THE FOCUS
CENTERFORATHEISM.ORG
February 16, 2007 Volume 3, Issue 7
Published by the Center For Atheism (CFA)
Editor: Suzy Lanza
The Focus provides links to articles collected from major newspapers & magazines and is emailed weekly.
Every Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. (EST) a panel of NYC Atheists will discuss some of the featured articles on Manhattan Cable station 57. Live streaming is available at: www.mnn.org.
Comments, suggestions and subscription:
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FEATURED ARTICLES
Scholars to debate if Jesus existed
Religion Has No Place In The Classroom - Commentary
Click here: Paula Zahn Now: Karen Hunter, Debbie Schlussel, Stephen A. Smith on Atheism
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SECTION ONE: NEWS ARTICLES
(some publications may require that you sign up for membership to view their article)
ATHEISM
The State News - www.statenews.com
Debunking Christianity: Brian Flemming Explains the Rationale of the Blasphemy Challenge
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BOOKS / MOVIES / THEATRE / TV / VIDEOS
'American Fascists' by Chris Hedges - BOOK REVIEW - Los Angeles Times - calendarlive.com
A deadly certitude - TLS Highlights - Times Online
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EVOLUTION / CREATIONISM / I.D.
The Ego and the ID | Science News | Connected | Telegraph
It's a mixed marriage. He's a prophet. She's a prostitute. - By David Plotz - Slate Magazine---------
Believing Scripture but Playing by Science’s Rules - New York Times
The Mystery of Consciousness -- Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 -- Printout -- TIME
Click here: Certain Areas of the Brain Size Up Your Competition - New York Times
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SEPARATION CHURCH / STATE
Baptist unit, lesbian still at odds
Church-State Legislation Hides as Worker’s Comp Proposal | Politics | New West Network
The Independent Florida Alligator
Director of national Baptist advocacy group speaks at Campbell
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MISC.
Upcoming.org: Humanist Chaplaincy 30th Anniversary Gala/Symposium ...
Findnews.org > Info > Articles
Please forgive me, Professor, for I have sinned - Features
Pilfering Priests -- Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 -- Page 1 -- TIME
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SECTION TWO: CFA PROGRAMS
The Center for Atheism (CFA) was established by the New York City Atheists as a separate and independent national organization to propose, develop and be a catalyst for new national activities supporting the objectives of atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, skeptics, secularists and separation-of-church/state advocates.
CFA will accept and review suggestions from individuals and other secular organizations that will foster our goals.
Counter "National Day of Prayer' with Positive ActionSecular Groups Nationwide Are Invited to Join In Programto Donate Blood on May 3, 2007--------------Life-Saving Action, Not Passive Prayer, Is Our MessageNEW YORK--If you decry the so-called "National Day of Prayer" as an encroachment of religion into our official calendar, join us, the Center For Atheism (CFA), in celebrating the supremacy of reason by donating blood on Thursday, May 3, 2007.This is how CFA will celebrate May 3, 2007, "Day of Reason," as newly renamed by secularists. Not only to make a public statement about how non-religious people will observe the day, but at the same time to let America know that there are millions of us who do not pray.We had looked for a positive alternative to prayer that would reflect the life-affirming ideas of nonbelievers, and one of our members suggested a group blood donation. That fits the concept of "positive protest" for It is a gift that gives life to others.
This will be our third year of donating blood and signing organ-donor pledges. The Blood Bank was delighted to have us and even allowed us to post our Atheist banner as we took pictures. Blood banks nationwide are eager for donations and certainly will accommodate groups and encourage publicizing group donations.
Donating blood is the way for a secular person to observe the Day of Reason. No permit is required, there is no confrontation with authorities or the religious community.
We have called our blood donation program B.L.O.O.D., an acronym for Benefiting Lives Of Others Donations, and will continue our donations every year on the Day of Reason.
To start your own B.L.O.O.D. program, it's simple. Here's what you do:
1) Find your local blood bank by accessing www.americasblood.org(bottom left corner-type in your zip code to find your local blood bank)
2) Phone the blood bank to make arrangements for a group donation.(You will find them amazingly supportive and accommodating)
3) Notify your local newspaper, TV and other media that your group is
doing this and why.
It's simple, it's positive, it's effective. Come on, AGNOSTICS, ATHEISTS, FREETHINKERS, HUMANISTS, NON BELIEVERS, SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE ADVOCATES, join us in our positive protest against the Day of Prayer!
For further information, contact Ken Bronstein atfirebell1@aol.com or 212-535-7425---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SECTION THREE: SPECIAL NOTICES
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SECTION FOUR: LEGISLATION ALERTS
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