2012-4 CFI-Portland Newsletter

Transcription

CENTER FOR INQUIRY
Portland
January
APRIL 2012
Food For Thought Report
The mission of the Center for
Inquiry is to foster a secular
society based on science,
reason, freedom of inquiry, and
humanist values.
Jesus Freak or
Missionary?
CFI has established centers
throughout the world which
provide a means of delivering
educational programs and
services on a local level and
provide a venue for like-minded
individuals to meet and share
experiences.
In aiming to foster a secular
society, we do not seek to
abridge the rights of believers.
We vigorously object to
government support of religion
and the use of religious dogma
to justify public policy; we do
not oppose the free exercise
of religion. The secular
society we are building is a
community of reason and
compassion in which the dignity
and fundamental rights of all
individuals are respected.
Three goals represent the
focus of our activities: an end
to the influence that religion
and pseudoscience have on
public policy, an end to the
privileged position that religion
and pseudoscience continue to
enjoy in many societies, and an
end to the stigma attached to
being a nonbeliever.
W
e had a good turnout
for our April “Food for
Thought” event. After some
socializing and a few announcements, CFI-Portland member
Wes Mahan gave a talk about
his experience as an evangelical
Christian, including his Bible
College days in Portland during the peak of the hippie era.
Particularly interesting was
Wes’ reluctance to cut his hair
(and sideburns), which led him
to an unusual period of missionary activity (with one of the few
missionary organizations that
accepted long-hairs). The audience enjoyed Wes’ flashbacks,
especially his pictures from the
1960’s and 1970’s.
Wes also discussed his recent
journey out of Christianity,
after 46 years as an evangelical.
There was one aspect of Christian theology that Wes began to
find increasingly troublesome.
He is a father, and could not
imagine sentencing his own
children to some form of eternal
Cont’d on page 2
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Jesus Freak, cont’d from page 1
torture, no matter what offense they had committed. How then could a compassionate God
sentence his “children” to eternal torment in hell?
This irrational doctrine was the beginning of the
end for his faith. After enjoying Wes’ talk, the
group socialized while enjoying a delicious Italian meal.
P
“35mm Closer to Reality”
“3
September 21st - 23rd
CINEMA 21
616 NW 21st Ave, Portland
www.HumanistFest.com
A
pril’s Food for Thought looks to be an interesting evening! We’ll begin with announcements, and then hear two brief “travel reports”
from a CFI-Portland member who attended the
recent Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., and a
member who attended the Northwest Freethought
Alliance Conference near Seattle. If you didn’t
get a chance to attend these two important events,
come to Food for Thought to hear what they were
like.
April’s talk is entitled, “Radiation: Risks and
Rationality.” Our guest speaker, Chuck Cooper,
has a degree in Environmental Health and Safety
from OSU and has worked at PSU for 27 years
in various safety and environmental health functions. He currently supports Research Safety at
PSU as a senior advisor for Bio-safety, Chemical
Safety, and Radiation Safety. As an environmental safety professional, Chuck must effectively
respond to the concerns of the people he serves
while basing his decisions on science. Radiation
often induces fear. How much of this fear is justified? He will discuss radiation risks, including
those posed by nuclear energy, from a scientific
perspective, and give needed background information that can inform policy and personal decisions - and, maybe, help you figure out when it's
time to panic.
Portland Humanist Film Festival
Join us for the 3rd annual Portland
Humanist Film Festival, which will
present feature, documentary, narrative and
animated films that give expression to the
humanist approach to life, based on reason,
science, and ethics. The film and speaker
schedule will be announced in the coming
months.
The Film Festival is accepting independent film
submissions. If you are a director or producer
and want to submit your film, go to
www.humanistfest.com for more information.
To inquire about opportunities to advertise
at the Festival at various sponsorship levels,
please email: [email protected]
EVERYTHING IN MODERATION
Food For Thought is a family-friendly event. Space for cooperative parent child care is provided.
by Luke Mahan
E=MC2 LIVES TO SEE ANOTHER DAY

The
Parenting & Grandparenting
Beyond Belief
W O R K S H O P
a half-day workshop on parenting without religion
sponsored by Center for Inquiry-Portland




How does moral development really work?
My mother-in-law wants our kids baptized. How can I respond without causing a rift?
How can I ease my son’s/grandson’s fears about death without pretending there’s an afterlife?
How can kids learn about religion without being indoctrinated into religion?
Over nine million parents in the U.S. are raising children without religion. The PARENTING BEYOND
BELIEF WORKSHOP, a unique half-day event with author Dale McGowan, offers encouragement and
practical solutions for secular parenting in a religious world.
Based on the freethinking philosophy of the book Newsweek called “a compelling read,” the
PARENTING BEYOND BELIEF WORKSHOP is empowering secular parents across the country to raise
ethical, caring, confident kids without religion.
presented by
Dale McGowan
Editor/co-author, Parenting Beyond Belief
and Raising Freethinkers
2008 Harvard Humanist of the Year
SATURDAY APRIL 21  1:00 – 5:00pm
FRIENDLY HOUSE, 1737 NW 26th AVE., PORTLAND, OR
Registration $35 per person, $65 per couple, $ 25 for CFI Members. To register, go to:
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/portland/events/

Photos from the Reason Rally, Washington D.C.
All photos courtesty of Barry Ruffin. If you wish to view over 100
photos that Barry shot at the event, go to:
http://s1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/phillyportland/
Clockwise, from top right:
• Barry Ruffin and Atheist Rapper Greydon Square, who is releasing a double CD set this August, "his best yet".
• Kurt Johanson, CFI-Portland co-organizer.
• Jessica Alquist, 16-yr-old humanist who courageously challenged her public school's display of a prayer banner, presented
with a check for $62,618 to help pay for her college education,
all donated by humanists worldwide.
• CFI table and volunteers
• Live music by Bad Religion

CFI April Events
For more information about any of these events, late additions, or to RSVP, go to the
CFI calendar at www.meetup.com/cfi-portland/#calendar and click on that event
Sunday, April 1 & 15, 12:30pm
Monday, April 2, 6:30pm
Rogue Valley
Freethinkers
(Grants Pass)
Save Our Selves
Union Drop-In Center,
225 NW Hillcrest Dr,Grants Pass, OR
1505 NW Washington Blvd,
Grants Pass, OR
We will meet at 12:30 to discuss a
topic of interest to freethinkers and
humanists, presented by one of
our members. The April 1 meeting
will feature ex-Mormon Courtney
and continued discussion of
controversial Mormon topics.
Our SOS Group offers secular
alternative support to individuals
struggling to overcome a personal
addiction, such as alcoholism. This
approach differs from typical 12-step
programs.
Sunday, April 1 & 15, 3:00pm
(SOS) Secular Support
Group in Rogue Valley
Wednesday, April 4 & 18, 11am
Rogue Valley
Humanists
Skeptics of Eugene
Coffee Klatch
Rogue Valley U U Center,
87 4th Street, Ashland, OR
199 W 8th Ave, Eugene , OR
(Ashland)
The Humanism Group studies current
topics of interest to Humanists, often
from a recent book or article. We meet
every first and third Sunday under the
balcony of the Rogue Valley Unitarian
Universalist Center Ashland from
3:00 to 5:00 PM. We usually have an
optional short reading related to the
discussion topic available in the UU
Center library a week before each
meeting.
Sunday, April 1 & 15, 11am
Eastside Sunday
Brunch
Old Wives Tales, 1300 E Burnside
St, Portland, OR 97214
Organizer: Sylvia Benner
Please RSVP so we can reserve the
correct number of seats.
A chance to meet and get to know
others in the community over good
food in a relaxed atmosphere! The
restaurant has a children's menu and
a separate play room for the little
ones. Vegetarian dishes available.
Theo's Coffee House
Casual conversation about whatever we
feel like. Drop in or out as your schedule
allows.
Wednesday, April 4, 7pm
Book Group
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue,
67 Community Room,
13810 SW Farmington Rd,
Beaverton, (R
The next book for our book group (for
April 4th & May 2nd) is "The Israel
Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy" by
Mearsheimer and Walt. For April 4th,
we will read the first 167 pages.
Thursday, April 5, 12, 19, 26, 10am
Preschool Playdate
Beaverton, OR
For preschool children aged 3 & 4 (and
other ages). Please RSVP at CFI-SFN
website.
Thursday, April 5 & 19, 11:45am
South Coast
Skeptics Meetup
Denny's, 98 E. 1st St,
Coquille, OR
Organizer: Greg Collver
Wednesday, April 4, 12:30pm
Charles Darwin:
Myth vs. History
OHSU Library
3181 SW Sam Jackson Pk Rd
Portland, OR
CFI-Portland volunteer Michael
Barton will give a talk about Charles
Darwin at a reception for a Darwin exhibit currently on display at the OHSU
Library. The talk is in the Old Library
Auditorium at the Oregon Health &
Science University Library in Portland.
A reception will precede the talk at
noon. The event is free and open to
the public.
Michael blogs at The Dispersal of
Darwin: http://thedispersalofdarwin.
wordpress.com/
Information about the exhibit online
at: http://libguides.ohsu.edu/content.
php?pid=312292&sid=2555956
Pizza and skeptical discussion at
Denny's!
Saturday, April 7, 2pm
Skeptics in the Pub
Evergreen Pieway
3020 Evergreen Way, Washougal, WA
Meet local skeptics, atheists, secular
humanists, scientific naturalists
and other friends of reason for
conversation and friendship!
Saturday, April 7, 10am
Salem Humanists
Monthly Meeting
Salem Public Library (Plaza Room)
585 Liberty St SE, Salem
Lambert (Bert) Wenner, PhD., A
long-time member of Humanists of
Salem (HAS). TOPIC: Social and
Environmental Policy of the U. S.
Forest Service.

CFI April Events CONT'D
More details and RSVP:
Monday, April 9, 7pm
OMSI @ the Bagdad:
Last of the
Neanderthals
Bagdad Theater & Pub,
3702 SE Hawthorne, Portland
Recent research has transformed
scientists' understanding of the
Neanderthals, who as recently as
26,000 years ago shared parts of
the planet with modern humans.
This Science Pub explores who
they were and how they lived, with a
special focus on Gibralter, where the
Neanderthals are believed to have
survived the longest.
The speaker is archeologist April
Nowell, Associate Professor of
Anthropology at the University of
Victoria, BC.
OMSI suggests a $5 cover charge.
Best to arrive no later than 6:30,
when the theater opens, especially if
you plan to order from the BagdadMcMenamin’s menu.
Monday, April 9, 7pm
Discussion:
Delusion
Java Vivace
2287 NW Pettygrove St
Portland
How do people believe the things
they do? Delusion can be selfinduced or imposed by others. What
is it about our brains and society that
makes delusion so common?
www.meetup.com/cfi-portland/#calendar
From Star Trek: Deep Space 9
Salem Progressive
Film Series
East Portland Community Center
740 SE 106th, Portland
Historic Grand Theatre
191 High St NE, Salem
Several topics emerge from this
episode.
Filming across the US, in
Europe, Australia and Asia, this
documentary examines the alarming
disappearance of honeybees and the
greater meaning it holds about the
relationship between mankind and
mother earth. As scientists puzzle
over the cause, organic beekeepers
indicate alternative reasons for
this tragic loss. Conflicting options
abound and after years of research, a
definitive answer has not been found
to this harrowing mystery.
(Cost $4)
SHEP Movie Night
What should our response be to the
charge of blasphemy? Can you name
some recent examples of persons
tried and convicted for this charge?
What is being done about the recurrent attempts to have anti-blasphemy
resolutions passed in the UN?
What should be the response to
persons of faith who wish to have creationism taught in science courses?
Does anti-evolution activities equate
always to anti-science? Why? In
what form should the response be? At
the school board level? Through the
courts?
How do you respond to theists who
deny robust evidence for reality that
counters their faith traditions?
Pre-School Playdate
Crescent Hill Apartments
Clubhouse 8340 SW Apple Way,
Portland
A time for secular parents with children
who are not yet school aged and their
children to spend time together.
Wednesday April 11, 6:30pm
Willamette U Think
Brown's Towne Lounge
189 Liberty St NE #112, Salem, OR
Willamette University hosts this
popular pub series featuring talks
and discussions with university
professors. The series features topics
from the sciences and humanities. No
background knowledge is necessary,
and a question and answer session
follows each presentation.
Thursday, April 12, 7pm
Skeptics of Eugene
Book Discussion
Manola's Thai Cuisine
652 E. Broadway, Eugene, OR
Manola's closes at 9, so our
discussion will end promptly.
Friday, April 20, 6:30pm
"Food For Thought"
Community Dinner
Brentwood-Darlington Community
Center, 7211 SE 62nd Ave, Portland
April’s talk is entitled, “Radiation:
Risks and Rationality.” Our guest
speaker, Chuck Cooper, has a degree
in Environmental Health and Safety
from OSU and has worked at PSU
for 27 years in various safety and
environmental health functions.
Radiation often induces fear. How
much of this fear is justified? He will
discuss radiation risks, including
those posed by nuclear energy, from a
scientific perspective, and give needed
background information that can inform
policy and personal decisions - and,
maybe, help you figure out when it's
time to panic.
6:00pm Doors Open.
6:30pm Announcements and Guest
Lecture
7:45pm Dinner.
There is a designated space for
cooperative parent child care.
Admission paid at door.
General Public: Lecture $5 or Lecture
including Dinner $10
FOCs: Lecture FREE, Dinner $7 and
$4 for children under 12
(Please RSVP at least 2 days before)

CFI April Events CONT'D
More details and RSVP:
Saturday, April 21, 9:30am
www.meetup.com/cfi-portland/#calendar
Sunday, April 22, 10:30am
Salem Humanists
Monthly Brunch
Monthly Westside
Sunday Brunch
McGrath's Fish House, 350
Chemeketa St NE, Salem
Goodness Coffee House
4925 SW Angel St, Beaverton, OR
Please RSVP via the CFI Salem Humanists Meetup site. Rides available
if requested.
Organizer(s): Sylvia Benner
Dedicated to the pursuit of Reason,
Peace, Justice, and Democracy.
Secular Parenting
Workshop
Friendly House, NW 26th &
Thurman, Portland, OR
Join us for a chance to meet and
get to know others in the community
over good food! Please RSVP so we
can anticipate the correct number of
people, as they open just for us.
Tuesday, April 24 6:30pm
Rogue Valley
Freethinkers' Social
(Grants Pass)
Please see complete details on page
3 of this newsletter.
Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co,
595 Northeast E Street,
Grants Pass, OR
Open agenda socializing and fun with
freethinking friends
Skeptics of Eugene
Game Night
Growers Market,
454 Willamette, Eugene, OR
We'll play board games, munch snacks
and socialize. If you have a game you'd
like to share, please bring it. We'll decide
at the beginning of the evening which
game(s) we'll play. I have 3 card tables,
each can seat up to 6 people.
Sunday, April 22, 10:30am
Secular
Sunday School
(grades K-3)
Location and other details
available upon RSVP at the CFI
website
Secular Sunday School is a program
geared toward kids who are between
6 and 9 years old. Children have time
to play and make friends, as well as
participate in fun, engaging lessons
focused on three areas: science/
critical thinking, comparative religion/
culture, and humanism/ethics.
SHEP Potluck
& Games
East Portland Community Center
740 SE 106th, Portland
Come join us as we celebrate good
food and enjoy visiting with SHEP
members and visitors. Bring your
favorite dish and join with friends, or
meet new ones. Invite someone who
may not know about our group. Bring
some of your favorite games, and if
we're outside, some yard games.
Salem Humanists
Book Discussion
Location (at a private home) and
other details emailed to all who
RSVP
If you're a non-fiction book enthusiast
and are short on people to share your
books with, then come join us! If you
are craving intellectual conversations
on topics such as religion, atheism,
science, reason, politics, history, etc.
then this is the place for you!
Friday, April 27, 7pm
Skeptics of Eugene
Monthly Meetup
33733 Seavey Loop Rd,
Eugene, OR
Host: Lowell Thomas
This is Open Topic so everyone is
welcome to bring up a specific subject of
interest, and if there are copies of news
items or articles you can share, please
do. We are all interested in learning
about our world with open minds and
healthy skepticism.
Friday, April 27, 3:00pm
Parent and Baby/
Toddler Meetup
Location and other details
available upon RSVP at the
CFI-SFN website
Sunday, April 29, 6pm
Beaverton Atheists
Meetup
Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe Beaverton Town Sq.,
11705 SW Beaverton Hillsdale
Hwy, Beaverton
Host: Alan Litchfield
Engaging, relaxing and interesting
conversation at our monthly meeting.

Vanc. Science &
Religion Discussion
Endeavor Church, 17720 NE
Halsey St, Portland, OR
Every worldview proposes either a
solution to or a coping mechanism
for what we think are today's biggest
problems, with a prospectus for the
future. Dr. Ray Lubeck represents
the Christian viewpoint, and Sylvia
Benner the secular humanist
viewpoint.

2012-4 CFI-Portland Newsletter

Transcription

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