Secular Sunday #93 – All Hands On Deck

It’s just the news and calendar this week, but there’s quite a lot in both. In fact we’re so busy I’ve been drafted to take part in a debate, as apparently even Michael Nugent can’t be in two places at once.

– Derek Walsh, Editor

News

• As reported last week, Atheist Ireland’s chairperson Michael Nugent and Human Rights Officer Jane Donnelly were in Warsaw at the annual  OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) human rights conference. Videos of both their speeches with transcripts and subtitles are available here.
  The submissions from Atheist Ireland are now on the OSCE website.
• Michael Nugent spoke about vegetarianism, morality and atheism at the Dublin festival for World Vegetarian Day. You can watch the video here.
• The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, is seeking submissions on promoting greater inclusiveness in primary schools. Here’s how to submit your views.
• Michael Nugent wrote an article for the Rationalist Association website in the UK on why Irish schoolchildren should be taught about atheism. Michael was also interviewed on this topic by CNKW Radio in Vancouver, Canada. Listen here.
  The news about our proposed primary school course about atheism has been spread by the global news media with articles on it appearing in Time, The Atlantic,The Global Post, and a number of foreign-language publications: Friesch Dagblad(Dutch), Tempo.co (Indonesian), Merdeka.com (Indonesian), tportal.hr (Croatian), and Rseczpospolita (Polish).
• Kevin Sheehan has taken up the post of Regional Officer of Atheist Ireland, having resigned as Membership Officer of the Humanist Association of Ireland. Kevin will be coordinating our expansion this year to create groups in all areas of Ireland, to inform the public about atheism and our aims and policies to achieve a secular Ireland. For more information please email Kevin, and see if there is a group near you that will welcome you to a family-friendly Secular Sunday brunchto meet like-minded people. If you want to be active, you can help us lobby local politicians, research local news, and organise social events like film nights, visits from speakers or help within your local community. We can also keep you informed on many issues regarding equal rights, education and other social issues.

Calendar

All events are free and open to everyone unless otherwise stated.

• Monday 7 October, 8:30 pm, McSwiggans Bar and Restaurant, Woodquay, Galway (map)
  Galway Skeptics in the Pub #66. Facebook event page
• Tuesday 8 October, 7:00 pm, Fitzgerald Debating Chamber, Student Centre, UCD (map)
  The UCD Law Society is debating the motion: “This House Believes God Loves Gay People Too“. Derek Walsh from Atheist Ireland will be among those speaking against the motion.
• Wednesday 9 October, 8:00 pm,  Courtyard Theatre, Ballyearl, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim (map)
  Michael Nugent and Dr. David Glass will be debating the question: “Does God Exist?” More details
  Here is a discussion between Michael and David earlier this year, on RTE Radio’s The God Slot.
• Thursday 10 October, 6:00 pm, St. Mary’s Church, Haddington Road, Dublin 4 (map)
  Conor Gearty, Professor of Law at the London School of Economics will be speaking on the topic: “Ireland’s New Abortion Law – An Argument About Ethics or an Exercise in Hypocrisy?” More
• Sunday 13 October, some time after 8:30 am, BBC Radio Ulster
  Michael Nugent will be on BBC Radio Ulster’s Sunday Sequence, discussing a new book by Nigel Barber Why Atheism Will Replace Religion.
• Sunday 13 October, 12:00 noon,  Trinity Capital Hotel, Pearse St., Dublin 2 (map)
  Second Sunday Brunch. A casual, family-friendly meet-up. Facebook event page
• Sunday 13 October, 12:00 noon, A Casa Mia, Tobergal Lane, Sligo (map)
  As above, but for people in or around Sligo. Facebook event page
• Wednesday 16 October, 8:00 pm, Absolute Hotel, Sir Harry’s Mall, Limerick (map)
  The Mid West Humanists are meeting. By this time members will have started going to TDs in the region, as the Constitutional Convention is to discuss the Blasphemy provision on 2-3 November so they will be discussing feedback from visits to TDs. The Mid West Humanists are now on Facebook and Twitter.