Seattle Atheists

December 2009 Newsletter

Dear Members of Seattle Atheists,

I present to you our December newsletter! Please enjoy our updates and sneak peaks.

-Membership-

As Board members sat down to reflect at one recent meeting, we realized that our membership has seen a near 100% increase in the past year and a half. We now total 223 new and returning members! Through education, outreach, and social networking, we aim to take advantage of this momentum to continue to increase our member base. These new faces and new voices help Seattle Atheists become a dynamic and diverse mix of individuals and families whose common support of our purpose and mission unites us. For existing members who may have moved or changed your contact info recently, please contact me or Jerry, our treasurer, so we can keep our records up to date and keep you informed of all things Seattle Atheist.

Also, please remember that membership dues and donations to Seattle Atheists are tax deductible. We welcome your donations for either general activities or in support of our on-going bus ad campaign. Keep your eyes peeled for a forthcoming letter from Seattle Atheists Vice President Amanda with further details regarding this opportunity, and thank you!

-November Highlights-

Bus ads. Round two of the Seattle Atheists interior bus ads continues to go well. We continue to get regular feedback (of all flavors!) via phone, mail, and website comments on these subtle yet provocative advertisements. The posters appear in 45 vehicles of the King County Metro fleet feature atheist-positive messages from Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Carl Sagan. Keep your eyes peeled through Dec. 27

Seattle Marathon. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, a dedicated crew of atheists rose before dawn to make their way to the I-90 tunnel in support of intrepid athletes participating in the Seattle Marathon. Throughout the morning, volunteers gave words of encouragement and water to tired marathoners. Every year at least a few athletes stop to get their picture taken under the Seattle Atheists banner, which encouragingly proclaims “We believe in YOU!” Many thanks go to board member Wendy, herself a marathon runner, for organizing this event!

Short-notice food drive. Many of us regularly donate non-perishable goods through the Seattle Atheists SeasonLESS Food Drive. This month, the Rainier Valley Foodbank was burglarized the week before Thanksgiving. Thank you to all those who donated items or money directly to the food bank. They received over $25k worth of food and financial help! Keep the donations coming during leaner giving months, especially after the winter holiday season, by bringing non-perishables to our Jan. 10th Membership Meeting!

Membership Meeting. The November Membership Meeting, held on the 22nd, featured a provocative presentation on honestly teaching world history in public schools. Given the climate of inclusivity fostered in today’s diverse classrooms, teachers can sometimes face dilemmas of how to approach sensitive historical topics and how they intersect with religion. The discussion also explored the issue of job security in the face of honest teaching of historical facts that frame religions and/or religious leaders in a negative light. After a break, the meeting reconvened with a town hall discussion on health care issues facing atheists.

-Ongoing and Upcoming-

Charity Gift Wrapping. As in years past, Seattle Atheists members will wrap gifts at the Downtown Seattle Borders. ALL donations collected are donated directly to Children’s Hospital. This activity helps put a positive public face on atheism at a time when some tend to think we’re out to spoil Christmas (which, of course, many of us gleefully enjoy as a non-religious time to gather with family). Contact Megan (meganjs@gmail.com) if you and/or a buddy would like to volunteer (no experience necessary!) We still need volunteers for the following shifts:

Mon 12/21 Time: 11 am-3 pm (2 more needed)
Wed 12/23 Time: 11 am-3 pm (2 more needed)
Thu 12/24 Time: 11 am-3 pm (2 more needed)

On Christmas Eve alone last year, we collected $400! Please consider donating your time!

Seattle Atheists and Agnotics Meetup. Join at <http://meetup.com> to get notices about events that atheists in our area organize and attend.

Atheist Cable Access Show. Several members have formed a committee to create a cable access atheist-hosted call-in show. They are soliciting involvement of anyone interested in helping in the studio, serving as a call screener, and being a host. For more info, get in touch with Mike (mikedgillis@hotmail.com).

Seattle Atheists Holiday Greeting. On Saturday, December 12, about 15 Seattle Atheists members and supporters hailing from Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and points in between gathered in the chilly morning air to plant our holiday greeting sign on the lawn in front of the state Capitol. Our sign reads: “In this holiday season, let us remember that kindness, charity and goodwill transcend belief, creed, or religion. Happy Holidays from Seattle Atheists.” A cameraman from Fox 13 showed up to take footage and interview members. Afterwards, many of us congregated for impromptu refreshments and shared fellowship at a local coffee shop.

January Membership Meeting. The next meeting will be held Sunday, January 10, 2010, 2:00 pm at the Miller Community Center, located at 330 19th Ave E in Capitol Hill. Parking is available in adjacent lots.

The meeting will feature the presentation “From Fundamentalism to Freedom” from author, artist, and activist Marc Adams. Adams 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. Following Q&A with Mr. Adams, there will be a town hall discussion. The topic is: How should the atheist community react when news involves religion as motivation for atrocities? How can atheists educate the public about the dangers of religious extremism?

This venue is limited to 75 people, so arrive early. Many thanks to Humanists of Washington for co-sponsoring this event with Seattle Atheists.

In concluding this letter I’d like to extend best wishes to all for a safe and happy end to 2009 with hopes for a wonderful and exciting new year!

Sincerely,
Rebecca Friedman
Secretary, Seattle Atheists
P.O. Box 283, Seattle, WA 98111
Secretary@SeattleAtheists.org

http://SeattleAtheists.org