SEATTLE ATHEISTS CONDEMNS DEATH THREATS ON SEATTLE CARTOONIST BY MUSLIM CLERIC

SEATTLE — Seattle Atheists denounces the threats made to Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris by Yemeni-American cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki in the English-language publication affiliated with al-Qaeda.

Al-Awlaki wrote that Norris, who initiated “Everybody Draw Muhammad Day” earlier this year, had earned a place on among other cartoonists, journalists and writers who had offended their religious beliefs and that “the medicine prescribed by the Messenger of Allah is the execution of those involved.”

“We live in a society that guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression,” says Paul Case, president of Seattle Atheists. “The cost of that freedom is that you’re occasionally going to see or read things that offend you. When that happens, you can respond with free speech of your own. What you can’t do is silence speech you don’t like with threats of violence.”

Seattle Atheists supported Molly Norris and “Everybody Draw Muhammad Day” — not because it singled out Muslims or Islam, but because they should have no special protection against criticism or satire.

The law “wouldn’t tolerate Christian groups using threats to enforce their religion’s laws on people who aren’t members of their faith,” said Case. No religion has any special rights in this respect.

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:
Paul Case, President of Seattle Atheists, (206) 826-0770,
president@seattleatheists.org

Presentation by Secular Coalition for America
Our Secular Decade: How Secularists Will Take Over America
When: Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, 6-7 p.m.
Where: North Room at Eastshore Unitarian Church, 12700 SE 32nd St, Bellevue

Humanists of Washington, the University Unitarian Humanists, and other freethought groups are sponsoring a talk by Sean Faircloth, the new Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America. SCA is the lobbying organization for non-believers in Wash., DC. Sean was one of the most dynamic speakers at the American Humanist Association’s annual conference this past June in San Jose. He is extremely knowledgeable on issues of separation of church/state, founding fathers and American history and, having been in the state legislature of Maine, knows how governmental bodies operate. The room holds 50, so come early.

Please RSVP here.

Are you interested in playing an integral role in Seattle Atheists direction? Do you have a talent for organizing, leading, or getting things done? Are you itching to use that vote that your membership dues get you? This year we will be electing nine Board of Directors positions, and we need you! It’s your organization, and this is how to make sure your voice is heard. Only current members will be permitted to vote or run, so please update your membership.

What’s up for election this year:

There are 4 officer positions: President, Vice President, and Treasurer. These are two-year terms.
The Secretary this year is a one-year term. Next year, it will be a two-year term, as we’ve set it up to overlap the other positions to create some organizational continuity.

There are five Member-at-Large positions, each with one-year terms.

We will begin accepting nominations (yes, you can nominate yourself!) by e-mailing us, NOW. As we get them, we will be posting candidate statement here.

Candidates for the officer positions should have business and leadership skills, as well as experience running a business or a non-profit organization. Skills such as public speaking, writing and editing, graphic design, and Secretarial skills are desired. Experience with a board of directors is very useful.

Board meetings are held every other month, and generally run 2 to 3 hours. Board members are expected to attend the membership meetings, which take place on alternate months.

How the voting works:

During the meeting, we will still be accepting nominations (although we encourage you to submit yours early along with a statement). We start with the Presidents position, and move down through there, so that anyone who does not win the position they are hoping for, may run again for a lower position.

The five Member-at-Large positions are all voted on at once, after the Officers have been elected.

Then the new Board will close out the rest of the meeting.

Interested? E-mail us for the job descriptions!

Nominees should submit a statement ASAP!

Sam Harris’ bestselling book The End of Faith ignited a worldwide debate about the validity of religion, and his combustible February presentation at TED is still fueling that fire. Now Harris, author of The Moral Landscape, tears down the wall between scientific facts and human values, showing that we know enough about the human brain and its relationship to events in the world to say that there are right and wrong answers to the most pressing questions of human life. Presented as part of Seattle Science Lectures, with Pacific Science Center and University Book Store. Series sponsored by Microsoft. Series media sponsorship provided by KPLU.

Tickets are $5 through Brown Paper Tickets.

P.S. PZ Meyer is in town tonight (check pharyngula for details).

Harry Gilbert is a science writer, an author, a science teacher, a retired Rocket Engineer. Every month, he holds “science salons,” for about a dozen local regulars, on a variety of science topics. A few weeks of research, buttressed by his own knowledge, and “I can talk about any subject they choose,” he says.

He will speak about dark matter in the universe.

There will be light refreshments and a chance to network after the talk.

Check out the Seattle Times story about Harry!

The Northwest Freethought Coalition (NWFC) is celebrating Independence Day and the arrival of summer with its 5th annual potluck picnic. NWFC group members, friends, and area freethinkers are invited to this all-day event on Sunday, July 4, 2010. Last year’s picnic drew about 200 people. The family-friendly picnic begins at 1 pm and runs into the evening. There will be a raffle and games, including bocce. Food served from 1 to 3 pm; cleanup starts at 5 pm. Bring your family, some frisbees, a blanket, sunscreen, and a picnic-friendly dish to share!

NWFC member groups include Humanists of Washington, Seattle Atheists, Tacoma Atheists, Humanists of North Puget Sound, University Unitarian Humanists, Ethical Culture Society of Puget Sound, Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound, Freethinkers’ United Network, Eastside Atheists/Agnostics Meetup, and various Atheist, Humanist and Brights Meetup groups.  Humanists of Washington is leading the event planning. Please contact HOW president Jerry Schiffelbein if you would like to volunteer.

Mr. Kagin noted:  “While not illegal (unless the entity is the government), it is bad business to inject the most divisive issue in the world into a work scenario, because it can only lead to a loss of cohesion in a diverse group. Minorities automatically feel like second-class workers because the employer officially recognizes a religion other than theirs, and the religious people immediately see who is religious, and who is not, and are encouraged to ’save.’ …the chaplain is a minister, not a trained social worker. It is fallacious to think the minister is there to do anything other than that for which he was trained — preach and convert.”

He adds, “Anyone can pray any time they wish. They have cubes, homes, and they have oh-so-many churches in which to do so. They do not need official places to pray when they are working.”

Check local listings and http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/

Donate blood at any Puget Sound Blood Center. A group donation with dinner to follow will be held at the Bellevue donation center. Contact Jerry for more info. Visit PSBC for blood center hours and locations.