May 11, 2008

Location: Atlanta Freethought Center, Roswell

12:00 noon: Social Hour 

1:00 pm: Monthly Program: Dr. Austin Dacey, author of the new book The Secular Conscience: Why Belief Belongs in Public Life, will speak about Secular Conscience

Dr. Austin Dacey is a representative to the United Nations for the Center for Inquiry. Dr. Dacey is also on the editorial staff of Skeptical Inquirer and Free Inquiry magazines. His writings have appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times.  For more on Dacey and his book, visit his website.

A Q&A session and book signing will follow the presentation.

Praise for The Secular Conscience

Dacey seeks nothing less than to interrupt a suicide, and he has written a beautiful primer on how our secular tradition can be rescued from self-defeat. The Secular Conscience reveals how simplistic notions of privacy, tolerance, and freedom keep dangerous ideas sheltered from public debate. This is an extraordinarily useful and lucid book.

2:30 pm: Social Luncheon

June 8, 2008

12:00 noon: Social Hour 

1:00 pm: Summer Potluck Luncheon (Cookout/Picnic on the Grounds)

Before the  meeting, we will have our Quarterly Potluck Dinner which will be a cookout/picnic on the ground of the Freethought Hall. Join AFS members and guest for some good eats and great socializing. Please bring food according to the first letter of your last name as follows: A-G: Bring a main dish; H-P: Bring a dessert; Q-Z: Bring a side dish. AFS will provide drinks, plates and silverware.

2:00 pm: Monthly Program: Tony King will speak about  Sumerian influence on religion and Western culture

July 13, 2008

12:00 noon: Social Hour 

1:00 pm: Monthly Program: Lori Lipman Brown, a lobbyist for the Secular Coalition of America, will speak.

2:30 pm: Social Luncheon

August 10, 2008

12:00 noon: Social Hour 

1:00 pm: Monthly Program: TBA

2:30 pm: Social Luncheon

September 14, 2008

12:00 noon: Social Hour 

1:00 pm: Fall Potluck Luncheon

Before the  meeting, we will have our Quarterly Potluck Dinner. Join AFS members and guest for some good eats and great socializing. Please bring food according to the first letter of your last name as follows: A-G: Bring a side dish; H-P: Bring a main dish; Q-Z: Bring a dessert. AFS will provide drinks, plates and silverware.

2:00 pm: Monthly Program: Ben Radford will speak.

October 12, 2008

12:00 noon: Social Hour 

1:00 pm: Monthly Program: Dr. Niall Shanks will speak about his book, "God, the Devil, and Darwin."

2:30 pm: Social Luncheon

April 13, 2008

Location: Atlanta Freethought Hall, Smyrna  

Robert Boston

Monthly Program:  Robert Boston will speak on “A Defense of the Secular State.” Boston will explain why the Religious Right is wrong in portraying the secular state as an enemy of religious liberty. He will further explain how secular government helps foster freedom for believers and non-believers and outline why alternatives to secularism are unsatisfying.

Robert Boston is the Assistant Director of Communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Assistant Editor of AU's monthly magazine Church & State.

Boston, who joined the Americans United staff in 1987, frequently writes about the political goals of the Religious Right and other church-state issues. He covers the U.S. Supreme Court for Church & State and has attended oral arguments in every church-state case at the high court since 1988. 

Boston is the author of three books: Close Encounters with the Religious Right: Journeys into the Twilight Zone of Religion and Politics (Prometheus Books, 2000); The Most Dangerous Man in America? Pat Robertson and the Rise of the Christian Coalition (Prometheus Books, 1996) and Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About Separation of Church and State (Prometheus Books, 1993; second edition, 2003). 

In addition, Boston often serves as a spokesman for Americans United and has appeared on NBC's "Nightly News," CNN's "Anderson Cooper," Fox News Channel's "O’Reilly Factor" and other programs.
 

March 9, 2008

Spring Potluck Luncheon: Before the  meeting, we will have our Quarterly Potluck Dinner. Join AFS members and guest for some good eats and great socializing. Please bring food according to the first letter of your last name as follows: A-G: Bring a dessert; H-P: Bring a side dish; Q-Z:  Bring a main dish. AFS will provide drinks, plates and silverware.

Monthly Program: Ed Buckner and Jack McKinney will speak on "Opinions."  

February 10, 2008

Bruce Herr will speak.

January 13, 2008

Dr. Hos Lotfi, a neurologist originally from Iran talk is entitled, “Living Under Theocracy.”

December 9, 2007

Winter Potluck Luncheon: Before the  meeting, we will have our Quarterly Potluck Dinner. Join AFS members and guest for some good eats and great socializing. Please bring food according to the first letter of your last name as follows: A-G: Bring a side dish; H-P: Bring a main dish; Q-Z: Bring a dessert. AFS will provide drinks, plates and silverware.

Dr. John Henderson will speak on his new book, Judging God.  

Dr. Henderson is a retired Air Force Flight Surgeon and General Surgeon. He and his wife Ruth live in Asheville, NC. During his Air Force career, he served in England, Spain, Japan, and in various states across the USA.

Regarding his latest book, Henderson says, “Religions and their gods have been judging man since man created his first god thousands of years ago. It is now our turn to judge gods. We cannot afford a god who does not live up to our standards of justice and morality. No longer can we afford a god who incites and condones intolerance, hatred, and killing. If there is to be peace on earth, we and we alone must define morality and strive to enforce justice among human societies. Gods have failed to do so. This book dares to criticize the god in common usage today.”

November 15, 2007

Peaceful Protest of Governors Illegal State Sponsored Prayer Service at State Capital 

November 11, 2007

Camille Ann Brewer will speak on “Taking a Look at Contemporary Art produced by Freethinkers.” We will view the work of several freethinking contemporary artists who use both religious and non-religious iconography in their work. We will discuss if freethinking is a direct or indirect influence in their work. All of the work presented will be from the late 20th century.

Camille is the principal of CAB Fine Art Services, a consulting and appraisal firm. Prior to being with CAB, she served at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Michigan as the Assistant Art Curator for the Department of African, Oceanic, and Indigenous Cultures and the Assistant Exhibition Coordinator for the Department of Exhibition Coordination. She also has served at the Public Arts Commissioner of the Arts and Culture Commission for the City of Richmond, California.

Camille has taught as an adjunct professor at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida, Wayne State University and Marygrove College College of Education in Detroit, Michigan, and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan.

October 14, 2007

Ice Cream Social 

AFS Plans for the Future. This program will feature presentations by AFS Officers and informative, interactive discussions with members on the direction of AFS, our programs, activities, the Atlanta Freethought Center, and other aspects of our future.

Board Nominations: We will also be taking member nominations for AFS board and officer positions at the October meeting. Elections will be held in December. 

September 9, 2007

Doug Hattersley, a retired geologist, will speak on "A Geological Perspective of Current Events." Doug will focus on how the geological sciences support evolution along with discussing climate change in perspective of geologic time. 

Hattersley is a graduate of the University of Dayton in Ohio where he had the good fortune of studying under a very well known glacial geologist (which makes climate change especially interesting to him). After graduation he went to work for the US Department of Agriculture (Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service) in DC, NC, ID, and Puerto Rico. He has been in Atlanta since 1980 and retired here after 31 years of Federal service. He presently keeps busy running around with his eight grandkids.

August 30, 2007 

Special Program featuring world-renowned skeptical author and editor, Benjamin Radford. Radford will offer Normal? No Way! Paranormal? No Way!: "Reflections on a Decade of Paranormal Investigation," discussing his varied experience as a writer and scientific paranormal investigator. Radford, managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer, will tell tales of "unexplained mysteries" such as ghosts, Bigfoot, dowsing, crop circles, and psychic powers. He’ll comment on what science says about the evidence for these topics, drawing from case studies over a decade of personal investigations into these and dozens of other topics. Skeptics and believers alike will enjoy this entertaining and informative talk. There will be plenty of time for audience questions.

Radford’s hilarious satirical short film, "Clicker Clatter," will be featured at Dragon*Com in Atlanta during the weekend following his talk.

Radford is managing editor of the science magazine Skeptical Inquirer and editor-in-chief of the Spanish-language magazine Pensar published in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has written hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics, including urban legends, the paranormal, critical thinking, film, and media literacy. He is author of three books: Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking (with sociologist Robert E. Bartholomew); Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us, examining the ways in which deception is used in various media to influence decision making and public policy; and Lake Monster Mysteries: Investigating the World's Most Elusive Creatures (with Joe Nickell), a scientific examination of lake monsters around the world. Radford is also a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer magazine and the Skeptical Briefs newsletter, as well as online at LiveScience.com and MediaMythmakers.com.

In his work with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly CSICOP-the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal), Radford is one of the world's few science-based paranormal investigators, and has done first-hand research into psychics, ghosts and haunted houses; exorcisms, miracles, Bigfoot, stigmata, lake monsters, UFO sightings, reincarnation, crop circles, and other topics. Radford also writes on many other topics, including world travel, science literacy, jungle hiking, sex offender panics, and popular fallacies. Radford has appeared on CNN, The History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the Learning Channel, CBC, BBC, and others. He also served as a consultant for the MTV series "The Big Urban Myth Show."

Most recently, he solved the mystery of the Santa Fe courthouse "ghost video" in June 2007. He is also the writer and director of the animated short film "Clicker Clatter," now in festivals.

August 12, 2007 

Quarterly Potluck Dinner: Before the  meeting, we will have our Quarterly Potluck Dinner. Join AFS members and guest for some good eats and great socializing. Please bring food according to the first letter of your last name as follows: A-G: Bring a main dish; H-P: Bring a dessert; Q-Z: Bring a side dish. AFS will provide drinks, plates and silverware.

Ed Buckner, who holds a doctorate in Educational Foundations, will discuss "Secular Schooling," the topic addressed in his chapter in the recently-published book, Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion (Dale McGowan, editor, 2007). The purpose of the book is as a handbook for raising ethical, caring kids without religion. Among Buckner's long list of co-authors are such impressive writers as Julia Sweeney, Dan Barker, Penn Jillette, David Koepsell, Mark Twain (yes that Twain), and Richard Dawkins.

Editor Dale McGowan will also be in attendance at this program and participating in the Q&A session.

July 8, 2007

Bob Collins, an ex-fundamentalist, will speak on “More Bible Contradictions.” 

Collins, a member of the Alabama Freethought Association, is a longtime freethinker and experienced activist. He saw the light of reason while he was in seminary studying to become a Reformed Presbyterian minister. Bob is the author of hundreds of letters published in Alabama newspapers, and has helped effectively oppose Creationist bills in the Alabama legislature even though they were actively promoted by national far-right groups.

Bob’s education includes a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Master’s degree from Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine. He manages a team of mainframe computer programmers at a major insurance company. He is also a single parent to two freethinking children.

Bob has made an extensive study of the Bible and has found that many of the clearest and most persuasive arguments against the Bible are found in the Bible itself. Practical knowledge of the Bible’s errors and contradictions can help freethinkers effectively oppose the religious right, and can help religious people make better informed decisions about their own beliefs.

June 30 - July 2, 2007

Lake Hypatia July 4th Celebration. AFS members will Celebrate Freethought and Independence Day with the Alabama Freethought Association at its annual "Glorious Fourth" weekend at Lake Hypatia, near Taladega, AL. The June 30 - July 2 event will include these speakers:

Annie Laurie Gaylor, on "FFRF vs. Faith-based Initiative"
Dan Barker, Concert and Talk
Ed Buckner, on "Atheists, We Hardly Know Ye"
John Henderson, on "Fear, Faith, Fact, Fantasy."
Michael Chandler, State/church litigant
Also Eric Pepke, Bob Collins, Pat and Alice Cleveland

Speeches take place in the spacious, air-conditioned Lake Hypatia Freethought Hall. Inexpensive catered meals are held at a beautiful lakeside pavilion. Swimming, paddling, boating, hiking, poetry-reading, relaxing and socializing are all on the agenda. See registra-tion details at www.ffrf.org/lakehypatia.

June 10, 2007

Dr. Steve Burnett will speak on the topic, "Evolution: What it Really Is." Burnett is an Associate Professor of Biology at Clayton State University and holds a doctorate in Evolution, Ecology, & Organismal Biology, and a masters in Zoology.

May 13, 2007

Dr. David E. Giannasi, Associate Professor, emeritus, Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, will present “Comments on Religion and the Bible.”

April 8, 2007

Bruce Herr will present a talk on "Beyond the Myth of God." 

Quarterly Potluck Luncheon: Following the  meeting, we will have our Quarterly Potluck Dinner. Join AFS members and guest for some good eats and great socializing. Please bring food according to the first letter of your last name as follows: A-G: Bring a desert; H-P: Bring a side dish; Q-Z: Bring a main dish. AFS will provide drinks, plates and silverware.

March 11, 2007

Keith Nalumango, former head of programming for the Zambia National Broadcasting Corp (ZNBC) will present a talk entitled: “A Bone in the Throat: Threats to a Free Press, in Africa and America.”

February 12, 2007

Darwin Day Celebration at the Georgia Capitol Building: The Atlanta Freethought Society will have a table at the Georgia Capitol Building on Monday, February 12, to celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday! We will hand out birthday cupcakes and coffee, as well as a flyer on Darwin and his contribution to modern science. If you can help with setup or in talking with people about Darwin, please plan to attend this event! Our table will be right outside the main entrance on Washington Street from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. February 12 is also Georgia Day at the Capitol (as well as Abraham Lin-coln's birthday), so it will probably be very busy. The exact address is 100 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA.

February 11, 2007

Jeff Sellman, President of the Georgia Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, will talk about AU's First Freedoms First project.

January 14, 2007

Thomas Nisley, Ph.D., will present a talk entitled: “God has a Foreign Policy? Israel and U.S. Foreign Policy.” Dr. Nisley is an Assistant Professor of International Studies at Southern Polytechnic State University. His doctorate dissertation, given in 2002, was on Democracy Promotion and U.S. Foreign Policy.