Platform Addresses (Main Service: Sundays 11 a.m. to noon)
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:
- Jim Hightower, author of the monthly populist newsletter, "The Hightower Lowdown" spoke in 2006 about "Health care for the privileged few? Why not health care for all!" (Read about this address and listen the podcast.)
- Kathy Kelly, a noted peace activist, co-coordinated Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign to end U.N./U.S. economic sanctions against Iraq. In 2007 she spoke about "Iraqis in crisis: What have we done?" (Read about this address and listen the podcast.)
- Paul Loeb, author of 5 books and numerious articles, spent thirty years researching and writing about citizen responsibility and empowerment - asking what makes some people choose lives of social commitment, while others abstain. Spoke on "The impossible will take a little while: Hope in a time of fear" in 2005.
- Dennis Kucinich, former Mayor of Cleveland, former presidential candidate, current U.S. Representative from Ohio, and visionary leader of the Progressive Caucus of the congressional Democrats, spoke on "Health care ethics" in 2005.
- Thurgood Marshall, who spoke in 1957 about the activism of the American Civil Liberties Union, 10 years before his appointment to the Supreme Court.
Music
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.