FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pat O’Brien
Humanist Canada
604.328.1271
humanist.canada@gmail.com
www.HumanistCanada.com

YOU CAN BE GOOD WITHOUT GOD

Toronto, ON, January 30, 2009 –This is the message Humanist Canada plans to put on bus terminals and in subway stations in the next few weeks. “We want people to know that belief in a god is not necessary to live a full, moral and happy life. Humanists embody this concept every day”, says Humanist Canada president and spokesperson Pat O’Brien.

For too long, religion has assumed the authority of moral teacher and the Humanists are here to say that the teachings of progressive thinkers, such as philosophers Epicurus, Baruch de Spinoza, Bertrand Russell and Noam Chomsky, physicists such as Albert Einstein and Steven Weinberg, and other freethinking individuals are just as good, or even better, than many of the teachings of religion.

The “Good Without God” transit campaign was created to reach out to non-believers everywhere that there is an organization that will protect their rights, values, and the separation of religion and state.

“We are not interested in telling people to discard their faith. We are interested in educating people about facts and the values of Humanism and encouraging them make up their own minds.” adds O’Brien.

According to several global studies, the safest and most humane societies are the ones where religion and state are kept separate. For example, the Journal of Religion and Society, a U.S academic journal, reported in 2005 that “higher rates of belief in and worship of a creator correlate with higher rates of homicide, juvenile and early adult mortality, STD infection rates, teen pregnancy and abortion in the prosperous democracies.”

Humanist Canada believes that Canada can be a beacon of hope for the rest of the world and that we can continue our reputation as a fair and just society if we can keep religion out of government.

Humanist Canada asks all those non-believers out there who share this view to support them to ensure Canadians continue to enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. By donating to the “Good Without God” transit campaign, you will be help bring attention to this important cause. Donations can be made at the Humanist Canada website at: www.humanistcanada.com.

Founded in 1968, Humanist Canada is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that promotes ethics, rationality, critical thinking, dignity, and equality. Its mission is to promote the separation of religion from public policy and foster the development of reason, compassion and critical thinking for all Canadians through secular education and community support.

Pat O’Brien
President, Humanist Canada

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pat O’Brien
Humanist Canada
604.328.1271
humanist.canada@gmail.com
www.HumanistCanada.com

BEING GOOD WITHOUT GOD: Humanist Bus Rolls into Canada

Ottawa, ON, January 18, 2009 – Taking their cue from the highly successful British atheist bus campaign, Humanist Canada will be launching their own home grown version in the next few weeks. The Humanist Canada campaign will focus on buses in Vancouver and other metropolitan cities as well as the subway system in Toronto. The goal is to let people know there is a real, viable alternative to religion.

“While other atheist groups may have an important message, the Humanist message we endorse includes specific principles we can all live by,” says Humanist Canada president and spokesperson Pat O’Brien.

Humanist Canada does not wish to offend anyone with religious convictions, but it does recognize that there is a large percentage of Canadians who have had no place to call their own. “We all know you do not need religion to live a happy, moral life, but there is more to life than philosophy, and Humanist Canada offers an active national community of like-minded people with real goals and aspirations.” adds O’Brien.

Humanist Canada stands for separation of church and state and the rights and dignity of all Canadians. It was two members of Humanist Canada who were responsible for keeping Shari’a Law out of Ontario, and it was Humanist Canada founder, and Order of Canada recipient, Dr Henry Morgentaler, who brought reproductive freedom to Canadian women.

The bus campaign will take place this spring. People can go to the Humanist Canada website at: www.humanistcanada.com to make donations to the campaign and to make suggestions for the slogan.

Founded in 1968, Humanist Canada is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that promotes ethics, rationality, critical thinking, dignity, and equality. Its mission is to promote the separation of religion from public policy and foster the development of reason, compassion and critical thinking for all Canadians through secular education and community support.

Pat O’Brien
President, Humanist Canada

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