ORGANIZATION FYI

TVS hosts this column in order to introduce sister organizations that our members may be interested in. We hope to foster cross-organizational ties, and ask that if you're a member of a group that TVSers may want to hear about, please let me know. Since many of us approach vegetarianism from an ethical perspective, I thought it would be appropriate to present the local chapter of the Ethical Culture Society. We are planning a potluck with ECS on August 9{sup}th{/sup}; if you would like to be on a panel to discuss some ethical issue, please let me know. --Dilip

Ethical Culture Society
Ralph Balzac, Chair
P.O. Box 3132, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, 833-0633
http://www.ethicalsociety.org
Annual membership fee sliding-scale

Article by Hugh Giblin (ulysses@acpub.duke.edu), TVS and ECS member

These words are one of the religious tenets of the Ethical Culture Society, a non-theistic religion based on both a philosophical and practical Humanism. It is philosophical in that it considers ethics within the context of human experience as the paramount basis for understanding and guiding life. It is practical in the sense that it believes in using human resources to solve human problem in order to create a more just and humane world.

For the ECS, living with love, justice, honesty, forgiveness and freedom, and recognizing the inherent worth of every individual, promotes an ideal state of people living in harmony with each other and Nature. We feel that such a state can result in a spirituality based on human relationships.

The Society was founded by philosopher, author, and humanist Felix Adler, Columbia University Professor of Ethics, in 1876. ECS is national with 24 chapters, and its diverse members share the concept of ethics as the central core value in their lives. The ECS is concerned with all ethical aspects of human experience.

Every two weeks the Society has platform Sundays during which we invite speakers to present on a very wide range of provocative and timely ethical issues such as reproductive rights, crime and punishment, civil liberties, media, and education. Both Dr. Tom Regan, animal rights philosopher and founder of the Culture and Animals Foundation, and, just this past December 8{sup}th{/sup}, Dilip Barman, TVS President, spoke to us on Animal Rights.

On alternate Sundays, we hold informal forums to allow members, friends, and visitors to discuss and explore the ethical points raised by the platforms. The week after Dilip's interesting, informative, and well-attended talk, he and Dietrich von Haugwitz participated in a free-wheeling discussion forum, where they provided thoughtful responses to difficult ethical questions and essential education to the ECS members on animal rights and vegetarianism.

The Society meets at the Arts Center in Carrboro (300 West Main St.) at 11a on Sundays. Ethical classes for children are held on platform Sundays and child care is available. Everyone is welcome to come and participate with us at our meetings, regardless of their views. Platform topics are announced on the back page of the Independent every other week. For further information, please call us or visit us on the web (contacts above).

PAST ORGANIZATIONS WE'VE FEATURED

Please take advantage of what these groups have to offer, and consider supporting them!

Triangle Macrobiotics Association:    383-4265
Feminists for Animal Rights:    361-5991 (new number)
North Carolina Network for Animals:    489-2512 / (800)280-NCNA
Orange County Greens:    967-4690
Triangle Sierra Club:    787-2660