NZARH Merchandise
A Wealth of Insights: Humanist Thought since the Enlightenment
by Bill Cooke
Humanism is a relatively young word, coined in only 1808, and yet it is the most transcultural mode of thought ever conceived. Centred on the plight of all humans in the herre and now and committed to reason, free thought, and producing a better, more democratic world, humanism encompasses positive and constructive perspectives and goals. In this enlightening study, Bill Cooke, author and independent scholar, explores the history of humanism - the word, the concept, and the thinkers who identify themselves as humanist (or ought to).
Investigating the works and lives of humanists from England to Nigeria, New Zealand, America, China, India, and beyond, Cooke reveals that humanism is not only the most transcultural of perspectives but also one of the oldest, with roots that can be traced back to ancient cultures.
Until now there has never been an account of humanism that outlines and acknowledges the extent of its cultural and intellectual richness, not only for for American and Western humanism, but also for the less well known humanist traditions of Asia, the near East, and Africa. In this extensive yet accessible overview of the global humanist tradition, Cooke shows that humanism has indeed produced a wealth of insights.
Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
Realising Secularism
Edited by Max Wallace and featuring an introduction by Concordat Watch's Muriel Fraser
Christianity is declining inexorably in Australia and New Zealand. Despite this fact both nations are often characterised as 'Christian nations'. In 2008 conferences were held in Sydney and Wellington to put that claim to the test. The conferences were organised by the Australia New Zealand Secular Association, the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists and the New Zealand Humanist Society. This book is a collection of papers from those conferences with some appropriate additions.
Secularism is government dramatically enhanced by true separation of church and state: constitutionally, financially and symbolically. Hence the removal of the Union Jack with its Christian crosses from the flags on the front cover of this book.
Secular republican governments are not beholden to any belief. They are more likely to achieve better outcomes for all regardless of class, race, gender, sexuality and belief.
As matters stand, our constitutional monarchies sell our nations short to favour the privileged few whose members usually overlap with religious elites.
This book is a new attempt to see Australia and New Zealand through secular eyes.
Realising Secularism is available from the NZARH for $25 + $3 postage in New Zealand.
Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
The Purple Economy
by Max Wallace
In this provocative book Max Wallace argues democracies should be republics characterised by constitutional separations of church and state. Wallace argues the separation of temporal authority from supernatural authority should be understood as the first separation of powers in a democracy, prior to, and equivalent to, the separations between the executive, legislature and judiciary. The failure of democracies to fully realise this distinction constitutionally has seen churches become immensely wealthy as a consequence of their centuries old tax-exempt status as charities that "advance religion." Their wealth is now a recognisable financial phenomenon - the Purple Economy.
But, following the French principle, Wallace argues it is not the role of a state to "advance religion." Ancient exemptions from taxation for the "supernatural" charities who are under no obligation to spend their wealth on "good works", are not appropriate in the 21st century. They should be treated for tax purposes the same as other taxpayers. The failure of governments to formalise separation of church and state has contributed to the significant wealth of supernatural charities largely as a function of the exemptions. These are effectively concealed tithes on all taxpayers. At the same time church attendance has plummeted.
Central to supernatural proselytising is their lobbying success in achieving more public money for private, religious schools. Public education has been betrayed by compliant politicians from both sides as they run what are effectively soft theocracies: democracies compromised by constitutional monarchy and/or supernatural charities and their tax exemptions.
The Purple Economy is available from the NZARH for $35 + $4.50 postage in New Zealand.
Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
The Dictionary of Atheism, Skepticism and Humanism
by Bill Cooke
In the tradition of Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary, and Joseph McCabe's Rationalist Encyclopedia, this accessible dictionary addresses the contemporary need for a reference book that succinctly summarizes the key concepts, current terminology, and major contributions of influential thinkers broadly associated with atheism, skepticism, and humanism. In the preface, author Bill Cooke notes that his work is intended "for freethinkers in the broadest sense of the word: people who like to think for themselves and not according to the preplanned routes set by others." This dictionary will serve as a guide for all those people striving to lead fulfilling, morally responsible lives without religious belief.
Readers are offered a wide range of concepts, from ancient, well-known notions such as God, free will, and evil to new concepts such as "eupraxsophy". Also included are current "buzzwords" that have some bearing on the freethought worldview such as "metrosexual". The names of many people whose lives or work reflect freethought principles form a major portion of the entries. Finally, a humanist calendar is included, on which events of interest to freethinkers are noted.
This unique, accessible, and highly informative work will be a welcome addition to the libraries of open-minded people of all philosophic persuasions.
The above description is from Prometheus Books.
The Dictionary of Atheism, Skepticism and Humanism is available from the NZARH for $90 + $9 postage in New Zealand. Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
The Secular Trend in New Zealand
by Jim Dakin
The basic meaning of the word ‘secular’ is ‘belonging to the world’, i.e. the natural world as distinct from any supernatural world that might be envisaged by an adherent of a particular religious belief.
A secular state is one that adopts the principle of complete separation of church and state and in which there is individual freedom of religious or non-religious belief. In fact, the secular state is neutral as regards the belief of its citizens and must refrain from favouring any particular religious group.
The purpose of this study is to trace the origins of this trend towards the secularity of the state in Britain and its gradual development in New Zealand, in spite of occasional reversals.
The Secular Trend in New Zealand is available from the NZARH for $15 + $4.50 postage in New Zealand. Overseas postage is + NZD$6 postage for Australia & Pacific, and + NZD$9 postage for the rest of the World. Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
Heathen in Godzone
Seventy Years of Rationalism in New Zealand
by Bill Cooke
Heathen in Godzone is a critical, hard-hitting history that looks at the highs and lows of Rationalism in New Zealand.
This is the story of the longest running organisation devoted to free thinking in New Zealand's history, and of the people who built and nurtured it. Included are some of the most famous names in New Zealand history: Sir Robert Stout, R A K Mason, Rex Fairburn, Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, John A Lee, and many, many others.
We invite you to read the Preface of Heathen in Godzone.
Heathen in Godzone is available from the NZARH for $10 + $4.50 postage in New Zealand. Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
Complimentary to New Zealand libraries!
The NZARH is happy to donate a copy of Heathen In Godzone free of charge to any public or school library that may wish to own a copy of this book. Librarians are warmly invited to contact us.NZARH T-Shirts
Grey cotton T-shirt with black text.
Available in S/M/L size $10.00 each plus freight.