Seattle Atheists

Edwin Kagin, the National Legal Director for American Atheists, will be a guest on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams this weekend. He will discuss “Chaplains in the workplace.”

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/

Amanda Events, News, Upcoming events Atheism in the news, News, Upcoming events

Seattle Atheists, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting understanding and respect toward freethinkers, is excited to announce its first t-shirt design contest! Residents of Washington and Oregon are welcome to participate. The winning design will be announced on January 17, 2011.

GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES

We are looking for designs that capture our theme for 2011: “Atheists coming out.” We know this is challenging, so here are some things to consider:

Our mission is to make atheism a viable alternative in the Puget Sound. So, you could reflect on the positive aspects of atheism, and focus on ideas if inclusion, community, freedom, knowledge, evolution, science, etc.

You could also focus on specific aspects of atheism in the Puget Sound (but remember, the Space Needle is a trademarked building, so must be used in the context of a cityscape, and not alone).

Our vision is:

• A Puget Sound that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life.

Our mission is to:

• Grow, support, and provide community for atheists in the Puget Sound.
• Educate the public about atheism and present it as positive and legitimate.
• Provide information and encourage education in science and critical thought.
• Encourage the public to look for credible evidence rather than superstition, dogma, and the supernatural.
• Support the Constitution of the United States, defend the wall of separation between church and state, and inform the public about policy that infringes on that separation.

We strongly encourage you to use all the humor and creativity you can muster. Rock our world. Be funny. Be clever. Be creative. Most of all, have fun!

DEADLINE: Designs must be submitted by 12:00 AM PST, October 15, 2010

Some of the previous designs:

Read more…

Amanda Blog, Events, Priority, Upcoming events Upcoming events

A heads up to all our members:

Due to budget cuts at libraries, we’ve had to make changes to the format and location of our bi-monthly membership meetings.

First, we will no longer meet at the Greenlake Library, which is now closed on Sundays. We’ll be holding out meetings in a variety of places, throughout the greater Seattle area. This allows our members who have limited transportation options to get the chance to attend occasionally.

Since we’ve grown so much in the past two years, membership meetings are typically packed. We’re looking for larger venues.

Finally, we’ll be serving snacks and light refreshments after the speakers, so that you will have an opportunity to network with other atheists and agnostics.

We hope you will like the changes, and ask that you bear with us as we try to communicate those changes with you. We will post the most current meeting information here on this website, so stay tuned.

Thanks for your continued support as we try to better serve you!

Amanda Blog, News Membership Meeting, News, Speakers, Upcoming events

We need volunteers to man the booths and participate in parades this summer. If you’ve ever been to the Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade, the UW Street Fair, or the Pride Parade and PrideFest, you know how important it is to be available for questions from the public. You can be part of the highly successful and always entertaining “Ask an Atheist ¢25″ booth, or simply be available to answer questions about the organization and what we do.

Send an e-mail to seattleatheists@seattleatheists.org to sign up for a shift! Also, check out our volunteer page for other opportunities!

Thanks to the following Seattle Atheists who helped at The University District Street Fair in May: Jami, Randy, Bob S., Mike G., Michael S., Jerry, Tony, Constance, Clint, April, Tom, Becky, Sam, Chad, & Case!

The Fremont Fair, Saturday June 19 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.):

• Set-up, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Amanda, Ranjan, Jerry S.)
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Amanda, Ranjan, Michael S., Bob S.)
• 4 to 8 p.m. and packing up (Mike G., Randy R., Jerry S.)

The Fremont Solstice Parade, Saturday June 19 (Noon):

• FSM set-up and take-down, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Case is lead, Operators: Becky F., Michele G., Tyson, Cassandra G.,)
• Pirate escorts in full pirate regalia to escort the FSM — as many as we can muster!  Kids are welcome!  (Tony F., Casey G., Beth L., Shabnam B., Andy P., Ed C., Libbie M., Dawn B., Deanna L., Rich L., Diana M., Valerie D. and Auggie the Parrot, J.C., Taylor H., Chad C., etc.)
  

The Fremont Fair, Sunday June 20 (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.):

• Set-up, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (DebbieAnn A. & Ed. C., )
• 2 to 6 p.m. and packing up (Tom M. and Becky F)

The Pride Parade, Sunday June 27 (4th Ave., downtown, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.):

• FSM set-up and take-down, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Becky is lead, Amanda, Ranjan, Tyson, Matt B., Michele G.)
• Pirate escorts in full pirate regalia to escort the FSM — as many as we can muster!  Kids are welcome! (Michael L., Jordan W., Casey G., Beth L., DebbieAnn A., etc.)

PrideFest, Sunday June 27 (Seattle Center, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.):

• Set-up, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Jerry S. and 1 more volunteer)
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Michael S. and 1 more volunteer)
• 4 to 8 p.m. and packing up (Hannah P., Britain, Becky F.)

Amanda Events, News, Upcoming events Community, Fairs, Festivals, Flying Spaghetti Monster, Parades, PrideFest, solstice, Upcoming events, Volunteer