Secular Sunday #56 – This One Has Pictures

Author Secular Sunday Published 20/01/2013

It’s time for another Secular Sunday. No major improvements this week due to time constraints but be patient. Change is coming.

In this issue:

Abdel Aziz Mohamed Albaz, also known as Ben Baz, is a 27 year old Egyptian atheist, with a degree in commerce, working in Kuwait, who blogs about secularism and religion. He was arrested two weeks ago on charges of blasphemy, another victim of an absurd and unjust law. Read more
The Department of Education is surveying all the parents/guardians of all children aged 0 to 12 years old in a number of areas throughout Ireland asking them what type of primary school they would like their children to attend. The intention is to identify the level of demand from parents/guardians for a wider choice of school type in areas where that choice is currently limited. The responses of parents/guardians will be used to consider what changes, if any, could be made to widen the choice of primary schools in these areas. Read more
In the absence of a secular education system, we believe the best currently available alternative is Educate Together. If you are a parent in one of the areas being surveyed, we strongly encourage you to complete the survey and vote for an Educate Together school.
Following the signing into law of the Civil Registration Amendment Act, Atheist Ireland has written several letters to the Registrar General asking him how he intends to interpret various clauses in the Act. When we get replies to that, we will decide how best to continue our campaign against the discrimination on the ground of religion in the Act.

Monday 21 January, Graduates Memorial Building , Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 (map)
Dr Alistair Noble: A Scientific Case for Intelligent Design. A public event hosted by the TCD Theological Society. Facebook event page
Tuesday 22 January, Camden Palace Hotel, Cork (map)
Cork Humanists Film Club presents I Heart Huckabees. This is the first in what will be a regular event. The purpose of the film club will be to screen popular and indie films with Humanist topics or themes. Facebook event page
Wednesday 23 January, 7:30 pm, Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey St., Dublin 1 (map)
Educate Together Second Level Schools in Dublin City Public Meeting. Facebook event page
Saturday 26 January, The Lord Edward, Dublin 2 (map)
Dublin Skeptics in the Pub. Socialising, skeptical discussion and a book swap. Facebook event page
Sunday 27 January, 12:00 noon, Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Galway (map)
Humanists West, Galway are having their monthly meeting. Facebook event page
Thursday 7 February, Reidy’s Wine Bar, Western Road, Cork
Cork Humanists’ new monthly discussion group “Think and Drink”. This month’s topic is “Religion in the Public Eye”. Facebook event page

Each of us, whether we are aware of it or not, does operate with certain axioms. There are things which we take for granted and whose truth appears self-evident. There are other things which we do not take for granted, and whose truth or falsehood we deduce in other ways- from things like logic or evidence. The axioms that I use in my day-to-day life, however, are not necessarily the same as those which you use. – Aoife O’Riordan on the axioms of atheism and religion
If I’m viewed as primarily advancing the pro choice position there may be a gap. That anti abortion groups have unsavory connections, advance incorrect arguments, take funding from outside the State and are not representative of majority Irish opinion does not guarantee that they are wrong, even if it can reasonably cause one to raise an eyebrow. Have I been trying to plug that gap with emotional argument? – Geoff wonders if he is more reasonable than those he criticises. (He generally is.)

That’s it for another week. Next week’s issue may be very different, or not. There’s only one way to find out.

Derek Walsh
Editor, Secular Sunday
Atheist Ireland