Once upon a time we enjoyed regular writing from members of our community. That has dropped off, but we'd like to keep their work available for future readers. Enjoy.
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There's a new humanist charity organization that offers a novel way of selecting your recipients--you choose from ten categories and decide what portion of your contribution goes to each.
I. Love. This. For a number of reasons.
First, I'm sick to death of people saying the religious are more giving and compassionate than we are. Boloney. Sure, they have an established system dedicated to fleecing them tax-free without really telling them where the money is going. And they offer salvation and to put a word in with "the man upstairs" if you give.
But none of that means they're better people. It just means that they're more likely to drop a couple bucks into the basket to save face, or that they think they're buying their own eternity in the clouds. I'm not saying that believers are never truly compassionate, but that the money is extracted by other than truly ethical motivation.
Second, one of the reasons religious people seem so charitable is because they have this massive institution to track and display all the money that's processed, whereas nonbelievers give to many less well-known and less organized causes. Foundation Beyond Belief is a new way to present the public with the good that people do, be they superstitious or not. It's a small way to help heal the image of atheism.
I'm suffering in the pocketbook as much as many are after being off work for a year and taking a job with lower pay, but I'll be trying hard to send a few dollars to this when I can. And I'll feel great about doing it, eternal salvation or not.
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This is utterly beautiful. It strips away all that is pretentious, shallow, and greedy about Christmas and leaves only what's worth keeping.
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LOL. Thanks to Gary for pointing out a depressing (but important) article, then an uplifting, funny one:
Ruhland, the pharmacist, said she "came out" as an atheist eight years ago to her family, most of whom are active and traditional Catholics. She still spends time with them at Christmas, and said most have learned to avoid the topic of religion when she's around. "I just sit in the back while they pray, and keep my mouth shut," she said.
For some atheists, the proximity to believers is even closer. Jim Wright, a retired merchandiser, lives with his 92-year-old mother in St. Paul. She "believes all that crap," he said.
"She wants me to come back to God, but I can't because he never existed," Wright said. This Christmas, he said, "I told her if she wants lights on the side of the house that she needs to do it. She's long since given up on the tree."
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HumanLight illuminates Humanism's positive secular vision. In Western societies, late December is a season of good cheer and a time for gatherings of friends and families. During the winter holiday season, where the word "holiday" has taken on a more secular meaning, many events are observed. This tradition of celebrations, however, is grounded in supernatural religious beliefs that many people in modern society cannot accept. HumanLight presents an alternative reason to celebrate: a Humanist's vision of a good future. It is a future in which all people can identify with each other, behave with the highest moral standards, and work together toward a happy, just and peaceful world.
Seems nice. I hope it catches on as well as Kwanzaa and Festivus have.
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I, (a confirmed atheist), have entered into a relationship with an equally confirmed Christian woman. We've know each other for 30 years but have only recently, (due to both our spouses' tragic, untimely deaths), become romantically drawn to each other. We've been openly discussing our religious differences from the start and recognize the depth of those differences. Despite this, our feelings have blossomed into a serious attraction and we stand on the verge of a life-changing decision.
She has a life-long acceptance of a religion she has never really questioned, (as do most religious people), and she thinks I'm the first 'atheist' she's ever met. She's very interested in why I believe the things I do but I think she's nervous about her hold on her own beliefs, so I have to gentle with my critique of those beliefs. So here's my reason for this blog entry: She wants to come to the Winter Solstice party with me because she wants to know more about the non-religious universe with which she is so unfamiliar. I want her to see what normal people you all are because she only has her own inherited misconceptions to go by at the present. She has told me that she is really put off by people who make fun of and ridicule religion and churches, just as she is put off by the over-zealous members of her own religious family.
On the one hand, I want her to know that I am not the exception, but the norm when it comes to being non-religious. On the other hand, I do not want to jeopardize my future relationship with this woman by placing her in a position where she is made to feel like she's been thrust into the biblical lion's den before I have a chance to gently draw her into my world. When non-religious people gather, there is, (admittedly with good reason), a tendency to make fun of religion and I myself have not attended enough solstice gatherings to know if my concerns about this group are well-founded or not.
So, I put it to you, will we feel comfortable attending the Winter Solstice party? I would deeply appreciate candid feedback on this question as I believe my future may be impacted by the decisions I make regarding this issue. Thanks.
Mike Murphy
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Update: We're getting regular monthly reports now that the program is developed a bit more. Please remember to mention CMFFoT each time you donate.
For November, our total stands at 9 donations in 2010. Let's make 2011 even better!
Update: I've been in touch with the Red Cross regarding a group drive. I get the impression that the program isn't very sophisticated, but they've offered to track our donations by our group name. For any donation you make from here on, please mention that you're part of Central Minnesota Friends Free of Theism. They're expecting us. It should be fun to see how we do, and it's an additional motivator to get in and do some good.
At our recent meeting we discussed participating in a blood drive as a group. We have a few options for dates and locations. We could go directly to the Red Cross office on Friday, January 8, sometime around 4:30. We could also go to Atonement Lutheran church in north St. Cloud on January 5 between 1 and 7. That would certainly make an impact!
Tom has discovered that we can start a group at the Red Cross and donate individually. Our cumulative progress will be tracked and posted on our site. Watch here for further updates.
Those of you unable to donate are welcome to come and offer your support. You could also contact the Red Cross to inquire about volunteering at blood drives.
I plan on creating a paper badge we can choose to wear to show our affiliation. Look for some ideas on the forum in a few weeks. If you want to try your hand at the design, feel free to send it to me or post it in the forum.
I'll also post this message in our discussion forums. Look for the event planning sub-section, available only to registered members. Please register from our home page, then join the discussion!
Thanks for your participation. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Festivus!