Atheist group extends olive branch

[rug]

Brunch event aimed at generating lively, friendly discussions

By: Scott Hayes
Posted: Saturday, Mar 30, 2013 06:00 am

A local group of atheists wants to have some lively and friendly discussion about the existence or non-existence of God over omelettes and orange juice this Saturday morning.

St. Albert’s Luke Fevin represents the Society of Edmonton Atheists. He said there is neither a formal presentation nor agenda for the meal that’s planned for 10 a.m. at the St. Albert Inn, which the group has been advertising to the public.

Group members simply want to make themselves open to the community at large and show everyone that they are generally a friendly lot that just enjoys healthy discourse on the subject. They don’t preach, Fevin said.

“We, as a group, don’t really believe in proselytizing atheism,” he explained. “From our standpoint, we believe that the education in comparative religion is important and that scientific literacy is important. People can arrive at their own conclusions.”

http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/20130330/SAG0801/303309998/-1/sag0801/atheist-group-extends-olive-branch

http://www.edmontonatheists.ca/

[Goblinmonger]

1. Welcome back!

I hope your lent offered you everything you needed and you enjoy your Easter.

[rug]

4. Thanks GM.

As long as I'm human I won't be happy with what I'm offered. But I am enjoying Easter. We hid a bunch of plastic eggs in the yard and put a plastic roach under each one. Dismay ensued.

[Fumesucker]

17. What, no plastic roach clips to go along with the plastic roaches?

[cbayer]

2. Welcome back!! You had some people quite worried around here, but I knew this was

a lent thing. I just knew it.

Please check out the new group when you get a chance.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1264

[rug]

5. Thanks!

Didn't mean to alarm. It was a last minute thing. There are a lot of smart people in this Group.

And I am delighted to see Meta gone and the Interfaith Group up and running.

[cbayer]

7. The death of meta and subsequent rise of Interfaith could be seen by some as

symbolic this time of year.

[Jim__]

3. That sounds like an interesting discussion.

Sounds like it went well, too. From the comments:

Thanks to (the around 20) people that attended our brunch this morning. Was happy to welcome 'new' members to our group from St Albert. Also a shout out to Pastor Serge & his posse from the Sturgeon Valley Baptist Church for joining us. They were a welcome addition to the conversation.

In this shrinking World, with many (often conflicting) beliefs it is becoming more & more imperative that we be able to discuss religion comfortably & disagree respectfully. I Thank Pastor Serge for his example that this is not only possible, but can be enjoyable.

[rug]

6. I'm also impresed at the philantropic activities they make part of the group's purpose.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

8. Yo rug, glad to see you're back and weren't raptured or something

Just kidding of course - we all know Catholics won't get raptured.

[rug]

9. Ruptured is more likely than raptured.

Good to see you too.

[JNelson6563]

10. I join my brothers from the AA group

in saying hello and welcome back Rug! Glad all is good in your world.

Julie

[rug]

11. Thanks, Julie.

Very nice of you to say.

[okasha]

12. Glad you're back!

Didn't your mama ever tell you not to run off like that without telling somebody?

[cbayer]

13. Really! One of the first things I learned about sailing is that

you always "file" a float plan with somebody.

That way if you don't show up, someone notices.

[Phillip McCleod]

14. ha ha 'olive branch'.

how very droll.

[rexcat]

15. Those Canadians are so nice...

and good to see you back in the fray. I hope your 40 days of no DU was uplifting!

[locks]

16. Great to see your interesting posts back!

[rug]

18. Thanks.

[Starboard Tack]

19. Good OP, and good to see you back.