Media Release • Updated
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| Secularism |
A "surrealistic" portrait of Trinidad and Tobago? |
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Our argument continues to be that a plural society is better off when religious groups are given the same weight as other groups, and not a privileged position as is now the case. In this context, it might have been useful if Professor Ryan had mentioned that, according to the World Values Survey to which MORI contributes, the most religious countries are also the least well-governed. … "See Letter" |
| Secularism |
No Equal Opportunities Act with Government Funding? |
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Dr Gaynor Dick-Forde does not understand, or appreciate, the principle of separating religion and state … enshrined in our Constitution, 4(d) of which guarantees "the right of the individual to equality of treatment from any public authority in the exercise of any functions" and 4(h) which guarantees "freedom of conscience and religious belief and observance" … "See Letter" |
| Education |
CAPE corruption reflects wider society |
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Corruption in CAPE exams reflects only the wider corruption that permeates all levels of the society. A good education system, underpinned by a philosophy that seeks to train individuals to be knowledgeable, sceptical, and ethical, can transform the society in one generation … "See Letter" |
| Crime |
Dishonest arguments on crime from Catholic Church |
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... religious belief does not stop the individual from committing crimes. In the prisons of Trinidad and Tobago, Roman Catholics, who make up 26 percent of our population, account for 45 percent of inmates. All other religions are similarly over-represented ... … "See Letter" |
| Education |
Myth, not history, from UWI academics |
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In our Association’s view, this mythologizing of history to serve ethnic agendas is neither innocuous nor benign. It points to a corrupting of intellectual standards for political ends and, as 20th-century history has well demonstrated, this is a recipe for backwardness and even disaster.. … "See Article" |
| Crime |
TT Humanist Statement on the Death Penalty |
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Crime will not be reduced by grabbing at irrational, barbaric, quick-fix ideas. Instead, the authorities, and the nation as a whole, must take the long term view, adopt policies based on dispassionate and empirical investigation, and institute pro-active and preventative solutions rather than hypocritical, emotionally-charged measures which have more to do with what is good for the political party than what is good for the society. … "See Letter" |
| Secularism |
More Papal Bull! |
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Pope Benedict XVI’s latest encyclical testify to his misuse of language … to induce confusion between the concepts of “atheism” and “secularism”. He thereby seeks to obscure the only empirically valid observation concerning the relationship of religion to society: that the most religious societies are the most backward, and the least religious are the most advanced. … "See Statement" |
| Ethics |
False beliefs can, and do, kill |
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We have too many persons in influential positions who promote ignorant practices, in areas ranging from health to education to economics, which help keep our society backward. … "See Statement" |
| Governance |
How to Write a Manifesto (General Election • 05 November 2007) |
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The Humanist Association of Trinidad and Tobago is committed to promoting empirical inquiry, rational analysis, and intelligent discourse in all areas of public life. We have examined the manifestos of all three political parties, and found them wanting in terms of a clear vision and articulating a coherent philosophy for our society. The following are brief statements of principle in five key areas of governance. … "See Article" |
| Secularism |
Statement on TT Humanist Day 2007 |
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The Association would also like to refute several untruths propagated by individuals and organizations who may feel threatened by free, responsible humanist values … "See Statement" |
| Secularism |
A church service is inappropriate for the Opening of the Law Term |
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Trinidad and Tobago is a republic: meaning a state run by laws rather than by the whims of a monarch – monarchs, like some Prime Ministers, having historically claimed to be appointed by God … "See Letter" |
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Trinidad and Tobago Humanist Association