By Peter Holste

In the February issue of The Minnesota Atheist, life member Matthew Richardson argued that our organization should support the legalization of drugs. Referring not to prescription medicines but to now-illegal recreational drugs, which he likens to a “humanitarian effort.”  Yikes—there are so many things wrong with that, it’s hard to know where to begin to respond.

 

By George Kane

The Supreme Court of the United States took a sledge hammer to the separation of Church and State in March when it refused to hear an appeal by the University of Wisconsin of a suit brought by Badger Catholic, a student organization.  While the university provided routine funding for the student group, it declined to pay for explicitly religious activities, including Catholic Mass and proselytizing campaigns.  Last September, in a truly horrible decision, a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that the university's refusal to fund religious activities violated Badger Catholic’s First Amendment right to free speech.

 

By Eric Jayne

 

I was driving south on 35E in St. Paul the other day and just before I took the downtown exits a billboard caught my attention.  Written in big letters, that looked like they were cut from ancient parchment, was the name “Jesus”.   Below his name, in bold black letters, was the proclamation: “He is the most amazingly devine man.”

 

From noon to 1:00 on Thursday, May 5th, Minnesota Atheists will once again hold a Day of Reason rally in the State Capitol Rotunda. This is the sixth year that we have held this celebration of the separation of church and state to protest the “Day of Prayer” event held at the same time outside on the Capitol steps.

 

How to find us: Look for the MNA banner and all the MNA t-shirts. You can't miss us! Click HERE for the May Day parade route.

 

The May Day Parade and Festival in South Minneapolis is one of the most fun things Minnesota Atheists get to do during the year. We gather at Cedar Field at noon to march down Bloomington Ave from Cedar Field to Powderhorn Park. We carry signs as we march to educate the public about us.

After the parade, which starts at 1:00, we join together at our booth. It's a great chance to talk to people who are supporters of our causes, even if they are not atheists. Many people who identify as wicca, pagan, or neo-spiritualist support the separation of church and state just as much as we do. So, stop on by the booth, or parade to show your support!

For more information, visit The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater page:
http://www.hobt.org/mayday/parade/route.html
Or contact Steve Petersen at spetersen175@comcast.net or 651-484-9277.  We are also looking for volunteers to help with the booth let Steve know if you are willing to set up, staff or take down the booth.

Cedar Field is on 18th Ave and 25th St. Bus routes 22, 14, and 27 will get you close, so will the Franklin Light Rail Station. Remember, we are headed to Powderhorn Park, so if you park near Cedar Field, you need to walk back from Powderhorn Park.