Superstition Bash!

The Atheist and Agnostic Society is turning 10 in Fall 2009. Join us on Friday the 13th of November to celebrate! Everyone is welcome at this free event! We hope you’ll join us, no matter your beliefs. RSVP at Facebook!

The Maniac of Magic, comedian and magician Nathan Allen, will preform from 7-8pm in Molecular Biology 1414. Then, mingle in the Molecular Biology Atrium 8-11pm with free food, cider and hot cocoa. Have your fortune told and play superstition games with free prizes! There will also be a huge raffle, tickets only $1, for books and other items. After 11pm, if you’re of age, join us for the after-party at Olde Main on Main Street!

Want to help create a superstition station or donate an item for the raffle? Email isuaas@gmail.com!

Special thanks to the Iowa Secularists, Iowa Atheist and Freethinkers, Secular Student Alliance, the ISU Government of the Student Body, and the ISU Committee on Lectures, as well as all of our raffle item donors, for making this event possible!

Why bother?

My “evil” motivations behind my involvement with the MU chapel discussions

As most AAS members know, the MU Chapel was introduced up in a bill in GSB just a few short weeks ago by Senator Jacob Johnston. After some amendments, the bill recommends that the MU adopt a policy to keep the cross and allow student groups to add additional symbols. It seems like a great solution that would encourage religious diversity, but there are potential problems. Adding more symbols could potentially lead to a messy room that isn’t useful for anyone. Who would decide which symbols were “legitimate” or not? Should the cross maintain its status as a large permanent object while the other symbols are temporary and small? Who would pay for the additional symbols? There are so many questions that I’m not sure if adding more symbols is truly a viable way to make the chapel a space for all students, not just some. So, I’m trying collect input from students to help answer those questions, not as the President of AAS, but just as an interested person who wants to help!

Weekly Update

This is the big week! The much awaited Superstition Bash is Friday the 13th. Of course, there are other activities this week as well:

• Interfaith Discussion of the MU Chapel. Monday 7-9pm MU Gold Room. This discussion will hopefully lead to a greater understanding of how to make the chapel more inclusive.
• Silent Vigil for LGBT Equal Rights. Tuesday 5-7pm Lake Laverne. This vigil was organized by Chris from Collegiate Methodist in response to the recent vote to take away equal rights in Maine, and to stand with our LGBT sisters and brothers in the quest for equal rights. RSVP.
• AAS Meeting. Thursday 7-9pm MU Gold Room. At this meeting, we’ll discuss the latest draft of the AAS logo and plan for the Superstition Bash. Planning for the Superstition Bash is almost complete, but we need AAS members to help with the Superstition Stations. Important: if you can’t make it to the meeting, please email isuaas@iastate.edu if you can help!!! Also, if you have any skeptical, science, etc themed music email isuaas@iastate.edu so we can get it on the playlist.
• Ask an Atheist and Hug an Atheist booth. Friday 11am-1pm UDCC Commons.
• Superstition Bash! Friday 7-11pm Molecular Biology. RSVP. For full details, see the AAS blog.
• Brews and Views. Monday 7-8pm Old Chicago. Join people from a variety of religious-type student groups for a discussion of how evangelism may or may not fit in with multiculturalism. RSVP.

Critical Bible Study

Weekly Update

• Meeting on Thursday 5 Nov 7pm in the Gold Room. Dr. Avalos presents “The AAS AT TEN: CELEBRATING A DECADE”. Come and learn about our club history, celebrate our past heroes, and inspire future leaders. We will have a “Where are They Now?” report about past presidents, and amusing anecdotes about ancient battles, tears, and triumphs.
• Sunday Brunch on 8 Nov in the Harvest Room of Seasons Marketplace. Please join us to help plan the Superstition Bash.
• Keep your calendars open for the Superstition Bash Friday 13 Nov. RSVP at Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151173439914&ref=ts.
• The Center for Inquiry is having an essay contest. First prize is $2000! Topic: The Importance of Free Expression and Its Limits (If Any). Deadline: Jan 5, 2010. See CFI for details http://www.centerforinquiry.net/campaign_for_free_expression
• In addition to Thursday’s meeting and Sunday brunch, we’re also having Ask an Atheist this Friday 11am-1pm in the UDCC Commons Area.
• Please take this brief survey about the MU Chapel http://tinyurl.com/MUChapelSurvey. The results will be summarized and presented the MU Board of Directors to help them make decisions about the chapel.
• If you can help with the Superstition Bash but can’t make it to brunch on Sunday, please reply to this email. We still need ideas for superstition related games and activities.