Seattle Atheists

Judi Gladstone, one of the Secular Jewish Circle co-founders, will be facilitating a discussion of the “You are not alone” billboard at two Seattle public libraries in February (selected for their proximity to the billboard on Lake City Way). While this will be an opportunity for outreach for our secular Jewish organization, it’s also meant as a general discussion of the billboard’s message, and she welcomes all who have a stake in it.

Saturday, February 6,  2-5 p.m.

Wednesday, February 10, 6-8 pm

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Mike Gillis
Board Member of Seattle Atheists
P.O. Box 283, Seattle, WA 98111-0283
(206) 826-0770
seattleatheists@seattleatheists.org
www.seattleatheists.org

SEATTLE ATHEISTS CELEBRATE DARWIN DAY

SEATTLE — On Saturday February 6th, Seattle Atheists will join other free-thought groups to celebrate the 201st birthday of Charles Darwin, the brilliant scientist whose revolutionary work became the foundation of modern biology.

Seattle Atheists and our fellow organizations in the Northwest Freethought Coalition (NWFC) will come to together to celebrate Darwin, science, humanity and in appreciation of verifiable knowledge that has been acquired solely through human curiosity and ingenuity.

The event is family-friendly and will include speakers, educational evolution-themed games, activities, and food. The public is encouraged to attend.

WHERE:
Juanita Community Club
13027 100th Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98034

WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 6, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Seattle Atheists is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving the atheist community in the Seattle area. We strive to promote understanding and respect toward all freethinkers by providing information, creating a sense of fellowship, actively opposing discrimination, and above all, emphasizing reason, critical thinking over supernaturalism, and the separation of church and state.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mike Gillis, Board Member of Seattle Atheists, (206) 826-0770, seattleatheists@seattleatheists.org

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The billboard, located at Lake City Way NE near 78th Street, reads “Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.” It’s sponsored by the Northwest Freethought Coalition (NWFC), of which Seattle Atheists is a part, and was funded by the United Coalition of Reason. The billboard cost $6,700.

This effort is part of a coordinated nationwide campaign that began last year. In December it included billboards in Baltimore, Houston and Tulsa. Each billboard is sponsored by a local, multi-organizational coalition of non-theistic (atheist and agnostic) groups.

“The point of our national campaign is to reach out to the millions of humanists, atheists and agnostics living in the United States,” explained Fred Edwords, national director of the United Coalition of Reason. “Non-theists sometimes don’t realize there’s a community out there for them because they’re inundated with religious messages at every turn. So we hope this will serve as a beacon and let them know they aren’t alone.”

But reaching out to the like-minded isn’t the only goal of the effort. “Our message is also to let people know that we belong to the larger community,” added Ron Renard, coordinator of the Northwest Freethought Coalition. “Whether you know it or not, we’re your family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers. We’re just like you, except we don’t believe in a supreme being. Now we think it’s time we were as free as you to be open about our views.”

The United Coalition of Reason launched eighteen similar ad campaigns across the country in 2009. Each involved billboards or public transit ads.

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The next Seattle Atheists membership meeting is co-sponsored by the Humanists of Washington. Marc Adams will present a talk entitled, “From Fundamentalism to Freedom.” Adams is an author, artist, and activist, and has written eight books, including “The Preacher’s Son” and “The Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with the Religious Right.” He runs the non-profit organization HeartStrong which travels around the country to religious colleges and universities to let GLBT students at these schools know there is a way out.

In addition to the presentation and a Q&A session with Mr. Adams, there will be discussion, announcements, and updates from both Humanists of Washington and Seattle Atheists. Many thanks to Humanists of Washington for co-sponsoring this event with Seattle Atheists.

This event is free and open to the the public, but the venue is limited to 75 people, so arrive early.

WHEN AND WHERE: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2:00 pm at the Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E in Capitol Hill. There is parking available in adjacent lots.

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