Hello, my name is Lee Canipe and I am a newcomer to Ethical Culture and the ESWoW. I'm a 39 year-old single, gay male. I was born in Kinston, NC, but grew up in the DC area. I recently relocated to my hometown to help care for my elderly parents.

My background is in Social Work and I have a degree in Gerontology. I have not yet found a job since relocating, but I'm hoping to continue in the field of medical Social Work. I've tried my hand at farming since I'm now in the country... but that's not for me!

I have always considered myself a humanist. I was raised in a liberal Protestant home, but encouraged to think for myself and explore my own beliefs. I have struggled much of my life with trying to reconcile religious "feelings" and experiences on the one hand, and a complete lack of belief in the supernatural on the other. I suppose by "feelings and experiences" I mean a sense of connection, of wonder, of emotional depth, of cultivating ethical principles. As I said, I do not believe in any sort of theistic concept of God or of supernaturalism, but I am not a nihilist either. I'm simply a humanist (and still trying to sort out whether I'm a Secular or Religious Humanist-- I think a bit of both).

I am looking forward to learning more about Ethical Culture and making new friends here. I am interested in membership, but I wanted to learn a bit more before making the commitment. I hope that's alright.

Lee