Humanism
An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.
The Villages Humanist Club discusses all topics of general human interest and encourages open minded conversations. Speakers are Villages Residents or subject matter experts from outside the Villages.
The Villages Humanist Club is a chapter of the American Humanist Association.
The Humanist Club meets on the first, second, third and fourth Sunday of the month at 10 AM at the Canal Street Recreation Center. Social time starts at 9:30. The second and fourth Sunday of each month is a dedicated “social Sunday” which features mini-talks and focused small group discussion time. Villages Resident or Guest ID is required to attend.
The Humanist Club collaborates with the Free Thinkers Club, which meets on the second Thursday of the Month at Bridgeport Rec Center at 2:30 PM and the fourth Thursday of the Month at Aviary Rec center at 3:30 PM. Go to the Freethinkers Club page for information on topics and speakers for Thursday meetings.
Humanists and Free Thinkers Club Board (in no particular order)
Jim Laurent
Jim Bucko
Steve Post
Bill Womart
Bo (George) Goldsmith
Bud Webber
Peter Irwin
Karen Salzano
Contact us at villageshumanists@gmail.com
Humanist Club Schedule
2026
Mar 29 No Meeting, Fifth Sunday
April 5 Sunday 10:00 Humanists (Easter Sunday)
Hosting: Jim Laurent
Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street
Speaker: Pot luck brunch.
Apr 12 Sunday 10:00 Humanists Social Sunday
Hosting: Karen Salzano
Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street
Speaker: Bill Shang
Title: When God is Gone, Is there a Vacuum for Meaning?
Description: Philosopher John Vervaeke argues that when "God is Dead," the biological and psychological needs filled by church and belonging don't simply disappear. Humans desperately seek a stand-in. Religion provides a one-stop, satisfying story, a sense of cosmic sense of place along with defined moral boundaries.
Vervaeke argues that religion’s true value is activity, providing practices that transform the wandering self. While atheism offers facts, without substituting new practices we easily fall into self-deception, shallow groups driven by powerful emotions or still worse, despair. We will have a lively group discussion whether Humanism and recent social trends have filled the void, or whether organized religion still serves a purpose.
Bio: William Shang, MD holds certifications from the American Board of Pathology and the American College of Sports Medicine. His last position was as Director of Cornell University's Student Health Center laboratory.
April 19 Sunday 10:00 Humanists
Hosting: Jim Laurent
Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street
Speaker: Fish Stark, Executive Director of the AHA (Visiting Speaker form required)
Title: American Humanist Association
Description: What does the AHA do and the tenets of Humanism? What are our current priorities and legislative activities? Why you should be a Humanist.
Bio: Fish Stark is an organizer, educator, social entrepreneur, and lifelong humanist who has spent his career turning big ideas into bold action in service of belonging, flourishing, and social justice for all people. A self-proclaimed developmental psychology nerd who is passionate about giving everyone the tools to live lives of meaning, service, and self-determination, Fish holds a Master’s in Education with a concentration in child development and psychology from Harvard University, and a Bachelor’s from Yale University with a certificate in Education Studies. While at Yale, Fish served as a student board member of the Yale Humanist Community and received a Dean’s Prize for his work to build a stronger relationship between Yale and New Haven. Fish lives in Annapolis, Maryland, where he is President of the Speaker Mike Busch District 30 Democratic Club, is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, and serves on several nonprofit boards.