Welcome to the Grand Traverse Humanists. If you value science, reason, and compassion and believe that humans are responsible for their own destiny, you have come to the right place. We are a community for the non-religious in the Grand Traverse area, offering a forum for discussing and advancing a secular worldview based on our common humanity. Our programs include monthly speakers and discussions, film and book groups, and various volunteer and social events. All are free and open to the public. Check out Upcoming Events below, or click on the calendar. Nontheists, agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, rationalists, humanists, and more…we welcome you to join us!
Grand Traverse Humanists Main Meeting
Second Monday of each month, 7 p.m.
Traverse Area District Library main branch, 610 Woodmere Ave., TC
What’s New
- Bike Ride up Old Mission Peninsula
Sunday, October 7, 2018Humanist Bike Ride: Old Mission Peninsula to Jolly Pumpkin (weather permitting!)
10:30 a.m… 1150 Milliken Dr., Traverse City
Grand Traverse Humanists will bike up Old Mission Peninsula to Jolly Pumpkin for lunch, and then back to town. Meet at the TC Central parking lot at 10:30. Ride will be cancelled if the weather is rainy or too cold! Text Scott to RSVP at 231-313-7214, or email at scott.blair@jacobs.com.
- Meeting at the Library: Greg LaCross
Monday, October 8, 2018Meeting at the Library: Greg LaCross on Genetics
7 p.m… 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
Grand Traverse Humanists will welcome Greg LaCross with a presentation on genetics and its applications in the modern world.
The field of genetics and molecular biology has grown exponentially over the last 100 years. Great strides have been made in understanding the human genome and how it can be manipulated for various purposes that are not, some would say, all good.
Presenter Greg LaCross will give an overview of past research into the mechanisms of DNA, and the state of current knowledge and applications of modern-day genetics that include those things such as gene therapy, cloning, CRISPR, genome sequencing, etc.
Greg LaCross is the Chair of the Biology Department and genetics instructor at Northwestern Michigan College. He obtained his first graduate degree in molecular biology from Boston College where he conducted research in the fields of biochemistry and genetics.
As usual, following the meeting,we’ll gather at the Filling Station Microbrewery for pizza, drinks, and conversation.
- Hungry Humanists: The Franklin
Monday, September 24Hungry Humanists: The Franklin
7 p.m., 160 E. Front St., Traverse City
Grand Traverse Humanists will hold their monthly Hungry Humanists outing at The Franklin restaurant in Traverse City on September 24, 2018. RSVP to Linnaea at lmelcarek@gmail.com.
- Meeting at the Library: John Wierenga on Climate Science
Grand Traverse Humanists present John Wierenga with a program entitled “Climate Science, Paleoclimate, Paleogeology, and Paleontology: How the Past Informs the Future.” Wierenga will discuss concepts essential to understanding climate change with some emphasis on how Earth’s past climates inform our understanding of the future.John Wierenga earned a BS degree in chemistry and biology. He is retired from a career working in public health and the environment.
As usual, following the presentation, we’ll gather at the Filling Station Microbrewery for drinks, pizza and conversation.
- What is the Soul?
Crossed column in the Northern Express
Every month, the Northern Express publishes a column featuring our club president Scott Blair debating with Reverend Dr. William C. Meyers, senior pastor at Presbyterian Church of Traverse City. It’s called Crossed: A Local Pastor and a Local Atheist Debate. Every month features a new topic; we hope you’ll check it out!Link to the latest column:
