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March 27, 2008
SOF OnDemand: » Download (mp3, 53:27) ¦ » Listen Now (RealAudio, 53:27) ¦ » Podcast

In a recent Pew poll, 16 percent of Americans identified themselves as "unaffiliated" — atheist, agnostic, or most prominently "nothing in particular." Greg Epstein, a Humanist chaplain at Harvard, described himself that way until he discovered the tradition of humanism. He is passionate about articulating an atheist identity that is not driven by a stance against religion but by positive ethical beliefs and actions.
Program Details
» Particulars ¦ an annotated guide to the radio program with readings, images, and links
» Resources
» Books + Music
» Krista's Journal
» Transcript
» Credits

Hear the Music
» SOF Playlist ¦ hear full-length tracks of each song played in the program

Featured Readings
In case you were looking, we've isolated selected readings of humanists in the program.

» Poem: "A Man in His Life"
by Yehuda Amichai
» Excerpt from The Sacred Depths of Nature
by Ursula Goodenough
 
Video: SoundSeen: Video - Encounter PointSoundSeen: Video
» Sam Harris on Atheism and Meditation
Greg Epstein talks about meditation and Sam Harris leading retreats for scientists where they practice Buddhist meditation techniques. Students from USC's News21 Initiative asked Sam Harris about this. Hear what he has to say.

Portraits of Humanists
An Earlier Generation of Humanists (photo: Juliette Melton) The Next Generation (photo: Juliette Melton) Celebrating 30 Years. Established more than 30 years ago by a former Catholic priest, the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard held three-day conference in April 2007 called 'The New Humanism.' (photo: Juliette Melton) A Generation of Humanists (photo: Hannah Thiem) A Chorus of Celebration. A choir, The Yiddish Community Chorus of the Workmens' Circle, sang several songs after a performance by the Dunya Turkish Music Ensemble at the opening night event. (photo: Hannah Thiem) Peering Intently. (photo: Hannah Thiem) Thomas Ferrick. A former Catholic priest, the emeritus Humanist chaplain of Harvard established the Humanist chaplaincy at Harvard more than 30 years ago. (photo: Hannah Thiem) A Young Couple. A young man and woman attend the keynote talk by Salman Rushdie for 'The New Humanism' conference. (photo: Juliette Melton) Waiting in The Memorial Church. Participants of the 2007 'The New Humanism' conference sit in a pew in Harvard's Memorial Church. (photo: Hannah Thiem) A Male Face. A male attendee of the three-day conference on 'The New Humanism' poses for a photo at the opening talk. (photo: Juliette Melton) Autograph. A young student shows off the signature of Steven Pinker. (photo: Juliette Melton) U.S. Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr. (photo: Hannah Thiem)
 
Voices of Our Audience
» Reflections ¦ tell us and other audience members what this program meant to you

Voice on the Radio
Greg Epstein Greg Epstein
Epstein is the Humanist chaplain at Harvard University.

About the Image
On April 23, 2007, nearly 1100 participants of the "The New Humanism" conference attended the opening speech by Salman Rushdie at The Memorial Church of Harvard University. (photo: Hannah Thiem/Flickr)