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 .

 

 

By August Berkshire

 

Most of my past President’s Columns have focused on one particular aspect of our organization.  I have done this because some of our newer members might not know our history, and as a way to publicly acknowledge and thank those members who have contributed to our success.  I will resume this approach in future columns, focusing on such things as our website, Meetups, newsletter production, and charitable works.  This month, however, I will briefly highlight a variety of activities.

by CASH

 

The new school year is fast approaching, which means student groups at the University of Minnesota are given the opportunity to paint the panels on the Washington Avenue Bridge. Student group Campus Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists are again raising funds for the promotion of secularism on campus by filling their panel with atheist, agnostic, secular, humanist, and freethought quotes sponsored by the freethought community of Minnesota. For $10 a word, you can help support CASH and have your favorite quote painted on the bridge. Small words are free, and for every nine words you buy, the tenth is free as well. To submit your quote, or if you have any questions, send an email to cash@cashumn.org.

by Mike Haubrich

 

I am excited to announce that our Atheists Talk radio show is going to return to Sunday mornings beginning August first on AM 950 KTNF . This station was formerly known as “Air America Minnesota” and is now called “The Voice of Minnesota.”

By Eric Jayne

 

On Sunday, May 23, in the quiet suburban community of Eagan, the very first Minnesota Atheists Debaptism event was performed. We had a pretty good turnout of about 25 ex-Christians—mostly former Catholics and Lutherans, but also two former Jehovah’s Wit-nesses, one former Southern Baptist, and one former Mormon. The Hair Dryer of Reason (which I’ll explain shortly) was definitely put to the test!