan, leader of the South Korean military coup d'état of December 12, 1979. The demonstrations were suppressed by military forces, including elite units of the Special Operations Command. The situation escalated after a violent crackdown, resulting in the Gwangju Uprising, where civilians raided armouries and armed themselves. By the time the uprising was suppressed 9 days later, many hundreds of civilians and several police forces / soldiers were dead. After civilian rule was reinstated in 1987, a national cemetery was established, honouring the victims of the incident.

Professor Donald Baker witnessed the crackdown firsthand in 1980 and went on to study Korean history at the University of Washington. Since 1987 he has been teaching Korean history and civilization at the University of British Columbia. He will speak about his experiences and the influence of those events on contemporary South Korean politics.
Apr 08, 201937:23
Charlotte Ross - Nurses' addictions programs
Mar 14, 201942:02
Boris Reitman - Atheism Q&A and the history of Judaism

Boris Reitman - Atheism Q&A and the history of Judaism

Boris Reitman runs the local Atheism Q&A meetup and has a background in philosophy. In this talk he will talk about his group and give one of his presentations on the origins of Judaism. To learn more about the BC Humanist Association visit https://www.bchumanist.ca
Mar 08, 201940:43
Lisa Shapiro: Becoming a thinking woman: Women and education in the 17th century
Mar 07, 201949:17
Arne Mooers - Are some animals more equal than others?
Feb 12, 201944:12
Bethany Lindsay - Reporting on pseudoscience

Bethany Lindsay - Reporting on pseudoscience

Bethany Lindsay is a CBC news reporter and former biologist. In 2018, she published investigations into bogus medical claims being made online, the lack of oversight of alternative medicines and BC chiropractors who promoted anti-vaccine messaging.

She previously worked for the Vancouver Sun, North Shore News and CTV. She is the author of British Columbia Burning: The worst wildfire season in BC history.
Feb 06, 201933:55
Laura Track - Human rights in British Columbia

Laura Track - Human rights in British Columbia

Laura is a human rights lawyer and the Director of Education in Community Legal Assistance Society's Human Rights Clinic. She advocates on behalf of people who have experienced discrimination and assists complainants to navigate BC’s human rights process. Laura also has a strong interest in making legal knowledge accessible. She delivers workshops and presentations to a wide variety of audiences to help people understand their human rights and comply with their legal obligations.
Feb 04, 201942:09
Nathanael Lauster - Death & Life of the Single Family House

Nathanael Lauster - Death & Life of the Single Family House

Nathanael Lauster is an Associate Professor of Sociology at UBC and author of the award-winning book, The Death and Life of the Single Family House: Lessons from Vancouver on Building a Livable City (Temple University Press). His book and work investigate the regulatory power attached to the house and its impact on the shape and inhabitability of North American cities. He examines the transformation of Vancouver as a key city and talk to residents about their experiences with housing. Since the 1960s, Vancouver has curbed sprawl and opened up more alternatives to the single family house than any other metropolis on the continent. During the same time it's become heralded as one of the world’s "most livable cities,” providing lessons for how other transformations might proceed. Interviews with residents provide insight into the cultural importance of the house and detail the urban problems it seems to solve, but also underscore its catastrophic impact. Too many houses create barriers to making the city a better and more sustainable home for all. Fortunately the evidence suggests the real viability of change. The book builds on historical (archival & census) and interview data, collected and analyzed with help from my recent SSHRC grant.
Feb 04, 201944:44
Ian Bushfield - Secular BC

Ian Bushfield - Secular BC

2018 saw the end of Canada's blasphemy law, the rejection of TWU's law school and an easing of restrictions on charities' free speech. Building off this momentum, Humanists and secularists in British Columbia have the opportunity to make significant gains in 2019. Ian Bushfield, executive director of the BC Humanist Association, will outline some of the BCHA's priorities in our Secular BC campaign.
Jan 07, 201940:46
Ian Waddell - Pass the torch
Dec 18, 201830:35
Sex Ed is Our Right

Sex Ed is Our Right

Two educators behind the "Sex Ed Is Our Right" campaign talk about the importance of sexual health, sexual orientation and gender identity education in BC schools. Ghada is from YouthCo HIV & Hep C Society and Darren is from the Community-Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health. To learn more about the campaign visit https://www.sexedisourright.ca/ To learn more about the BC Humanist Association visit https://www.bchumanist.ca
Dec 10, 201829:05
Victoria Shroff - Animals and the law

Victoria Shroff - Animals and the law

V. Victoria Shroff is one of the first and longest serving animal law practitioners in Canada. She has been practising animal law civil litigation for nearly 20 years in Vancouver at Shroff and Associates and has been recognized for her work in animal law. She is adjunct professor of animal law at UBC’s Allard Hall Law School and is frequently interviewed by media. Ms Shroff also founded an animal law and social literacy program called Paws of Empathy. Contact her at shroff@telus.net, @shroffanimallaw, LinkedIn or experts.news.ubc.ca/expert/victoria-shroff/

Her presentation will run through her practice in the field, animal law 101 and she will have talking points about animal welfare and animal rights. She will include specific examples relevant to Canadian law concerning animal liability, cruelty, pet custody etc. She will also highlight some important international animal law trends. Finally, she'll touch on some social philosophy concepts that intersect with animal law.

To learn more about the BC Humanist Association visit www.bchumanist.ca
Dec 03, 201846:41
Valorie Crooks - Medical Tourism Equity Ethics Safety
Nov 26, 201848:39