When: 3/1/2012

RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/48244782/

Hi Everyone,

This is our monthly discussion group at the Quiet Storm Coffeehouse in the East End.  They have a great menu that’s veggie and vegan friendly if you get hungry. I post the discussion topic a few weeks in advance, so stay tuned for more information. Please feel free to submit discussion topics to: pittsburghsecularfreethinkers@gmail.com

See you there!

Please note:  The Quiet Storm continues to be a wonderful meetup site for us.  Out of respect for the servers and for everyone’s convenience, please approach the front counter to order and pay for your food or drink separately.  In this way we will avoid combined checks and interruptions to the group, and they can ensure we get the best service and individual attention.  Thanks! :)

Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/48244782/

When: 7:30PM TODAY

RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/52260142/

All groups and members are welcome! If you are planning on going to Washington for the rally, swing by this meeting to coordinate rides and get the latest information on meeting points and events for all the Pittsburgh CoR groups.  Pizza will be had by all.

We’ll meet on the Pitt campus, in the first floor conference room in the School of Information Sciences.  The address is 135 N. Bellefield Avenue.  It’s one 1/2 block north of 5th Avenue.

See you there!

Thursday, February 23 at 7:30 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/52260142/

When: 2/26/2012

RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Steel-City-Skeptics/events/50600492/

The book selection this month is Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Sunday, February 26 at 2:00 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Steel-City-Skeptics/events/50600492/

Superintendent Peter Nero told The Associated Press that the banner is expected to be removed within a week. He said there are a few remaining legal issues to be worked out between attorneys for the school system and the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU challenged the constitutionality of the display on behalf of 16-year-old student Jessica Ahlquist.

After hours of sometimes heated public testimony, the school committee voted 5-2 on Thursday night not to appeal the federal judge’s ruling that it was unconstitutional and should be removed. An attorney who represented the city said an appeal that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court could have cost an additional $500,000 in legal fees. Lawyers for the ACLU have already asked the court to order the school system to pay $173,000 in legal costs.

The legal battle over the banner — which was covered with wood until the school committee decided whether to appeal — sparked passionate debate on both sides and made Ahlquist, an atheist, the target of online threats. She said after Thursday’s vote that she was “thrilled” with the outcome.

When: 2/23/2012

RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/52260142/

All groups and members are welcome! If you are planning on going to Washington for the rally, swing by this meeting to coordinate rides and get the latest information on meeting points and events for all the Pittsburgh CoR groups.  Pizza will be had by all.

We’ll meet on the Pitt campus, in the first floor conference room in the School of Information Sciences.  The address is 135 N. Bellefield Avenue.  It’s one 1/2 block north of 5th Avenue.

See you there!

Thursday, February 23 at 7:30 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/52260142/

When: 7PM TODAY

RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Steel-City-Skeptics/events/44953382/

We will be meeting at the Double Wide Grill, 2339 E. Carson Street, inside, in the large back room.  There is no specific topic.  It is just an open discussion among fellow freethinkers about science, religion, skepticism, beer, life and leisure.  Teetotalers and those who imbibe are equally welcomed.

We start gathering at 7pm, but latecomers are more than welcome. About half the attendees register through Meetup and half through Facebook, so don’t be surprised to see more than sign up here.  Hope to see you on Friday night!

Friday, February 17 at 7:00 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Steel-City-Skeptics/events/44953382/

My comments on the post are imbedded below:

The Sterile Life of the Everyday Atheist

“Atheism is the death of hope, the suicide of the soul.”

BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN

2/16/11

It seems that there’s been a resurgence of atheism recently, across the nation, and certainly here in Rhode Island. The epicenter of this godless movement, at least for the moment, is in Cranston, Rhode Island, where a fierce battle over a public high school prayer banner has pitted believers against non-believers. [You mean religious zealots against the US Constitution.]

With that backdrop I’ve been thinking about atheism recently, and the toll it takes on the human person [then you are thinking without any knowledge or facts], and my reflections are well-summarized in the quotation, from an anonymous source [which makes it real, like the Bible], referenced above: “Atheism is the death of hope, the suicide of the soul.”

In the title I refer to an “everyday atheist,” for here I’m thinking not so much about philosophers or scientists who adopt atheism as a hypothetical construct, although they too have a problem explaining the ultimate mysteries of life. [And religion does?]  But I’m thinking more about the person who claims to be an atheist and then tries to live without any reference to God. [No need to say ‘tries’.  We do very well, thank you.]  This is the “practical and existential atheism” which Blessed John Paul II described so well in his writings. The life of the everyday atheist must indeed be a very sad, sterile and hopeless experience. [I would get out the violins if it were true, but you could not be further from the truth.]

If you don’t believe in God, how do you explain the reason for your existence? After all, you can’t refer to a Creator, or a divine plan. If you’re not created in the image and likeness of God, as the Bible tells us, from what source do you derive your human dignity? Or are you nothing more than an accident of arbitrary biological forces? Does your life have any more value or meaning than other living creatures – even the simplest life forms that crawl in the mud or swim in the seas?  [I don’t know where to start on this one.]

If you don’t believe in God, how do you approach the question of your ultimate destiny? Is it simply a question of living a few years and then returning to the dust? [Why does this scare you so much you have to make up stories?] Are you no more than an insignificant cipher in the long history of the universe, here today and gone tomorrow? [Actually, most of us live several decades, which is lots of tomorrows. But who's counting].  Is there no final judge, no accountability for the way you lived on earth? [I would like to leave this world  a better place than when I arrived.  Most of us would agree that Mark Twain brought humor into the world and Adolf Hitler brought destruction.  There is accountability in how individuals are immortalized and being a (selfish) atheist, I want people to think good of me.  Why do we need more?]

Is there no spark of immortality, no heaven, no eternal life where the human soul is released from its earthly shackles? And when you die, are the precious bonds of love you forged with family and friends erased forever, never to be enjoyed again? [Now I am getting angry.  To lie to your flock and tell them that you know for fact they will meet up with family and friends is just cruel.  Do you enjoy lying to people?]

[blah, blah, blah] prayer [blah, blah, blah] saints [blah, blah, blah] Christmas [blah, blah, blah].

And what about Thanksgiving Day? Someone wrote that, “An atheist’s most embarrassing moment is when he feels profoundly thankful for something, but can’t think of anyone to thank for it.”  [I love these quotes by anonymous and someone.  Personally, I have no problem thanking the cook, the farmers, the store owners, and everyone else who actually made the Thanksgiving Day meal possible!]

If you don’t believe in God, how do you navigate the secular world that is, nonetheless, infused with references to the God whose existence you deny? How do you manage to use, without a compromised conscience, our currency that proclaims our trust in God? Aren’t you offended every time you recite the Pledge of Allegiance, or sing God Bless America, or America the Beautiful? Do you leave the room when public events are bookended between invocations and benedictions? Do you avoid cities and towns named after things religious – like Providence, for example? [Now, you are just getting silly.  You must hate Thursday (Thor’s Day) and Friday  (Freja’s Day), both named for Norse Gods.]  Do you close your eyes every time you pass a Church with a religious name? [Arghh! You have no understanding the separation of Church and State, do you?] Your daily existence must be really miserable.  [Just today ... reading your post.]

[More blah, blah, blah]

As Christians, we don’t persecute atheists or belittle them. [That one was funny.  Even Bill Maher would laugh at that one].  We will, however, defend our core beliefs and values whenever they’re attacked. We should be patient with atheists and try to understand the difficulties that arise from their limited worldview. [And promise not be condescending or treat them like children.  You are so understanding.]

And most of all, we should pray for atheists and conduct ourselves in a way that convinces them of the goodness of our faith. [You missed big time on that one].

Again, if this were ramblings on a random blog, I would care less.  Even atheists say lots of stupid things, myself included.  However, in the case, Tobin is fueling the fire of hatred against a 16-year old girl at Cranston West, who has the US Constitution on her side.  There is no distinction in his mind between prayer in school and driving by a church.  Unless he understands that critical difference, he should be asked to retire, so that a real American, who respects the Constitution can take his place.

Before the Court is a proposed Settlement Agreement [so that] the parties can operate as they peacefully move on with their lives and educate students of the Medina Valley Independent School District. …

What This Case Has Not Been About

The right to pray. Any American can pray, silently or verbally, seven days a week, twenty four hours a day, in private as Jesus taught [1] or in large public events as Mohammed instructed.[2]

The Real Issue

Does the United States Constitution allow a government entity elected by the majority to use its power to tax and its agents and employees to support and promote a particular religious viewpoint not held by a minority?

The answer, of course, is no.  The judge when on to write:

For those who choose to enlighten themselves on why separation of church and state has been an issue of great debate and importance in American history, Appendix II follows Appendix I.

But it gets better, as the judge then added a very personal statement, set off from the rest of the ruling.

During the course of this litigation, many have played a part:

To the United States Marshal Service and local police who have provided heightened security: Thank you.

To those Christians who have venomously and vomitously cursed the Court family and threatened bodily harm and assassination: In His name, I forgive you.

To those who have prayed for my death: Your prayers will someday be answered, as inevitably trumps probability.

To those in the executive and legislative branches of government who have demagogued this case for their own political goals: You should be ashamed of yourselves.

To the lawyers who have advocated professionally and respectfully for their clients’ respective positions: Bless you.

That just about says it all.  Thank you, Judge Biery.

When: 2PM TODAY

RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/51193802/

Welcome to Ladies Meetup Part Two! :)

We had such a great time at our first ladies meetup, we’re going to do it monthly.  Also, one of our members suggested we try a different restaurant each month–a great idea!  This location has metered parking in the lot under the Squirrel Hill library and on-street parking for many blocks around.  I have probably been here about 6 times since they opened earlier this year, they have a delicious assortment of tasty menu items: drinks, desserts, and hot pots if you want a full meal.  My favorites are the snow ice, fresh squeezed fruit juices, and a new kind of tapioca tea.  The owner is a lovely lady from Taiwan who is excited to host us!

Read more about Cool Ice Taipei.

See you there!

Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Secular-Freethinkers/events/51193802/

When: 2/17/2012

RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Steel-City-Skeptics/events/44953382/

We will be meeting at the Double Wide Grill, 2339 E. Carson Street, inside, in the large back room.  There is no specific topic.  It is just an open discussion among fellow freethinkers about science, religion, skepticism, beer, life and leisure.  Teetotalers and those who imbibe are equally welcomed.

We start gathering at 7pm, but latecomers are more than welcome. About half the attendees register through Meetup and half through Facebook, so don’t be surprised to see more than sign up here.  Hope to see you on Friday night!

Friday, February 17 at 7:00 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Steel-City-Skeptics/events/44953382/