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HOME ABOUT FAQ GET ADVICE RESOURCES SELECTED COLUMNS SPREAD THE WORD
Most of the resources listed here were first mentioned in answers to
requests for advice from Sweet Reason.More resources will be added as more columns are
added to the site. Your suggestions of additional resources are also welcome.
Many
people who write to Sweet Reason feel isolated – especially those who have left
religion on their own, or recently. Religion
is very public in their communities, and they don't know who (if anyone) they can talk to
about their new way of thinking. Is that you? Then here are some ways you can find
like-minded friends.
On the ground Organizations hosted by the Humanist
Internet Project Camp Quest "is the first residential summer camp in the history of the United States for the children of Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists, Humanists, Brights, or whatever other terms might be applied to those who hold to a naturalistic, not supernatural world view." There are six Camp Quests in the US and Canada, serving kids age 8-17. (If you are 18 or older, find out about joining the fun as a volunteer counselor - write to the director of the CQ where you'd like to help.) The Brights' Net community page Internet Infidels' discussion forums Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers " Whether you are an active duty
servicemember, retiree, or just an advocate of the rights of atheists and freethinkers,
M*A*A*F welcomes you." Includes networking resources. Sometimes
you need more help and support than can be provided in a single letter. Where can you turn
for crisis support? How do you find a long-term counselor who's right for you? You can get
started with the resources below. When and Why is Counselling
Appropriate? This thorough, compassionate article discusses
when and why to seek therapy, how to choose a therapist, and what to expect. Dr. Winell is
author of Leaving the Fold, a book about
recovering from psychological damage caused by fundamentalist environments; look for other
useful resources on her website. Finding and Choosing Licensed
Counselors/Therapists In the United Kingdom Crisis Counselling Hotlines The American
Counseling Association's listing includes resources under "Crisis
Intervention/Suicide", "Domestic Violence/Child Abuse/Sexual Abuse",
"HIV/AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Diseases", " Runaways/Exploited
Children", and "Substance Abuse". National Domestic Violence Hotline or call
1-800-799-SAFE. (If you're afraid to call from home, call from a friend's house, or a pay
phone at a public library. NDVH reminds readers that computer use in their home could be
monitored by their abusers – they can find safe computers at an internet café, a
public library, or a friend's home, or use a telephone hotline) Substance Abuse – Secular
Programs "SMART"
Recovery stands for "Self Management And Recovery Training". The Web
site describes a "Four Point Program" and has a "library" of coping
methods and "homework". Organizations that recognize SMART Recovery include the
National Institute of Drug Abuse and
The American Humanist Association used
to publish Humanist Living, a quarterly newsletter that addressed the
issues of daily living from a humanist perspective and included articles on raising
humanist children. Past issues are still avaliable in this online archive. The Internet Infidels’ Discussion Board is probably the best-known free thought forum on the Web, and the Secular Lifestyle topic is a good place for parents to communicate. In fact, while writing this column I found a thread started by a parent asking for advice on creating a secular baby naming ceremony! The Secular Web's Parents' Corner has links to essays, book reviews and organizations. They list more essays than I’ve had time to read! You and I might not prefer the same ones, but I can't resist mentioning "Teaching Kids to Yawn at Counterfeit Wonder." Forums for African-American Freethinkers
Black Atheists Worldwide -- about 150 members Black Freethinkers -- about 250 members Black Heathens -- about 60 members. Student Camps Camp Quest "is the first residential summer camp in the history of the United States for the children of Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists, Humanists, Brights, or whatever other terms might be applied to those who hold to a naturalistic, not supernatural world view." There are six Camp Quests in the US and Canada, serving kids age 8-17. (If you are 18 or older, find out about joining the fun as a volunteer counselor - write to the director of the CQ where you'd like to help.) Student
Rights Americans United for Separation of Church and
State focusses on Prayer
And The Public Schools: Religion, Education & Your Rights College
Campus Groups (international) Secular Web Directory of Student
Organizations Around the World The
Garrison-Martineau Project has promoted community-based dialogs between
atheists and Christians. Their program could be adapted for campus dialogs. The Humanist Society
Directory of Celebrants The Humanist Society, an affiliate of the American Humanist
Association, certifies celebrants who have demonstrated their understanding of humanist
principles, and are licensed to officiate in their states. This is a this geographic
directory of celebrants who may perform weddings, unions, baby namings, or funerals. Other
sources at the same site include a listing of state laws on who may perform
weddings.
For
Parents PARENTING BOOKS Parenting Beyond Belief, edited by Dale McGowan A smorgasbord of essays -- some practical, some
philosophical -- "on raising ADVICE ON CHOOSING CHILDREN'S LITERATURE Edythe
M. McGovern and Helen D. Muller, They're
Never Too Young for Books: A Guide to Children's Books for Ages 1 to 8 Written by a librarian and a professor of
English and child development who has taught many classes about children's literature,
this book opens with an introduction about the many benefits of reading to children, then
goes on to explain in detail how you can choose good books. The rest of the book is
arranged by subject, with annotated lists of hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books,
covering everything from books that help develop skills to books about various cultures to
books about monsters. It includes books about life's problems (like illness and divorce)
that offer practical, emotional perspectives instead of religious solutions. The book is
11 years old, but the advice on choosing books is timeless, and many of the books listed
are still available. The
Center for Early Literacy's Guidelines for Choosing
Children's Books is a short, readable, thoughtful list of general
recommendations. Sizing Up Kids' Books offers
practical one-liners for making age appropriate choices (like "slobberproof"
books for the littlest kids). A nice feature is that the list makes clear when talking
animals are age appropriate (or not). LISTS
OF BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS The American
Library Association's Caldecott
Medal list Awarded annually
by the Association for Library Service to Children (ASLC) "to the artist of the most
distinguished American picture book for children". The
Newbery Medal list Awarded annually
by theASLC to "the author of the most distinguished contribution to American
literature for children". The ALSC's annual "Children's
Notable Lists" The "best of
the best in children's books, recordings, videos, and computer software." These lists are arranged by year, and within each year, by age group. The International Children’s Choices is
cosponsored by the Children’s Book Council,
contains brief reviews of approximately 100 titles, each recommended by children
themselves. Teachers’ Choices
"identifies approximately 30 books rated by teams of teachers, librarians, and
reading specialists as outstanding for curriculum use." Young Adults’ Choices
has descriptions of about 30 books selected by teenage reviewers "Children's Literature" is an
independent review source. Its reviewers "read and critically review more than 4,000
books annually… to help teachers, librarians, childcare providers and parents make
appropriate literary choices for children." The Children's Literature Choice List
recognizes 150 outstanding children's books from among the 4000 plus books that reviewers
evaluate during a typical year. The lists are arranged by year, and within each year ,
books are divided into six categories (books for children under three, picture books,
early readers, middle readers, young adult and poetry). (They are not annotated. ) "Themed
reviews", on topics ranging from butterflies to camping, plus advice to
parents, are well annotated and filled with food for thought. Booklists is a page of links to reading
lists and advice from numerous other organizations, including a list of books in Spanish
and a list of Canadian fiction.
Personal Relationships Thomas
Attig, The
Heart of Grief: Death and the Search for Lasting Love This book offers a completely naturalistic approach to coping
with grief. The author realistically recognizes how some people use their religious
beliefs as a source of comfort, but does not insist on them himself. He uses countless
examples from the experiences of real people – sometimes that makes his writing
repetitive, but it also means you will find people you can identify with, and ideas you
can use. He has helpful reminders that people in the same family may need to give each
other room to grieve differently. Janis A.
Spring, How
Can I Forgive You?: The Courage to Forgive, the Freedom Not To The title of this book says so
much! Too often, we are taught that forgiveness is a virtue, and all the work of
forgiveness is expected from the person who was hurt. © Copyright, Molleen Matsumura.2004-2008. All Rights Reserved. UPDATED 02/16/08 |
