Minnesota Atheists July/August Newsletter

The Minnesota Atheists July/August Newsletter is up and ready for your viewing pleasure. The PDF version (click here) has all of the amazing pictures from Pride Fest and the Fossil Hunt, so be sure to check that out, as well.

Atheist Weekly Email (AWE)

So, the other thing I’ve been up to is revamping the Atheist Weekly Email.  Previously, it was just text based.  If you are in the Minnesota area, think about subscribing to this amazing update!  Email awe@mnatheists.org if you’re interested.

Advance Atheism

No, not “Atheism Advanced”, although check it out if you haven’t.  Amazing book, changed my life in many ways.

Anyhoo, Advance Atheism. My new post at Minnesota Atheists.  Because the June newsletter is coming out.  Right on.  If you actually sign up to get the email newsletter, you can see pictures from the Day of Reason at the State Capitol. Yay.  Next year, we’re going to have more people inside reasoning than outside praying, I promise.  We were close this year.

God As A State Law

The atheists are going to be at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday, May 7th, between 12pm and 1pm.  That’s right, the religionuts will be outside braving the elements for National Day of Prayer, and the atheists will be inside where the weather’s always right for National Day of Reason.

Atheists will be speaking in the rotunda concerning issues of separation of state and church.  I signed up to speak, for one reason, and one reason only:  The only reason I am an out and active atheist at all is because of an internet conversation I had regarding the separation of state and church.  That’s it.  One internet poster on the Waseca County News forum, and I threw myself into atheism full force:  I came out to be a volunteer for Minnesota Atheists, to serve on their Board of Directors and their Editorial Board for their newsletter, to help run their website, and also, hello, I started an atheist blog.  All because of just one person.

I’m sure it had been welling up inside of me my whole life, and I would have probably cracked under the pressure sooner or later and taken up the cause, but this was the straw that broke the closeted atheists’ back…  I’d had enough.  So here’s a preview of my tiny little speech for all of those who can’t be there, and for those who will be there and think they can deliver it better than I can/want to do a ’sing along’ style kind of thing…

The bible is NOT heavier than the earth. I guarantee it.

God As A State Law

Even one year ago today, I could not imagine myself standing here.  I was never an out atheist even though I’ve been one my whole life.  I wouldn’t be out today were it not for people’s misunderstandings of separation of state and church, and I’d like to share with you the story that made me decide to become an activist regarding my atheism.

I enjoy keeping up with local news and will sometimes take a look at reader’s comments online concerning articles.  Our small town paper had an article regarding separation of state and church, and a reader had commented that she felt that separation of state and church had gone too far, and that “we should bring it back into the fold”.  I asked her what she meant by this, and she side-stepped the issue for a few posts, but then finally admitted that she would like a Minnesota State law affirming the existence of God.  She also insisted that such a law would not affect me, being that I am an atheist and do not believe in any gods.

What I desire people to understand is that if you do not support separation of state and church, you can only be a proponent of a religious nation, and, I would assume, you would prefer the government to cater to your own chosen religion. You must know that you are excluding MANY people if you want only your specific religion to make laws.  Also, don’t forget that a very possible alternative is that some religion that is not your own could be the one making the laws.

Separation of state and church works in everyone single person’s favor, whether they are religious or not.  God is not state law material.

MNA May Day Parade!

Yep, it's me, holding another sign. (You probably think that's all I do!)

It was so fun!!!!  It was one of my favorite things that we’ve done with Minnesota Atheists.

The same day, a bunch of my friends rocked it out in the Special Olympics, Track and Field.  Wish I could be in two places at once!

MNA April Newsletter

Yes, I realize that the Minnesota Atheists (MNA) newsletter has been out for a while.  But hey, it’s never too late, right?  Here are some of the articles that might be fun times for you to check out:

Atheists Ask Atheists by yours truly  (If you have anything you want me to talk about in the MNA newsletter, minus swears, please tell me and I’ll get writin’.)

Lunatic Fringe (God as Fashion Designer) by Universal Heretic aka Vic

The Presidents Column- Our Atheist Community by Bjorn Watland

Anyhow, there’s more which you can of course check out at the Minnesota Atheists website.  I promise in May I will be more timely!    Okay, I don’t promise, but I will do my best.

A Celebration of David Irwin’s Life and Legacy

Attention Minnesotans:

The Quatrefoil Library will honor its co-founder at a party at the Library on May 16, 2009, 6-9pm.  1619 Dayton Ave.  St Paul MN 55104

Help to continue a dream come true along with his co-founder, Dick Hewetson. There will be wine, hors d’oeuvers, and music by a jazz trio.

David was a book collector, who, along with Dick Hewetson, had a vision of opening a GLBT Library for our community.  His tireless efforts have succeeded and the Quatrefoil is open and doing business with more material than ever before!

David was a founding and Life Member of Minnesota Atheists as well as a truly inspiring person.

To help continue David’s lasting legacy, contributions to the new Irwin Fund, supporting the Library, are appreciated.

quatrefoillibrary.org

In Memorium David Irwin

Go Suck An Egg

Pam's card was cuter, but you get the idea.

Ah, Easter.  It brings back such fond memories.  One is of a crucified bunny card that my sister made and sent to us a few years ago.  Beautiful.  But my favorite Easter moment of all time has to come from high school.

My HS boyfriend was raised in a pretty Catholic family.  His mom was the church organist, and spent much of her spare time at the church.  It was pretty obvious even by then that I was an atheist.

We decided to make Easter cards for his nephews and were all sitting around the dining room table making cards.  I was happily drawing rabbits and chicks, how cute!

Catholic boy says “Maybe we can make a bunny going through the stages of the cross?”  I look at him and Catholic mom and say “Do you mean stations?”

Catholic mom is impressed that Atheist girl knows more about their savior than the Catholic boy.  Atheist girl learns that atheists know more about most religions than the followers of the religions do.

Happy Easter, everybody!

MNA Forum Nutjob Post

Dave Mabus iz so angries and crazee!

Man, sometimes the Minnesota Atheists online forum is just plain old entertaining!  Today is truly a day for nut jobs! Thanks Dave Mabus/Dennis Markuze for being EVERYWHERE!

Even PZ Myers was called out on there…  PZ gets mail, we get weird forum postings.  Interesting.   Here’s a snippet:

funny how silent you dogs are now, eh Randi & Dawkins… and what
about that monstrous looking freak called “PZ”…LOL.

Atheists have never heard of something called “intellectual modesty &
honesty.”

How about just keeping your IGNORANT TRAPS shut once in a while……?
Thanks for your understanding…”

Wow.  Having seen all of these people in person at least once, I would have to say they’re really not bad looking guys…  Seriously! 

I love how they call out others as ignorant, oh, it’s delicious.  Also, I couldn’t help but point out the fact that he came to our forum to open his ignorant trap, while calling for us to shut ours. Oh, the irony…

What would you ask an atheist?

Hey all!  I am starting a Q and A session brought on by an idea for a presentation for the public.  This idea was also brought on by the notion that I don’t answer questions.  I sure do!  Another reason I thought of this idea is that so many times, I hear people assuming what I and other atheists believe.  I would rather have someone just ask, and hopefully I can help others understand either the answers, or at the very least, the questions.  And here I go…

What would you ask an atheist?

Don’t be afraid, no question is too religious or too silly.

Though I don’t pretend to speak for all atheists, I can certainly speak for this one!  If your question is technical or something I don’t personally feel qualified to answer, I may field an answer from another atheist.  You are assured that you and your question will always remain anonymous with me no matter what format I present in.

Please do only one question per reply.  Sometimes when there is more than one question or they are in the middle of writing, it’s hard to see and respond to them!