Religion, Satire, and the Limits of Speech

Dr. Joseph Chuman, Leader
Tom Weishaar Presides

The horrific massacre at the offices of the satiric magazine “Charlie Hebdo” in Paris raises a complex of questions as to causes and how to respond. Among them are whether religion deserves any special immunity from ridicule. Whether freedom of speech is exclusively a legal matter or whether prudence in exercising freedom of speech is warranted and to what extent. As humanists we are strongly dedicated to both free speech and respecting the dignity of human human beings. How are we to assess these values when they conflict as they ostensibly do when employed for satirical purposes? Does the massacre in Paris reflect a “clash of civilizations” or was it and kindred initiatives a product of a constructed political ideology? How are we in the West to respond?

I will be looking at these questions in my address of February 8th.











When: Sun., Feb. 8, 2015 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Where: New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 W. 64th St.
212-874-5210
Price: Free
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Dr. Joseph Chuman, Leader
Tom Weishaar Presides

The horrific massacre at the offices of the satiric magazine “Charlie Hebdo” in Paris raises a complex of questions as to causes and how to respond. Among them are whether religion deserves any special immunity from ridicule. Whether freedom of speech is exclusively a legal matter or whether prudence in exercising freedom of speech is warranted and to what extent. As humanists we are strongly dedicated to both free speech and respecting the dignity of human human beings. How are we to assess these values when they conflict as they ostensibly do when employed for satirical purposes? Does the massacre in Paris reflect a “clash of civilizations” or was it and kindred initiatives a product of a constructed political ideology? How are we in the West to respond?

I will be looking at these questions in my address of February 8th.

Buy tickets/get more info now