Sunday, November 5th 2023
The first Parliament of the World’s Religions (https://parliamentofreligions.org/), held in Chicago in 1893, was surely revelatory for many people, bringing together, as it did, religious adherents from around the globe. Their differences must have seemed tremendous and yet, by all written accounts, similarities were discovered and common values shared. Recent parliaments, like the one Anne Klaeysen attended in August, have emphasized those shared values and celebrated on common ground, drawing the world’s attention to existential issues, e.g., human rights and climate change. Those who participate understand and appreciate the many forms that religion can take. Dr. Klaeysen represented the National Leaders Council and joined colleagues from the American Humanist Association and Secular Judaism to staff an information table on Humanism.
Anne Klaeysen is Leader Emerita of the New York Society for Ethical Culture. She co-chairs The Encampment for Citizenship board of directors, serves on the board of Ethical Culture Fieldston Schools, and is a member of the American Humanist Association Education Advisory Committee. Anne previously held positions as Humanist Chaplain on the campuses of Columbia University and New York University, as well as Adelphi University when she served as Leader of the Long Island Ethical Humanist Society. She holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Hebrew Union College and masters degrees in German from SUNY Albany and business administration from NYU. Anne is co-author, with NYSEC Ethics for Children Director Audrey Kindred, of AHA’s new Humanist Family Life Ceremonies online course. She is vice president of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, where she was married and raised her two children.