By Steve Petersen

 

"Summer Reading Suggestions"

For the first June show, host James Zimmerman interviewed MNA member Ryan Sutter on ideas for what to read while on vacation this summer. Ryan suggested an eclectic range of texts, including God, by Alexander Waugh, which consists of hundreds of vignettes on humans' depiction and beliefs in supernatural beings; and the Godhead Trilogy, by James Morrow. Morrow's work is a fictitious tale that asks the "big questions" set against a curious story. For those who don't have that much time this summer, Ryan recommended a 19th-century essay authored by William Clifford titled "The Ethics of Belief." Ryan claimed this essay was notable both for being ahead of its time and for its ability to cause even the modern reader to rethink their view of the world. Though out of print, Ryan pointed out that the essay is available online at sites including Infidels.org .

 

 

"Two Great Shows"


During the second show, James Zimmerman interviewed Ryan Sutter on two responses he had recently created to two famous works, and the subsequent fallout. First, Ryan discussed his review of Richard Dawkins' The Greatest Show on Earth, which first appeared in this newsletter, then was picked up by RichardDawkins.net where it received numerous comments. Though Ryan enjoyed the book, he felt Dawkins failed to fully accomplish the goals he set for the book. Ryan's critique of this sparked a fascinating discussion. 
  Second, Ryan talked about his response to the documentary Expelled. Instead of a frontal assault on the film's inaccuracies, Ryan felt it best to lampoon the film's trailer by creating a spoof entitled Flattened, which essentially remade the trailer, substituting creationism for flat-Earth belief. The episode concluded with a showing of the six-minute long mockumentary and a brief greeting by Ryan's son Syd, who assisted in creating the film.
    

If you are interested in having our program played on your local cable access station please contact Steve Petersen at achair@mnatheists.org or 651-484-9277.

Cable Crew:  George Kane, Brett Stembridge, Shirley Moll, Steve Petersen, Wendy Steinberg, Grant Hermanson, Mike Haubrich, Karen Burke, Brian Knoblock and Greghten Anderson.

Podcasts: MinnesotaAtheists.org . Made possible by Grant Hermanson.

Cable Schedule:
Burnsville/Eagan Community Television: Ch. 14. Check their web site www.bect.tv for day and times. Sponsor: Kevin Hardisty
Bloomington:  Ch. 16. Monday 9:30 p.m., Tuesday 5:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sponsors: David and Joanne Beardsley.
Minneapolis: Ch. 17. Saturday 8:30 p.m. Sponsor: Steve Petersen.
Rochester: Ch. 10. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30 p.m. Sponsor: Jim Salutz.
Roseville, Shoreview, Arden Hills, North Oaks, Little Canada, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Mounds View New Brighton: Ch. 14. Wednesday 10:30 p.m. Sponsor: Shirley Moll.
St. Cloud: Ch. 12 Thursday 8:30 p.m. Sponsor: Jack Ricter.
Stillwater:  Ch. 16. Tuesday 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Sponsor: Lee Salisbury.
South Washington County:  Ch. 14. Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Sponsor: Jim Bodsberg.
White Bear Lake, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Mahtomedi, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Vadnais Heights:  Ch. 15. Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sponsor: Michael Seliga.