The Role of Faith Communities in Abolishing Nuclear Weapons

Discussions about nuclear weapons are often framed as security, legal, political or military issues. Yet equally important are moral and ethical perspectives, and faith communities play a critical role in bringing in such dimensions to discourses about nuclear weapons, which poses existential threats to humanity and our planet. In this talk, Anna Ikeda of Soka Gakkai International will discuss efforts of the people of faith in advancing nuclear disarmament and abolition, both at the United Nations and grassroots levels.

Feb. 11, 2025 – Boom Or Doom? Is Unleashing AI Intelligent or Wise?

For decades, Artificial Intelligence was one of those “maybe someday” dreams. Seemingly out of nowhere, ChatGPT exploded on the scene in early 2023. The clock is now ticking – the capabilities of A.I. are going to improve exponentially, and very quickly. As with almost every technological advancement in our lifetime, we find it easy to imagine the beneficial uses, but have distressingly little imagination about what the unintended consequences could be. This talk will mostly be based on a collection of newspaper and magazine articles that give us glimpses of reasons that we could very well regret ever opening up this Pandora’s box.

Ken has a lso provided “points to ponder” document with links to some of the issues raised in his talk

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Bio: In September of 2023 Ken Ing presented “Left versus Left: What’s Happening Here Ain’t Exactly Clear”, then in March of 2024 he presented “I Before We Except Overseas: Tracing The Roots Of Our Multi-Century Identity Crisis”.

Ken retired in 2019 from a career in IT and lives in the Puget Sound area in Washington State.

March 2025 Worship Service

“Yours, Mine and Ours: The NAUA Going Forward”
March 15th, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM PST

Latest Issue of the Liberal Beacon

It’s Here!

The latest issue of the Liberal Beacon contains four articles, two book reviews and more!

 

You can have new issues of the Liberal Beacon and the semi monthly NAUA Compass delivered free to your email box.

Back issues available here.

NAUA Celebrates International Women’s Day

Consistent with our support for the inherent rights and dignity of all persons, we celebrate and call for action on International Women’s Day on March 8. 

International Women’s Day (IWD), is a global recognition and call to action that is  dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality. Established by the United Nations (UN) in 1977, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made toward women’s rights while highlighting the challenges that remain.

The Goals of International Women’s Day

The United Nations’ goals for International Women’s Day align with its broader mission of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some of the key objectives include:

Promoting Gender Equality

  • Despite significant progress, women continue to face discrimination in many areas, including education, employment, and leadership. IWD aims to raise awareness and push for policies that promote equal opportunities for women.

  • Ending Gender-Based Violence
    Millions of women worldwide experience domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. The UN uses IWD to advocate for stronger legal frameworks and support services to protect women and hold perpetrators accountable.

  • Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment
    Women often face barriers in the workplace, including unequal pay, lack of access to leadership roles, and limited maternity benefits. IWD encourages companies and governments to implement fair labor practices and support women entrepreneurs.

  • Encouraging Women’s Leadership and Political Participation
    Women remain underrepresented in politics and decision-making roles. IWD promotes initiatives to increase female participation in government, business, and community leadership.

  • Improving Access to Education and Healthcare
    Education is a fundamental right, yet millions of girls worldwide are denied schooling due to poverty, early marriage, or conflict. The UN also emphasizes the need for better maternal healthcare, reproductive rights, and mental health support for women.

The 2024 Theme: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”

Each year, the UN selects a theme for IWD, focusing on a pressing issue related to gender equality. The 2024 theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” emphasizes the importance of funding women’s initiatives, supporting female-led businesses, and ensuring access to education and healthcare.

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration—it’s a movement toward a fairer, more inclusive world. By taking action today, we can create a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.

Created with help from ChatGPT.