EBA: A Discussion on the Direction of the Atheist Movement

East Bay Atheists Discussion on the Direction of the Atheist Movement

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So has much has happened in the atheist movement in the last decade, or even the last five years. In general lack of belief in god(s) has become far more accepted in the mainstream culture. While the Supreme Court has become increasingly theocratic, there have been substancial legal victories for the separation of religion and government. Grassroots activism has forced government agencies to respect our rights; but the theocrats have responded with even more resolve. People like Bill O'Reilly of Fox News rant about the "War on Christmas," while atheist billboards and monuments are vandalized, even in the Bay Area. Local atheist teachers tell us they must be very careful, as fundamentalist parents are adept at vigorously complaining when non-belief is given any credence in the classroom.

Responses to the Religious Right attack vary from accommodating the bullies to adamantly defying them. Let's get together to discuss these responses. Larry Hicok, the Coordinator of EBA and the Northern California Regional Director of American Atheists(AA), will give a brief presentation emphasizing the "demand for respect" perspective of AA. He will also attempt to present the more anti-confrontational views of those who emphasize submersion of atheist views in favor of broad coalitions. People representing the latter perspective are welcome to more fully explain their perspective.

Afterwards we will go to dinner at King Dong at 2429 Shattuck Ave at Haste.

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When: Sunday, January 5th at 1:30

Location: Public Meeting Room, Third Floor, Berkeley Public Library, Main Branch, at 2090 Kittredge at Shattuck

BART Access: Less than one block from the downtown Berkeley BART Station.

Parking: All day parking is available for $7 on the weekend at the lot at Allston & Harold Way, a short block from the library.

Information: Larry Hicok, Coordinator: 510-222-7580

Ski Grabowski, Treasurer: 510-652-8350

info@eastbayatheists.org

http://eastbayatheists.org/meetings.html

Our February Meeting will be on Sunday, February 16th, at the library, and will feature Darrel Ray, author of the God Virus and founder/Chairman of Recovering From Religion Foundation