Freethought Winter Solstice Celebration

Announcing the 13th Annual Freethought Winter Solstice Celebration! It's the most fun you will have all year!

This is a joint production of Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota and will be hosted this year by Minnesota Atheists.

Join us on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Jimmy’s Event Center - 3565 Labore Road, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110 (two blocks east of I-35 & Cty Rd E). Our special guest star is Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Dan will perform selections from his freethought music albums. Also featured is a comedy act by the Freethought Players and music by the Freethought Band with guest vocalists.

Read more: Freethought Winter Solstice Celebration

Give to the Max Day: November 15, 2012

Dear Friend,

As you may already know, Minnesota Atheists is making a difference every day by building a positive atheist community that actively promotes secular values through educational programs, social activities and participation in public affairs. Your generous support will enable us to continue our hard work to build a secular America.

Join us on November 15, for Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day, and help us win a $1,000 Golden Ticket. By partnering with GiveMN—an online giving website for Minnesota nonprofits—Minnesota Atheists will have 25 chances to maximize your gift on Give to the Max Day!

Read more: Give to the Max Day: November 15, 2012

News and Notes

By George Kane

The October issue of our newsletter included an article by Minnesota Atheists’ Associate President Eric Jayne on the voter photo ID constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Beneath the banner the Editor ran a disclaimer stating “The opinions expressed herein are solely those of Eric Jayne and are not necessarily those of Minnesota Atheists.” This may have led new readers of the newsletter to wonder if Minnesota Atheists has official political positions – and, if so, how those positions fit with their own.

Read more: News and Notes

October Atheists Talk TV Show Report

By Steve Petersen

Audrey Kingstrom and Kevin Eich, founders of the Secular Parenting Group, discussed their reasons for creating the group and their recent activities. They noted the importance of children having a sense of community and the need to celebrate special events in our lives and in the changing of the season, without having to tie these events in with religiosity. Along with guest Rhonda, the three guests offered suggestions of books to share with children on values, evolution, diversity, religion, and finding wonder in the world. Kevin suggested visiting the Kochar Humanist Education Center's website and the Northwest Center for Philosophy for Children to obtain more resources. He also noted the books Raising Freethinkers and Nurture Shock as valuable tools for parenting. James Zimmerman hosted.

Read more: October Atheists Talk TV Show Report

Pew Review

By George Kane

The number of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated is growing rapidly, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center that was released on October 9. That report states:

In 1972, only 7% of the adults in America were religiously unaffiliated. That number now stands just under 20%. In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15%, an increase of about a third. Their ranks now include more than 13 million self-described atheists and agnostics (nearly 6% of the U.S. public), as well as nearly 33 million people who say they have no particular religious affiliation (14%).

Read more: Pew Review