Sun Dec 27 – [Online] Overtourism

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

Our featured presentation will be a YouTube video clip from John Oliver’s show Last Week Tonight related to the phenomenon of “overtourism”. Ryan Zhang, a Toronto Oasis volunteer, will introduce the video and lead the discussion after we watch the video together.

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/mtkqxrybcqbkc/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

Sun Dec 20 – [Online] Faith Without God

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

This Sunday we will watch an IdeaCity Conference talk, found on YouTube, by Gretta Vosper, one of the founding members of Toronto Oasis, an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada and a self-professed atheist. Tania Akon, a Toronto Oasis organizer, will introduce the video and lead the discussion after we watch the video together.

We will also be having live music this Sunday! Our featured musician will be Cassie Norton, the music director of Toronto Oasis. Cassie is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, violinist and climate activist. She has recorded two full length albums as a solo artist, Little Strength (2009) and Quiet Wilderness (2010). Cassie and her band released their first EP: Lullaby for the End of Time in February 2019. When she isn’t busy making her own music, Cassie shares her love of music with others through teaching. She teaches a variety of private and ensemble classes at Regent Park School of Music, and through her private studio. Check out her website: https://www.cassienorton.com/

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/mtkqxrybcqbbc/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

The live music performance by Cassie Norton was recorded and may be viewed using the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmIz6M-tQ1cIQNUNi6INm-TRpBFi11z-/view?usp=sharing

The sing-along climate carols Cassie performed can be found here:

https://musicforclimatejustice.bandcamp.com/releases

For more of Cassie’s music check out the following:

www.cassienorton.bandcamp.com

https://www.cassienorton.com/

Sun Dec 13 – [Online] Understanding Sexual Orientation: A Personal Journey

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

This Sunday our featured speaker will be Paul Kaplan. In his presentation, Paul will discuss the meaning and significance of sexual orientation as he learned it in his own life. He will share his experiences of being in the closet, coming out, and living in freedom.

Paul Kaplan grew up in New York City where he attended New York University and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, economics, and computer science. He continued his studies at Northwestern University, just outside of Chicago, where he earned a master’s degree and doctorate in economics. After graduating, he remained in the Chicago area, working as a financial economist for over 20 years. He then moved to London (UK) and worked there for two years. In 2012, he moved to Toronto where he has been living and working ever since.

Since coming to Toronto, Paul has been active in various secular groups, including the Humanist Association of Toronto and Toronto Oasis where he has presented on topics related to economics and investing. He also has been active in the various LGBTQ groups. Paul has keen interests in science and history.

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/mtkqxrybcqbrb/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

This meeting has been recorded and may be viewed at the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15JrFkj3V8bP4-R9NEVreKgntglvB_I59/view?usp=sharing

Sun Dec 06 – [Online] Six Non-Drug Ways to Relieve Depression

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

This Sunday our featured speaker will be Kristen Gane. She will outline the six, non-drug approaches to relieve depression from the 2014 book “Out of the Blue” by author Bill O’Hanlon, a seasoned psychotherapist. “Out of the Blue” offers uncomplicated, evidence-based strategies to gently address depression and shift mood.

Bill O’Hanlon’s journey began when he struggled with debilitating depression as a teenager. Many years later, he wanted others to benefit from his experience. His book offers hope and empowerment with the flexibility to try one approach or all six, and may provide timely help to buffer the impact of COVID on our mental health, as well as support those who struggle during the holiday season.

His book is intended for therapists, family members with depressed loved ones, concerned friends who want to help, and for depressed folks themselves. It is an approachable, positive read (available at the Toronto Public Library).

Kristen is a Registered Psychotherapist (with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario), a professional member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association and the Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists. She has a Master’s-level Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy from TATI, (thesis on therapy programs in Canadian hospitals), and a BA in Ethics, Society and Law from U of T. Prior to this she attended three years of OCAD studies. In addition to her therapy work, she is a freelance writer and an artist.

Kristen came to her profession later in life, and had a variety of jobs previously, from daycare provider to senior health policy analyst. With her therapist hat on, she has worked at SickKids Hospital, Youthdale Acute Crisis Unit, Women’s shelters, Emily’s House, etc., and currently has a private practice offering compassionate, strength-based support to children, youth and adults struggling with issues that hinder healthy interaction with themselves, their loved ones and the world around them. Her website is www.torontoarttherapy.ca.

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/mtkqxrybcqbjb/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

Sun Nov 29 – [Online] The Golden Rule as the Core of Ethics and Religion

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

This Sunday our featured presentation will be a 2008 TED Prize talk by Karen Armstrong, a former nun, who turned atheist, then came back to a very progressive religion, and is a historian of religion and author of many books. This was the start of the process by which she and others started the Charter for Compassion organization, https://charterforcompassion.org/.

Dan Cooperstock, a Toronto Oasis organizer, will introduce the video and lead the discussion after we watch the video together.

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/mtkqxrybcpbmc/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis
facebook.com/TorontoOasis
instagram.com/TorontoOasis
twitter.com/416Oasis
discord.com/channels/748861336376705034

Sun Nov 22 – [Online] Antisemitism – Past and Present

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

This Sunday our featured speakers will be Mark Turi and Paul Kaplan. In their presentation, Mark and Paul will discuss the history of antisemitism and how it is manifested today. They will briefly review key documents and events in which antisemitism was a central. They will discuss a definition of antisemitism adopted by Canadian governments and conclude by discussing a major element of antisemitism today, the new antisemitism, which focuses on Israel.

Paul Kaplan grew up in New York City where he attended New York University and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, economics, and computer science. He continued his studies at Northwestern University, just outside of Chicago, where he earned a master’s degree and doctorate in economics. After graduating, he remained in the Chicago area, working as a financial economist for over 20 years. He then moved to London (UK) and worked there for two years. In 2012, he moved to Toronto where he has been living and working ever since.

Since coming to Toronto, Paul has been active in various secular groups, including the Humanist Association of Toronto and Toronto Oasis where he has presented on topics related to economics and investing. Paul also has keen interests in science and history.

Mark Turi holds a BA from Brock University and studies the History of Nationalism and Revolution in Modern Europe. Mark has previously presented at Toronto Oasis on: Recovering from Cults and Extremist Groups; a 2-part talk on A Brief History of Nations and Nationalism in Modern Europe; and a 2-part talk on The Rise of Communism and Nazism after WWI in Germany.

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/nkjfbsybcpbdc/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

This meeting has been recorded can can be viewed at the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sRD17KpxqDIVSj78c13IWqtI5kawUSN4/view?usp=sharing

Sun Nov 08 – [Online] Our Place in the Universe

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

This Sunday our featured presentation will be a TEDx talk by Marcelo Gleiser, a Brazilian physicist and astronomer, about what science tells us about our place in the Universe. Tania Akon, a Toronto Oasis organizer, will introduce the video and lead the discussion after we watch the video together.

We will also be having live music this Sunday! Our featured musician will be Cassie Norton, the music director of Toronto Oasis. Cassie is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, violinist and climate activist. She has recorded two full length albums as a solo artist, Little Strength (2009) and Quiet Wilderness (2010). Cassie and her band released their first EP: Lullaby for the End of Time in February 2019. When she isn’t busy making her own music, Cassie shares her love of music with others through teaching. She teaches a variety of private and ensemble classes at Regent Park School of Music, and through her private studio. Check out her website: https://www.cassienorton.com/

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/nkjfbsybcpblb/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

Sun Nov 01 – [Online] The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

This Sunday our featured presentation will be a TED-Ed talk available on YouTube (about 19 minutes long) by Jonathan Haidt, author of the 2012 book: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. Dan Cooperstock, a Toronto Oasis organizer, who has read this book, and thinks it’s excellent, will introduce the video and moderate the discussion after we watch the video together.

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/ptkqxrybcpbcb/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis
facebook.com/TorontoOasis
instagram.com/TorontoOasis
twitter.com/416Oasis
discord.com/channels/748861336376705034

Sun Oct 25 – [Online] Thought Experiments: Trolley Problem 2.0

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

Thought experiments are used to convey ideas that permit the contemplator to bracket their own experiences and preconceptions to understand an idea, concept or ideology. Thought experiments have two important aspects: the framework under which these will take place, and the content used to convey the idea. This content is sometimes augmented in ways that permit different perspectives of the same idea, which is useful insofar as they sometimes allow the contemplator to assess their own beliefs about a subject matter. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy lays out the academic rationale and underpinnings of thought experiments. Our featured speaker, Tim Mt. Pleasant, will present several thought experiments and how they were used historically for a specific purpose.

Tim Mt. Pleasant

Tim Mt. Pleasant is a First Nations member of the LGBTQ2S+ and Disabled community from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and is currently studying Philosophy at Ryerson University. His experience comes from work in the Long-Term Care (10 years), Mental Health/Addictions (8 years) and Public Service Sector during the last 22 years. Tim has an interest in Bioethics and in the values that one assumes when entering various systems, the fluidity of control and capacity, and the new realm of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

Tim volunteers in areas that allow him to advocate for those with Mental Health or addiction challenges, including marginalized populations and those that get lost in various systems, specifically within Health Care and Social Services sectors. He has served on the Board of Directors of PFLAG Canada, the Canadian Bioethics Society, ARCH Disability Law Centre, Community Resource Connections of Toronto, Toronto Distress Centres, and the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. Tim is also a member of and currently sits on the Equity Committee of the Canadian Philosophical Association and Ryerson’s Research Ethics Board. Tim recently completed an Undergraduate placement in Bioethics @ Princess Margaret Cancer Centre / University Health Network and is working on completing his final year of Philosophical studies at Ryerson.

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/ptkqxrybcnbhc/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

Sun Oct 18 – [Online] No More Rainbows: Sochi 2014 Olympics and Homophobia in Putin’s Russia

This will be an online Zoom meeting. Please RSVP on our Meetup for this event to get access to the Zoom link. See our online meeting instructions at: https://torontooasis.org/online-meeting-instructions

Our program will run from 11 am to 12:30 pm but you can join in to the meeting starting at 10:45 am. Volunteers please join by 10:30 am.

In 2007, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected Sochi to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. LGBTQ communities in Russia had long been under threat, culminating in 2013 legislation that criminalized same-sex activities. The IOC and Putin’s Russia continue to exercise their power in similar ways: undemocratic governance, fraudulent voting processes, hypocrisy and absence of accountability.

Our featured speaker on this topic this Sunday, will be Helen Lenskyj, author of the 2014 book: Sexual Diversity and the Sochi 2014 Olympics: No More Rainbows (https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9781137399755).

Helen Jefferson Lenskyj is Professor Emerita, University of Toronto, where she taught sociology. Her work as a researcher and activist on gender and sport issues began in the 1980s, and her critique of the Olympic industry include: Inside the Olympic Industry; Olympic Industry Resistance; Gender, Athletes Rights, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport; and released earlier this year, her most recent book The Olympic Games: A Critical Approach.

Helen grew up in Australia and has lived in Toronto since 1966. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in 1983, and was a professor from 1986 until retiring in 2007. As well as writing books, she enjoys swimming and kayaking. Her website is www.helenlenskyj.ca; TWITTER: https://twitter.com/helenje63185798

Please RSVP on meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/ptkqxrybcnbxb/

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps some new ones!

This meeting was recorded at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hhMz7qP2bymGpaWfvTp2DPLh3AQnOnf4/view?usp=sharing