Book Review: Waking Up by Sam Harris
By Grant Steves
Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion (Sam Harris) - 256 pages; Simon & Schuster (September 9, 2014)
Sam Harris appears to be a contradiction. Can you be an atheist and be spiritual? Harris has, through his past books and debates, established himself as an atheist. However, people sometimes stray into eccentric choices. This new book by Harris raises that question. The word ‘atheist’ has controversy attached to it, so having controversial terms should not deter an atheist. Perhaps you need to let Harris make his point, evaluate his argument with an open mind, and then make your decision.
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St. Paul, MN, November 26, 2014 – As we prepare for another “War on Christmas”, Minnesota Atheists is proud to help fight hunger and make the holidays a little brighter for individuals and families in Minnesota.
The end of 2014 is right around the corner. For some, the end of the year is a time to reflect, and for some it is a time to plan. For some, it is both. The following information might help you evaluate the value of donating to Minnesota Atheists as the year comes to an end.
Writing the decision in the 1968 Epperson v. Arkansas case, Justice Abe Fortas noted that “(t)he First Amendment mandates governmental neutrality between religion and religion, and between religion and nonreligion.” Justice David Sutter referred to this principle of neutrality as the bedrock concept of the Establishment Clause, and it has been cited repeatedly in Supreme Court decisions for over four decades. Justice Antonin Scalia, however, in a speech at Colorado Christian University, said that he considers the interpretation that the Establishment Clause forbids the government to favor religion over non-religion to be “a lie.”
The passing of Halloween brings another cause for celebration: The annual War on Christmas. In our own unique way, the Minnesota Atheists has participated in the War on Christmas for several years and I think we’ll have plenty to keep us busy for the 2014 war.