Secular Student Union University of Washington campus organization for non-theists.

Feb 5th: Does the soul make sense?

Time: Tuesday, 4pm - 6pm

Location: HUB 309

Topic: Does the soul make sense?

Facebook: http://washington.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8147678683

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.

Jan 29th: Ask a Hindu

This is the first of our regular series of "Ask a ..." meetings.

Time: Tuesday, 4pm – 6pm

Location: HUB 209A

Topic: Ask a Hindu

Facebook: http://washington.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7799368257

In association with the Hindu Student Association, we are holding an "Ask the Hindu" Q&A Session. If you have any questions about Hinduism or simply just want to hear their stories, come along.

Jan 14th: How to use the Bible against Bible Believers

Please note, our meeting will be held on Monday this week due to a special presentation by Dr Valerie Tarico.

Time: Monday, 4pm – 6pm
Location: HUB 209A
Topic: How to use the Bible against Bible Believers
Facebook: http://washington.facebook.com/event.php?eid=6823294721

A belief that the Bible is literally perfect is the cornerstone of fundamentalist Christianity. But the notion of Biblical “inerrancy” is also one of Christianity’s greatest vulnerabilities. What should you know about the Bible when it’s time to go head to head with Christian friends and family members? Come hear what psychologist Valerie Tarico has to say.

Dr. Tarico is author of The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth. She hosts “Christianity in the Public Square,” a monthly series on Moral Politics Television. Raised in a fundamentalist family, Dr. Tarico attended Wheaton College, where the Billy Graham Center houses a museum dedicated to the history of American Evangelicalism. She obtained a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Iowa before completing postdoctoral studies at the University of Washington. Now a psychotherapist in Seattle, Dr. Tarico calls upon her scientific training, professional experience, and background as a born-again Evangelical as she examines crucial questions about religion in society. Her essays can be found at www.spaces.live.com/awaypoint.

Jan 8th: What can atheists learn from religion?

Welcome back to the first SSU meeting for the Fall Quarter. Meetings will be on Tuesdays from 4 - 6pm this quarter.

Time: Tuesday, 4pm – 6pm

Location: HUB 209A

Topic: What can atheists learn from religion?

Facebook: http://washington.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7412931294

This quarter, the SSU is focusing on religious outreach and trying to understand the various religions around the world. Over the course of the quarter, we'll be inviting members of different religious groups on campus for Q&A sessions.

Before we begin, it would be helpful to discuss just what atheists can learn from religion and religious people. Does organized religion provide something atheism is lacking? Does atheism have things religion is lacking? What does religion say about human nature? About our search for meaning?

Lets start this quarter off with a bang!

Winter Potluck

Who: Northwest Freethought Coalition

What: Annual Solstice celebration

Where: University Unitarian Church (map)

When: Sunday, December 9, 2007 5:00-9:00PM

"Join us for a festive evening and get acquainted with other freethinkers!"

Bring friends!

Lori Lipman Brown

Who: Lori Lipman Brown, SCA

What: Freedom from religion in America

Where: Knatvold Room of the University Unitarian Church (map)

When: Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 7:00PM

Lori Lipman Brown, of the Secular Coalition of America, will be reporting on the current issues in our nation's capitol and what we need to do to maintain our first amendment rights.

Nov 26th: A Brief History of Unbelief, Part 1

Hi All,

I hope everyone has had a pleasant thanksgiving. We’re going to be doing a screening this week of the first part of a British documentary entitled “A Brief History of Disbelief”. The screening is going to be held in the Chapel on the Ave again. For those who don’t know how to get there, directions are here.

Time: Monday 5pm – 7pm
Location: Chapel on the Ave, Upstairs Lounge
Topic: Film Screening: A Brief History of Unbelief, Part 1
Facebook: http://washington.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7445766740

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/atheism.shtml
Shadows of Doubt
Jonathan Miller visits the absent Twin Towers to consider the religious implications of 9/11 and meets Arthur Miller and the philosopher Colin McGinn. He searches for evidence of the first 'unbelievers' in Ancient Greece and examines some of the modern theories around why people have always tended to believe in mythology and magic.

Nov 19th: Why aren’t Christians learning what atheists believe?

Time: Monday 5pm – 7pm

Location: HUB 209 (Note, new room!)

Topic: Why aren't Christians learning what atheists believe?

Facebook: http://washington.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7445766740

Why do Christians as a community seem so incurious about atheist arguments about Christianity?
Why can't I find any prominent Christians who are conversant in sociobiology or know the specifics of the Randi million dollar challenge?
Are atheists not doing a good enough job of promoting their arguments?
Are Christians scared of what they'll discover if they start learning atheist material?
Are the two sides simply operating off mutually incompatible mental frameworks?
Or am I off base and these Christians do exist and I'm simply unaware of them.

Regardless of your beliefs, I believe it's basic intellectual integrity to be aware of the best arguments from the other side and I think Christianity as a institution has failed in this task.

(not to pick on Christians. If anything, I think Muslims are even more incurious).

Hang