News and Notes

By George Kane

I never expected God to be an issue at the Democratic National Convention. Christian conservatives are obviously a core constituency of the Republicans, and their stamp was unmistakable on everything that transpired at the Republican National Convention a week earlier. I expected the Democrats to make routine obeisance to religion that should infuriate everyone who values the separation of church and state, which would, however, attract no particular notice.

To my surprise, on Wednesday morning the networks reported that the platform had been released with no reference to God or to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This became the exclusive focus of the Jay Sekulow Live radio program that morning, and Republicans were quick to spin it as proof that Democrats were out of touch with the America’s religious core. It was a tempest in a tea pot, as party platforms are nothing more than appeals to special interest groups. That no platform ever mentions the separation of church and state, or expresses respect for atheists, only proves our political insignificance.

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MN Atheists Light the Night for Cancer Research

The Minnesota Atheists raised $700 for blood cancer research and participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Light the Night Walk on Sunday, September 23rd.

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Justice in a Just World

Is the world we live in fair? We tell children it isn't, though we often do that just to get them to be quiet.

The idea that the world is fair is embedded in many of the world's religions. Galatians six tells us that we shall sow what we reap, that if we do good, we will receive our reward. In context, this reward is clearly supposed to arrive after we die. However, that hasn't stopped many believers and traditions from assuming God will grant them favors in this world if they are only pious enough.

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September Cable Show Report

By Steve Petersen

The September cable taping featured local musician Jason Tuthill discussing his intense religious upbringing. Jason talked about his doubts about the his church's teachings, particularly regarding dinosaurs and a supposedly loving god. Jason said he was upset that the god of the bible purportedly used the man Job - by killing his children and making him sick - just to prove a point. In shedding his religion, Jason's relationship with his family has strained, but he has channeled his experiences into a music career. Jason discussed his recordings and local shows, and performed his song "Why Do You Play God?" live in studio. His music will be available soon at viarockviaroll.com. James Zimmerman hosted.

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MN Atheists Authors' Event at Barnes & Noble

Join us at the Barnes & Noble in Har Mar Mall in Roseville at 7pm, Wednesday, October 10 for a fun evening! The Atheist Voices of Minnesota will be featured for an authors' event and we would love to see a room full of occupied seats. Six of the book authors will read and/or discuss their essays and then be available to take questions from attendees. The featured authors are Norman Barrett Wiik, Stephanie Zvan, Robin Raianiemi, Tim Wick, Kori Hennessy, and August Berkshire. The host will be Eric Jayne.

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