Jim Corbett
- Located in Edmonds, WA
- has done several public debates vs. ministers on the topic of "Does God Exist?"
- has represented the Humanists of Washington, American Atheists, and AHA on panels at universities and other organizations
- has had several articles published in the AHA magazine, American Atheist magazine, and HOW magazine
- has been a business professional in the online legal research field for about 30 years
- has a Masters in Library Science and went half way through law school (had to drop out of the evening program due to work schedule conflicts)
- Jim also enjoys performing atheist/humanist themed songs such as the following examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nBWnbA3gAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU2bYGJa9AQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=echa_Erd9ZA
Jim's transition from Catholicism to Humanism began in 4th grade at Catholic elementary school where began questioning some of the tenets he was being taught, and even though he still aspired to be a priest at a young age, he was seriously questioning how this God they described could really exist. Through Catholic high school and Catholic college he continued to question and study the basic beliefs he was being taught until he finally realized that it was all based on an incorrect foundation. Jim has continued to think, read and write about this topic throughout his life because he thinks it is the most interesting and important topic we face as humans.
Jim would love to present the following topics:
The God Gene: Or Humanism in the Marketplace of Ideas
There is a line of thought and study by Christian researchers that has led to what I believe is a false conclusion that Humans possess a "God Gene." This supposed genetic preference is what pre-disposes humans from all historical time periods and geographical locations to seek out a god figure. But now that modern societies no longer actively select out those members of the tribe who gravitate to non-theism, we find Humanism on the rise. Humanism is now free to compete in the marketplace of ideas and it is faring very well.
No Place Like Home: The Wizard of Oz as an allegorical tale that leads us to Humanism
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, The Tinman and the Lion together make up a single protagonist on the search for human fulfillment (they are searching for a home, knowledge, love and courage - that which all humans seek on their path to a fulfilling life). Along the way they encounter Eastern and Western religions (the Wicked Witch's of the East and West), a god-figure that turns out to be a "humbug" and they are aided by the Good Witch of the North (Humanism), who provides them their most important and powerful tool - The Ruby Slippers (rational thought) - to help them survive. Watch out for those poppies - the opiate of the people!
A New Twist on The Emperor's New Clothes: Or How Otherwise Intelligent People are so Easily Fooled
Everyone knows the tale of the Emperor's New Clothes as a tale to expose the tendency of people to be intimidated by those in power. But let's take a new look at the story and see how and why the Emperor was so easily fooled by a couple of swindlers into placing himself in such a vulnerable and embarrassing position. Who is easier to fool than someone who WANTS to be fooled?
Paul's Dilemma: The Invention of a New Messiah
After the death of Jesus, the Apostles could not stay in Israel and preach that Jesus was the Son of God (that was blasphemy to Jews and they would have been killed). And if they went into the pagan countries outside of Israel, no one wanted to acknowledge the Jewish Messiah (the surrounding countries were typically at war with the Jews). So, like any good marketers, the Apostles chose the best option available to them - they invented something totally new! A new and improved Messiah with an outstanding after life -- if you order now!
A New Argument against the Existence of God: The Argument from Patterns
Pattern recognition is the basis of all intelligence, human and otherwise. But if we examine the patterns of evidence regarding the existence of gods, the patterns point away from such existence. Patterns like:
The human tendency to attribute supernatural causes to natural events;
The vast number of gods that have already proved false;
The pattern of biblical inconsistencies;
The pattern of newly accumulated knowledge and learning that lead away from the need for a god-system to support our understanding of the world;
These and other patterns are explored to demonstrate a 'pattern of patterns,' that lead to a conclusion that no gods ever existed.
The Five Stages of Coping with Mortality
Elizabeth Kubler Ross observed a system of stages that people go through when faced with the fact of their imminent death. But we are all ultimately faced with our own mortality and these stages apply to each of us as we deal with that fact as well. Some people deal with mortality by denying it (teenagers take up smoking and engage in sometimes reckless behavior sensing their invulnerability. Religious people prefer the bargaining strategy (if I behave in this particular way and follow these rules I will get eternal life). Humanists have advanced to the acceptance phase by recognizing that, even though we are mortal, this life is worth living to its fullest. Since we only get one shot at it, the best strategy is to appreciate life and share its wonders with all.
If you're interested in having this speaker come to your school and give a presentation, click here to fill out our online Speaker Request form.
Submitted by nick.stancato on Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:09
