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Dangerous IdeasShould Humanists Deliver Invocations? "No," says Frank BellamySubmitted by Lyz on Sat, 2010-01-16 05:34.
by Frank Bellamy
Should Humanists Deliver Invocations? "Yes," says Andrew LovleySubmitted by Lyz on Wed, 2010-01-13 05:19.
Some secularists are calling for an end to the custom of having invocations delivered at the beginning of public meetings and ceremonies. An invocation is often understood to mean calling upon a higher power, and in the context of religion this involves soliciting the mercy and guidance of a deity. The main concern secularists have with invocations is that they are a violation of the separation of church and state, which is a worthy criticism when an invocation includes invoking a particular deity and a request for the audience to join in prayer. However, an invocation does not necessarily need to invoke a higher power in order to be effective and connective for those in attendance. Secular Charities for Haitian Relief EffortsSubmitted by Lyz on Fri, 2010-01-08 11:35.
On January 12, 2010, a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the impoverished nation of Haiti less than 20 miles from the nation's capital. The disaster, combined with Haiti's high population density, crumbling architecture, and widespread poverty, has created a tragedy in which death tolls may top 100,000. Over three million people have been affected by the quake. The infrastructure of the area has been devastated, and many skilled workers (including health care providers) who could help with recovery are missing or dead. Haiti is in urgent need of assistance in this crisis. Many of us want to reach out to help those who are suffering in the wake of this disaster. But as secularists, we are wary of those organizations that would include proselytization in their relief efforts. The American Humanist Association's Humanist Charities has set up a fund specifically for Haitian disaster relief. Harvard University evolutionary biologist Sebastian Velez has been working with the Children of the Border project, which has been working to help Haitian immigrants since mid-2008, and is serving as the point-of-contact to help the Humanist Charities accomplish real results in Haiti. The Skeptics and Humanist Aid and Relief Effort (SHARE), a project under the CFI umbrella, has created a relief fund to benefit Doctors without Borders, which lost all three of its Haitian medical facilities in the earthquake. At this time, all donations to SHARE, 100% with no operating costs retained, will be sent directly to Doctors without Borders. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science has launched Non-Believers Giving Aid, a secular charitable organization. The Dawkins Foundation is covering all of the operating costs for this program, so everything you give will be passed on to direct relief organizations. In addition, the Foundation Beyond Belief has recommended several organizations that have received high ratings from Charity Navigator and take a secular approach to their charitable work. We are reposting their list here so that Secular Student Alliance members, supporters and friends are able to find organizations through which they can support Haitian relief efforts. The links will take you to the Charity Navigator page for that organization, where you can find more information and make a donation.
Call for Proposals: "Deconstructing the Gods: Towards a Post-Religious Criticism"Submitted by Lyz on Sun, 2010-01-03 23:15.
The Third Annual Brooklyn College Graduate English Conference will be held April 10, 2009, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY. The topic is "Deconstructing the Gods: Towards a Post-Religious Criticism," and proposals are being accepted now through January 31, 2010. Details about the conference, topics, and submission guidelines are below. If one were asked to provide a single explanation for the growth of English studies in the later nineteenth century, one could do worse than reply, 'the failure of religion.' -- Terry Eagleton October is Sex-Ed Action Month!Submitted by Lyz on Sun, 2009-09-20 14:07.
Secular Student Alliance Creation Museum Trip Highlighted on ABC NewsSubmitted by august on Sun, 2009-08-02 22:02.
RELEASE: Over 250 Atheists to Visit Creation MuseumSubmitted by Lyz on Mon, 2009-07-20 01:27.
July 30, 2009 For release: immediately upon receipt Contact: Lyz Liddell, (614) 441-9588 Lyz(AT)secularstudents(DOT)org Over 250 Atheists to Visit Creation Museum COLUMBUS, OH – Over 250 atheists, including popular atheist blogger PZ Myers, are set to descend on the biblically-inspired Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY.On Friday, August 7, the Secular Student Alliance will lead the nonbelievers through the Creation Museum as part of its 9th Annual National Conference, with the intent of exploring a worldview with which they largely disagree. Blag Hag Blogs for SSA - and You Can Help!Submitted by Lyz on Fri, 2009-07-17 15:45.
Now Jen has more exciting news for us. On Saturday, July 25th, she's taking part in the 2009 Blogathon, a once-a-year event that encourages bloggers to post an entry at least every half-hour for 24 hours straight, in the name of raising money for charity. The Creation Museum Trip Just Got Better!Submitted by Lyz on Sun, 2009-07-12 11:31.
Our good friend Jen over at Blag Hag has pointed out that we'll have some wonderful programming during our visit to the Creation Museum with PZ Myers. The emphasis is Jen's, but we agree wholeheartedly. Remember, to join in the fun at the $10 ticket price, you need to purchase your ticket by July 23rd though our registration. You don't need to be a student, SSA member, or an SSA conference attendee to participate. Learn more about the trip! Help Ashley Help StudentsSubmitted by Lyz on Wed, 2009-07-01 00:52.
Help Ashley Help Students! Ashley Paramore is a member of the Secular Student Alliance Board of Directors. She's asking for your help in supporting the great work the SSA does for student groups. Why now? Because right now, your gift to the SSA is matched by a generous offer from the Vital Spark Foundation. If you donate $1, the SSA receives $2. If 5,000 people donate $1 each, then the SSA will have $10,000 to help provide the great support and resources we offer to our affiliate student groups. |
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