By Steve Petersen

 

For the month of July, Grant Steves conducted two interviews, one with James Zimmerman (see photo at left) on Religion’s Use of Science and the second was with Matthew Richardson on Religion and the US Drug Policy. For the month of August, George Kane interviewed Randall Tigue (see photo below), American Atheists Minnesota State director on American Atheists in Minnesota. All programs can be viewed on cable television (see schedule) or on our podcast via iTunes. I would like to thank Jack Richter for sponsoring our programs for the past several years in St. Cloud. Jack is no longer able to do this and if you live in the St. Cloud area and would like to be the sponsor, please let me know.

 

By August Berkshire

 

This month I’d like to talk about membership in Minnesota Atheists. Keeping track of memberships (and donations) is very detailed work, and I would like to thank Steve Petersen, Shirley Moll, and Brian Knoblock for the tremendous job they do.

 

By Eric Jayne

 

My digital footprint has been causing me a little stress lately now that I have joined a very competitive labor market vying for a job. Not that I’m ashamed of my digital footprint but I feel that my outspoken support for atheism, science, and civil liberties (via secularism) may be a turnoff to prospective employers who bother to do a little Google research for “Eric Jayne” in “Minnesota”. I offer this apologetic article, in defense of my online atheistic activity, to prospective employers who may have stumbled upon this piece from their online search efforts.

 

By George Kane

 

Presentation on Religious Indoctrination

On Sunday, July 25, Grant Steves gave perhaps his last public presentation for Minnesota Atheists, before he moves to Wisconsin in September. Speaking to about 40 attendees at the Golden Valley Library, Grant deconstructed the processes of religious conversion and deconversion, based on his personal journey as a Jehovah’s Witness, Roman Catholic, and finally an atheist. He spoke in particular detail of the emotional context of conversion, and how cults are adept at manipulating new adherents with fear and release from crises in their lives.

 

A sure sign that the summer is over is the return of our monthly meetings.  In September, however, we will have only a business meeting, from noon to 12:45. We are ceding the floor for the rest of the afternoon to American Atheists for their Minnesota Conference, presented by their state director, Randall Tigue.