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Sunday Platform Addresses
The centerpiece of our Sunday program is the platform address, often given by the Senior Leader, but also frequently delivered by other Society members or invited speakers. These talks are designed to provide fellowship, insight, and inspiration for daily living. The content ranges from the philosophical to the practical, and from the scientific to the social. Exceptional past platform addresses have included:
- Nadine Strossen, president of the American Civil Liberties Union, who spoke in 2000 on challenges to free thought and expression in the United States. Strossen, who was elected to lead the ACLU in 1991, was the first woman to head this group.
- Judith Viorst, author of insightful books for both children and adults, who offered advice in 1999 on how to get more enjoyment out of life by not trying to do it all.
- Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who spoke in 1998 about preserving religious freedom.
- A Youth Anti-Violence Forum, sponsored by the American Psychological Association and the Ethical Society in 2000. Psychologists Rebecca Selove and Dean Wiley led a town-hall meeting about recognizing and responding to the warning signs of violent behavior in children.
- Thurgood Marshall, who spoke in 1957 about the activism of the American Civil Liberties Union, 10 years before his appointment to the Supreme Court.
- Ray Hartmann, founder of the Riverfront Times, an independent weekly paper in St. Louis, has delivered two platform addresses, one in 1990 and one in 1999.
- A debate between Kate Michelman, executive director of the National Abortion Rights Action League and Susan E. Smith, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, which occurred in 1991.
The text of some Platform addresses are available in our Online Library and others can be purchased on audiotape by contacting the Society office at 314/991-0955.
| The Ethical Chorus rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Membership is open to all—members and nonmembers. Call the Society office 314/991-0955 for information or to drop by a rehearsal. |
Music is an important part of the Ethical Society's program. Our Sunday Platforms integrate music into the presentation, exploring styles ranging from classical to jazz to folk. The Ethical Chorus performs approximately once a month at the Platforms and at all Festivals.
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