EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S WELCOME

It is my pleasure to welcome you  to the Web site of The Jefferson Center which I founded in August 2004, and introduce you to our non-profit all volunteer organization.  Please take a few minutes to explore our Web pages and acquaint yourself with who we are:  our mission, objectives, leadership team, and how you, someone interested in critical thinking and a secular, humanistic world can participate in the life of our Center.

At The Jefferson Center we see ourselves as humanists, atheists, freethinkers, skeptics and others who hold to basic beliefs in human rights--all part of an international secular philosophical movement of enlightened people of many hues dedicated to science, reason and freedom with compassion.

Whether you live in southern Oregon or father away you can participate in the life of The Center through our programs in person or through our Web site.  We encourage you to join us, work with us, learn with us, socialize with us and financially support our mission and objectives as a Member.  We have lots to offer!

You are truly welcome.  We are a supportive community.  You will not be an outcast.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to write The Center through our Web site "Contact" page and we will do everything we can to assist you.

Most sincerely,

Bob Semes

Founder and Executive Director

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 THE NEW TEN COMMANDMENTS

"THE NEW TEN COMMANDMENTS:  A Decalogue for the Modern World" 

[from www.ebonmusings.org]

A HUMANIST STATEMENT

I.  Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.

II.  In all things, strive to cause no harm.

III.  Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect.

IV.  Do not overlook evil or shrink from administering justice, but always be ready to forgive wrongdoing freely admitted and honestly regretted.

V.  Live life with a sense of joy and wonder.

VI.  Always seek to be learning something new.

VII.  Test all things; always check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard even a cherished belief  if it does not conform to them.

VIII.  Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right of others to disagree with you.

IX.  Form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; do not allow yourself to be led blindly by others.

X.  Question everything.

Ah, snug lie those that slumber/Beneath conviction's roof./ Their floors are sturdy lumber/ Their windows weatherproof./ But I sleep cold forever/ And cold sleep all my kind/ For I was born to shiver/ in the draft from an open mind."

--Phyllis McGinley (1905-1978), A Pocket Full of Wry, 1940