Articles by Goldwin Emerson

Goldwin (Goldie) Emerson is a long-time member of HALA who writes frequent columns relating to Humanism in the Saturday "Spirituality and Ethics" section of the London Free Press. Although HALA has ended, Goldie plans to continue writing future articles for the Free Press, which will also be added to the collection below.

Download copies of Goldie's past articles in pdf format below, and check back here for future articles!

March 20, 2021 - Spring time for renewal, hope and gratitude

November 7, 2020 - Cautionary doubt preferable to blind faith in Christianity

September 26, 2020 - Without kindness, ethical principles can lose their value

August 1, 2020 - Racism runs deep in psyche, takes work to overcome

July 3, 2020 - Possible to sustain friendships over great distances, absence, even differences

June 6, 2020 - Common initial ideas improve chance of solution to overpopulation

April 4, 2020 - Coronavirus fight offers good ethical lessons

December 14, 2019 - Interdisciplinary exchange enriches knowledge

November 16, 2019 - It's time to rethink our concept of Justice

September 21, 2019 - Powerful word 'love' often squandered on amusements

July 27, 2019 - Being truthful with yourself can save you frustration

June 8, 2019 - Ethics and economics call for support of middle class

April 6, 2019 - Religion, evolution not mutually exclusive

February 16, 2019 - Spirituality includes many concepts beyond religion

December 8, 2018 - Religions can be improved by humanism

November 17, 2018 - Ethical qualities adaptable to any era

October 20, 2018 - Alzheimer's exposes parents' life-long influence

August 11, 2018 - Canada: True north strong and free

July 28, 2018 - Ontario's 2016 sex education curriculum

June 9, 2018 - Nursing home care a comfort to resident, kin

April 21, 2018 - A free and responsible quest for truth and meaning

March 10, 2018 - Vastness of existence demands our humility

January 27, 2018 - Governments give - or take away - our rights

November 26, 2017 - Why not require suitability test before gun purchase?

October 20, 2017 - Humanity can't be tied to pigment perceptions

September 9, 2017 - Miracles should only refer to truly supernatural

August 5, 2017 - Living with humble uncertainty benefits all

June 16, 2017 - Imperfect argument for the existence of a perfect God

May 6, 2017 - Wondering if a new marriage will succeed? Read on

March 18, 2017 - Be wary of extreme patriotism and its racial pride

February 4, 2017 - Wide bridge of friendship maps path for peace

December 31, 2016 - Political correctness beats callousness

November 19, 2016 - Helping others helps us find meaning

October 1, 2016 - Young and old united in caring

September 3, 2016 - Order not to be confused with design

August 20, 2016 - We need nature more than it needs us

July 16, 2016 - Still time to do good, at any age

June 11, 2016 - Ethics linked to justice and fairness

May 14, 2016 - In our stars or in ourselves?

April 16, 2016 - Democracy demands equality

March 5, 2016 - In a manner of speaking ...

February 13, 2016 - Nothing barring coexistence of evolution and religion

January 16, 2016 - Tracking the evidence of ideas

December 26, 2015 - We all have a role in protecting Earth

December 5, 2015 - Reasonable U.S. gun control rules truly ethical approach

October 24, 2015 - The here and now of humanists

September 12, 2015 - Blinded by modern mythology

September 4, 2015 - Science as a force for morality

August 15, 2015 - Hope and joy found in the here and now

July 25, 2015 - Religious or secular, nature matters

June 27, 2015 - Rights: Gifts before entitlements

May 23, 2015 - We all benefit by giving hope to both rich and poor

April 25, 2015 - Small steps can better our world

April 11, 2015 - Assisted death aids disadvantaged

March 14, 2015 - Science, absent of greed, benefits humankind

February 14, 2015 - Goldwin Emerson responds to Bruce Tallman

January 24, 2015 - Humanism essential to good religion

January 3, 2015 - An atheist and a theist walk into a bar ...

November 15, 2014 - Every human has some inherent worth

October 25, 2014 - Good manners lie at the root of good ethics

September 27, 2014 - An experience of natural spirituality

September 6, 2014 - Must we abandon our concepts of God?

August 30, 2014 - Country inches closer to euthanasia answer

August 23, 2014 - Science and religion can co-exist

August 9, 2014 - Undertand our enemies, invite peace

July 19, 2014 - Public schools confounded by equality

June 28, 2014 - Humanists need to reassess values often

June 7, 2014 - Informed voters key to democracy

May 17, 2014 - Rational doubt preferable to blind faith

April 5, 2014 - Governments must protect middle class

March 1, 2014 - Ethics call us to do better in government

February 1, 2014 - Euthanasia remains controversial

January 4, 2014 - Canadians earn kindly image on daily basis

December 14, 2013 - Capitalism is like an unfair game of Monopoly

October 26, 2013 - Free enterprise tough balancing act

October 19, 2013 - Secularist seeks clarity on Sharia law

September 28, 2013 - Faith, hope, charity, but not much of a tax credit

September 14, 2013 - Religious or secular, morals share many values

August 24, 2013 - Guns affect how we relate to each other

August 10, 2013 - We deserve compassionate and caring cops

August 3, 2013 - Gratitude enriches our spiritual happiness

July 27, 2013 - Self-knowledge key to ethical relationships

July 13, 2013 - Forgiveness a powerful virtue - but not always possible

June 22, 2013 - Today's politicians could use a Plato tutorial

June 1, 2013 - Democracy in Canada can still be improved

May 11, 2013 - Religious and secular know moral harmony

April 13, 2013 - Acceptance of other views a worthy goal

March 16, 2013 - Economic divide needs bridging

February 23, 2013 - A thoughtful Humanist responds (article by Rod Martin)

February 16, 2013 - This is what a humanist hopes for

February 2, 2013 - Children learn morality from their parents

December 15, 2012 - Questions for thoughtful Christians

November 17, 2012 - Good moral path includes scientific thought

November 3, 2012 - U.S. gun laws not even on the election radar

September 15, 2012 - Long marriage brings insight into successful unions

August 4, 2012 - U.N. can still be powerful force for solutions

July 14, 2012 - Preserving the planet is job for us all

July 2, 2012 - Students learn more than curriculum in class

June 23, 2012 - Faith's meaning differs in religion and science

June 02, 2012 - Who gets bullied and who are the bullies?

May 12, 2012 - The Great Beyond just gets clearer

May 5, 2012 - Religion, politics need not be taboo subjects

April 21, 2012 - Don't let accommodations detract from basics

March 10, 2012 - Responsibility of global store a shared one

February 15, 2012 - Co-operative nature justifies moral actions

January 21, 2012 - EMD dispute demands more of government

December 31, 2011 - Occupy campers seem reasonable to me

November 12, 2011 - Law on dying goes back on trial

October 15, 2011 - Reality is not always what it appears to be

October 1, 2011 - Healthy aging and attitude fill out life

September 24, 2011 - Inevitability of death travels through our lives

August 20, 2011 - Drawing battle lines over war

July 30, 2011 - Free will a window into own values

July 23, 2011 - Can the world hold the line on population?

July 9, 2011 - Believers in God didn't start out that way

May 14, 2011 - In parenting, chimps have a lot to teach us

March 2, 2011 - The path to a world without war is possible

February 19, 2011 - Capitalism needs controls to be moral

January 15, 2011 - Evolution doesn't just happen by chance

December 18, 2010 - Honesty of WikiLeaks should prevail

November 20, 2010 - Can enough giving ever really be enough?

October 10, 2010 - Bullying runs counter to a mainstay of ethical behaviour

August 21, 2010 - Leaders need foresight to choose wisely

August 7, 2010 - Variations on spirituality

July 10, 2010 - You may be moral, but are you ethical?

June 26, 2010 - Spirituality comes in many forms, not just religious

May 15, 2010 - Euthanasia foes are the ones who "play God"

April 17, 2010 - Science allows society to maintain its moral thread

January 21, 2006 - Religion and its Humanist connections

December 28, 2001 - Leishman's musings on morality not grounded in fact