Sunday Platform with Kate Cohen: The Pope, the President, and the Problem of Moral Authority
Free in-person and online!
Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a moral authority to whom we could appeal when we weren’t sure whether something was right or wrong? Or to back us up when we were? In these catastrophic/ridiculous times, you don’t have to be Catholic to take satisfaction in the Pope’s recent public support of simple decency. But even when the Pope says something self-evidently right, we have to remind ourselves that morality doesn’t inhere in any one person or text. And that, perhaps, our collective desire for such an external authority has helped create the mess we’re in.
Community lunch follows, free for first-time guests and families participating in the Young Ethical Explorers Program.
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About Kate Cohen
Kate Cohen is a former Washington Post contributing columnist and the author of We of Little Faith: Why I Stopped Pretending to Believe (And Maybe You Should Too), which chronicles her journey to outspoken atheism and examines whether nonbelievers can still have the benefits religion promises. For this work and for her columns inspecting American deference to religion, the Freedom from Religion Foundation honored her with its 2023 “Freethought Heroine” award. She now writes an independent column called Scratch, about creating — instead of buying or simply accepting — the stuff, nature, and purpose of our lives. Follow her on Bluesky and Instagram.
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About Sunday Platform
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 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 Humanist philosophy. Each Sunday meeting is followed by a luncheon and social hour.
To watch previous Sunday Platforms, visit our Videos page and YouTube channel.
