Washington Area Secular Humanists
@wash1989.bsky.social
Serving the Secular Humanist communities of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia!
Join us today at wash.org
Join us today at wash.org
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Better late than never, the September/October 2025 edition of WASH's bimonthly newsletter WASHline is finally available for download: wash.org/wp-content/u...
Check it out!
Check it out!
Advances in neuroscience mean mind-altering "brain weapons" may not be far off.
Mind-altering ‘brain weapons’ no longer only science fiction, say researchers
UK academics say latest chemicals are ‘wake-up call’ and urge global action to stop weaponisation of neuroscience
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Advances in neuroscience mean mind-altering "brain weapons" may not be far off.
"If this is correct [...] it would mark the first time humanity has 'seen' dark matter."
Was Dark Matter Just Detected for the First Time?
Was Dark Matter Just Detected for the First Time? “It would mark the first time humanity has ‘seen’ dark matter.”
nautil.us
November 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"If this is correct [...] it would mark the first time humanity has 'seen' dark matter."
Please join NCAS online on Saturday, December 6 at 1:30 pm for "Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them" presented by Nate Pedersen.
Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them (Nate Pedersen)
From the easily disproved to the wildly speculative, to straight-up hucksterism, "Pseudoscience" is a romp through much more than bad science—it’s a light-he...
youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Please join NCAS online on Saturday, December 6 at 1:30 pm for "Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them" presented by Nate Pedersen.
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
The new rulebook for Catholic hospitals says a transgender person must accept their body "as it was created" while denying them the medical care that makes life livable.
It's faith-based cruelty.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/us-catholi...
It's faith-based cruelty.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/us-catholi...
U.S. Catholic bishops double down on anti-trans policies in new hospital rules
The USCCB’s updated health directives ban gender-affirming care and ignore medical experts, leaving trans patients with even fewer options
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The new rulebook for Catholic hospitals says a transgender person must accept their body "as it was created" while denying them the medical care that makes life livable.
It's faith-based cruelty.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/us-catholi...
It's faith-based cruelty.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/us-catholi...
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
Automatic license plate readers may seem like a good idea until you hear about the ways they enable cops to abuse women, all while not actually making you any safer skepchick.org/2025/11/the-...
The Police State Gets Flocked
Transcript: Earlier this year, I talked about the data and research that suggest that using tools like ChatGPT is bad for learning, because it offloads critical thinking to an algorithm, leaving ki…
skepchick.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Automatic license plate readers may seem like a good idea until you hear about the ways they enable cops to abuse women, all while not actually making you any safer skepchick.org/2025/11/the-...
The next time you attend a family celebration or holiday dinner, you may get served an unwanted helping of disinformation about the Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom. Here's a quick guide to help you dish out the facts on the most common lies about the amendment. Best served hot!
November 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The next time you attend a family celebration or holiday dinner, you may get served an unwanted helping of disinformation about the Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom. Here's a quick guide to help you dish out the facts on the most common lies about the amendment. Best served hot!
How your body reacts when talking across class lines...
Talking to Someone From a Different Social Class? Here’s How Your Body Reacts
A new study examines how comfortable and attuned people are when talking with others, depending on their socioeconomic status.
greatergood.berkeley.edu
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
How your body reacts when talking across class lines...
A roundup of evidence supporting the use of radiocarbon dating to assess the age of organic matter from 500 to 55,000 years old.
The Case for Carbon Dating - Skeptoid
A roundup of evidence supporting the use of radiocarbon dating to assess the age of organic matter from 500 to 55,000 years old.
skeptoid.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
A roundup of evidence supporting the use of radiocarbon dating to assess the age of organic matter from 500 to 55,000 years old.
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
The government should have ended its partnership with Scouting America (a.k.a. the Boy Scouts of America) years ago.
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
The government should cut ties with Scouting America, but Pete Hegseth's reasons are absurd
Instead of citing real issues like abuse and atheist exclusion, the Secretary of Defense claimed Scouting America isn't doing enough to "cultivate masculine values"
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The government should have ended its partnership with Scouting America (a.k.a. the Boy Scouts of America) years ago.
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
Fred Edwords gives a fascinating rundown of the history of humanism’s impact on social reform, from the 18th century enlightenment to founding of the modern Indian state to the civil rights movement of the 1960s and beyond.
The Trailblazers of Humanism - TheHumanist.com
I LIKE TO SAY, when I was at Camp Quest, one of the slogans that I invented was, “cleanliness is next to godliness.” And that was in that video there. But I wanted you to be aware of that because the…
thehumanist.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Fred Edwords gives a fascinating rundown of the history of humanism’s impact on social reform, from the 18th century enlightenment to founding of the modern Indian state to the civil rights movement of the 1960s and beyond.
Hemant Mehta, the “Friendly Atheist” writer, educator and activist has innovative ideas to introduce humanism and humanist values to new audiences and new generations. “We need to find a media strategy that rewards the people who are spreading the ideas we care about.”
A Call for a New Media Strategy - TheHumanist.com
We’re here tonight to recognize a “Jeopardy!” champion, a former Secular Student Alliance chairman, and an educator. He is the creator of the best acronym I have ever seen in the secular space,…
thehumanist.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Hemant Mehta, the “Friendly Atheist” writer, educator and activist has innovative ideas to introduce humanism and humanist values to new audiences and new generations. “We need to find a media strategy that rewards the people who are spreading the ideas we care about.”
“There are terrible things happening in Florida,” said Nadine Smith, the journalist and organizer, “but there are incredible people fighting back and learning things that we are exporting to other states so you can fight back too.”
Florida’s Blueprint for Resistance - TheHumanist.com
Nadine Smith has dedicated her life to speaking truth to power and organizing for a better future. As the executive director of Equality Florida, the largest organization in the state working to end…
thehumanist.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
“There are terrible things happening in Florida,” said Nadine Smith, the journalist and organizer, “but there are incredible people fighting back and learning things that we are exporting to other states so you can fight back too.”
“The reason we have the problems we have in this country, whether we’re talking about Congress or we’re talking about city council,” said Megan Hunt, the trailblazing member of the Nebraska State Legislature, “is because good people don’t run.”
Doing What’s Available: A Humanist’s Guide to Activism - TheHumanist.com
It’s hard to capture the full force of our award recipient’s impact in just a few words, but if I had to try, I’d say “bold” and “unwavering.” She’s a member of the Nebraska Legislature, representing…
thehumanist.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“The reason we have the problems we have in this country, whether we’re talking about Congress or we’re talking about city council,” said Megan Hunt, the trailblazing member of the Nebraska State Legislature, “is because good people don’t run.”
In the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Free Inquiry, you’ll find “The Long Surrender: A Memoir about Losing My Religion” by Brian Rush McDonald, a former fundamentalist Christian missionary who describes his lengthy, trying journey from missionary to skeptic.
The Long Surrender: A Memoir about Losing My Religion | Free Inquiry
Editor’s note: Many readers of Free Inquiry were religious earlier in life, and for some of them, giving up their belief was a long, emotionally wrenching p ...
secularhumanism.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
In the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Free Inquiry, you’ll find “The Long Surrender: A Memoir about Losing My Religion” by Brian Rush McDonald, a former fundamentalist Christian missionary who describes his lengthy, trying journey from missionary to skeptic.
“It’s important for people of conscience, for people who have a rational vantage point… people who are not afraid to ask difficult questions and find the answers, that we step up in this moment.”
Read Jelani Cobb's 2025 Humanist of the Year acceptance speech.
Read Jelani Cobb's 2025 Humanist of the Year acceptance speech.
By Conscience Alone - TheHumanist.com
We are here today to present the American Humanist Association’s Humanist of the Year award to Jelani Cobb. The award was established in 1953 to recognize a person of national or international…
thehumanist.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“It’s important for people of conscience, for people who have a rational vantage point… people who are not afraid to ask difficult questions and find the answers, that we step up in this moment.”
Read Jelani Cobb's 2025 Humanist of the Year acceptance speech.
Read Jelani Cobb's 2025 Humanist of the Year acceptance speech.
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
A family-friendly goth-themed holiday market in California is being called a "grave threat to... spiritual health" by local clergy.
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
Religious leaders demand "immediate cancellation" of "Merry Gothmas" festival
A spooky, family-friendly holiday market in Ventura, CA is under fire from clergy who insist a pun on Christmas is a “grave threat" to their "spiritual health.”
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A family-friendly goth-themed holiday market in California is being called a "grave threat to... spiritual health" by local clergy.
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
Diseases that cause suffocation, paralysis, and childhood death are poised to come surging back.
Our Dark, Unvaccinated Future
Our Dark, Unvaccinated Future: Diseases that cause suffocation, paralysis, and childhood death are poised to come surging back.
nautil.us
November 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Diseases that cause suffocation, paralysis, and childhood death are poised to come surging back.
Research indicates writing can help your brain face everyday challenges in a myriad of ways.
Writing builds resilience by changing your brain, helping you face everyday challenges
Resilience is often presented as feats of bravery and endurance. But everyday practices like journaling, drafting a text or even writing a to-do list are manifestations of a capacity to adapt.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Research indicates writing can help your brain face everyday challenges in a myriad of ways.
With information on how to talk about freedom of speech and our free press, President Trump's attempts to deploy troops to our streets, immigrants' rights, and trans rights, this guide has everything you need to make your holiday gatherings a little less stressful – and a little more informed.
The ACLU’s Holiday Conversation Guide
Dreading the holiday dinner table? Our experts provide advice to help you navigate the trickiest conversations.
www.aclu.org
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
With information on how to talk about freedom of speech and our free press, President Trump's attempts to deploy troops to our streets, immigrants' rights, and trans rights, this guide has everything you need to make your holiday gatherings a little less stressful – and a little more informed.
People on the subway were more likely to give up their seat for a pregnant person when a man dressed as Batman was in the same car.
Seeing a Superhero on the Subway Makes People More Likely to Surrender Their Seats
Seeing a Superhero on the Subway Makes People More Likely to Surrender Their Seats: You might be on your best behavior, too.
nautil.us
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM
People on the subway were more likely to give up their seat for a pregnant person when a man dressed as Batman was in the same car.
Researchers weigh in on AI's cognitive harms—and whether we should use AI tools at all.
AI Might Not Harm Us in the Way You Think
AI Might Not Harm Us in the Way You Think: Researchers are divided over AI’s cognitive harms—and whether we should use these tools at all.
nautil.us
November 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Researchers weigh in on AI's cognitive harms—and whether we should use AI tools at all.
"Until clear evidence exists that water fluoridation lacks public health benefit or compelling evidence of harm at the level of fluoride exposure in fluoridated water, neither of which has occurred, it seems foolhardy to interfere with a long-established and well-recognized public health success."
Evidence-based water fluoridation policy
A national-scale fluoridation study addresses policy-relevant exposure levels and provides evidence that adverse neurodevelopmental effects do not result from municipal fluoridation.
www.science.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
"Until clear evidence exists that water fluoridation lacks public health benefit or compelling evidence of harm at the level of fluoride exposure in fluoridated water, neither of which has occurred, it seems foolhardy to interfere with a long-established and well-recognized public health success."
Data scientist Ryan Burge says any suggestion we’ve seen “Nones” hit their population peak is “not even close.” Burge points to the inexorability of generational replacement and the data showing the percentage of “Nones” is actually growing with each generation.
Have We Reached Peak None?
Not if generational replacement has anything to say about it!
www.graphsaboutreligion.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Data scientist Ryan Burge says any suggestion we’ve seen “Nones” hit their population peak is “not even close.” Burge points to the inexorability of generational replacement and the data showing the percentage of “Nones” is actually growing with each generation.
Directing state power against those who participate in movements for justice and equality undermines genuine efforts to confront all manifestations of bigotry and oppression while weakening democratic life.
NSPM-7: A Blueprint for Silencing Progressive Movements | Common Dreams
Directing state power against those who participate in movements for justice and equality undermines genuine efforts to confront all manifestations of bigotry and oppression while weakening…
www.commondreams.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Directing state power against those who participate in movements for justice and equality undermines genuine efforts to confront all manifestations of bigotry and oppression while weakening democratic life.