Book recommendation

Today I began listening to another book on CD. It is Jimmy Carter's most recent book: Our Endangered Values. I checked it out from the Tulsa Library. It is read by Carter himself, which adds something to the listening experience. It is on four CDs, the first one being about 73 minutes long.

While I differ with Carter on his theology, I much admire this former President. If I can get my hands on a print copy, I would like to post some quotes from his book here. Carter is a storehouse of wisdom.

Geocaching Successes

There were five of us out searching for geocaches today. With five pairs of eyes, we were able to locate all five geocaches we searched for. (A sixth cache we were intending to look for had been withdrawn a few days earlier.) We found each cache after a search of only five minutes or so. After we finish caching for the day, we all went to Mazzio's where I provided pizza for everyone. We had a great time. Wish more could have been with us.

Hatters to go geocaching

The first of seven activities for freethinkers this month happens this Sunday starting around 1pm. We will gather at Randy’s house, 6705 E. 54 St. and talk about geocaching and what we are about to do. Then we will see if we can find six caches hidden within a two-mile radius of Randy’s house.

I will have a sheet on each hidden cache, but if you would like to have an advance look at what we will be searching for, go to www.geocaching.com. In the box for the ZIP code type in Randy’s ZIP code of 74145. There are 54 caches within a three-mile radius of the 74145 post office. (There are now hundreds of caches in the Tulsa area, with new caches being placed each week.) By clicking on any of the listed caches, the page for that cache is displayed. (If you have an account with geocaching.com (it’s free) then a small map pinpointing to location of the cache is displayed on the cache page.)

The six caches I have selected for us to find are:

Lunchtime Cache #8
Micro Mania #9
Hidden Park
Twisted Sisters
Asphalt Jungle – SP4
Nest Egg

You will notice that the terrain difficulty for all these is low. We should be able to walk right up to them. Finding them is another matter. Some caches are very cleverly hidden. Once I was caching with Dan Cagle in Norman, and we searched for twenty minutes (at least), and then Dan spotted the cache. We were within 20 feet of it all the time we were searching. With a group of us searching, we should be able to locate each cache within 10 minutes. (I hope.)

I have a travel bug I need to drop off in one of the caches, but I won’t go into that now.

Two caches we will be looking for are at LaFortune Park, and another one or two are in parks, also. If you see a cache on the geocaching web site that interests you, print the cache sheet and bring it with you.

Perhaps we could go to the Mazzio’s near Randy’s afterwards for some pizza?

February Events

Sun., Feb. 5, 1pm
Geocaching Adventures with Randy and Dan. Meet at Randy’s house, 6705 E. 54 St. Then we will go searching for half a dozen hidden caches in Randy’s neighborhood using a GPS receiver.

Sat., Feb. 11, 10am
Secular Singers at Randy’s house, 6705 E. 54th in Tulsa. Join Bea, Randy, Gail, Julia, and Dan to sing freethought and other songs. Come to sing or just come to listen and enjoy the fellowship.

Sun., Feb. 12, 2pm
Humanist Study Group at Border’s, 81st & Yale. Topic: Jared Diamond’s recent book Collapse

Wed., Feb. 15, 11:30am
ALGAE (A Little Group of Atheists Eating), luncheon at White River Fish Market, 1708 N. Sheridan. This seafood restaurant seems to be growing in popularity.

Sun., Feb. 19, 1pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting In lieu of the MMM this month, we will meet for lunch at the Spaghetti Warehouse at noon. Then we will watch the film Moloch in the nearby OSU-Tulsa auditorium. Film starts at 2pm.

Sat., Feb. 25, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at Marie Callender’s on 51st St.

Sun., Feb. 26, 2pm
Tulsa Atheist Rendezvous at Barnes & Noble Bookstore on 41st St. See www.tulsaar.blogspot.com for the latest TAR news.

HAT Minutes, January 15, 2006

HAT met today, Sunday, January 15, starting at 1pm at the Hardesty Library. There were 19 people present, which included two first-time visitors. Door prize winners were Brian Hill and Russ Butler.

The new HAT Directory was distributed. I reported that we had $1,169 in the treasury. Someone immediately said its time we had a party, but frugal heads prevailed and no party was planned.

We decided that in lieu of a meeting in February that we would go to the Auditorium on the OSU-Tulsa campus and view a film – Moloch, which is a fictional account of Eva Braun and Adolf Hitler in their Alpine retreat in beautiful Berchtesgaden, Germany. Prior to viewing the movie we will gather at the Spaghetti Warehouse for lunch at noon.

The program was on Bart Ehrman’s book Misquoting Jesus. We heard a portion of an audio recording of an interview of Ehrman on The Diane Rehm Show. Due to a technical malfunction with the CD player we were unable to hear more of the interview, but we all launched into a discussion of various matters including the perennial favorite: atheism vs. agnosticism.

[I have probably left out some things that we discussed at the meeting. If anyone would like to add to the record, you can add your own comments.]

On the Cult of Character

This quote comes from the article "The Cult of Character" by Silja J. A. Talvi from the January 9 issue of In These Times.

Again, here is the fundamental premise: what the IBLP [Institute in Basic Life Principles] hopes will come of these myriad efforts on secular and religious fronts is a patriarchal, hierarchical Christian government that truly has no place for dissent, for disbelievers, or for those whose character qualities fall short of expectations. Government, from this viewpoint, is akin to the right hand of God: Nothing or no one should stand between the two entities, or question their right to rule over our lives.

Publicity effort

The following was e-mailed today to Urban Tulsa Weekly:

Under Clubs/Meetings...Ongoing

3RD SUN, EVERY MONTH
Humanist Association of Tulsa, 1pm
Hardesty Library, 798-3629

-----------------------------------------------------

Above item submitted by Dan Nerren, Secretary/Treasurer of HAT. Phone 798-3629

Financial Reports

Since at this time HAT is no longer publishing a newsletter, our financial reports will be published on this blog.

Dan Nerren, Treasurer


Financial Report for March/April 2005

Balance as of 2/28/05…………1191.88

Receipts
Dues…………………...........…………. 6.00
Contributions…………………....... 34.00
Interest………………………….......... 1.05

TOTAL RECEIPTS…………….....41.05

Expenditures
SSA ad in Daily O’Collegian…........ 68.90
Postage………………………............ 22.20

TOTAL EXPENDITURES……... 91.10

Balance as of 4/30/05……….. 1141.83



Financial Report for May/June 2005

Balance as of 4/30/05……….. 1141.83

Receipts
Dues…………………….…… 30.00
Contributions……………….. 42.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS………… 72.00

Expenditures
Village Inn refreshments….. 15.20

TOTAL EXPENDITURES…. 15.20

Balance as of 6/30/05……… 1198.63



Financial Report for July/August 2005

Balance as of 6/30/05……… 1198.63

Receipts
Interest…………….………… .99

TOTAL RECEIPTS………… .99

TOTAL EXPENDITURES… 0

Balance as of 8/31/05…….. 1199.62




Financial Report for September/October 2005

Balance as of 8/31/05…….. 1199.62

Receipts
Interest……………………… 1.03

TOTAL RECEIPTS ………. 1.03

Expenditures
P. O. box rental…………… 68.00
Music for Secular Singers . 10.12

TOTAL EXPENDITURES... 78.12

Balance as of 10/31/05…… 1122.53



Financial Report for November/December 2005

Balance as of 10/31/05

Receipts
Dues………………………. 4.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS………. 4.00

TOTAL EXPENDITURES.. 0

Balance as of 12/31/05….. 1126.53

Response to Patti's Death

Hi Dan,
Thanks for letting me know about Patti's death. It was a tough situation that I've reflected on often and will continue to think about. To touch on some positive, I will remember Patti's always exceptional free thought newspaper clips she added to the free thought clipping circle. And I will always remember Patti, especially for her determination. It was her goal to someday benefit from stem cell research and walk again, and go back to her business which was the center of her life. Good people die, but their memories and dreams live on.

Dan Cagle

Larry's letter on Patti's death

Dan,

Patti Reames died last night at Norman Regional Hospital. I don't know all the details yet, but apparently her death was the result of heart failure. Patti was one of the kindest and most generous people I've ever known. She was also dedicated to the cause of freethought and was, as you know, a supporter of HAT as well.

She'd suffered from Multiple Sclerosis for the past several years, and was institutionalized for the past five in various rest homes. Over the past few weeks, she'd begun to lose the use of her hands. In a matter of months, I'm sure she would've been a quadriplegic. Patti had suffered enough indignities because of this illness and I know she wouldn't have wanted to be reduced to that. She was optimistic, courageous and sweet to the end, even though she'd had to endure excrutiating pain and immobility for so long.

I'll miss her greatly.

Larry [Forrest]

Note from Dan: Larry wrote to me again to say that the cause of death was found to be sepsis, blood poisoning due to an infection.

Point of Inquiry

The Center for Inquiry is now producing audio programs in a series called "Point of Inquiry." Two segments have been produced so far, both during the week of December 12. More programs are to follow. The programs feature a summary of news of interest to humanists and skeptics plus other segments. In the first program Paul Kurtz is interviewed about his book Science and Religion: Are They Compatible? In the second program paranormal investigator Joe Nickell is interviewed regarding skeptical inquiry.

You can access "Point of Inquiry" at http://www.pointofinquiry.org/ . Click on "Listen Now" to choose the program you wish to hear.

Atheist group makes holiday season its own
By David Schulte World Staff Writer 12/21/2005

To members of The Humanist Association of Tulsa, God, the second coming of Jesus Christ and angels with wings are myths similar to Santa Claus, green elves and flying reindeer.

The group has 30 members, who are predominantly atheists or agnostic, said Dan Nerren of Sand Springs, the organization's president.

Although they do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, humanists are tolerant of those who do, because the season of giving and good will toward others is consistent with their own belief that people need to make the world a more peaceful and better place.

Because humanists do not believe an eternal life awaits people when they die, humanity must make the most of life on earth, and the best way to do that is by finding harmony living with others, said Tulsa's Randy Bradley, vice president of the organization.

"The fact that there is no magic man in the sky does not reduce your capacity for joy or for love," he said. "Life is as precious, and probably more so for the humanists, because we realize that all the evidence points that this is all there is, and we ought to treat each other as best as we can, because there is no pie in the sky afterwards."

For the humanists, the holiday rituals of exchanging gifts and having formal dinners are ways to enjoy the fellowship of others.

They also have found their own special day in December to plan such events: the Winter Solstice, which begins Dec. 21. This year, the group held its annual Winter Solstice gathering on Dec. 18.

Long before Christians celebrated Christ's birth, ancient civilizations celebrated seasons, because they represented a change in the cycle of life, Bradley said. To celebrate the winter season, many humanists' families decorate a tree and place gifts underneath it.

"The party was there before they moved Jesus' birthday to December," Bradley said.
When humanists hear Christmas greetings from others, "They just let it roll off their back," Nerren said.

Although many of the humanists have adapted the holiday season to fit within their secular beliefs, Tulsa's Bea McCartney is one member who no longer follows the traditions of the holiday. With the exception of buying a few small gifts for her grandchildren, she no longer exchanges gifts with others, because she is "very anti-materialistic."

"It's just a waste of time and money," she said of the Christmas season.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the Christmas season is that it has become too commercialized, Bradley said.

"As for people getting together and being kind to one another, we're all for that," he said.

McCartney views the story of Jesus Christ like any story in the Bible: She believes it was something that was passed down from one generation to another and greatly exaggerated before it was written.

"There is nothing in it divinely inspired," she said. "It's partly myth, partly legend."

McCartney respects others' right to celebrate Christmas and worship God, but she is offended when Christians or people of other faiths thrust their religious views on her, she said.

Although most humanists find it easy to blend in with those who worship God, Bradley does not hesitate to share his views on religion when he attends holiday parties.

When it comes to God, Bradley is completely "out of the closet."

"I go to company Christmas parties, and ultimately, at some point, we will probably discuss religion," he said. "I try not to be hostile, but I try to be honest."

Bradley said he bases his atheist views on a lack of scientific evidence of God's existence.
He and Nerren also believe recent world events support their views.

They point to the thousands of innocent humans who have died within the past two years because of hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes as evidence that God does not exist. A loving, omnipotent God would not let these disasters occur, they said.

"If there is a God, he is delinquent," Nerren said.

Tulsa's Marilyn Clark, a humanist, said most people's belief in God is a longing for something that is kind and good in the world.

Because humanists do not believe in an eternal life in heaven, they feel that their bond with others is perhaps greater than most people's.

If the only possible paradise that can exist is on earth, it is important that people treat each other with love and respect each day, and just not during the holiday season, they said.

"In the end, everyone is going to die, and we realize that," Bradley said. "Life is short and sweet, so we are going to be kind, good and just -- this is the only chance that we're going to get."

Minutes for HAT meeting, Dec. 18, 2005

Officers for 2006 were elected at the HAT meeting held on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 at Randy Bradley's house. The officers are Randy Bradley, president; Marilyn Clarke, vice-president; Dan Nerren, secretary; Dan Nerren, treasurer; Brian Hill, program director. Door prize winners were Ryan Sheahan (one-year subscription to Freethought Today) and Mary Clements (one-year subscription to Church and State magazine).

There were 18 people at the gathering: Randy, Dawn, Harold, Sharon, Brian, Ryan, Julia, Bea, Gail, Marilyn, Mary, Polly, Glenn, Stan, John, Barbara, Jan, and Dan. We all sat around a large table and enjoyed turkey soup and cornbread. There was a large variety of desserts to choose from.

We observed HumanLight, a Humanist celebration of human accomplishments and reason.

The Secular Singers presented a musical program of eight holiday selections.

This was our final meeting of the year.

Looking to next year, Program Director Brian Hill will explore the possibility of scheduling Carlton Pearson as a guest speaker at one of our third Sunday meetings.

Freethought Activities -- December 2005

Sat., Dec. 10, 10am
Secular Singers at Dan’s house, 4925 Spruce Dr., Sand Springs. Join Bea, Randy, Gail, Julia, and Dan to sing freethought and other songs.

Sun., Dec. 11, 2pm
Humanist Study Group at Border’s, 81st & Yale. Discussion leader: Glenn Visher. Topic: “The Nature of Personality: Genes, Culture, and National Character” by Richard W. Robins.

Sun., Dec. 18, 2pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting and Food & Fellowship Gathering at Randy Bradley’s, 6705 E. 54th. Annual election of officers. Program: Musical presentation by The Secular Singers.

Wed., Dec. 21, 11:30am
ALGAE luncheon at White River Fish Market, 1708 N. Sheridan.

There is no TAR meeting this month. Next TAR meeting will be Jan. 17.

Questions? Call Dan at 798-3629.

HSG in December

The subject of discussion for the Humanist Study Group meeting on December 11 will be the article "The Nature of Personality: Genes, Culture, and Natioonal Character" by Richard W. Robins. Glenn Visher will lead the discussion. I received a call yesterday from David Schulte, a reporter for Tulsa World. He said he would be attending this meeting to gather more information for the article he is working on.

...and the nominees are...

At the HAT meeting on November 20 the following nominations were made to fill the offices for 2006:

President: Randy Bradley
Vice President: Marilyn Clarke
Secretary: Dan Nerren
Treasurer: Dan Nerren
Program Director: Brian Hill

There are no contested offices and the time for nominations has expired, so the above will be your HAT officers for 2006. A vote to approve the slate will be held at the December meeting. The December meeting will be held at the home of Randy Bradley on Sunday, December 18, starting at 2:00 PM. Randy's address is 6705 E. 54 St.

Also at the November meeting we decided to spend $200 on honoraria for four guest speakers ($50 each) during 2006. Randy and Brian will select and arrange for the speakers. If anyone has a suggestion for a guest speaker, please let Randy or Brian know.

Brian's letter

The following letter by Brian Hill is in today's Tulsa World.

Weather-worn

"Braving stormy weather" (Nov. 7) rakes over the same old discredited coals. Historically, believers have strained to attach theological significance to catastrophic weather. But the Bible is replete with erroneous predictions of the Apocalypse.

Jesus taught that his generation would witness the advent of God's kingdom. At Matthew 4:17, he states, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He miscalculates again in Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27 and Matthew 16:28.

St. Paul says in I Corinthians 7:29, "the appointed time has grown very short." The opening sentence of the fabled Book of Revelation cites Jesus speaking of things that must shortly come to pass.

No viable construction can expand "shortly" to extend to nearly 2,000 years. Would the early Christians have been so willing to face persecution if they had realized how mistaken their leaders were about their collective fate? No telling, but there is no doubt that many of today's believers will continue to ignore biblical passages that disrupt their cherished notions.

Brian Hill, Tulsa

Reporter Interviews HAT Members

David Schulte, a reporter for the Tulsa World, interviewed five HAT members last Saturday at the Zarrow Library for a story he is working on about non-Christians in the Christmas season. Do we celebrate, and if so, how? Do we exchange gifts? Do we put up a tree in the house? Are we open about our non-belief with our family and coworkers? These are some of the questions we responded to during the interview. The reporter said he would like to observe one of our meetings before having his story ready to run in the paper.

The five HAT members who were interviewed are : Randy Bradley, Bea McCartney, Julia Topi, Marilyn Clarke, and myself. In the hour prior to the interview the Secular Singers worked on some music for the December 18 meeting, which will be held at Randy's house.

Agenda for November Meeting

Below is the agenda for the November 20, 2005 meeting of the Humanist Association of Tulsa. The meeting is being held at the Hardesty Library (on 93rd near Memorial). The meeting will begin shortly after the library opens at 1:00 pm. Please contact me if you have an item of business you would like added to the agenda. -Dan

1. Announcements and circulation of working copy of 2006 membership roster for corrections or additions
2. Opening reading (selections from When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? by George Carlin)
3. Nominations for offices for 2006 (election at December meeting)
4. Drawing for door prize (a one-year subscription to Freethought Today; alternative prize available if winner is already a subscriber)
5. Program and discussion. "Race: The Power of an Illusion," a DVD presentation; discussion leader, Brian Hill

November 2005 Freethought Activities

Sat., Nov. 12, 10am
Secular Singers at Dan’s house, 4925 Spruce Dr., Sand Springs. Join Bea, Randy, Gail, Julia, and Dan to sing freethought and other songs.

Sun., Nov. 13, 2pm
Humanist Study Group at Border’s, 81st & Yale. Discussion leader: Ryan Sheahan. Topic TBA.

Tues., Nov. 15, 7pm
Tulsa Atheist Rendezvous at Zarrow Library, 2224 W. 51st St. See www.tulsaar.blogspot.com for agenda.

Wed., Nov. 16, 11:30am
ALGAE, luncheon at White River Fish Market, 1708 N. Sheridan.

Sun., Nov. 20, 1pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at the Hardesty Library, near 93rd and Memorial. Annual election of officers. Program: “Race: The Power of an Illusion.” Discussion leader: Brian Hill.

Sat., Nov. 26, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship, at Shawkat’s, 4123 S. Sheridan.



Questions? Call Dan at 798-3629