Update your links

I’ve updated the main UAAA website to incorporate a blog directly into it, so this site will be slowly phased out (read forgotten) and the main updates for the club will take place at http://www.ualberta.ca/~atheists/

UofA A&A Elections

Our elections are done and the executive for 2008-09 is as follows:

President: Ian Bushfield
VP Operations & Finance: Sonia Milbradt
VP External, Internal: Vacant

If you would like to help out next year, email the group (atheists@ualberta.ca). We have 2 senior exec spots open that we’d like filled, and space for more junior exec spots.

CJSR Coverage

This Friday, I (Ian Bushfield) and Michael Vester (President of the Society of Edmonton Atheists) will be appearing on CJSR, the campus radio station, on the show “Q-Transmissions.”  Listen to us live (you can also call-in) at 6pm on Friday at 88.5 FM in Edmonton, or download the podcast later.

 Also, our Ed Magazine article appeared in the Journal yesterday if you managed to pick it up.  We were on page B6.

Club featured in Ed Magazine

Thanks to Gilbert Bouchard (of the Unitarians) for featuring us in Ed Magazine, the online portion of the Edmonton Journal.

The feature has already stirred us some negative reaction (see attached email), but there are also several positive comments on the website.

  

Ian Bushfield

President, UofA Atheists and Agnostics

University of Alberta

Vernal Equinox Movie Night

In celebration of the long weekend and for the long weekend, we will be showing two movies, both themed around the traditional Christian Easter story, but both have been criticised by various churches (to differering amounts).

Monty Python: The Life of Brian
The Monty Pyton team tells the life, death and resurrection (?) of Brian from Nazareth, an unwilling prophet who wants to free his land from the oppression of Rome. (from IMDB)

Jesus Christ Superstar
For a full synopsis, read the first 3 books of the New Testament. Add Hippies and music, mix with modern sensibilities and anachronistic images, and wait for the ending. (From IMDB)

~Ian

T-shirt Order

We are doing another t-shirt order.  The shirt design can be seen here: http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8589/atheistshirt2pk9.png (note the writing is all black).  Shirts are $20.  Available colours:

White, Ash Grey, Athletic Heather, Royal, Cardinal, Carolina Blue, Charcoal, Coffee, Gold, Harbor Blue, Khaki, Military Green, Navy, Orange, Pink, Powder Blue, Kelly, Mustard, Wasabi, Slate, Cream, Banana, Red, Lavender, Safari Green, Sand, Silver, Yellow, Burgundy, Dark Chocolate, Hunter Green, Purple, Texas Orange, Brown Heather, Charcoal Heather and Denim Heather.

See here: http://www.alstyle.com/ColorChart.aspx  You can order a shirt either on Wednesday, or email me to arrange a time to pay.  Cash or cheques (made payable to UofA Atheists and Agnostics) are due by March 20.  T-shirts should be in before the end of finals.

FSM Expelled Parody

We have finally finished our FSM spoof of the Expelled trailer:

The uncut interviews used are available here (things the DI will never post):

Dr. Denis Lamoureux

Dr. Warren Gallin and Dr. Brad Magor

Dr. Zbigniew Gortel

Dr. Michael Caldwell

 

UofA Palaeo Society Biennial Symposium

From the UofA Palaeo Society:

I have another U of A Palaeo Society event that is probably of
interest to members of your group. We are hosting our 2nd Biennial
Symposium on March 8 and 9. March 8 is a series of oral and poster
presentations on current research in palaeontology, including a lot of
systematics and evolution topics. March 9 includes 4 workshops, held
during the morning and afternoon.

Of particular interest is a workshop hosted by Dr. Lamoureux, called
“Encountering the Anti-Evolutionists”. This is a discussion-based
workshop where Dr. Lamoureux will discuss the various arguements of
the creationists and intelligent design folks, and how to respond to
them.

Oral and poster presentations on March 8 are free and open to
everyone. Workshops on March 9 are $5 per person.

I have attached to this email a copy of the circular we have sent to
various mailing lists; we would be most appreciative if you could
forward this to your group’s members as well. It contains detailed
information about the speakers, schedule, and workshops.

Thanks! Hope to see some of you guys again - the Darwin Day event was
a huge success.

Victoria Arbour
VP Communications
University of Alberta Palaeontological Society

Reading Week Events

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re all enjoying the break from classes.

There’s a few upcoming events that I thought I’d mention:

Over reading week we plan to create a parody trailer to the upcoming movie Expelled (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=xGCxbhGaVfE).  The premise will imply the flying spaghetti monster has been “expelled” from the UofA’s big academia.

I tried to get in touch with the Society of Creative Filmmaking to use some equipment, but I haven’t heard back, so if anyone has a camera and is willing to help out let me know.

I’m hoping to do filming on Thursday and Friday this week, and potentially a little next week.

Our next Liquid Rationalism is on the first Thursday back to class (28 Feb) at 5pm (new day and time for those who couldn’t make Fridays).  The topic is open to suggestion.

Also, on Sunday March 2, we as a group will be hosting the Campus Interfaith Ministries monthly “God on Tap” at Remedy and will be leading a discussion on the “New Atheism.”  This will be an open event, and will feature most of the campus chaplains.  If you would like to help add any points to the discussion email me.

Have a good break everyone!

Ian Bushfield

President, UofA Atheists and Agnostics

Science Sunday

I received an email from Student Group Services requesting volunteers for Science Sunday.  If you are interested in volunteering, please apply to Ellen (contact info below):

 

What?

Science Sunday is an afternoon of discovery for kids ages 5-12. With your help, children will look, touch, dig, measure, and learn through fun, hands-on activities.

 

When?

Sunday, March 2nd, 2008, 10:00-5:00 p.m.

(Event runs 12:00-4:00; additional time is for setup/cleanup.)

 

Where?

Earth Sciences Building, Saskatchewan Drive, U of A campus

 

How?

If you are interested, please contact Ellen with the U of A Museums by Wednesday, February 20th, at 492-0781 or ellen.cunningham@ualberta.ca.