“Making Room for Conservatives”

For over 140 years Ethical Humanism has promoted progressive solutions to social problems – solutions that try to ease human suffering through collective action and civic engagement. At times this leads Ethical Societies to appear exclusively dedicated to liberal perspectives. What do these political labels mean? Is there room for conservatism in Ethical Humanism? How do we encourage freethought and civil debate while remaining true to our heritage? Hugh Taft-Morales explores the challenge of balancing diverse perspectives and group cohesion within Ethical Culture.

Hugh Taft-Morales joined the Baltimore Ethical Society as its professional leader in 2010, the same year he was certified by the American Ethical Union as an Ethical Culture Leader. He also serves as Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia. His presence in Ethical Culture has been termed “invigorating.” Taft-Morales lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, with his wife Maureen, a Latin American Analyst with the Congressional Research Service, with whom he has three beloved children, Sean, Maya, and Justin.