MEDIA ADVISORY. Following a successful launch on Sunday, October 18th, 2015, Greater Boston Oasis announces that UnitedCoR’s Executive Director (headquartered in Washington, DC) will be the featured guest speaker this coming Sunday, November 29, 2015. The Greater Boston Oasis has become a destination for nontheistic (atheist, agnostic, skeptic, humanist) people who want to feel a part of the social network of a community that values reason and compassion. Oasis has encouraged people to come together to learn, to grow, to celebrate life, and to ultimately give back to the community.
WHO: UnitedCoR’s Executive Director is a Humanist celebrant, a regular contributor to TheHumanist.Com, and he gives regular volunteer time to chaplaincy work with student organizations at major American and British universities. A former Christian minister, UnitedCoR’s Executive Director is the current applicant to become the first Humanist-endorsed chaplain in the history of the United States armed forces. After being away from America for nearly 15 years, he has recently returned to serve as the Executive Director for the United Coalition of Reason, based in Washington, DC. Through his work with UnitedCoR, UnitedCoR’s Executive Director nurtures over 80 local coalitions in addition to supporting more than 800 nationwide cooperating and affiliated groups within these coalitions.
UnitedCoR’s Executive Director took double majors in philosophy and practical theology at Howard Payne University before attending Brite Divinity School (Texas Christian University) for his Master of Divinity. He then studied for an additional Master’s in history and religion at the University of Oxford before completing further post-graduate certification from Sheffield Hallam University which allowed him to teach in the UK’s public schools. Among the subjects UnitedCoR’s Executive Director teaches, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, and personal/social/health education have been his favorites.
After working in UK schools for 5 years, UnitedCoR’s Executive Director went on to serve as the headteacher (UK equivalent of a “Teaching Co-Principal” in the US) of UK-curriculum “international” schools. He has lived in and visited nearly 40 countries, and is always searching for new places to explore. UnitedCoR’s Executive Director recently completed a Doctorate of Education in administrative leadership. His dissertation focused on empowering non-Western grassroots schools and teachers, and he uses these experiences to help grow nontheistic communities across America and Canada.
WHERE:
Malden YMCA, 99 Dartmouth Street, Malden MA, 02148.
WHEN:
Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
WHY:
In the wake of recent events in American history where people have claimed that the religious liberty upon which America was based is being threatened, UnitedCoR’s Executive Director will offer a brief insight into where the concept of “religious liberty” originated, including its historical context from England and how this shaped early Colonial life. UnitedCoR’s Executive Director will be using some archival documents from the Bodleian Library of the University of Oxford and will demonstrate where some historical facts are stranger than the fiction often believed and reported today.
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The Greater Boston Oasis (www.bostonoasis.org) is a secular alternative to faith-based community. Oasis strives to give people the sort of community experience that many experience in religious gatherings, but without the dogma and where people can refresh themselves among others who share our secular, humanity-focused values. In addition to Sunday gatherings, Oasis communities participate in discussion groups, neighborhood potlucks, community service and charity events.
The Boston Area Coalition of Reason (www.BostonCoR.org) is a coalition of 16 organizations in central and eastern Massachusetts that share a worldview grounded in reason over superstition, and scientific truth over revealed truth. We are freethinkers, humanists, skeptics, atheists and agnostics that hope to provide a larger sense of community and to be a central clearinghouse for information on all like minded groups in the area.
The United Coalition of Reason (www.UnitedCoR.org) is a non-profit organization that helps local non-theistic groups work together to achieve higher visibility, increase membership, and have a greater impact in their local areas.
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For more information, contact:
Mr. J. Michael Spencer
Executive Director
Greater Boston Oasis
(617) 650-5887
[email protected]
UnitedCoR’s Executive Director
Executive Director
United Coalition of Reason (based in Washington, DC)
(202) 744-1553
[email protected]