The purpose of the association, Atheists and Other Freethinkers, is to promote the civic understanding of atheism and the acceptance of atheists in our community. Through educational programs, projects, and publications, AOF will extend secular perspectives, including the separation of religion and government and the right to think and speak freely on these perspectives.
AOF meetings are open to the public and are generally held on the second Sunday of the month, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the Sierra 2 Community Center, Room 10, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento. Note: The months of February and October are exceptions, since AOF co-produces two public education events: (1) an outdoor fair in October - “Sacramento’s Freethought Day” (Oct 2009), and (2) a science and humanity celebration - Sacramento’s “Darwin Day Educational Gala” (2009-02-08).
AOF is very pleased to be hosting historian and atheist philosopher Richard Carrier at our June 14 meeting. He will be traveling from San Francisco to talk to us about his new book, Not the Impossible Faith: Why Christianity Didn’t Need a Miracle to Succeed. Dr. Carrier describes his talk as “an amusing tour of my latest book, which exposes the lousy scholarship and probable dishonesty of the infamous online Christian apologist J.P. Holding.
Is the issue of same-sex marriage best handled at the state level? What happens when a gay couple married in Massachusetts moves to California? Rob Power, Chairperson of Outright Libertarians, an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other selfidentified "queer" (LGBTQ) Libertarian Party activists and supporters, will talk about his personal experience and how it illustrates the problems arising from varied same-sex marriage laws throughout the country.
Rob Power holds an MBA in Manufacturing
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This year, AOF will repeat its co-sponsorship of last year's Flying Spaghetti Monster Party. It will be held on April 12th, 2009, known to many as Easter Sunday. Scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM and run to 3:30 PM, there will be spaghetti and other food and beverages, entertainment, two pirate costume contests (1 for adults and 1 for children through age 14) and a door prize. Suggested donation is $5 per person.
Location: The Common House of the Southside Park Cohousing Community, 434 T Street, Sacramento.
What's the big deal if "under God" is in the Pledge of Allegiance? So what if the motto is "In God we trust"? Does it really hurt anyone if "so help me God" is added to the president's oath of office?
At the March general meeting, noted atheist activist Mike Newdow will discuss these matters and how his three current lawsuits (challenging each of those practices) revolve around that question.
Light refreshments will be served. Traditionally, a post-meeting get-together is held as well for those wishing further social interaction. Hope to see you there!
Two hundred years ago, Charles Darwin was born (on the same day as Abraham Lincoln). Sacramento will be celebrating on Sunday afternoon, February 8, at the same location as last year (La Sierra Community Center in Carmichael). This will also be Sacramento’s 12th annual birthday celebration, an event that commemorates not only Darwin's contributions to science and humanity, but celebrates the broader concepts themselves.
Join us this January 11 for a retrospective on the most proactive religion-in-government administration in recent memory. Local freethought leader and author Bill Potts will speak on “Whither Bush? Where are Bush and his fellow travelers now, and where will they be after January 2009?”
Mr. Potts has the background to speak authoritatively on the Bush administration. After spending three years researching and writing, he published the book Bushopedia in June of 2006.
Compassionate community members in the city of Davis have developed a secular solution to the problem of hunger. And they need our help.
Four times a year, AOF assists the Davis Community Meals Program with their weekly Tuesday meal event. AOF has partnered with Davis Community Meals since 2000.
Where: Southside Park Cohousing’s Community Room, southwest corner of T Street and 5th Avenue, Sacramento. The Common House is within the complex.
When: Sunday, December 21, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Why: Because we like you!
How: Admission is free. Bring a dish to share or come empty-handed and share your time.
What (shamelessly grabbed from Wikipedia, “The Free Encyclopedia”):
HumanLight is a Humanist winter holiday celebrated in late December of each year. HumanLight was established by the New Jersey Humanist Network in 2001 to provide a specifically Humanist seasonal celebration.
Do not miss December 14th annual fundraiser meeting. Plan on relaxing, getting to know some other members, enjoying the auction items and food. Please, plan on bringing and buying. Your jobs?
This month, AOF's Dinner Social will be held at:
Thai Basil
2431 J Street, Sacramento
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2431+J+Street,+Sacramen...
Please RSVP to or 916-419-2105
Sunday, November 9, 1:30—4:00 PM
AOF Board Elections for 2009;
Rosalie McClung Presents
“Raise Your Hand”
Location:
SIERRA 2 CENTER
Room 10
2791 24th Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
Raise your hand if your mother was a nun. Anyone…anyone? Is Rosalie the only one? Okay, now raise your hand if you're sure the human race believes weird things.
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At the Sunday, October 12 spot on your calendar, put "FTD, Sacramento" so that when that date arrives, you'll be heading to Sacramento for our 7th Annual Freethought Day Fair.
Freethought Day is a celebration of reason, freethought and church-state separation featuring speakers, live music, education expo, and children’s activities.
Free admission. 12-5 pm, Waterfront Park, Front & L Streets, Old Sacramento.
Compassionate community members in the city of Davis have developed a secular solution to the problem of hunger. And they need our help.
Four times a year, AOF assists the Davis Community Meals Program with their weekly Tuesday meal event. AOF has partnered with Davis Community Meals since 2000.
Description:
Paul Martin, AOF’s September featured guest, forwarded us this bio:
"BABY KILLER: Fired For Immorality" is the outrageous, true story of Marie Bain, told through song, dance, and multiple characters, of her involvement with the Catholic church, Planned Parenthood, and the 1st Amendment.
In this documentary, Bain plays 34 people and characters as she relates, with emails, blogs, and newspaper articles, (punctuated with musical interludes), the events that led to and through her hiring, firing, and lawsuit against the school, the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, and the bishop.
***
Compassionate community members in the city of Davis have developed a secular solution to the problem of hunger. And they need our help.
Four times a year, AOF assists the Davis Community Meals Program with their weekly Tuesday meal event. AOF has partnered with Davis Community Meals since 2000.
NOTE: Postponed. Don writes: "Due to Don’s injury the July Highway cleanup is being postponed until the weekend of the Autumnal Equinox, Saturday, September
20 @8a.m. SO, you have another chance to get out there and have a different kind of experience. Circle the date, and join the Hiway Gang."
Description:
July features the comedy team of Keith Lowell Jensen and John Ross of the CoExist Comedy Tour. Keith will also show a few excerpts of his recent feature film, "Why Lie I Need A Drink," an exploration of homelessness and panhandling from a first-person perspective. Keith’s bio, from the CoExist Comedy Tour web site:
“When not on stage performing comedy, Keith likes to panhandle dressed as a banana (or a mime, mummy, what have you) resulting in the recently released documentary film, "Why Lie, I Need A Drink."
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Sacramento will be lucky to have a visit by internationally known Humanist and Indian Social Reformer, Dr G. Vijayam, of The Atheist Centre (A.C.) in Vijayawada, India.
He will be in the US for the annual World Humanist Congress in Wash., D.C., and is being sponsored by AOF to come to Sacramento, JUNE 19-22. SEE CALENDAR at the left.
You will have three planned events to interact with him. First, on Friday, June 20, a 5PM supper meeting--call 974-7922 for details. Come meet him; he wants to meet local Free-Thought community.
Our next meeting is all about you: the members, the volunteers, the officers and workers who planted the seed of AOF, and kept it going for fifteen years.
On Sunday, June 8, we will continue our birthday party with the AOF Member Appreciation and Celebration. This will be your party, your chance to take a bow, and most of all, an opportunity to share your ideas.
Description:
AOF hits the highway once again to rid the area of the accumulation. Come help us with our Adopt-A-Highway Program. We meet at the Park and Ride lot on Elkhorn Boulevard at Highway 99, where all necessary materials (provided by Caltrans) are distributed. Then we forge ahead (well, meander, actually) down our 2-mile stretch of 99 to do our part for the community.
Location/Address:
Park and Ride lot on Elkhorn Boulevard at Highway 99
Map URL:
http://tinyurl.com/32cztc
Parking instructions:
It’s a party! On Saturday May 10 & Sunday, May 11, AOF celebrates 15 years of service to the community. Two celebratory events allow members coming in from out-of-town both a relaxed and a more structured environment in which to socialize.
May 11th, Sunday (general public invited, and especially members who do not normally come)
It will be a MEMBER MEETING!
We will celebrate in “In-the-Round” style. We will share stories of AOF’s past and elicit your opinions and suggestions for the improvement of AOF, its future goals and how to get there.
It’s a party! On Saturday May 10 & Sunday, May 11, AOF celebrates 15 years of service to the community. Two celebratory events allow members coming in from out-of-town both a relaxed and a more structured environment in which to socialize.
May 10th, Saturday (AOF Members only)
Compassionate community members in the city of Davis have developed a secular solution to the problem of hunger. And they need our help.
Four times a year, AOF assists the Davis Community Meals Program with their weekly Tuesday meal event. AOF has partnered with Davis Community Meals since 2000.
Beyond the Big Three: Reporting on religion and ethics in a diverse community
A Christian, a Jew and a Muslim are quoted in a news article.
So what’s wrong with that? And why are the mainstream media - and mainstream religion reporters - so obsessed with the “Big Three” when reporting on issues that affect the lives of millions of people who don't believe in (a) Moses, (b) Jesus, or (c) Mohammed?
Directions: 44669 S El Macero Drive, El Macero, CA (just south of Davis). Turnoff of Mace Blvd at the first left where there is no traffic control of any kind on Mace. There will also not be a 4-way stop at the correct intersection. Usually people mistakenly turn at the previous intersection (El Macero Dr. to the right and N. El Macero Dr. to the left) where there is a flashing red light and a 4-way stop, and then because the street numbers are roughly parallel to my street they get real confused, even people that right-smart educated.
Lost? Call (530) 756-8570
Ahoy Mateys! Flying Spaghetti Monster Party, Sunday, March 23, 2008 (also known as Easter Sunday), 3-6 PM at the Common House of the Southside Park Cohousing Community, 434 T Street, Sacramento. To honor his noodliness, spaghetti, garlic bread, and more will be served and a costume contest will be held. Musical entertainment to be determined--pirate song karaoke?
Description:
AOF hits the highway once again to rid the area of the accumulation. Come help us with our Adopt-A-Highway Program. We meet at the Park and Ride lot on Elkhorn Boulevard at Highway 99, where all necessary materials (provided by Caltrans) are distributed. Then we forge ahead (well, meander, actually) down our 2-mile stretch of 99 to do our part for the community.
Location/Address:
Park and Ride lot on Elkhorn Boulevard at Highway 99
Map URL:
http://tinyurl.com/32cztc
Parking instructions:
Come to the March AOF general meeting and hear stories from our panel presentation about their evolution of thought from supernaturalistic to naturalistic worldview. A period of time will be made available at the end of the presentation to ask questions and share your own stories.
Internet web sites such as http://extian.net and http://www.ex-christian.net state four general stages that people leaving a supernaturalistic worldview go through: Deconversion, Leaving the Church, Pain, and Healing.
