Minnesota Atheists News http://mnatheists.org 2009-07-04T17:39:18+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/images/M_images/logo.jpg text/html 2009-06-27T12:31:25+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/356/162/ Missionaries tell us that they are saving the world, traveling to foreign lands to help the natives. Of course, saving the world means something a little different to those of us who don't believe there's a Satan who needs to be battled at every turn. We usually mean saving lives and bettering standards of living, actions that have meaning in the here and now. How do missionaries do in that regard? Biological anthropologist Greg Laden joins Stephanie Zvan (http://almostdiamonds.blogspot.com/) to talk about his experiences with missionaries in the remotest parts of Africa and answer questions about what missions really offer the indigenous populations. He'll tell us about... text/html 2009-06-20T08:23:06+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/355/162/ First, let's suppose that Jehovah God is real. Good News for the religious, right? Then, let's twist it a bit and see what happens should Jehovah die. This would cause a major problem for at least the Abrahamic religions. After all, how could we hope for eternal life if the Provider Himself is subject to mortality? The guarantee of eternal life in His Presence would at that time become null and void. Steps must be taken and a coverup must be carried out. Hiding bodies is difficult enough, but when the body of Jehovah... text/html 2009-06-19T15:28:54+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/354/88/ By James Zimmerman If we take the word Cinema at its root (from the Greek kinesis, meaning movement ), then pure cinema has been dying since the advent of synchronized sound. Too many movies are simply footage of people talking, or of a camera sitting idly by recording whatever happens to be going on in front of it. In its purest form, perhaps film continued to exist only in the creations of those (such as Chaplin and Hitchcock) who first mastered their trade and came to prominence during film's silent era. But Pixar does an admirable job of bringing audiences a delicacy for the eyes.... text/html 2009-06-13T07:52:08+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/352/162/ Is there a direct correlaton between atheism and liberalism? Why do so many atheists lean towards the left of the poltical spectrum? Many of our past shows have focused on the Conservative Christian influence over American politics, but does that necessarily mean that one needs to oppose their views in all areas? Politics, philosophy and atheism are the topic for today's show. Our guest is Massimo Pigliucci, who contacted us following our interview with Sunsara Taylor, because he wanted to address a few of the points she had made in regards to socialism and atheism. As... text/html 2009-06-07T09:59:58+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/348/33/ On Saturday, June 6 in Tuscon, AZ at the 68th Annual Conference of the American Humanist Association (http://www.americanhumanist.org/What_We_Do/annual_conference/Awardees), Minnesota Atheists member, PZ Myers, author of the blog Pharyngula, (http://www.scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/) and professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris, received the Humanist of the Year Award (http://www.americanhumanist.org/What_We_Do/annual_conference/Awardees). PZ Myers has been a vocal advocate for science education in schools and a staunch critic of Intelligent Design Creationism. Dr. Myers should serve as motivation for anyone who wonders what they can do to make the world a better place. text/html 2009-06-06T14:43:28+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/347/162/ Skepchick is a group of female (and one deserving male) bloggers dedicated to the idea that skepticism and fun can and should coexist. They turn sharp wit and sharper intellect on subjects such as religion, UFOs, medical quackery, and credulous and sensational reporting. At the same time, they dismantle the idea of skepticism as a dry, intellectual exercise at their many events and meetups, such as their Drinking Skeptically and Skeptics in the Pub events. This July, they're combining both strengths by hosting a series of panels and other events at Convergence, the Twin Cities largest current science fiction and fantasy convention. Many of the Skepchicks will attend,... text/html 2009-06-05T14:50:02+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/346/88/ By Bjorn Watland Americans who do not believe in any gods (we would call them atheists, although they may not) are a large part of the population. Some polls would say that there are more atheists in America than Mormons and Jews combined, however, we are either underrepresented, or our politicians are lying about their religious beliefs. If nearly one in five of us are atheists, as some polls suggest, why are we treated as a much smaller minority? Much of that has to do with numbers and organization. text/html 2009-06-05T14:46:44+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/345/88/ By Vic Tanner Believe every word it says, or dismiss it all as bunk, there is no question that the Judeo-Christian Bible is one of the most controversial and perplexing books ever compiled. Conservative Christians commonly claim that all events in it are factual, yet any attempt to study the true historicity of the text is met with suspicion and cries of persecution by the True Believer. Their position is a truly unfortunate one, because critical analysis of the Bible is when it becomes truly interesting. It allows us to unravel the mystery of who the Hebrews were and what goals they were attempting to achieve when writing their scriptures.... text/html 2009-06-04T09:08:50+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/344/88/ By Crystal Dervetski When people think of activism, they can sometimes get overwhelmed. A lot of work goes into volunteering for an organization and promoting a cause, but there are many things that you can do to help promote atheism! First, be positive! There's nothing worse than a negative atheist, mostly because that is exactly the atheist stereotype: doom and gloom, mean-spirited, angry with the world. So don't be! It is actually that easy. Being positive is a choice. Now, I can already hear it; so if there's a medical cause for your orneriness, please go see a doctor. (No hoo-doo vitamin therapy over here, unless it's... text/html 2009-06-04T09:00:07+01:00 http://mnatheists.org http://mnatheists.org/content/view/343/88/ By Eric Jayne In August 2008 I started working for a nonprofit agency that administers a federally funded early childhood education program serving low-income families with children 3 and 4 years old. I have the pleasure to work with families from all kinds of different cultural backgrounds including many Somali Muslims. The early childhood education program I work under mandates that monthly family events and education classes need to be offered to families enrolled throughout the year (nutrition workshop, financial literacy, dinner, stories, etc.). The families look forward to these events because there is valuable information, activities for kids, and socializing opportunities. However, many of the Somali Muslim families I work with are...