• Every Monday: Happy Hour
  5-6:30 PM (new time!), at Ol' Mexico restaurant, Roseville. Discounted drinks & appetizers. Call Paul Craven for more info: 763-788-8918.
  
  
• Sunday, 15 June: Public Forum
  
  
  1-2 PM, at Southdale Regional Library, 70th & York Ave. S., Edina. Dr. Goparaju Vijayam (left) will speak on social reform and the common good, noting the work of Atheist Centre. Read more ...
  
  
• Sunday, 15 June: Potluck Picnic
  
  
  3-6 PM, at Rosland Park, Lake Cornelia, near library between Hwy 100 & France and between 70th St. & Hwy 62. From library, go west on 70th to Cornelia Dr., then north to the park at 4300 W. 66th St. Picnic shelter building is near park's indoor pool, which is at the top of a hill and easy to find. Picnic Food: AFHR will bring pop and eating supplies plus a BBQ meal that serves 25 from Cub Foods at 6775 York Ave. You can pick up your own potluck food there. It's on York Ave., about a half-mile north of 70th.
  
  
• Monday, 16 June: Cong. Keith Ellison's Interfaith Breakfast
  7:30 AM (AFHR is a member). It's at Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N. Randall Tigue, Marie Castle (AFHR reps to this unity project) and Dr. Vijayam will go. The event is about empowering youth in a pluralistic society. We are to bring a youth leader, so we're bringing Dr. Vijayam to talk about youth empowerment at Atheist Centre. (It's good to expose faith-centered feeling to human-centered thinking.)
  
  
• Wednesday, 18 June: 3rd Wed. Lunch
  11:30 AM to 2:00 PM. As usual at Dragon House restaurant (our new location), 3970 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights. From there we take Dr. Vijayam to the airport for his flight to Sacramento.
  
  
• Friday, 20 June: Fireside Chat
  6-9+ PM. at the Hub of Atheism. We will have a video from Dr. Vijayam about the extraordinary success of Atheist Centre activities in India. See what atheism can accomplish in a culture that accepts it and appreciates its help. Food served

• Something wrong, not quite righ
  By G. Richard Bozarth
  The hypothesists of Evolutionary Psychology believe human behavior is "hardwired", which means it is genetically programmed instead of culturally programmed. I've read several things by them and haven't been persuaded.
  Read more ...

• Abandoning religion for morality
  St. Joan of Arc's priests and members are making a heroic effort to retain their Catholic beliefs along with their humanity and it isn't working.
  Read more ...
  
  
• Vatican says aliens could exist
  What I find amusing about this article is that the box that the church keeps "God" in keeps getting smaller and smaller.
  Read more ...
  
  
• Boulder students protest 'under God' in Pledge Of Allegiance
  Some Boulder High School students protested Thursday over having to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day.
  Read more ...
  
  
• Are Darwin's theories fact or faith issues?
  In January PZ Myers (Associate Professor at University of Minnesota, Morris) debated Jeffrey Simmons (a medical doctor and Senior Fellow with the Discovery Institute) on KKMS radio. At the last minute the topic of the debate was changed to "Are Darwin's Theories Fact Or Faith Issues?".
  Read more ...
  
  
• Way of the Master
  A couple of nights ago I was going through the channels on my TV out of boredom and I came across "Way of the Master". I am familiar with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron so I thought I would watch it for its "entertainment" value. I did learn something from it however. I used to think that these people were afraid of death in the sense that they were frightened of not existing anymore but learned that they are actually more afraid of existing eternally.
  Read more ...
  
  
• Vandals egg house of local atheist
  Here is a sad story of bigotry, threats, vandalism and terror perpetuated by "Christians". I wonder what part of the Bible condones this action?
  Read more ...
  
  
• Pope's exorcist squads will wage war on Satan
  When I read this story in December 2007, I thought it was something from the ONION at first glance. It shows that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
  Read more ...
  
  
• Huckabee: Amend Constitution to be in 'God's standards'
  This to me was very disturbing. I wonder whose version of God Huckabee would like to use. Even among evangelical Christians such as Huckabee there are variations on beliefs. His statements concerning evolution and not knowing how long it took God to create the universe are a prime example. I have heard some evangelicals criticize others and say that they are not "real Christians" for not taking every word of the Bible literally.
  Read more ...
  
  
• Steve Chapman on religion in politics
  On 2 January, Star Tribune columnist Steve Chapman wrote a surprisingly positive piece in support of state-church separation and fairly tolerant of atheism. (At least we didn't get bashed.) We sent the following letter in response, but it was not printed. Too fact-based-positive and informative about atheism? Too fact-based-clear in showing the danger of fundamentalist Christianity?
  Read more ...
  
  
• Archbishop Niensted and sexual morality
  Archbishop John Nienstedt is making dogmatic claims about the morality of, and family complicity in, homosexual relationships. Since this is causing considerable mental anguish among his followers and/or their families, and is an issue affecting all of society, it is appropriate to question those claims.
  Read more ...

• EVERY MONDAY, 5-6:30 PM (new time!)
  Richard Dick Memorial Happy Hour
  A gathering of positively happy atheists.
  Discounted drinks & appetizers.
  We have reserved tables on the terrace level by the fireplace.
  Location: Ol' Mexico Restaurant, on Lexington,
  at end of strip mall, two blocks north of Larpenteur, Roseville
  Contact: Paul Craven at 763-788-8918
  
  

• 1ST & 3RD MONDAY, 6:30 PM
  Freethought Toastmasters Club
  Location: Larpenteur Estates Party Room,
  276 Larpenteur Ave W, St. Paul
  Contact: George Kane at 651-488-8225

• 1ST TUESDAY, 11:30 AM
  Lunch Social
  Location: Old Country Buffet, Cty Rd B2, Roseville
  Contact: Bob/Marilyn Nienkerk at 612-866-6200

• SUNDAY, 15 JUNE, 1-2 PM
  Public Forum
  Location: Southdale Regional Library, 70th & York Ave. S., Edina
  Dr. Goparaju Vijayam will speak on social reform and the common good, noting the work of Atheist Centre. See article and June newsletter for more details.
  Contact: 1-866-ATHEIST or email Communications Director.

• SUNDAY, 15 JUNE, 3 to 6 PM
  Potluck Picnic
  Location: Rosland Park, Lake Cornelia, near library between Hwy 100 & France and between 70th St. & Hwy 62. From library, go west on 70th to Cornelia Dr., then north to the park at 4300 W. 66th St. Picnic shelter building is near park's indoor pool, which is at the top of a hill and easy to find.
  Picnic Food: AFHR will bring pop and eating supplies plus a BBQ meal that serves 25 from Cub Foods at 6775 York Ave. You can pick up your own potluck food there. It's on York Ave., about a half-mile north of 70th.

• MONDAY, 16 JUNE, 7:30 AM
  Cong. Keith Ellison's Interfaith Breakfast
  Location: Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.
  Randall Tigue, Marie Castle (AFHR reps to this unity project) and Dr. Vijayam will go. The event is about empowering youth in a pluralistic society. We are to bring a youth leader, so we're bringing Dr. Vijayam to talk about youth empowerment at Atheist Centre. (It's good to expose faith-centered feeling to human-centered thinking.)

• 3RD WEDNESDAY, 18 JUNE, 11:30 AM to 2 PM
  Charley French Memorial Lunch
  Atheists and Humanists get together to socialize and exchange opinions.
  Private Room
  From there we take Dr. Vijayam to the airport for his flight to Sacramento.
  Location: Dragon House restaurant (our new location), 3970 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights
  Contact: Bill Volna at 612-781-4273 or 612-781-1322

• 3RD FRIDAY, 20 JUNE, 6-9+ PM
  Fireside Chat
  We will have a video from Dr. Vijayam about the extraordinary success of Atheist Centre activities in India. See what atheism can accomplish in a culture that accepts it and appreciates its help.
  Food served.
  Non-members are welcome!
  Location & contact info: Hub of Atheism
  

• 1ST, 2ND, & 3RD SUNDAY, 12-2 PM
  AFHR Membership Meetings
  Open to members only.
  Coffee and conversation.
  Explore our atheist library.
  Please call first.
  Location & contact info: Hub of Atheism

• 4TH SUNDAY, 12-2 PM
  AFHR Open Board Meeting
  Except in July and August.
  Food served.
  Location & contact info: Hub of Atheism

• VARIOUS TIMES & PLACES
  All-Atheist Meetups
  Go to: All-Atheists Meetups to meet and socialize.
  Contact: Scott Muir by e-mail or call 612-386-8821

• CNN invites us to discuss whether "God" exists -- and stacks the deck by Marie Alena Castle
• How judge John E. Jones put intelligent design on the path to extinction by Burt Humburg and Ed Brayton (eSkeptic's report)
• No legal protection for kids in faith-healing families: why most states sanction religion-based child sacrifice by Marie Alena Castle
• Elk Grove v. Newdow Elk Grove Amicus Curiae Brief (in PDF format)
• The two words that don't belong by David Hetterick
• Damned if we do, damned if we don't: the atheist dilemma by Marie Alena Castle
• Your money and/or your life: mugged by the mythmakers -- the price we pay for religion by Marie Alena Castle
• 600+ years of fakery: the Shroud of Turin by Marie Alena Castle
• God and country: from the Pledge to Armageddon by Marie Alena Castle

• Americans United for Separation of Church and State
• Atheist Alliance International (AAI)
• Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc
• Campus Atheists & Secular Humanists (CASH)
• Children's Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc (CHILD)
• ERGO -- Euthanasia World Directory
• Final Exit Network
• Freedom From Religion Foundation
• Humanists of Minnesota
• The Infidel Guy Show
• Minnesota Atheists
• Pharyngula

Welcome to the Hub of Atheism

Atheists For Human Rights has a geodesic dome as its headquarters. This unique architecture was developed by Buckminster ("Bucky") Fuller (1895-1983), an atheist, architect, environmentalist and inventor. His ambition was to use science to help solve human problems and to find ways to do more with less. The tragic death of his young daughter inspired him to find "what a single individual can contribute to changing the world and benefiting all humanity." The epitaph on his tombstone says, "Call me trimtab," referring to a small but critical aircraft part that holds a stabilizing component in position. Much of Fuller's philosophy is expressed in the goals and strivings of Atheists For Human Rights.

Take I-94 to the 53rd Ave exit on the north edge of Minneapolis and go west through the alphabet streets to Newton Ave, then go left (south) 1 & 1/2 blocks to the dome home on the dead-end street. (The 53rd exit is more direct than 49th.) Call 612-588-1597 if you need directions.

New/occasional visitors: To verify schedule has not changed:
Contact: Call 612-529-1200 or 1-866-ATHEIST
Or email: Communications Director.

Entrance	Sign beside entrance
Meeting Room (View 1)
Meeting room (View 2)	Library
Fireplace	Television

Atheists For Human Rights has a geodesic dome as its headquarters. This unique architecture was developed by Buckminster ("Bucky") Fuller (1895-1983), an atheist, architect, environmentalist and inventor. Read more ...

Our Philosophy

• Atheism accepts the natural world as all there is.
• To live without god beliefs is intellectually stimulating.
• To find one's own purpose and be responsible for one's own life is exciting.
• To be free of the imagined surveillance of good and evil spirits is liberating.
• To seek a peaceful world through work, friendship, and civic action is life-affirming.

Thomas Jefferson hated religious autocracy: "... [T]here would never have been an infidel if there had never been a priest," he wrote in a Letter to Mrs. Harrison Smith on 6 August 1816.

True enough. Nontheists would be as irrelevant as nonastrologists if all religions were benign. This has never been the case. Religious wars persist and religious authoritarians undermine our freedoms, harming people and hindering scientific research and education.

In this environment, atheists have an obligation as citizens to provide a secular moral balance to public discussions of social issues.

Atheists For Human Rights was founded to provide this moral balance in an effort to preserve our civil liberties and human dignity. We add our voice to other groups challenging the social agenda of religious authoritarians. We oppose all bigotry and discrimination and advocate for a world where human welfare is not compromised by religious dogma.

During India's struggle for independence from Britain, Mahatma Gandhi had a term to express the Free India movement's philosophy: satyagraha. It means "to insist on what is true as a social obligation." This is also our philosophy as we struggle to overcome the religious authoritarian influences on our society.

Join Us!

Atheists For Human Rights is proud to be among those people identified by 2008 Nobel Prize winner in Economic Science, Leonid Hurwicz, as "interveners" in society -- those who behave ethically simply because it is the right thing to do. Our unique Moral High Ground project stands uncompromisingly in support of the victims of inhumane religious doctrines. We find no "gray area" that justifies the harm done to women, gays, children, the hopelessly ill, and human progress by dogma-based laws and policies.

Atheists For Human Rights welcomes you to join us! Membership is open to all who reject supernatural beliefs and support the principles and policies of this organization. We thrive on new ideas and welcome everyone who shares our goals. We have a long history of atheist activism, both as founders and charter members of freethought groups. We are a member society of Atheist Alliance International (AAI), a national organization for which we provided a decade of leadership during its critical startup years.

Our dues are minimal to enable as many as possible to become involved; however, they cover only basic operating expenses. Because our outreach projects are sometimes quite expensive, but extremely important, we must rely on additional donations from those who can afford it. We have no paid staff, so all income goes to office expenses and visibility projects. It's a pay-as-you-go system. We can do only what our supporters enable us to do. Please be generous. You can make payments on this web site with PayPal. It's fast, free, and secure! THANK YOU!

Our Gift to you:

DVDs

• "Evolution Made Easy," which explains evolution in an entertaining and easy-to-understand way. A great DVD to show anyone who is unclear on the concept, including hard core religionists, "cafeteria" religionists, and atheists new to the controversy.
• "The Truth about Religion," which totally demolishes any credibility religion is thought to have historically or philosophically or even applying a little common sense.
• Biologist PZ Myers' illustrated presentation on evolution, at our July 2006 Public Forum.
• Michael Newdow's entertaining, informative presentation about his challenge to "under God" in the pledge of allegiance at our Nov 2006 Public Forum.
• Former Minnesota State Rep. Andy Dawkins speech about civic projects legislation and the necessity of atheism at our Mar 2007 Public Forum.
• Cong. Keith Ellison's (first Muslim elected to Congress) forceful speech in defense of state-church separation at our July 2007 Public Forum.
• Dan Barker's speech, "Beyond Iraq: The Threat to Freedom of an Imperial Presidency," at our Nov 2007 Public Forum.
• Civic leader and internationally known feminist Arvonne Fraser's speech on "The Common Good: Human Rights for All" at our March 2008 public forum.
• A three-part series of talks by Dr. Goparaju Vijayam, executive director of one of India's leading social reform organizations, Atheist Centre, taped while Dr. Vijayam was here for a June 2008 public forum.
• Richard Dawkins' BBC film, The Root of All Evil?
• Sam Harris's discussion of his best seller, The End of Faith.

BOOKLETS:

• India's Atheist Centre: Where Atheism Works, an 8" x 11" full color account of "the crown jewel of atheism," honored by the Indian government for its extensive social reform projects and educational work in science and critical thinking.
• May the Farce Be With You, April Pedersen's 20-page booklet, a humorous look at religious claims, with many illustrations and cartoons.
• All About Gods, our own illustrated, full color, 36-page booklet, a concise, entertaining presentation of facts to challenge religious mythologies. Includes bibliography.

Out of the Rocking Chair,
into the Fray!

The great majority of the U.S. adult population call themselves Christian: 160 million adults. But what group takes second place? Jews? No. For all their formidable electoral clout, the 2.8 million Jews are massively outnumbered by the nearly 30 million non-religious or secular Americans. . . . [I]f the unbelievers of America could only get their act together a tenth as effectively as the legendarily powerful Jewish lobby, what might they not achieve?
-- Richard Dawkins, discussing his best-selling book, The God Delusion

Atheists For Human Rights definitely has its act together and continually works at new and better ways to do it. Our objective is to be publicly and proudly visible with an atheism that is confidently held, morally active and socially involved in promoting the common good.

Visible Atheism in Action

It is the role of unbelievers to force religions to be benign.
-- Lutheran theologian Martin Marty
From keynote speech, Religion in Public Life symposium for 100 civic leaders, Minneapolis MN, 28 April 1998, to which Marie Castle was invited to represent atheism.

• We sponsor well-advertised public forums regularly with well known speakers on topics related to the common good and maintaining a secular government.
• We run high-visibility "bold & proud" ads for our activities in mainstream newspapers and on radio.
• We produce atheist videos for our website video outreach project and also make them available on CDs.
• We submit letters and commentary articles to the media that are frequently accepted.
• We meet with media people to discuss our concerns and encourage fair and balanced coverage of atheism.
• We meet with public officials to make them aware of the secular community and express our concerns about the intrusion of religion into legislative action and to stress the importance of state-church separation.
• We wrote a proclamation declaring 4 July 2002, "Indivisible Day," which was signed by Gov. Ventura on our behalf, causing an uproar by "Christian nation" fundamentalists that was front-page news in the St. Paul and Minneapolis papers.
• Our visibility generates invitations to debate religious-right radio talk show hosts on their political/social agenda and state-church separation.

We are unique among atheist organizations in that, as a matter of official policy, we oppose the religious right's assaults on our freedoms and come to the aid of its victims. We do this with reason, civility, pride, and a passion for truth and justice.

We provide a strong and effective voice for human rights within the atheist community and are developing a national network of citizens who seek the social and political right to be religion-free. We walk the talk. Our board consists of activists willing to help with the tasks of our organization. Our bylaws impose a high level of ethical standards. We operate openly and honestly at all times.

Membership is open to all who reject supernatural beliefs and support the principles and policies of this organization. We thrive on new ideas and welcome everyone who shares our goals.

Public Forums

• Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
• Dr. PZ Myers, biologist from the University of Minnesota-Morris
• Susan Sackett, personal assistant to the late Gene Roddenberry, creator of the humanist-oriented "Star Trek"
• Michael Newdow, who took his challenge to "under God" in the pledge of allegiance to the Supreme Court
• Andy Dawkins, former state representative who works to strengthen families and create livable communities
• Dr. Robert Price, the noted biblical scholar who lectures on the non-biblical roots of democracy
• Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to Congress, and strong advocate of state-church separation
• Dan Barker, co-president of Freedom From Religion Foundation, which litigates against government funding of religious organizations
• Arvonne Fraser, noted civic leader and international advocate for women's rights and human rights
• Dr. Goparaju Vijayam, executive director of India's Atheist Centre, whose social reform work has been honored by the Indian government with a commemorative stamp

Moral High Ground Project

The Moral High Ground project has chosen the following funds to provide support and protection for these groups and to counter the efforts of religious zealots to impose their religious doctrines through law (other funding mechanisms may be added as resources increase):

Philanthrofund scholarship

Like the other Moral High Ground funding projects, it is unique in the freethought community. Each year since 2002 AFHR has donated $500 to be awarded to a GLBT openly atheist student at Pfund's major awards ceremony. This has created visibility and respect for AFHR within the GLBT community.

Grants to poor women to help pay for abortions

At least $200 each is given annually to funds such as the Women's Medical Fund, administered by Anne Nicol Gaylor from Freedom From Religion Foundation in Madison, Wisconsin, and through the North Dakota WIN (Women In Need) Abortion Access Fund, administered by the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo. These funds serve poor women in areas where religion-generated abortion laws are irrationally restrictive and punitive.

Support for physician aid in dying

As opportunities arise, we support efforts by physician-aid-in-dying organizations so the terminally ill who want to die with dignity on their own terms have the legal right to do so.

Protection for children harmed by faith healing

As opportunities arise, we support the efforts of CHILD (Children's Healthcare Is a Legal Duty) to protect children from harm where state laws define faith healing as healthcare and exempt parents from prosecution when they allow children to die by substituting prayer for medical care.

Outreach Activities

Atheists for Human Rights is focused primarily on reaching out to the public in morally active ways to advance the atheistic worldview. Our projects include:

Philanthrofund Scholarship

This is part of our Moral High Ground project. Like the other MGH funding projects, it is unique in the freethought community. Each year since 2002 AFHR has donated $500 to be awarded to a GLBT openly atheist student at Pfund's major awards ceremony. This has created visibility and respect for AFHR within the GLBT community.

Charitable Outreach

Every December, as part of our winter solstice celebration, we collect gifts and money for the at-risk teenagers being cared for by secular non-profit Katahdin Program for Youths and Families. Cash donations have increased from $130 in 2003 to $610 in 2007. This has been due to enclosing colorful gift tags in the newsletter and inviting distant members to send them back signed and with a check for warm clothing. The project was started in 1998 by Marie Castle for the freethought community, with Paul Craven providing the slogan, "You Don't Need a God to Have a Heart."

Highway Cleanup

In 2005 we took on an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup project. The work is done three times a year in spring, summer and fall. Large highway signs identify AFHR as the cleanup crew for a 4-mile stretch of highway in Lakeville that passes many churches.

May Day Festival

AFHR member Joe Watercott represents us every year at this popular Minneapolis festival. Dressed in a colorful jester costume, he goes along the parade route with his equally colorful cart, collecting litter and telling little jokes to the kids, giving a cheerful image of atheism.

Minnesota Alliance Of Peacemakers

We joined MAP and have participated in several of their events urging peaceful solutions to world conflicts. MAP is a coalition of churches and secular organizations working together in the cause of peace.

Interfaith Dialogue

AFHR is represented by invitation at regular interfaith gatherings hosted by Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, to find common ground in our common humanity to address the causes of social conflict and stress.

Speakers Bureau

Since 2004, about three times a year, we have been invited to give presentations on atheism to educational and social service agencies for their diversity training programs.

Fireside Chats

These monthly discussions about atheist issues are occasions for socializing as well as developing ideas for further activism.