Minutes from the last two meetings

Sep 1

Sep 8

Secular Student Week!

The week of September 19th through the 22nd, SANE will be hosting the largest secular event ever seen on the ETSU campus!  On Monday the 19th and Wednesday the 21st, we will bring back our popular "Ask an Atheist" table which was well-received and led to a lot of interesting discussion when it was previously held.  On Tuesday the 20th, we will host an event called "Stone the Heathen" in which we will put ourselves at the mercy of our fellow students (armed with water balloons) to raise a bit of money.  To top off this action-packed week of secular awesomeness, we will be host to one of the atheist community's most outspoken voices: JT Eberhard!  JT is the campus organizer for the Secular Student Alliance (SSA) and one of the co-founders of the popular skeptic convention Skepticon.  The topic is " Morality Without Religion: An Introduction to Atheism."  We are proud to have JT with us and extremely excited that we are getting the chance to expose other students to a secular worldview and hopefully dispel some of those nasty myths about us eating babies!  The event will be held in Rogers-Stout room 118 at 7pm.  For more information, check out our facebook (links to events are below).  It will truly be a week beyond belief!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155897374498984 -Day 1
confirmation pending -Day2
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=262414060460233 -Day 3
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=283724578320320 -Day 4

Secular Student Alliance Conference 2011!!!!

On the final weekend of July, Ben Luther, Dini Williams, Joseph Rasch and myself had the utmost pleasure of attending the 2011Secular Student Alliance national conference in Columbus, Ohio. It was on Friday morning that we embarked on our 7- hour journey from the comfort of our homes in Johnson City. I actually thought I would sleep for the vast majority of the trip, considering the intense amount of excitement and anticipation that had given me a rather difficult time falling asleep the night before. However, this would not be the case.

We passed through Kentucky, which was entertaining in the way that you might think blindfolding a wolverine and shoving it down your trousers would seem a good idea. Fortunately for us, Dini just so happened to have The Book of Mormon: The Musical on CD and thus commenced the hilarity and hijinks of Trey Parker and Matt Stone. It was almost annoyingly catchy with songs like “Two by Two” and “Hasa Jeeba Eebowai.” It definitely did the job of keeping us thoroughly entertained, as we couldn’t resist singing along in hilarity. Here and there, as we journeyed, we contemplated existence and reminisced over past experiences.

Once we arrived in Columbus, it took us a bit of time to figure the approximate location of our destination. Whether you choose to entertain the idea, “How many atheists does it take to find an engineering building?” or just merely imagine herding cats, it can go on the record that the map of Ohio State was very difficult to interpret. Many of the roads and buildings were unnamed, thus adding a wedge in our ability to quite figure out where in Hell we were going (no pun intended). On the bright side, while being a rather hot day in Columbus, we did get a good tour of the entire campus. The university was actually very nice and had many exquisite places of recreation, such as a pondthat was surrounded by very beautiful landscaping. It made me think of students studying by the waters on a pleasant, sunny day. Eventually, we arrived at the Hitchcock Building and found a vast number of conference attendees and speakers mingling outside of the auditorium where we would enjoy seeing Hemant Mehta being presented with a pie resembling the typical diet of an atheist: babies!!! Oh the blasphemy…

Later that same evening, Annie Callicotte would presentideas on networking, followed by David Silverman, giving his “rally the troops” speech. We would also have the privilege of listening to Jamila Bey’s speech, motivating others to not deny who you are, but to be proud of it. The presentations would end with an awesome jam session with Dan Barker, Lyz Liddell and the ever so infamous JT Eberhard.

We were quite starving by the end of the first night, so we made our way to the first thing any good atheist would conceive: pizza! Apparently, great minds think alike, for we were to be joined by a large group also attending the conference. Our poor waiter was the only one serving tables at this time of night. Hopefully, he went home with a rather nice tip.

Friday was quite a tiresome journey, so it would be a somewhat early night for us. Saturday morning, however, we were primed and ready to go. We put on our best outfits and prepped ourselves for a highly motivating day of presentations on numerous topics from organizing events and fundraisers, to reaching out to other groups and networking. Since there were normally two presentations going on at one given time, we decided to split up and take notes, so we would be able to fully utilize our time at the conference. After a pleasant lunch at Jimmy John’s, we would return to the main conference auditorium and listen to Hemant discuss teaching critical thinking skills and the shortcomings of standardized testing in our school systems. We also got to hear firsthand Amanda Knief’s accounts of lobbying as an atheist. It was surprising considering that she had actually had the privilege of speaking with President Obama anddiscussed strategies regarding contacting government representatives.

More presentations would ensue in the downstairs lecture halls, discussing sustainability, tabling and becoming a media pirate (minus the scurvy). This would be a short stint of lectures. Before we knew it, we were returning to the conference auditorium to listen to Dan Barker discuss his former years as a Christian songwriter and preacher. I thoroughly enjoyed his lecture in particular because I could relate to it, coming from a religious background myself and having previous experience in ministry. I had always thought of myself as a late bloomer to the atheist movement but I had nothing on Dan Barker, considering he had spent decades in ministry work before denouncing his faith. Professor Tony Pinn gave a very interesting perspective on reaching out to minorities. It was highly enjoyable listening to his rant regarding his utmost love for Tupac. Apparently he knows something I don’t…

Afterward, group photos would ensue followed by dinner. When we returned, it was time for the awards and honors ceremony, where we would be presented with the Best Service Award for our fundraising and networking efforts during Japanapalooza. However, that would not be the highlight of the night. We would have the privilege of sharing the podium with so many inspiring people! Listening to the accounts of other groups and individuals pushing forth and persevering was fantastic, especially some of the high school individuals such as Zack Kopplin, who is currently fighting the recent creationism law inappropriately named the Louisiana Science Education Act and who made an absolute fool out of presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann who supports the act. Not only obtaining the support of many national science communities and organizations, Zack also mustered up the support of over 40 Nobel Laureates, a number that disproves Bachmann’s claim that she could match it (hint, the number of Nobel Laureates Bachmann has supporting her is the same number of unicorn sightings over the past decade… none).

Then there was little Jessica Ahlquist, who despite being harassed, not only by other students at her school but also by adults that you would think would act in a mature and professional manner, has entered in a legal suit against her high school that despite warning from the ACLU has refused to remove a religious banner from their gymnasium entitled “School Prayer.” Jessica’s story was incredible and nothing short of inspiring and motivating, a testimony of true perseverance and all the more reason why organizations such as ours are critical for future generations to come.

On top of getting to hear Jessica’s firsthand account of the situation, we would get to hear great speeches by writer Greta Christina and the notorious PZ Myers. Greta would speak to us on how debating religion was actually fruitful while Myers would preach the good word of godless, fierce science!

It was then time to commence the celebrating and shenanigans at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was there I would have the privilege of sharing a few beers with PZ Myers and many others while discussing topics such as funding for the James Webb Space Telescope, preserving the environment and the necessity of reaching the stars. Also, another little hint: If you want to buy PZ a drink, buy him a Guinness!

Sunday was a sobering day (in more ways than one). We would enjoy a few more presentations in the lecture rooms and finally begin saying our farewells and departing on our journey back to Johnson City. On a lighter note, we would enjoy experiencing the absurd hilarity of comedian Patton Oswalt on the way back from Ohio, and once again indulging in moments of storytelling with brief intervals of incapacitation (all but the driver of course). All in all, the experience we had at the national conference was one that will keep us moving into the fall and spring term with optimism and determination. After witnessing the feats of others, and recollecting on our own experiences, a cause like ours is unstoppable. With each day comes a promise of tomorrow and a brighter (once again, no pun intended) future for others, a future of compassion, reason and logic. Here’s to the Secular Student Alliance!

S.A.N.E Receives Best Service Award given by the Secular Student Alliance

Ladies and gentleheathens, it gives me great joy to announce that S.A.N.E. is to be the recipient of the Best Service Award given by the Secular Student Alliance. Next weekend a few of us will be embarking on a three day trip to the national conference to be presented with the award, and that's just the icing on the cake. While at the conference taking place in Columbus, Ohio, we will be enjoying the company of like-minded organizations, and the privilege of meeting such great intellectuals and speakers as PZ Myers, professor of biology at Minnesota Morris; Hemant Mehta, author of I Sold My Soul on Ebay; Campus Organizer for the SSA, JT Eberhard and many many more! It's going to be an absolutely life-changing experienced and I can't be more thrilled and honored to be making our "pilgrimage" with my fellow comrades in reason and rationality.

I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible in such short time. I could've never dreamed to have accomplished what we have in such little time. I remember starting as a social gathering at the Acoustic Coffeehouse, and we have now blossomed into a forefront organization within our community seeking to make a difference and lead by example. I know that this is only the beginning and I couldn't be happier to be in the company of dedicated, ambitious individuals. Each and every one of you is invaluable and irreplaceable, and I cannot express enough gratitude and honor that we share this common endeavor, to lead a new paradigm of thought and reason, to go beyond all odds to be the educators and bringers of progress and innovation.

Perry Winters

"Shake off all fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God, because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." -Thomas Jefferson

S.A.N.E. Goes to Bays Mountain!

S.A.N.E. Goes to Bays Mountain!

This last Wednesday June 29th of 2011 the Skeptics and Atheists Network at ETSU (S.A.N.E.) had an awesome outing to the local Bays Mountain Park. Several members attended to take part of the awesome surroundings of nature and fill our minds with rationality. The park is chock full of opportunities to better understand science and nature.

The first thing we did was carpool from the ETSU campus to the local Earth Fare to purchase some snacks for our picnic style lunch in the park. The park has a few tables that allowed us to not have to leave the park literally for the entire four hours we were there. We went from Earth Fare in Johnson City straight to Bays Mountain and upon arriving went straight to the Nature Center.

The Nature Center is where you can go to check things like the gift shop out as well as various dioramas and cool science related things. It is a cool place to get out of the warm weather and to also purchase the needed tickets for things like the Planetarium Show. I was able to get six passes to the Planetarium show from my family membership to the park and I purchased on extra to make up the difference in attendees. We also got to check out the indoor aquariums and beehive areas. The beehives were an interesting look into the social characteristics of bees from a safe area with glass between. The aquarium was great to see the various local wildlife in the area held within the aquariums so we could see that Tennessee is full of valuable lake life.

Right after getting the tickets and checking things out indoors we went straight to the animal enclosures to take in the awesomeness of the park. We made our very first animal stop to the turtle habitat. The turtles were quite playful and fun to just watch within their area. We then went to the nearby raptor bird enclosures. We got to get fairly close to Bubo the Owl as well as check out the other birds hanging out in their cages. It was a great initial experience that then led us to the bobcat, wolf, raccoon, and deer enclosures. We really spent about an hour or so checking out these various enclosures and animal habitats before going to the area known as Lilypad Cove where you can relax in the sun checking out the bridge that goes fairly deeply into the lake within an alcove. After relaxing there for about ten minutes we then headed to the not so playful otter habitat. It seemed with the weather being somewhat warm most animals were mor than fine with staying in the shaded areas away from out prying eyes.

After checking out the awesome animals for about two hours total we then headed back to the parking lot to eat lunch at the picnic tables before heading off to the Planetarium Show at 1pm. We then headed back to the Nature Center and much to our surprise our guide for the Planetarium Show was one of our very own members Joel Shelton. He is currently employed at Bays Mountain and is the individual that does the interactive show in the planetarium. We were served with a treat because not only is he a member but is able to provide science to younger crowds as we experienced that day.

We happened to attend the same day that Coalition For Kids was there with several busloads of excited children ready to be immersed in science and nature. When we went to the planetarium show we were met with about fifty of those kids super excited about space and science anxiously awaiting the impending show. The show is an interactive trip through our Solar System in the guise of being transported in a spaceship. We got to see the excited faces of young people witness what it is like to travel through the Solar System virtually via the awesome 360 degree view of the planetarium. We also got to get some basic information about the planets in our system and some information on the other objects within our system like the Oort Cloud. It seemed by the responses everyone had an amazing time at the planetarium show and left with full smiles ready to tackle the future.

After leaving the theater we then headed back to a few of the animal habitats to check out some of the animals some more. We got to witness the feeding of the wolves and see the kids reacting to that event. After watching that for a bit we then headed out of the park to head back to Johnson City but not with great excitement. It was truly a fun experience to see the various animals and local wildlife available to us from a great vantage point. This might have to be a yearly event with eventually leading to us perhaps volunteering or bringing more local people so they can be more in touch with our local nature.

S.A.N.E. at Cloister's Co-op Benefit Concert

The Cloister's Co-op Benefit Concert was held at the Next Door right next to the Acoustic Coffeehouse to help raise money to help open the co-op art gallery in downtown Johnson City. S.A.N.E. was privileged to be asked to have a table with our info available. Of course this was an opportunity not to be missed.

We had lots of information available as well as open discussion encouraged. I personally had several lovely discussions regarding atheism/agnosticism. We had several people show interest by signing up on our email list so we are steadily growing.

Overall it was respectful and fantastic to have the chance to build more community relationships. Be on the lookout for further events where we try to foster further respectful discussions on these important issues. Free speech is pinnacle to a rational society and we should be at the forefront at facilitating that speech.

Are you S.A.N.E.?

Namaste,
Joseph Rasch
(423) 218-2245
josephrasch@studentsforafreesociety.com

CFI Recognizes S.A.N.E. as an Affiliate!

We recently become recognized as an affiliate with the Center For Inquiry! A CFI intern contacted me personally to see if anyone was going to the 2011 Student Leadership Conference in Amherst, NY on June 23rd-26th. This awesome person also wanted to inform me that we had been a previous affiliate but just needed to update the information to make the affiliation fully active once more.

We now should have access to the various support channels and resources afforded to affiliates of the CFI. This should allow us to have many more events planned to really take this group forward. With both CFI and SSA along with our passionate members there is very little we cannot accomplish. As it stands we are really keeping a good vibe going within town and on campus so the best thing is to really keep this going.

As we grow internally and externally, I would encourage everyone to be as involved as they would like and the more the better. Even a few minutes a week will help take the entire group forward thus advancing the ideas of rationality, logic, and reasoning in the framework of respectful free speech.

Thanks for everything our members are doing and if anyone has ideas or wants help growing within the group just let me or anyone on the executive committee know. We will do our best to meet your needs as well as do our best to help you grow however you best see fit. The more we can help each other while growing our membership the better we stand at having a meaningful discussion with our community and our campus. Thanks!

Namaste,

Joseph Rasch

(423)218-2245

josephrasch@studentsforafreesociety.com

Recent Blue Plum Festival Excitement on June 3rd&4th!

This past weekend, (Friday&Saturday June 3rd&4th) S.A.N.E. had a tabling event at the annual Blue Plum Festival hosted in downtown Johnson City, TN. Majestic Park hosted the various non-profit groups/entities to give ample space for engaging the masses. Several members helped to give a face to the Skeptics and Atheists Network at ETSU both by being at the table and by actively meshing with local people. We had at least a couple members stay the entire day on Saturday which is to be highly commended. Having several members at these tabling events is crucial to making it a success and this seems a good example of just that.

There were a few highlights of the day's events, on Saturday, such as having a meaningful and respectful conversation with a local pastor from the New Harvest Missionary Baptist Church in Johnson City. After about an hour's worth of deep questions Jon Webstar cordially asked if he would be interested in continuing the discussion via the web as well as hopefully leading towards having a future debate with the pastor. The responses seemed to be warm from both ends of the discussion even when being confronted by myself, Jon, and Perry Winters. The pastor was a genuinely nice guy and wasn't abrasive whatsoever. Overall it seems to be where we should be headed with regards to having an open dialogue with people of all belief structures.

Webstar

We had people of different viewpoints pop by and gander at our distinctively different material while some cautiously snuck a few pamphlets and fliers from the table when we weren't looking. It seemed as though most people either took one of two approaches when dealing with our table: either they blatantly ignored us completely, or they chose to make some effort at getting material or having a conversation of some sort. While there were the few errant folks that snuck some materials from the table in hopes of not being seen, the sense I and other members got was that we had a place in our community and that the issues are worth openly discussing without fear.

It was exciting to be situated across from several christian based table setups that ended up being an almost competition of ideals. Nothing hostile in the intentions of either side and to some extent it was healthy and exciting. I actually found myself being given pointers from one of the coordinators from the church group directly across from us to elicit more people to our table. It was really electrifying to caterwaul phrases such as, "free atheist material" and "you might be an atheist but not yet realize it" towards the crowds and the reactions we received immediately afterward. To be fairly honest it was nowhere near the wicked looks I half expected. If anything it seemed to embolden me and a few other members to be more outright in our being a member of the S.A.N.E.

The responses we received overall seemed wonderful considering it was our first venture into the community in the thick of it all. We literally went into the belly of the beast as it were of Johnson City and fared exceptionally well. I am quite optimistic that we will have future tabling events around town. I look forward to having more discourse with people in the community and make aware competing views of all kinds to get the mental juices flowing. The more we can openly discuss these matters the more we can have a healthy community that truly cares about one another.

If you have any thoughts regarding our event and how we did well or could do better then please leave feedback either in the comments below or shoot an email to any of our executive board. All ideas will be carefully looked at and perhaps your ideas will be the basis for our next event.

Namaste,

Joseph Rasch

(423)218-2245

josephrasch@studentsforafreesociety.com