The Next Saskatoon Freethinkers in the Pub is:
Thursday, May 2, 2013 7:00 PM
148 2nd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK (edit map)
Archive for the Atheist Category
Freethinkers In the Pub: Rant, Rave & Stir Up Controversy
Posted in Atheist, Event, Saskatoon on May 1, 2013 by saskskepticCFI Saskatoon Meetup: Gender & Diversity in the Secular Movement
Posted in Atheist, Event, Saskatoon on April 20, 2013 by saskskepticThe Next CFI Saskatoon meetup is Gender & Diversity in the Secular Movement
Sunday, April 21, 2013
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
Venice House
906 Central Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2G8
906 Central Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2G8
We will discuss the issues around gender and diversity in secularism. This has recently been a frequent topic with a lot of strong, differing opinions. Let’s plan for a respectful discussion of the issues and their impact on the secular movement. The idea is not to re-hash specific past cases, but to look at how these issues affect our group locally and in the online community where we spend much of our time.
Questions: Should we be doing more to make women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ and others more welcome (safe) in the secular community? If so, what are some good approaches? What does being an ally look like? What are we already doing?
See the recent Open Letter to the Secular Community that was signed by leaders of several US secular organizations, including CFI (US). Here’s a related excerpt:
“The Debate over Sexism and Feminism
Before listing some specific recommendations regarding improvement of online communications, we have observations about one particular set of interrelated issues that has engaged much of the secular community in the past year, namely sexism within the secular movement, the appropriate way to interpret feminism, and the extent to which feminism, however interpreted, should influence the conduct, policies, and goals of movement organizations. This set of issues is worthy of careful consideration, but in a few areas our positions should be very clear.
The principle that women and men should have equal rights flows from our core values as a movement. Historically, there has been a close connection between traditional religion and suppression of women, with dogma and superstition providing the rationale for depriving women of fundamental rights. In promoting science and secularism, we are at the same time seeking to secure the dignity of all individuals. We seek not only civil equality for everyone, regardless of sex, but an end to discriminatory social structures and conventions – again often the legacy of our religious heritage—that limit opportunities for both women and men.
Unfortunately, the discussion of these issues has suffered from the same problems that plague online discussion in general—although arguably to a greater extent. Some blogs and comments actually exhibit hatred, including rape threats and insults denigrating women. Hatred has no place in our movement. We unequivocally and unreservedly condemn those who resort to communicating in such a vile and despicable manner.”
And here are some responses to the above letter:
Secular Woman: “it gives equal voice to the sexist ideas and beliefs that have been perpetuated as differing “interpretations” of feminism… As a secular feminist organization committed to understanding and exposing societal constructs that contribute to the inequality of women and other oppressed groups, we have no desire to listen to, respect, or continuously debunk overtly sexist viewpoints. Just as most scientists are not interested in debating the beliefs of creationists, we are not interested in debating gender-biased, racist, homophobic, or trans*phobic beliefs.”
Secular Census: In offering a one-size-fits-all formula of listening more, being more compassionate, and so on, the Open Letter fails to distinguish between spirited debate where such strategies may be helpful and more serious situations where they won’t be — and might even be dangerous.
And some advice to atheist men that was recommended by a member.
Should be interesting!
Bertrand Russell:‘Why I Am Not a Christian’
Posted in Atheist, Media on February 17, 2013 by saskskepticCFI Saskatoon:Rant, Rave & Stir Up Controversy Pub Nite
Posted in Atheist, Event, Saskatoon on February 1, 2013 by saskskepticThe next CFI Saskatoon pub night is:
Friday, February 1, 2013
7:00 PMLydia’s Pub
650 Broadway Ave
Saskatoon, SK
Hug An Atheist A Great Success
Posted in Atheist, news on February 1, 2013 by saskskepticThe U of S Freethought Alliance raise over $1200 with three days of hugs. The money raised was donated to Doctors Without Borders.
Hug an Atheist for Charity
Posted in Atheist, Event, Saskatoon on January 12, 2013 by saskskepticThe U of S Freethinkers are holding a hug an atheist event running three days from Tuesday January 15 to Thursday January 17 each day from 10:00 to 4:00. All funds raised go to one of my favourite charities Doctors Without Borders.
I think everyone should go for an Eagle Hug.
For more Info
CFI Saskatoon: July Film Screening Meet up
Posted in Atheist, Event, Media, Saskatoon on June 30, 2012 by saskskepticThe next CFI Saskatoon meetup is:
Sunday, July 15, 2012
11:30 AMVenice House
906 Central Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2G8
For July’s regular Meet up, we are going to relax a bit and screen a film. We have a bit of a choice between the following films, so take the poll associated with this Meet up and state your preference.
Faith School Menace? The number of faith schools in Britain is rising. Around 7,000 publicly-funded schools – one in three – now has a religious affiliation. As the coalition government paves the way for more faith-based education by promoting ‘free schools’, the renowned atheist and evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins says enough is enough.
For the Bible Tells Me So is a 2007 American documentary film directed by Daniel G. Karslake about homosexuality and its perceived conflict with religion, as well as various interpretations of what the Bible says about same-sex sexuality.
Imagine No Religion Conference
Posted in Atheist, Event on April 1, 2012 by saskskepticThe second Imagine No Religion Conference is being organized by CFI Canada , AAI and Kamloops Centre for Rational Thought . It is May 18 to 20 in Kamloops BC. Tickets will be selling out soon.
Speakers List:
Lawrence KraussLawrence Krauss is an American theoretical physicist who is professor of physics, Foundation Professor of the School of Earth and Space Exploration, and director of the Origins Project at the Arizona State University. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Physics of Star Trek and Atom. He is an advocate of scientific skepticism, science education, and the science of morality.
PZ Myers”PZ” Myers is an American biology professor at the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) and the author of the Pharyngula science blog. He is currently an associate professor of biology at UMM,works with zebrafish in the field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), and also cultivates an interest in cephalopods. He has published numerous research papers in Nature and other notable scientific journals.
Matt DillahuntyMatt Dillahunty is the president of the Atheist Community of Austin and host of their live, call-in, television program, “The Atheist Experience”, seen on cable and streamed live to the world. A fundamentalist Christian for more than 25 years, his best efforts to become a minister backfired and gave birth to one of the most prolific voices on atheism of the past decade.
Joyce Arthur
Joyce Arthur is the founder and Executive Director of Canada’s national pro-choice group, the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC, www.arcc-cdac.ca). Before founding ARCC in 2005, she ran the Pro-Choice Action Network in British Columbia for 10 years and edited the national newsletter Pro-Choice Press. Arthur has written hundreds of articles on abortion and other political and social justice issues, spoken at dozens of venues in Canada and internationally, given hundreds of media interviews, and appeared in several documentaries.
Maryam Namazie
Maryam Namazie is Spokesperson of the One Law for All Campaign against Sharia Law in Britain, the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran. She works closely with Iran Solidarity, which she founded, and the International Committee against Stoning on the Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani case amongst others. http://www.maryamnamazie.com/
Christopher DiCarlo
Dr. diCarlo is an outspoken activist for freethought, humanism and secularism. He is a fellow, advisor and board member of Center for Inquiry Canada. He is also a fellow of the Society of Ontario Freethinkers and board advisor to Freethought TV.He is also a past Visiting Research Scholar at Harvard University in the Department of Anthropology and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.
Desiree Schell
Desiree Schell is the host of Skeptically Speaking, a syndicated live radio show and podcast that broadcasts across North America. The program explores the connections between popular culture, history and science, and promotes critical thinking beyond the ranks of current skeptics. Desiree is also known for delving into the slippery social issues surrounding skepticism, and encourages “Skepticism 2.0’s” rebirth as a demographically broad social movement. http://skepticallyspeaking.ca/
Dr. Andy Thomson
(Andy) is a psychiatrist in private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is also a staff psychiatrist at Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Virginia Student Health Services, as well as the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy
Since 2008 he has had the privilege of serving as a trustee for the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science. www.jandersonthomson.com
August Berkshire
President of Minnesota Atheists. Past vice president of Atheist Alliance International. On the Speakers Bureau for Center for Inquiry and the Secular Student Alliance. Atheist activist since 1984. Owner of the ATHEIST car license plate for Minnesota.AugustBerkshire.com.
Seth Andrews
A former believer of 30 years (including a decade as a Christian radio host), Seth ultimately discovered that religion lacked any legitimate answers, especially in the bright light of scientific discovery. Instead of being satisfied with a belief system inherited from family and culture, Seth found greater satisfaction in “thinking” for himself, and he eventually encouraged others to do the same through an online community called The Thinking Atheist. http://thethinkingatheist.com/
David Eberth
David Eberth studies ancient environments of fossil-bearing rocks, and participates in projects that take him throughout the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, China, Mongolia, and Canada. His specialties include stratigraphy and sedimentology, chronostratigraphy (the age of the rocks), and taphonomy (influences on preservation and fossilization). His research not only sheds light on what the Earth’s ancient environments were like, but more importantly, how they changed through time and, thus, what the future may hold for us. http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/research/david_eberth.htm
Freethinkers In The Pub
Posted in Atheist, Event, Saskatoon on March 21, 2012 by saskskepticThe next freethinkers in the pub is: Pub nite, Karaoke stye(round 2)
Friday, March 30, 2012, 8:30 PM
Crackers 227 Pinehouse Drive, Saskatoon, SK
On Pinehouse in Lawson Heights
We’ve had so many requests for another Karaoke pub nite that we have responded. I am reserving a table (without the high chairs this time David!) so if possible let me know if you are coming so I can reserve appropriately.
Café Apostate
Posted in Atheist, Event, Saskatoon on February 5, 2012 by saskskepticThe next Cafe Apostate is:
Sunday, February 5, 2012
6:00 PMMackenzie Cole coffeehouse
815A Gray Ave
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2J4
Café Apostate is a group of former religious believers who get together for coffee monthly.
