What we’re about
Minnesota Atheists is Minnesota's oldest and largest atheist organization. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization that seeks to promote the positive contributions of atheism to society, provides a community for nonbelievers, educates the public about atheism, and promotes separation of state and church. We help make atheism part of mainstream society. We look forward to meeting you!
We are a member-supported organization. Everyone who works for Minnesota Atheists is a volunteer, but getting our word out does cost money. This site, our website, mailing newsletters, filming a cable TV show and participating in public events like festivals and parades all add up. We can do all of this thanks to you!
To make a tax deductible donation, go here:
http://mnatheists.org/join-and-donate/gener...
To offically join the state's largest and most active atheist organization, click here:
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- “An Atheist Speaker At A Christian High School”Southdale Library, Edina, MN
“An Atheist Speaker At A Christian High School”
Minnesota Atheists - Hybrid Meeting
In person and via ZoomFree and Open to the Public
NEW LOCATION:
Southdale Library
7001 York Ave. S. (2nd floor)
Edina, MN 554351:00-1:30 pm - Social Time. Zoom starts.
1:30-1:45 pm - Minnesota Atheists Business Meeting
1:45-2:00 pm - Break / Social Time
2:00-3:30 pm - Public Meeting: “An Atheist Speaker At A Christian High School”
3:30 - Leave for Dinner ** Q.Cumbers [Buffet] Restaurant
7465 France Ave. S.
Edina, MN 55435“An Atheist Speaker At A Christian High School”
What’s it like for an atheist to speak at a Christian high school?
On March 23, 2011, August Berkshire, then-president of Minnesota Atheists, was invited to a friendly debate with theist Dr. David Clark from Bethel University, in front of all the high school students in an auditorium at Southwest Christian High School (SWCHS) in Chaska, MN. The event went so well that thereafter August was invited back nearly every year to speak directly to individual classes, usually junior and senior level philosophy and worldview classes.
Over the years, August has been invited by several different teachers to speak to several different classes at SWCHS. However, most often he was invited by Brian Goldie, Director of Spiritual Formation, Philosophy & Worldview Faculty, to speak to his senior level Philosophy of Religion course.
What effect has meeting an atheist and hearing our point of view had on the Christian teachers and students of SWCHS? What is it like to teach and study at this school and what happens if a teacher or student “loses the faith”?
We are pleased to have Brian Goldie come speak to us about these issues. We have also invited other teachers, as well as students, whose classes August has spoken to, to join Brian as our speakers, or to be part of the audience.
August has always been treated in a very friendly and welcome manner when he has spoken at Southwest Christian High School. Let us extend the same courtesy to our Christian guests and find out what comes from this meeting of opposite worldviews.
Please help support Minnesota Atheists by becoming a member or by making a donation.
- Freethought Toastmasters HYBRIDLarpenteur Estates Party Room, Saint Paul, MN
You’re invited to attend Freethought Toastmasters (http://freethought.toastmastersclubs.org/), a club of Toastmasters International (http://www.toastmasters.org/). Build your leadership and communication skills in a supportive, freethinking environment; a place where you will find familiar faces you know from Minnesota Atheists. (most club members do not RSVP on Meetup since they attend most meeting and coordinate through the 'Toastmaster' of the evening if they cannot attend, so don't let the low RSVP numbers dissuade you from attending)
Join us IN-PERSON or join us ONLINE! This meeting will be HYBRID, but we expect most participants to be there in person. For those wishing to join us on zoom, please use this ZOOM URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89851371791?pwd=WFZmcHgxZkw4bFJidWQ2c05kbEQ4Zz09
We open the party room at 6:00 PM for socializing before the meeting. We encourage zoom participants to join the meeting between 6:15 and 6:25 to socialize and iron out any technical issues. Use the meeting url to access the meeting, this will allow you to join via your computer or smartphone zoom app and will use your devices built in speakers/microphone/video. Message us or comment below if you need the call-in alternative.
Schedule:
• 6:00pm - The party room opens for in-person attendees, a meal is provided
• 6:15pm - Join the Zoom meeting for a pre-social
• 6:30pm - Freethought Toastmasters Business Meeting
~6:40pm - Toastmaster calls the meeting to order
~6:50pm - Scheduled Speeches
~7:25pm - Table Topics: impromptu speaking opportunity
~7:40pm - Evaluations
~7:55pm - Closing
• 8:00pm - Meeting Ends, optional post-social
The roles for this meeting are as follows:
Toastmaster
General Evaluator
Topic Master
Speaker #1
Speaker #2
Speaker #3
Evaluator #1
Evaluator #2
Evaluator #3
Timer
Grammarian
Ah Counter
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. While in many other Toastmaster Clubs the culture deters any mention of religion, so atheists feel guarded and often stay "in the closet," this club provides not only training in public speaking, but also continuous education in topics of interest to atheists.
This club offers the opportunity to talk about a wide range of topics. We welcome people of all worldviews, but of course our members tend to be non-religious. We take current events seriously, but our politics range from capitalist to socialist, from liberal to conservative. Our ages run from the 20s to the 60s (and beyond).
If you decide to join, you can learn to be a better, more confident speaker. No matter what our worldviews, we are committed to mutual respect, tolerance, honesty, encouragement and constructive criticism. If you become a member, you will have the opportunity to prepare and deliver speeches regularly, and receive constructive evaluations of your speeches. It’s a great place to become comfortable as a speaker. With the help of other members, we learn to prepare and present effective speeches on a wide range of topics from humorous to serious. We also learn to think fast during our "Table Topics" sessions (impromptu speeches). We never know quite what to expect from our speakers, but we can always count on an interesting evening together.
As a club of Toastmasters International, we charge the standard rate with no additional club dues. To join Toastmasters, it costs $45 per six months (prorated depending on when you join) plus a $20 new member fee. The new member fee pays for the educational program and the general membership fee pays for district events (local educational sessions for the greater Toastmasters community), general overhead, and a Toastmasters magazine members can opt to receive in the mail.