If your personal ethics didn’t challenge you today, maybe you have the wrong ethic. Ethics has nothing to do with guilt, or shame, or a desire to be good, or any other such nonsense forced on you to get you to stop hitting your sister when you were seven. Rather, ethics is a process for creating a space for life to flourish, a place that’s transformative, sometimes chaotic, and requires real maturity and a strong dose of humility. Entering this space is far more exciting than even your Sunday School teacher imagined. It beckons us all to join, and may be the only way to save our planet from ourselves.
Curt Collier has served as an Ethical Culture Leader in the environmental community for over 12 years. He is also the National Youth Program Director for Groundwork USA, an organization which works to raise the capacity of communities to deal with their own environmental challenges. Mr. Collier has developed many award winning programs that engage youth in environmental causes and is a frequent guest speaker on the topic. He has also advanced programs improving science education in schools, champions Gay marriage rights, and the right for Gay couples and single adults to adopt children. He directly assists conservation efforts in 18 states.
Sunday Platform is our most important and long-standing community event. These gatherings educate, stimulate personal growth, inspire reflection and action, and strengthen our community. Sunday meetings usually begin with music, followed by greetings and a talk given by a Society Leader, member, or guest. Platforms cover a variety of topics that reflect current events, pressing social issues, and Ethical Culture philosophy. A collection basket is passed and money is shared between the Society and a charity selected for that day. While contributions are always appreciated, Sunday meetings are free and open to the public. Each Sunday meeting is followed by a luncheon and social hour.
To view previous Sunday Platform addresses and interviews, visit the Ethical NYC YouTube channel.
