Today is Ask An Atheist Day

[rug]

National Ask An Atheist Day is an opportunity for secular groups across the country to work together to defeat stereotypes about atheism and encourage courteous dialogue between believers and nonbelievers alike. The event is intended to be an opportunity for the general public - particularly people of faith - to approach nontheists and ask questions about secular life. We're encouraging all SSA affiliate groups to participate at whatever level they are able!

In 2015, Ask an Atheist Day falls on April 16.

This day occurs every year on the 3rd Thursday of April. However, your group is also encouraged to hold events whenever you are able to, as well as for the national day. There are many ways you can do an Ask an Atheist event. In the past, our affiliates have held Ask an Atheist tables on their quad or in their student union, Ask an Atheist panels, Ask an Atheist Day speakers, Ask an Atheist fundraisers, and more. There is a wide variety of ideas available for such events.

Provided below is a listing of resources and services that we offer to our affiliates for Ask an Atheist events. If you have any questions, or if you have a suggestion for a new addition, please contact us!

https://secularstudents.org/AaAday

I can't think of anything.

[edhopper]

1. Everyday here

is ask an atheist day.

[hrmjustin]

2. I hope they have a great day.

I have no questions.

[pinto]

3. Think I'll walk down to the farmers' market this afternoon. Local atheist group has had a table

at the market since it opened - it's a long established, packed event in the heart of downtown. Can't think of any particular question either but might be fun to see if they've gotten any queries. Some are old time friends and cohorts from other social, political venues.

Thanks for the heads up.

Plus, I think the first strawberry pick is in...

[edhopper]

5. If you see any Rhubarb too,

make a pie or crumble.
You can ask me (an atheist) for a good recipe.

[pinto]

6. ...

There will probably be rhubarb. It almost naturalizes here along with horseradish.
Not much of a pie cooker, but might ask you about crumble.

[edhopper]

7. I think I have a martha stewart recipe

it's easy and if you like rhubarb, really good.

It's a Crisp actually, I always add a little citrus, like lemon or orange zest and a little juice.

http://www.marthastewart.com/1050309/strawberry-rhubarb-crisp

[pinto]

32. No rhubarb, for some reason. But fresh fennel. Let's talk Sicilian pasta...

I responded down thread about meeting up with the Atheists United group. Had a good talk amid the crowd.

post is here - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1218192686#post31

[edhopper]

33. that's sounds delish

too

[TexasTowelie]

4. .

[Cartoonist]

8. Glad to see

that there are two people who know everything and don't need to ask any questions. Besides, the answers would probably contradict their Holy Book.

[rug]

9. Here's one.

What is there to say about simple lack of belief?

Anything beyond that is not a discussion of atheism.

[Cartoonist]

15. Who said you had to discuss atheism?

What, you can't talk about anything else?

[rug]

23. Because I'm interested only in how an atheist views atheism.

I really have no interest in Hitchens' views on Iraq, Harris's views on Islam, or why anybody despises religion.

There are plenty of other warmongers and bigots to ask that.

Those discussions have nothing to do with atheism, which is essentially a very simple notion, wouldn't you agree?

[hrmjustin]

25. How dare you have opinions!

[hrmjustin]

24. You are aware we are allowed to discuss things without your permission?

[hrmjustin]

16. Do you have proof to back up your assumptions?

[Cartoonist]

18. Now that's funny

A believer asking for proof.

[hrmjustin]

19. Glad you had a good laugh and I got to ask you a question.

[AlbertCat]

10. to work together to defeat stereotypes about atheism and encourage courteous dialogue

No wonder you all have nothing to ask.

[rug]

13. It's difficult when you perpetuate one and thwart the other.

[AlbertCat]

39. perpetuate one and thwart the other.

Exactly why you looked down your nose from you supposedly superior position and had no questions to ask.


The only reason you posted this thread was to ridicule it.

[hrmjustin]

40. Maybe no question came to mind.

[rug]

42. "Exactly why you looked down your nose from you supposedly superior position"

"The only reason you posted this thread was to ridicule"

QED.

You are either unobservant about this room, and another, or lack irony.

[cbayer]

36. +1 - I think that is exactly the goal here and I support it.

[Cartoonist]

11. I think the concept is wrong

As the closed-minded posters have pointed out, they're afraid to ask. I think it would be better to call it "Have a Chat with an Atheist Day"
You know, try to talk things over in a peaceful way and perhaps find some common ground. Or at least discover that atheists are people just like you.

[pinto]

12. Good point. I'm off for farmers' market to have some chats.

Later.

[rug]

14. Tsk. I did ask you a question. You didn't answer.

I might think it was because you were afraid but that would be a stupid thing to say.

[pinto]

31. Had a good visit at the market with the local Atheists United group.

None of my old friends were there but we found we had some common local connections. Not uncommon here.

I did come up with a question or two. I asked them about their approach - the table had 5 bibles laid out for reference. Most questions I overheard as I stood there, most benign, were answered with a tabbed biblical verse and a disclaimer that it was wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

I asked one guy why the focus on the bibles - I've seen religious tables downtown with fewer. It seemed odd. And I asked about their view on other religions. No answer, save for "This is what we do. Christianity is the dominant religion."

I challenged him a bit about the narrow focus, but got his point - Christianity is the local prevalent religion. Again though, I mentioned the basic tone the table portrayed to a passerby - which is key for our farmers' market. It's a busy affair.

Yet when I asked what he, or his group, actually supported he brought up the big one - Separation of church and state. We grinned, shook hands. I may go to a pot luck they are having in early May.

[edhopper]

34. sounds like a nice day.

[cbayer]

41. Well, that's not the approach I would have hoped for, but I understand their explanation.

I would like to see a less adversarial approach and a more positive educational approach. If you get a chance to see the Mo Rocca piece edhopper posted, it take s a very positive approach and was widely viewed this morning, I would guess.

You live in a pretty progressive community. Their approach would make more sense in Orange County or Colorado Springs. If separation issues are key to them, then I hope they begin to really focus on that. It's an issue both believers and non-believers can get behind.

[pinto]

43. Agree on the approach. It could be an informational, meet 'n greet deal. Especially in that venue.

And agree on the separation issue.

My take is that a majority of locals would and do support separation of church and state. And many locals simply don't care about there-is-a-god, there-is-no-god back and forth. The community is pretty progressive, as you note, and largely secular. A live and let live point of view is fairly prevalent.

[cbayer]

37. I like that. I would love to see more of that peaceful talk and common ground right here.

Your pint about it being a two way street it critical to that process. People on both sides of this divide could benefit from discovering that the "others" are really people just like you.

[Fumesucker]

17. I'm a little late but.... 42

You're welcome.

[stone space]

20. What is six times nine? (nt)

[Fumesucker]

22. If seven was nine

[edhopper]

21. Life, the Universe and Everything

thank you Slartibartfast.

[cbayer]

38. Sorry, but it's 14 and always has been.

Look it up.

[shenmue]

26. Do they like oregano on pizza?

[hrmjustin]

27. Yep.

[shenmue]

28. Good for them

[edhopper]

29. I do

though I can't speak for other atheist. Oregano is essential. I like to sprinkle extra on my slices.
I also only like one topping, no piling on. Sausage, meatballs, mushroom, peperoni, it's all god, but just one per pie.

[rug]

30. !

[cbayer]

35. I support this. I think it's great that there are events being held that let people

know that they are not alone.