Suggestions for Topics
March/11/2006 12:30 AM
There are
many issues of concern to atheists. If you don't see
the one that interests you the most below, tell us what
you'd like to discuss.
|
Separation of State and Church
March/10/2006 10:41 PM
This is the
place to discuss violations of the constitutional
principle of separation of state and church on which
this nation was founded. It seems that a new example
pops up every day, so if you hear a "thud" it's
probably James Madison turning over in his
grave.
How Can Minnesota Atheists Best Make a Difference?
March/10/2006 12:21 AM
What should
Minnesota Atheists be doing more of: building a
community of nontheists, promoting positive atheism
through the media, offering testimony on legislation
affecting state/church separation, participating in
more public events and handing out literature,
contributing to secular programs that address societal
needs, becoming more involved in youth education, or
something else? What do you
value most,
and why?
Why Say "Atheist?"
March/09/2006 12:22 AM
Atheism can
be defined generally as "having no belief in the
supernatural." Some people prefer other terms, such as
"agnostic," "secular humanist," or the newly coined
"bright" to indicate their lack of belief in gods. What
are the pros and cons of rehabilitating the word
"atheist?"
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
March/09/2006 12:22 AM
One of the
often-heard arguments against assisted suicide is that
our lives do not belong to us, but to god. Once that
piece of religious rhetoric is out of the way, should
the state have any role in denying the terminally ill
the means to end their lives in the manner and time of
their own choosing?
Restriction of Reproductive Rights
March/05/2006 12:59 PM
Isn't it
interesting that the same folks who detest government's
"heavy hand" when it comes to environmental and trade
regulation have no problem at all using it to restrict
individual reproductive rights, from abortion to the
availability of contraceptives? Post your comments on
the issue of reproductive rights here.
"Intelligent" Design
March/05/2006 12:51 PM
The case of
the Dover School Board made it clear: Intelligent
Design is nothing more than a trumped-up form of
Creationism. (During the proceedings, it was discovered
that the Intelligent Design book Of
Pandas and People began as a
creationist text until instances of the word
"creationism" were crossed out and "intelligent design"
was inserted in their places.) Yet even at the highest
levels of government there are calls to teach the
"controversy." There is no controversy in the
scientific community. Evolution works as a robust and
predictive theory. How can we advance the teaching of
real science over religiously motivated junk
science?
Same-Sex Marriage Legislation
March/05/2006 12:46 PM
Minnesota
Atheists has been active in supporting same-sex
marriage. But the word "marriage" seems to be a
sticking point. Perhaps we should leave the "marriages"
to the church, and let the state declare civil unions
for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. What we're
after are the rights extended to married couples, not a
religious blessing. What do you think?