PZ visits the Rational Response Squad at GMU
by Shelley MountjoyOn the way to campus, PZ Myers mentioned he receives about 600 e-mails a day. While I'm not that popular, I did get a little taste of what it is like to be flooded with messages shortly after PZ posted on Pharyngula that he was coming to George Mason University (GMU).
"Where is the Student Union building?" was a common question. Also, "Is the room big enough?" No, the room wasn't big enough but we had scaled back advertising on campus in order to avoid turning a large crowd away.
We would have loved to pack a large auditorium but the event came together rather quickly and the larger rooms on campus were already booked. Many of the local University student groups had wanted PZ to come speak for sometime and then much to our surprise, PZ was going to be in DC for an American's United for Separation of Church and State Conference! Lyz, at the Secular Student Alliance, spoke to PZ and as it turned out he was willing to talk to a student group during his brief visit to the Nation's Capital.
We were excited! Members of the Rational Response Squad at GMU, American University's Rationalist and Atheists, and Beltway Atheists came out as well as a good number of readers from PZ's blog. The room, with a maximum capacity of 120, was 80-90% full.
The topic, "Science Education: Caught in the Middle in the War Between Science and Religion." In addition to discussing the current debate he offered a humorous explanation of why he felt religion should be like masturbation. Among the reasons: "It feels good!" and it should be done in the privacy of your bedroom - or church. Donning an "Atheist" baseball t-shirt PZ told us what we could do; he highlighted efforts such as Richard Dawkins OUT Campaign and the Rational Response Squad's Blasphemy Challenge.
PZ took many questions afterward and most wanted to know more about "Wafergate." How had it affected enrollment? Did he receive many consecrated wafers in the mail?
Overall, PZ's presentation was outstanding. Three days later, the positive comments are still coming in. We're all extremely glad PZ was able to fit us into his busy schedule. Hopefully he was able to get some sleep on the flight back to Minnesota.
Shelley Mountjoy is a graduate student at George Mason University, majoring in Telecommunications. She's the Founder and President of the Rational Response Squad at GMU and the Organizer of Beltway Atheists.
"Where is the Student Union building?" was a common question. Also, "Is the room big enough?" No, the room wasn't big enough but we had scaled back advertising on campus in order to avoid turning a large crowd away.
We would have loved to pack a large auditorium but the event came together rather quickly and the larger rooms on campus were already booked. Many of the local University student groups had wanted PZ to come speak for sometime and then much to our surprise, PZ was going to be in DC for an American's United for Separation of Church and State Conference! Lyz, at the Secular Student Alliance, spoke to PZ and as it turned out he was willing to talk to a student group during his brief visit to the Nation's Capital.
We were excited! Members of the Rational Response Squad at GMU, American University's Rationalist and Atheists, and Beltway Atheists came out as well as a good number of readers from PZ's blog. The room, with a maximum capacity of 120, was 80-90% full.
The topic, "Science Education: Caught in the Middle in the War Between Science and Religion." In addition to discussing the current debate he offered a humorous explanation of why he felt religion should be like masturbation. Among the reasons: "It feels good!" and it should be done in the privacy of your bedroom - or church. Donning an "Atheist" baseball t-shirt PZ told us what we could do; he highlighted efforts such as Richard Dawkins OUT Campaign and the Rational Response Squad's Blasphemy Challenge.
PZ took many questions afterward and most wanted to know more about "Wafergate." How had it affected enrollment? Did he receive many consecrated wafers in the mail?
Overall, PZ's presentation was outstanding. Three days later, the positive comments are still coming in. We're all extremely glad PZ was able to fit us into his busy schedule. Hopefully he was able to get some sleep on the flight back to Minnesota.
Shelley Mountjoy is a graduate student at George Mason University, majoring in Telecommunications. She's the Founder and President of the Rational Response Squad at GMU and the Organizer of Beltway Atheists.
Submitted by bwatland on Wed, 10/29/2008 - 10:49
