By Steve Petersen
In February, we recorded two episodes for our TV show.
With the anti-marriage constitutional amendment proposal appearing on the ballot this November, there has never been a better time to discuss the state of GLBT rights in Minnesota. In the first episode, host James Zimmerman interviewed GLBT activist Arthur Schultz on the ballot measure, including the exact wording and what will change if the measure passes or fails. Schultz offered reasons why atheists, agnostics, Humanists, and other freethinkers should be concerned about the rights and freedoms of the GLBT community regardless of whether they themselves are gay or lesbian. Arthur noted that the current legislative bias against the GLBT community has its roots in religion, and he offered rebuttals to common objections to GLBT rights. After giving details about the GLBT population in Minnesota, Schultz provided resources for how freethinkers can assist in the cause and learn more.
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Read more: February Atheists Talk Cable Show Report
God’s Lady Problem: Breaking Up With Abusive Supernatural Beings
Why are women more religious than men when most religions are so anti-woman? Jen McCreight will address this paradox, make the case for why it’s time for women to leave religion, and discuss why skepticism and atheism are empowering for women.
Jen McCreight is a lifelong non-theist, but became vocal about her atheism when she started college at Purdue University. Surprised and alienated by the highly religious atmosphere, she co-founded the Society of Non-Theists for like-minded students. During this time she also started to blog at Blag Hag.
The blog became infamous thanks to “Boobquake,” Jen’s response to an Iranian leader who said women’s immodest dress caused earthquakes. On April 26, 2010, Jen dressed to show off as much cleavage as possible, and invited other women to do the same, to see if there would be an increase in earthquakes that day. The event made international news.
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Read more: March Meeting featuring Jen McCreight
By August Berkshire
Why is it that whenever the Religious Right gets power, they always go after gays and women first? Is it because their faith is basically a fertility cult, and so all sex must be procreative and women must be submissive?
If there is a genetic component to being susceptible to believing in gods, then this might explain why very religious people tend to have more children than atheists.
Scientists, who are mostly atheists, do not study “god” – there is nothing tangible to study. Instead, they study god-belief. One of the main questions they ask is whether the propensity for god-belief evolved as a primary trait or a secondary trait.
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Read more: President's Column: God, Gays, and Genes
Dear Listener:
We hope that you are enjoying Atheist Talk Radio each week, whether live over the air, on internet simulcast, or as a podcast on our web site. To date, we have produced 156 programs on issues of importance to atheists and the public at large. The reason we produce this program is simple: if we, as atheists, do not control our message to the general public, no one else will speak for us. Programs cover atheism, science, state church separation, Humanism and other topics of interest. We present atheists’ views to the public in a manner that is respectful, informative and diverse.
This program costs $5,330.00 every six months. We sell a few ads, but most of our costs are covered by supporter donations. The program is broadcast live on AM950 KTNF, but most of our listeners follow our podcasts. Our number one download was the program broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair, “All About Atheism,” that had over 21,000 downloads. Next most downloaded was the very first program we did, with Richard Dawkins, at 13,000. Within two to three weeks of production, every program has between 1,000 to 2,000 downloads.
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Read more: We Need Your Help to Sustain our weekly radio show
Atheist Voices of Minnesota
An Anthology of Personal Stories
All net proceeds from the sale of this book go to Minnesota Atheists.
"As much as we can, whenever we can, we have to tell our stories. Exactly as the writers in this book have done."
-from the Foreword by Greta Christina
Atheists have turned a corner in public visibility in recent years, but they nevertheless remain one of America's most misunderstood and mistrusted groups of people. Atheist Voices of Minnesota attempts to address these preconceptions by letting thirty-six atheists openly share their personal and unique stories. The results are touching, fascinating, and diverse. This collection is an excellent introduction to atheism, and will inspire other atheists to come out to their family and friends.
It is available at Amazon, B&N.com, and other booksellers, and directly through the Minnesota Atheists online store. It's also available in eBook format for Kindle and Nook. Remember, all net proceeds from the sale of this book go to Minnesota Atheists.
Praise for Atheist Voices of Minnesota
A chorus not of arguments and positions but of shared human lives. ... At turns smart, funny, and deeply touching.
–Dale McGowan, author and editor of Parenting Beyond Belief and Raising Freethinkers
Beautifully illustrates the variety of ideas and feelings that characterize atheism. ... Their thoughtful perspectives will be illuminating to people of any faith, or none.
–Kendyl Gibbons, senior minister of the First Unitarian Society
The variety of voices speaks to current and future atheists all across the country. ... I highly recommend it.
–Hemant Mehta, author of the FriendlyAtheist.com blog
This is a rich and compelling fabric of first-person accounts by atheists of every variety and from every walk of life.
—Tom Flynn, executive director of The Council for Secular Humanism, editor of Free Inquiry
The heartfelt stories in this book from old and young, rich and poor, gay and straight, men and women, and people from all walks of life makes it difficult to stereotype atheists.
—Herb Silverman, founder and president of the Secular Coalition for America, author of Candidate without a Prayer
Witty and wise, personal and universal, these short essays are a welcome addition to the current literature on atheism. ... Deserves to be on the shelf of all secularists.
-- Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of Doubt: A History and The End of the Soul
By letting a diverse group of atheists actually speak for themselves, Atheist Voices of Minnesota promotes a positive view of atheism in the best possible way.
—David Silverman, president of American Atheists
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