naturalism
since 2002
SWORD's old President('02-'04) - Hemant Mehta - became a minor celebrity this month after he autioned his "soul" on ebay for $504! Following an article in the The Wall Street Journal(click to read), the rest of the mainstream media latched onto the story and, in our own hometown, he even covered the front page(Chicago Sun-Times). To update yourself on all the action, just type "ebay atheist" into your favorite search engine and/or check out Hemant's own blog: An Atheist Walks Into A Church.
Do you think Hemant's peculiar endeavor has had - if any - a positive or negative effect on atheism at large? Certainly, atheism does not enter the limelight often and - by associating himself with pop culture (ebay) - Hemant has managed to do so in a manner that is not only non-threatening but quirky and clever. But is it counter-productive? Does it imply that all atheists are empty inside, seeking for a higher purpose; that they are not resolute in their beliefs, and thus, apt to conversion? Or does it put a personal, friendly face on atheism? Vote!
That aside, our big event - the debate "Does God Belong in Science?" - was successful. Although attendence was less than what we expected (50+), we had a great exchange between Drs. Dacey and Nelson. As Dave calculated from our response cards, our side (the negative, Dacey) was - sociologically speaking - more convincing, receiving more than 4 votes for every 1 that the affirmative (Nelson) received.
In regards to the future, we have three upcoming events:
* 3/3 "Transhumanism", a lecture by Ben Hyink
* 3/17 "Nietzshce the Antichrist", a lecture by yours truly and our last meeting of the semester (we will also vote for next year's officers!)
For the specifics, check out the "events" page
Nic
2/23/06
According to our last survey, y'all support free speech. This is good news, especially in light of this month's cartoon hullaballoo in the various Islamic nations. Of course, those who oppose the cartoons have every right to vocally oppose them; but riots, assassination, and bombings? Yikes. Moderate muslims certainly opposes such measures, asserting and insisting that true Islam is all about tolerance. Meanwhile, extermists cite the Koran and state that those who mock Muhammad ought to be killed.
Who's correct? Well, like every religious text, the Koran has contradictory statements; it advocates both intolerance and tolerance. Any reasonable person would conclude that - given this contradiction - the text is not, in fact, the infallible Word of Allah but rather a historical text written by humans who may or may not have had religious experiences. Yet, both parties remain committed to the original claim, that the text is sacred and holy. For, without that title, the masses are apt to lose faith in its authority, and thus, the religion.
And we can't have that, can we?! For, that might result in people reading a text that actually advocates thinking for oneself, and questioning/doubting that which can't be verified, reasoned, or experienced. Kinda like the philosophers to the left......VOTE.
Anyways, our BIG EVENT for the semester is coming up (Tues, March 7th)! A debate between two philosophers - Austin Dacey and Paul Nelson - concerning the all too relevant question: "Does God Belong in Science?" For those of you who are perceptive, yes, the topic of the debate has changed slightly; but I think it's for the better as naturalistic evolution is not the easiest subject matter to defend in an hour and a half debate....especially compared to Intelligent Design ("God did it!"). So, the debate will cover the philosophical issues underlying the evolution/ID controversy, mainly whether or not God can have a legitimate role in science (pre-Big Bang, miracles, etc.).
1/30/06
Well, SWORD has gotten off to a great start this semester!
* Last week, we were featured in The Flame (UIC's newspaper) in an article by Michaelia Fosses entitled "SWORD asks, 'who needs dogma?'. Check it out (both pages, that is).
* Our first meeting of the semester went very well, attracting - what seemed to Dave, Daniel, and I - as a positive and dedicated audience that is excited to make an impact on campus. Yay! Become members, y'all!
* Lastly, I am happy to report that we received full funding from UIC for our Evolution Vs. Intelligent Design debate. The funding will provide each speaker (Dr. Austin Dacey on the evolution side and Dr. Paul Nelson for ID) with a respectable honoraria and travel, along with publicity costs for the actual event. We will need many volunteers to help advertise. Send us an email: uicsword@yahoo.com, if you can help!
Future events:
^As a preface to Darwin Day (2/12), all next week (2/6 - 2/10) we will have an awareness both inside the revolving doors of the SCE, for our annual effort to promote evolution and oppose intelligent design. Brochures, pamphelts, articles, and anything else we can dig up, we'll be distributing. Also, we will be getting students to sign postcards addressed to IL representatives to further endorse strict scientific standards in biology classrooms. As I mentioned before, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS for 1-2 hour increments (I have an ape suit!). Let us know when you can help out at uicsword@yahoo.com
^Next Monday, 2/6, at 3:30 we will have our second of the semester in Adams Hall, Rm. 207. The topic: "The Beauty of Evolution", where we will watch segments from: the Daily Show's "Evolution Schmevolution" special, PBS's "Great Transformations" series, among other sources. Debate and discussion (+food and drinks!) Suggested reading: "Is Science A Religion?" by Richard Dawkins.
^Party! When: Saturday, 2/11, @ 9pm - ?. Why? Celebrate Darwin Day, which formally begins at 12am. Where: Nic's apartment (2 blocks W. of the Belmont Red Line). Drinks, cake, and socializing, I say we all act like apes.
Nic
1/16/06
Happy New Year! It was an exciting year for both SWORD and, of course, the freethinking community in general. The Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS) compiled a fairly comprehensive list of all the relevant news stories of '05, i.e. opposition to Spongebob, the Pope's death, Terri Schiavo, the Ten Commandments case, conscience clauses in Chicago, Pat Robertson, the nonexistant 'War on Christmas', along w/ everything inbetween. Refresh yourself: Humanist Network News: Review of 2005
According to our last survey, the overwhelming majority of you do celebrate Christmas, although in a secular fashion that omits any religious significance. Only a few of you refuse to celebrate the holiday entirely. That low figure sounds about right given Christmas' ubiquitousness.
Our next survey is hardly as unanimous among freethinkers. The issue: free speech. To what extent do you support free speech? It's easy to say you back it up without exception given the religious right's gung-ho use of censorship. But what about when those very people use it to get their "anti-homosexual" message across....at, say, funerals! Funerals being a moment of exterme sadness and emotional distress, should Fred Phelps and his fucked up church be legally allowed to protest them with signs and megaphones? It's unbelievable that individuals could be this heartless and cruel, but I don't think it's in anyway obvious that it ought to be illegal. A current judge recently thought so; check out the article Fred Phelps Booted to see for yourself.
What do you think? Would you support free speech in this case? What if the ACLU took on the case? Would you still support them? Express your opinion in our latest poll.
SO WHAT'S NEW IN 2006 FOR SWORD???
* Jan. OPPOSE ALITO booth
* Feb. DARWIN Week: awareness booth, film screenings & social
* March DEBATE: Evolution Vs. Intelligent Design
* And once every three weeks (alternating Mon/Tues), we will have general meetings.
It's all coming, and coming soon! So keep an active eye out for us. Want more info? The "events" page has it all. Hope to see you soon.
Nic
12/21/05
Seasons Greetings!
"Huh? Freethinkers don't celebrate Christmas!"
My response: "Bah! Why not?". There are plenty of secular reasons for celebrating this time of year...like, uh, New Year's...
In all seriousness though, can anyone honestly claim that Christmas is currently celebrated as a religious holiday? Our culture has clearly obscured its religious significance. The 'commercial capital of the year' is a more accurate description than the 'birthday of humanity's savior'. People celebrate by giving material gifts and presents to those individuals they care about; they celebrate because they have time off of work; do they celebrate the birth of a child 2006 years ago?
Even if the sincere intention is there, it's one that - historicaly speaking - isn't entirely correct, Historians don't even recognize December 25th as Jesus' birthday. For, there isn't any evidence to support the that date over any other. Its actually quite arbitrary. It wasn't until the 4th century that a specific date was established; and only then was it done so in order to oppose the pagan feast of the sun. (Source: Oxford Dictionary).
So what do you have left? Christmas' theological significance ends up being nonexistant in both history and practice. That said, why is it contradictory for the atheist to celebrate this time of year?
What about you? Speak up! Vote in the latest poll (look to the right). And while you're at it, check out the "events" and "media" page; both are updated with the latest info including next semester's tenative meeting topics, events that are "in the works", last semester's editorials, and fun articles about SWORD!
Hope the rest of your break is great! We'll see you in January.
Nic
"You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." Abbie Hoffman
"But if the spirit of religion joins itself to the love of wonder, there is an end of common sense." - David Hume
"No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means." - George Bernard Shaw