It’s time for another Secular Sunday.
In this issue:
- News
- Upcoming Events
- We Need You
News
- Atheist Ireland has replied to a letter from the Department of Education which was a response to a letter we sent in April regarding the teaching of morality and religion in VEC schools. Read more.
- Alexander Aan, who was jailed for blasphemy last month in Indonesia, has sent a message from prison thanking his supporters around the world, saying that he would feel alone without our support and love. Read more and learn how you can help here.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the situation is even more dire for Asia Bibi who has spent three years in prison and faces execution by hanging for blasphemy. Read more - Videos of some of our recent Atheists in the Pub events are now available online. Jen McCreight spoke last month on feminism and atheism (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). Last week we had a last-minute addition to our lineup in the form of Sinead Redmond, founder of the Facebook page ‘Unlike Youth Defence, I trust women to decide their lives for themselves’ talking about how she organised a protest at Leinster House against misleading advertisements about the impact of abortion on women. Sinead is an inspiring example of how one person can make a difference when they’re passionate enough. Watch her talk here.
We should have video of Aoife McLysaght’s talk soon. - Congratulations to Tony Hegarty who was selected by a truly random process courtesy of random.org as the winner of our competition.. The correct answer was fruit bats. A signed copy of Dylan Evans’ book Risk Intelligence is on its way to him.
Upcoming Events
- Today, Sunday 15 July, 8:00 pm, The Exchange, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (map)
Skeptics in the Pub will be hosting Martin Robbins, a Berkshire-based researcher and science writer. His talk will centre around the work he did last year tracking down homeopaths in East Africa for a documentary that’s currently in production. - Monday 16 July, 8:30 pm, McSwiggans Bar and Restaurant, Woodquay, Galway (map)
Galway Skeptics in the Pub are meeting again. Facebook event page - Wednesday 18 July 8:00 pm, Absolute Hotel, Sir Harry’s Mall, Limerick (map)
The Mid West Humanists will be meeting to discuss secularising the Irish Constitution and their plans to lobby TDs. - Sunday, 29 July, 12:00 non, Quay Co-op Meeting Room, Cove St., Cork (map)
Cork Humanists present “What Inspires Us”, inspiring people from Cork City and county speaking about what inspired them to stand up and make a difference in Cork life. Facebook event page - Sunday 29 July, 12:00 noon, Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Galway (map)
Humanists West, Galway will be having their monthly meeting. Facebook event page
We Need You
We’ve already had some positive responses to the three initiatives we mentioned last week: next year’s proposed Women in Secularism conference, our community outreach plans and setting up local Atheist Ireland groups. Thanks to those who have shown an interest so far. We’re in the early stages of organising all these enterprises and will have more news soon. If you have suggestions or can volunteer in any capacity either on a once-off or a regular basis, please get in touch by email or join the discussions on our Facebook page or forum.
Till next time, take care,
Derek Walsh
Editor, Secular Sunday
Atheist Ireland
6 Comments
Is Atheist Ireland taking sides in the whole radical feminism debate that’s currently plaguing the internets?
Why was one of these rad-fems invited to an atheist in the pub meeting?
No, we’re not taking sides. Individual members undoubtedly have a range of different opinions on the matter.
One of those “rad-fems”(!) Jen McCreight was invited to Atheists in the Pub because she was available and we believed (correctly) that a lot of people would be interested in hearing her speak.
So can we expect a future event with Paula Kirby, Thunderfoot, The Amazing Atheist or the Metamagician for balance?
Certainly, if they were available and willing, with the probable exception of the “Amazing Atheist”. We’re not so neutral that we would feel the need to balance a speech by someone who thinks threats of rape are bad, with someone who seems to think the opposite.
He’s not my cup of tea, but it’s a caricature to suggest he thinks rape threats are a good thing. The guy made some stupid remarks and apologised for them. McCreight even states as much in her biased talk.
Whatever he thinks of rape threats, it certainly seems that he made them. It’s good that he apologised, but I have trouble imagining he’d be any more interesting or pleasant in person than on the Internet so personally I wouldn’t be inclined to invite him. Other committee members may feel differently.
It’s neither expected nor desired at Atheist Ireland events for all audience members to agree with all the opinions of speakers or of each other. Respectful disagreement is positively encouraged.