UW’s Secular Student Union

Devil’s Playground is a 2002 documentary film by Lucy Walker about the alleged Amish rite of passage called Rumspringa. The film follows Amish teenagers in LaGrange County, Indiana who enter the “English World” before making the adult commitment to become baptised as adults in the Amish community. The non-Amish world is referred to in the film as “the Devil’s Playground” (though there is no evidence that the term is in circulation among the Amish).

We’ll be watching it at the Chapel on the Ave, followed by a short discussion.

Please be on time so we can start right away!

Time: Tuesday, 5:00pm - 6:30pm

Location: Chapel on the Ave, 4130 University Way NE

Topic: Are atheists truly open minded?

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One of the arguments which most consistently raises indignation and objection when presented is that atheists is that atheists are close minded and “militant”.

However, how can we determine if we are truly open minded or not? Given that every person believes themselves to be open minded, are atheists (both as represented at SSU and public figures like Dawkins) truly as open minded as they believe? Is it possible to be open minded on something as profound and radical as religion?

Time: Tuesday, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Location: Chapel on the Ave, 4130 University Way NE

Topic: Must honest atheism confront nihilism?

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In his piece “Amateur atheists”, John Haught argues that the “new atheism” movement is trying to replace religion with secular humanism “at the least possible expense to the agreeable socioeconomic circumstances out of which they sermonize. They would have the God-religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—simply disappear, after which we should be able go on enjoying the same lifestyle as before. People would then continue to cultivate essentially the same values as before, including altruism, but they would do it without inspired books and divine commandments”

He argues that Secular Humanism is “religiosity in a new guise. […] a full acceptance of the death of God would require an asceticism completely missing in the new atheistic formulas.”

Do these arguments hold weight? Are atheists simply taking the comfortable road of rejecting God without fully grappling what that must mean for morality? Must an honest atheist grapple and come to terms with nihilism and all that it implies? Come and discuss these questions and more surrounding the Amateur Atheists article.

It would be helpful if people attending are already familiar with the article to speed along discussion but we will devote the first 20 minutes to presenting the arguments given.

Also, if you can, stay for the Chapel on the Ave discussion group from 8 - 9 where they will be delving into The God Delusion and what it means for Christians.

http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=4497

Time: Tuesday, 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Location: Chapel on the Ave, 4130 University Way NE

Topic: Is Buddhism completely compatible with Secularism?

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In light of the Dalai Lama’s visit, we will be discussing how his views on Buddhism mesh with a secular worldview. In interviews, he has stated:

“If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhism will have to change. In my view, science and Buddhism share a search for the truth and for understanding reality. By learning from science about aspects of reality where its understanding may be more advanced, I believe that Buddhism enriches its own worldview.”

However, is this complete picture? Can the two world views ever be completely reconciled or will there be points such as reincarnation in which the two will forever stand apart?

Join us for the first SSU meeting of the Spring quarter at our new location in Chapel on the Ave.

Here’s a map:

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Austin Dacey is the author of the book “The Secular Conscience” and editor of the magazines “Skeptical Inquirer” and “Free Inquiry”. He also serves as representative of the the Center for Inquiry to the UN. He is coming to the UW campus this Friday to give a talk on the intersection between religion, science, and ethics.

For more information, check out his website:

http://www.austindacey.com/index.html

Time: Tuesday, 4pm – 6pm

Location: HUB 209A

Topic: Ask a Mormon

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Mormonism is among one of the younger religions and there are many misconceptions about the faith. What do Mormon’s actually believe? How do people practice their faith? What stories do they have to tell?

We are holding a Q&A session on Mormonism with the Latter-Day Saint Student Association. Come along if you have any questions or simply want to learn.

Time: Tuesday, 4pm – 6pm

Location: HUB 209A

Topic: Ask a Bible Literalist

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What does it mean to believe in the literal truth of the Bible? How do people integrate the teachings into the Bible into their everyday life? What evidence made them arrive at their positions.

We are holding a Q&A session with the City Church on why they believe in Bible Literalism. Come along if have questions to ask or if you’re simply curious.

Time: Tuesday, 4pm – 6pm

Location: HUB 309

Topic: Should religion be an opiate for the masses

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“I’m an atheist, but people need religion. What are you going to put in its place? How are you going to comfort the bereaved? How are you going to fill the need?” is an argument Richard Dawkins commonly gets. His response to this argument is detailed here: http://richarddawkins.net/article,318,Im-an-atheist-BUT—,Richard-Dawkins

Is religion helpful even if it were not true? Do people need it to stay moral or have purpose in their lives and should atheists be trying to convert people away from religion if it provides obvious benefits to a person’s life?

Time: Tuesday, 4pm – 6pm

Location: HUB 209A

Topic: Ask a Jew

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In association with Hillel, we are holding a Q&A session about Judaism. If you are curious about what Jewish people believe, why they believe it and what their experiences are, come along.

Time: Tuesday, 4pm - 6pm

Location: HUB 309

Topic: Does the soul make sense?

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Almost universally, religion makes some claim about what happens to a person after death. Whether it be reincarnation or heaven or becoming one with Xenu, some non-material part of the person manages to persist and transcend death. But what is the nature of the “soul” and does it exist?

What is the soul? How does it change over the course of our life? What do different religions have to say about the soul? What does science have to say? Does the concept of the soul make sense or is it part of our human longing to make sense of the universe and find purpose?

Personally, this is the meeting I’m the most excited about this quarter. I think it’s a fascinating question and I hope to learn a lot from people with different perspectives.

If you’re on the list but haven’t yet made it to one of our meetings, this is the one I recommend you try and attend.