By Steve Petersen

In part one of our November show, guest Ryan Sutter provided an overview of the popular fantasy series Discworld, by British author Terry Pratchett. During part two, Ryan offered a continuum of atheist approaches, from the fictional worlds of Pratchett, to the friendly scientist approach of Carl Sagan, to increasingly more polemical angles of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. James Zimmerman hosted.

For our December show, James Zimmerman interviewed Scott Lohman on the secularism of Star Trek. Scott provided an historical overview of the erstwhile show, from its origins to its becoming a cultural phenomenon. He then discussed how the series treats the ideas of gods, miracles, and immortality. Scott gave examples of specific episodes that dealt with these themes, including the original series' "Return of the Archons," The Next Generation's  "Devil's Due," and "Death Wish," from Star Trek: Voyager. Scott also noted the treatment of omnipotence and afterlife as interpreted in the Star Trek motion pictures The Final Frontier and Generations.

If you would like to sponsor our program in your community, or have an idea for a program, or if you have a public access television station in your community,  please contact Steve Petersen at achair@mnatheists.org or call 651-484-9277.   

Cable Crew:  George Kane, Brett Stembridge, Shirley Moll, Steve Petersen, Wendy Steinberg, Grant Hermanson, Art Anderson and Esther Sutter (November only).

All episodes can be viewed via iTunes or on the following cable stations, thanks to Grant Hermanson.

Cable Schedule:
Burnsville / Eagan Community Television: Channel 14. Times vary; check their website for day and times. Sponsor: Kevin Hardisty.

Bloomington:  Channel 16. Monday 9:30 p.m. and Tuesday 5:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sponsors: David and Joanne Beardsley.

Minneapolis: Channel 17. Saturday 8:30 p.m. Sponsor:  Steve Petersen.

Rochester:  Channel 10. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30 p.m. Sponsor: Jim Salutz.

Roseville, Shoreview, Arden Hills, North Oaks, Little Canada, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Moundsview, New Brighton: Channel 14. Wednesday 10:30 p.m. Sponsor: Shirley Moll.

St. Cloud: Channel 12. Thursday 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Sponsor Jack Richter.

Stillwater: Channel 16. Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Sponsor: Lee Salisbury.

South Washington County:  Channel 14. Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Sponsor: Jim Bodsberg.

White Bear Lake, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Mahtomedi, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Vadnais Heights: Channel 15. Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sponsor: Michael Seliga.