Our humanist chapter met twice this week. On Sunday, August 17, we met at Hardesty Library for our third Sunday membership meeting. There were 14 people in attendance at this meeting. Randy spoke about purchasing a tent for tabling purposes, but no action was taken on the matter.
Randy next read a poem by William Blake: "Auguries of Innocence." We don’t hear the word “auguries” used much anymore. It means “omens” or “portents.”
For my part as Secretary and Treasurer, I reported that we have $1588.61 in the treasury, and the membership total is now 27.
I read two selections for my contribution to our literary reflections time. The first was written by Kenneth C. Davis and was from his recent book American’s Hidden History. The second was written by comedian Lewis Black and is found in his book Me of Little Faith. It seemed that many of the fourteen present had much they wished to talk about this day. We were engaged in lively conversation until someone made the observation that Brian had a program to present. Brian showed a portion of a 4-hour PBS special on Sigmund Freud and C. S. Lewis.
On Saturday, August 23, once again 14 people showed up for Food & Fellowship at Helen of Troy on South Lewis. (It was the same gang of 14, with the exception of four.) We had Greek/Mediterranean food. Some of us were surprised to learn that Bob N, had a new tattoo on his upper left arm. I say some of us, because with 14 people lined up at one long table, those on the north end of the table might have missed out on what was going on down on the south end.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Library dedication, fitness center, drumming
Yesterday was a busy day for me. I did three things: attended the dedication of the new Kaiser Library; joined the fitness center at Tulsa Community College (West campus), and attended the drum circle at the Price house.
The library dedication lasted 45 minutes – not quite the two hours Jan had predicted. The event was larger than I had expected. It was held in the gymnasium of the new community center. The library/community center is all under on roof. One strange aspect of the dedication was the tree watering. A small tree (maybe six feet high in a planter) which is normally at the entrance of the library was moved into the gym. Inasmuch as it is associated with a library, the tree was referred to as “the tree of knowledge.” In the story of Adam and Eve, there is also a “tree of knowledge” (of good and evil), from which grows the forbidden fruit. The symbolic watering of the tree was a way of indicating a hope for the nourishment of the tree. Someone remarked that the complex was to serve the whole person: the library will serve the mind; the community center the body. Did anyone else, I wonder, think of the connection to the Garden of Eden story?
There were many people at the dedication, maybe two to three hundred. I recognized many people at the gathering. Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor was there, along with former Tulsa mayor Bill LaFortune. (The library was built on the grounds of LaFortune Park.) Speaking at the event were Richard Bales (park director), Fred Perry (chairman of the county commission), Bob Dick (a former county commissioner), LaVerne Ford Wimberly (chairman of the library commission), Bonnie Henke (president-elect of the Tulsa Library Trust Board), Bill LaFortune, and Linda Saferite (head of the Tulsa City-County Library).
Funds for building the Community Center came from the Vision 2025 tax; funds for building the Kaiser Library came from private donations. Among the donors contributing to the building of the library is the Humanist Association of Tulsa. The words “Humanist Association of Tulsa” appear on a plaque near the entrance to the library.
Entertainment at the dedication was provided by a band featuring a steel drum. Steel Around is the name of the band. They played several songs including “Yellow Bird,” and “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Refreshments were served, also.
In the afternoon, we went to the TCC campus and joined the fitness center there. We had to have a picture ID made and then pay the fee to use the facility. We then returned home and I took a nap. We returned to the fitness center later in the afternoon and walked for thirty minutes. The walking track is above the basketball court and circles the court. Several exercise machines are available to use. Down on the basketball court were several people attending a lecture of some kind with a powerpoint presentation.
In the evening I attended my drumming group at the Price house. Craig (former drum circle member) called while we were there, saying he may be back with more stories of his adventures.
The library dedication lasted 45 minutes – not quite the two hours Jan had predicted. The event was larger than I had expected. It was held in the gymnasium of the new community center. The library/community center is all under on roof. One strange aspect of the dedication was the tree watering. A small tree (maybe six feet high in a planter) which is normally at the entrance of the library was moved into the gym. Inasmuch as it is associated with a library, the tree was referred to as “the tree of knowledge.” In the story of Adam and Eve, there is also a “tree of knowledge” (of good and evil), from which grows the forbidden fruit. The symbolic watering of the tree was a way of indicating a hope for the nourishment of the tree. Someone remarked that the complex was to serve the whole person: the library will serve the mind; the community center the body. Did anyone else, I wonder, think of the connection to the Garden of Eden story?
There were many people at the dedication, maybe two to three hundred. I recognized many people at the gathering. Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor was there, along with former Tulsa mayor Bill LaFortune. (The library was built on the grounds of LaFortune Park.) Speaking at the event were Richard Bales (park director), Fred Perry (chairman of the county commission), Bob Dick (a former county commissioner), LaVerne Ford Wimberly (chairman of the library commission), Bonnie Henke (president-elect of the Tulsa Library Trust Board), Bill LaFortune, and Linda Saferite (head of the Tulsa City-County Library).
Funds for building the Community Center came from the Vision 2025 tax; funds for building the Kaiser Library came from private donations. Among the donors contributing to the building of the library is the Humanist Association of Tulsa. The words “Humanist Association of Tulsa” appear on a plaque near the entrance to the library.
Entertainment at the dedication was provided by a band featuring a steel drum. Steel Around is the name of the band. They played several songs including “Yellow Bird,” and “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Refreshments were served, also.
In the afternoon, we went to the TCC campus and joined the fitness center there. We had to have a picture ID made and then pay the fee to use the facility. We then returned home and I took a nap. We returned to the fitness center later in the afternoon and walked for thirty minutes. The walking track is above the basketball court and circles the court. Several exercise machines are available to use. Down on the basketball court were several people attending a lecture of some kind with a powerpoint presentation.
In the evening I attended my drumming group at the Price house. Craig (former drum circle member) called while we were there, saying he may be back with more stories of his adventures.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Movie Night report
There were just seven members who showed up for Movie Night last night. Present were Randy and Dawn, Jan and myself, and Marilyn, Gail, and Steven. After Gail and I played our duets, we viewed the movie The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Gail brought some lemon bars, and we had the usual popcorn and soft drinks.
Friday, August 01, 2008
August 2008 Activities of Interest to Freethinkers
Sat., August 2, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Gail and Dan will perform duets at the piano by Wohlfarht and Mozart. Feature presentation to be decided that evening.
Sat., August 9, 2:00pm
Secular Singers at home of Gail Storey, 4630 S. Victor Ave. There will be a whole lot of hootin’ and hollarin’ going on. All welcome.
Sun., August 10, 1:00pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th St. Topic: TBA
Sun., August 17, 1:00pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Yes, we are still meeting at Hardesty. Brian Hill will be showing selections from the PBS special “The Question of God.”
Sat., August 23, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at Helen of Troy, 6700 S. Lewis.
Sun., August 24, 1:00pm
Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.
Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Gail and Dan will perform duets at the piano by Wohlfarht and Mozart. Feature presentation to be decided that evening.
Sat., August 9, 2:00pm
Secular Singers at home of Gail Storey, 4630 S. Victor Ave. There will be a whole lot of hootin’ and hollarin’ going on. All welcome.
Sun., August 10, 1:00pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th St. Topic: TBA
Sun., August 17, 1:00pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Yes, we are still meeting at Hardesty. Brian Hill will be showing selections from the PBS special “The Question of God.”
Sat., August 23, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at Helen of Troy, 6700 S. Lewis.
Sun., August 24, 1:00pm
Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.
Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Food & Fellowship
We had our monthly Food & Fellowship gathering today at Billy Sims’s Barbecue at The Farm shopping center near 51st and Sheridan. There were a dozen of us there enjoying barbecue sandwiches and “fixins” (potato salad, baked beans, chips, etc.). The group included Marilyn C., Marilyn G., Brian, Bob H., Richard, Larry R., Dawn, Randy, Kim, Ron, and Jan and myself.
Down at my end of the table, the conversation was mostly about energy (the high price of, new sources of, wind as, effect of China and India’s growing demand for, etc.). I usually learn something new at these gatherings, and today was no exception. I learned from Richard that there are a series of short (usually 2 to 5 minutes in length) skits that go by the name of “Mr. Deity” which you can find on YouTube, or you can just Google “Mr. Deity” at your computer. I don’t know how many episodes there are of Mr. Deity, but I just finished watching the first five. The link to Episode 1 is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzf8q9QHfhI&NR=1
It’s funny, but at the same time it’s not funny.
After we had finished eating, we all got in our respective vehicles and drove over to the new Kaiser Library in LaFortune Park. We saw the name of our chapter, “Humanist Association of Tulsa,” on a wall which recognized groups or individuals who had made donations toward the building of the library.
We spoke with a librarian who seemed to indicate there would be no problem with reserving the meeting room in the library. The person in charge of meeting room reservations was not there at the time of our visit, but Randy got his phone number to contact him later. As it turns out, the meeting room had already been reserved for the times we wished to reserve it. So our meetings will continue to be held at Hardesty Library at the usual time on the usual day.
The community center portion of the building is not yet open, but should be open by September. There is a possibility we might move there this fall, if we are able to reserve a meeting room in that part of the building.
Down at my end of the table, the conversation was mostly about energy (the high price of, new sources of, wind as, effect of China and India’s growing demand for, etc.). I usually learn something new at these gatherings, and today was no exception. I learned from Richard that there are a series of short (usually 2 to 5 minutes in length) skits that go by the name of “Mr. Deity” which you can find on YouTube, or you can just Google “Mr. Deity” at your computer. I don’t know how many episodes there are of Mr. Deity, but I just finished watching the first five. The link to Episode 1 is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzf8q9QHfhI&NR=1
It’s funny, but at the same time it’s not funny.
After we had finished eating, we all got in our respective vehicles and drove over to the new Kaiser Library in LaFortune Park. We saw the name of our chapter, “Humanist Association of Tulsa,” on a wall which recognized groups or individuals who had made donations toward the building of the library.
We spoke with a librarian who seemed to indicate there would be no problem with reserving the meeting room in the library. The person in charge of meeting room reservations was not there at the time of our visit, but Randy got his phone number to contact him later. As it turns out, the meeting room had already been reserved for the times we wished to reserve it. So our meetings will continue to be held at Hardesty Library at the usual time on the usual day.
The community center portion of the building is not yet open, but should be open by September. There is a possibility we might move there this fall, if we are able to reserve a meeting room in that part of the building.
Monday, July 21, 2008
HAT Meeting 7-20-08
There were 15 people in attendance at the HAT meeting yesterday. There were also several visitors at this meeting. Members attending were John L., Marilyn G., Brian H., Ron McD., Marilyn C., Randy B., Audrey D., Kimberly B., Bob H., and myself. Visitors in attendance were Herb V. F., William D., Larry R., and Jim and Sally McE. After the meeting, three of the visitors paid dues and became new members. Herb, Bill, and Larry.
We discussed moving the meetings to the new Kaiser Library at LaFortune Park. We will go, as a group, immediately after the Food & Fellowship gathering this Saturday (the library is closed on Sundays) to look over the new library and perhaps make a decision then about moving the meetings to Saturday at the Kaiser Library. Anyone interested in having input on this decision should try to join us at Billy Sims’s Barbecue in The Farm shopping center for the Food & Fellowship this coming Saturday at 11:30. After we eat, we will tour the new library. We should also be able to locate the plaque with our group’s name on it as a donor to help build the new library.
I spoke about a new Meetup group I am starting called Liberal Action Network. The purpose of this group is to generate letters to political representatives on issues of concern to ourselves. The first LAN Meetup will be held at The Royal Dragon on 51st Street (in the Fontana Center) on August 16, 7pm. We will be in the room with the large circular table. This will be a working meeting, in that while we are gathered together, we will write our letters. If you would like to do more than bewail the state of things, plan on attending this Meetup group and write a letter with us. Writing materials will be provided. All you need to do is show up.
Marilyn Clarke did an excellent job leading the program, “Freud, Religion, and Primary Process Thinking.” She spoke of the role our parents play in creating religion in ourselves. As young children, we have to rely upon our parents (“magical beings”) who know our needs and fulfill them while we are yet inarticulate. As we get older, we still look for magical beings to fulfill our needs. Now the magical beings become god(s).
We discussed moving the meetings to the new Kaiser Library at LaFortune Park. We will go, as a group, immediately after the Food & Fellowship gathering this Saturday (the library is closed on Sundays) to look over the new library and perhaps make a decision then about moving the meetings to Saturday at the Kaiser Library. Anyone interested in having input on this decision should try to join us at Billy Sims’s Barbecue in The Farm shopping center for the Food & Fellowship this coming Saturday at 11:30. After we eat, we will tour the new library. We should also be able to locate the plaque with our group’s name on it as a donor to help build the new library.
I spoke about a new Meetup group I am starting called Liberal Action Network. The purpose of this group is to generate letters to political representatives on issues of concern to ourselves. The first LAN Meetup will be held at The Royal Dragon on 51st Street (in the Fontana Center) on August 16, 7pm. We will be in the room with the large circular table. This will be a working meeting, in that while we are gathered together, we will write our letters. If you would like to do more than bewail the state of things, plan on attending this Meetup group and write a letter with us. Writing materials will be provided. All you need to do is show up.
Marilyn Clarke did an excellent job leading the program, “Freud, Religion, and Primary Process Thinking.” She spoke of the role our parents play in creating religion in ourselves. As young children, we have to rely upon our parents (“magical beings”) who know our needs and fulfill them while we are yet inarticulate. As we get older, we still look for magical beings to fulfill our needs. Now the magical beings become god(s).
Monday, June 02, 2008
June 2008 Activities of Interest to Freethinkers
June 2008
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers
Sat., June 7, 7:00pm Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Sun., June 8, 2:00pm Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th St. Normally scheduled for 1pm, meeting time changed to avoid a gap between this event and Stan’s party.
Sun., June 8, 4:00pm Stan’s party, enjoy dinner at Stan’s place, 1513 E. 3rd.
Wed., June 11, 7:30pm Atheists Meetup Mid-Month Social Dinner
See atheists.meetup.com/477 for more information.
Sat., June 14, 2 to 4pm Secular Singers at Gail’s house, 4630 S. Victor.
Sun., June 15, 1:00pm HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Program Director Brian Hill will show a travelogue film on Paris, France.
Sat., June 21, 7:00pm Combination Solstice Party and Sky Party, Bradley house, 6705 E. 54th. Celebrate with us the coming of the summer solstice; if we have clear skies, we will look at some celestial objects through telescopes.
Sun., June 22, 2:00pm Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center. See atheists.meetup.com/477 for more information.
Sat., June 28, 11:30am Food & Fellowship at The Local Table, 4329 S. Peoria.
Sat., June 28, 2 to 4pm Keystone Ancient Forest Tour (tentative; depends upon interest shown at June 15 meeting).
Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers
Sat., June 7, 7:00pm Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Sun., June 8, 2:00pm Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th St. Normally scheduled for 1pm, meeting time changed to avoid a gap between this event and Stan’s party.
Sun., June 8, 4:00pm Stan’s party, enjoy dinner at Stan’s place, 1513 E. 3rd.
Wed., June 11, 7:30pm Atheists Meetup Mid-Month Social Dinner
See atheists.meetup.com/477 for more information.
Sat., June 14, 2 to 4pm Secular Singers at Gail’s house, 4630 S. Victor.
Sun., June 15, 1:00pm HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Program Director Brian Hill will show a travelogue film on Paris, France.
Sat., June 21, 7:00pm Combination Solstice Party and Sky Party, Bradley house, 6705 E. 54th. Celebrate with us the coming of the summer solstice; if we have clear skies, we will look at some celestial objects through telescopes.
Sun., June 22, 2:00pm Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center. See atheists.meetup.com/477 for more information.
Sat., June 28, 11:30am Food & Fellowship at The Local Table, 4329 S. Peoria.
Sat., June 28, 2 to 4pm Keystone Ancient Forest Tour (tentative; depends upon interest shown at June 15 meeting).
Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
HAT Meeting (5-18-08) and other events
HAT held its May meeting on the 18th of the month at Hardesty Library. Attendence was ten. Brian had prepared to show a travelogue on Paris, but the conversation was going so well that when Marilyn spoke up and said lets keep this conversation going, we did just that. For the better part of two hours we sat around the table and talked.
Stan Simpson would like to invite all HAT and TAM members to a party he will host on the afternoon of June 8, which is a Sunday. You may park across the street from his house at the transmission shop. Plan to arrive around 4 pm. The Humanist Study Group will meet at 2 pm and will end in time to drive to Stan's house.
I gave a membership and financial report on our chapter. Ron McDaniel paid his dues, and John Lowerison joined our chapter at the end of the meeting. That brings our membership total for the year up to 23. In the treasury we now have $1,555.31.
I read a poem by Cathryn Essinger titled "The Man Next Door Is Teaching His Dog to Drive." Please, I would like to see a few more people read a poem (or prose selection) at future meetings.
At the Food & Fellowship gathering today, our original venue was closed (second time this has happened to us). Just like last time, we went across the street and ate at a Vietnamese restaurant, Binh-le's. Twelve people were in attendance at this event.
Stan Simpson would like to invite all HAT and TAM members to a party he will host on the afternoon of June 8, which is a Sunday. You may park across the street from his house at the transmission shop. Plan to arrive around 4 pm. The Humanist Study Group will meet at 2 pm and will end in time to drive to Stan's house.
I gave a membership and financial report on our chapter. Ron McDaniel paid his dues, and John Lowerison joined our chapter at the end of the meeting. That brings our membership total for the year up to 23. In the treasury we now have $1,555.31.
I read a poem by Cathryn Essinger titled "The Man Next Door Is Teaching His Dog to Drive." Please, I would like to see a few more people read a poem (or prose selection) at future meetings.
At the Food & Fellowship gathering today, our original venue was closed (second time this has happened to us). Just like last time, we went across the street and ate at a Vietnamese restaurant, Binh-le's. Twelve people were in attendance at this event.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
HAT Meeting 3.16.08
At the HAT meeting last Sunday, March 16, there were 12 people in attendance. Two of the twelve were visitors. The program was presented by our program director Brian Hill. Brian spoke on Suzanne Haneef’s book What Everyone Should Know about Islam and Muslims.
I reported that our membership for the year stood at 20. During the poetry reading segment, I read “Letter of Recommendation” by Robert B. Shaw, another poem I first heard read on Garrison Keillor’s “Writer’s Almanac.” Marilyn Clarke recited from memory lines from “The More Loving One” by W. H. Auden.
I reported that our membership for the year stood at 20. During the poetry reading segment, I read “Letter of Recommendation” by Robert B. Shaw, another poem I first heard read on Garrison Keillor’s “Writer’s Almanac.” Marilyn Clarke recited from memory lines from “The More Loving One” by W. H. Auden.
Monday, February 18, 2008
HAT Meeting 2.17.08
The meeting began with announcements of upcoming events, namely the Food & Fellowship at 11:30 am on the 23rd at Cardigan’s (6000 S. Lewis) and the Atheists Meetup at 2:00 pm on the 24th at The Hideaway (1419 E. 15th).
The new HAT librarian is Kim Burdick. Bob Hooper brought a sack of books and donated them to the Freethinker’s Library. Bob also read a selection from Skeptical Inquirer.
Brian Hill mentioned a report from the Tulsa World about a speaker coming to TU who is going to give a lecture on the “New Atheism.” Some of us plan to attend to see just how hostile the speaker will be to skeptics.
The membership approved spending $144 for a one year trial association with meetup.com. We have had such good results with meetup.com with the atheists group. Also approved was the spending of ten dollar per month on postcards to be mailed to legislators on various issues of concern to us.
I circulated a list for people who would like to take a tour of the Keystone Ancient Forest. If there is enough interest I will schedule a tour for us. There is a requirement that we have ten people minimum to go on the tour.
The program for the day was a reading of some of our favorite jokes.
The new HAT librarian is Kim Burdick. Bob Hooper brought a sack of books and donated them to the Freethinker’s Library. Bob also read a selection from Skeptical Inquirer.
Brian Hill mentioned a report from the Tulsa World about a speaker coming to TU who is going to give a lecture on the “New Atheism.” Some of us plan to attend to see just how hostile the speaker will be to skeptics.
The membership approved spending $144 for a one year trial association with meetup.com. We have had such good results with meetup.com with the atheists group. Also approved was the spending of ten dollar per month on postcards to be mailed to legislators on various issues of concern to us.
I circulated a list for people who would like to take a tour of the Keystone Ancient Forest. If there is enough interest I will schedule a tour for us. There is a requirement that we have ten people minimum to go on the tour.
The program for the day was a reading of some of our favorite jokes.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
HAT Meeting 1.20.08
We had a very good turn out at today's HAT meeting with 19 present. Randy even pondered what we might do should our remarkable growth continue. Pictured here you see Marilyn Clarke who spoke about the article "Hot Air Gods" from a recent issue of Harper's magazine.
Randy read a poem by Thomas Hardy entitled "The Dance Continued", and I read "An Overdue Visit from Old St. Nick" which appeared in the December issue of The Oklahoma Observer.
I mentioned the two remaining events of the month: the Food & Fellowship gathering at The Local Table on Saturday, January 26, and the Atheists Meetup on Sunday, January 27 at The Hideaway.
I mentioned that a calendar of our activities can be found at www.atheists.meetup.com/477/calendar. If you lose the monthly list of activities I send out by e-mail, you can always go to this calendar.
Randy asked the group if they had any objection to telling jokes as the program for the February HAT meeting. Most people were in favor of the idea, so come prepared with your favorite jokes next month.
Barbara mentioned that Stan had been in hospital, but he was expected to be discharged today. Howard just had his 90th birthday last Friday and is now under hospice care.
Marilyn related some personal experiences, including the influence of an uncle. We later learned that Richard had had a similar experience in his formative years. The subject of atheism versus agnosticism arose once again. The usual defenses for each position were voiced. Discussion was lively, ranging from national economic policy to where people get their concept of God. We continued on past our normal ending time of 3 pm. Randy checked to make sure no one was outside waiting to use the room.
This was our first membership meeting of 2008, and, being the treasurer, I was in a dues collecting frame of mind. By the end of the meeting I had collected $72 in membership dues.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
January 2008 Calendar
January 2008
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers
Sat., Jan. 5, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Sat., Jan. 12, 2:00pm
Secular Singers at Gail Storey’s house, 4630 S. Victor Ave.
Sun., Jan. 13, 1:00pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th St. Topic: “A Brief History of Disbelief” DVD
Wed., Jan. 16, 6:30pm
Atheists Meetup Social at The Hideaway restaurant, 1419 E. 15th St.
Sun., Jan. 20, 1:00pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Speaker: Marilyn Clarke on “Hot Air Gods”
Sat., Jan. 26, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at The Local Table, 46th and Peoria.
Sun., Jan. 27, 2:00pm
Atheists Meetup at The Hideaway Restaurant, 1419 E. 15th St.
Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers
Sat., Jan. 5, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Sat., Jan. 12, 2:00pm
Secular Singers at Gail Storey’s house, 4630 S. Victor Ave.
Sun., Jan. 13, 1:00pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th St. Topic: “A Brief History of Disbelief” DVD
Wed., Jan. 16, 6:30pm
Atheists Meetup Social at The Hideaway restaurant, 1419 E. 15th St.
Sun., Jan. 20, 1:00pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Speaker: Marilyn Clarke on “Hot Air Gods”
Sat., Jan. 26, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at The Local Table, 46th and Peoria.
Sun., Jan. 27, 2:00pm
Atheists Meetup at The Hideaway Restaurant, 1419 E. 15th St.
Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
HAT Announcements, Nov. 2007
Since we ran out of time today, and since we reversed the usual order of business (guest speaker spoke first), I am sending the announcements, plus the other items of business, by this e-mail.
There were 14 of us at the meeting today: Karl, Sonia, Randy, Brian, Polly, Mary, Richard, Kimberly, Marilyn, Ron, Jan, two visitors whose names I failed to record, and myself.
The treasury was at $1391.44; membership stood at 32. (We picked up four new members today, bringing the total now to 36. The new members are Karl and Sonia Sniderman, Kimberly Burdick, and Mary Kay Maule.)
We have three events remaining on the calendar for this month.
(1) On Wed., Nov. 21, at 11:20 am is the ALGAE luncheon at White River Fish Market
(2) On Sat., Nov 24, at 11:30 am is our Food & Fellowship at The Local Table, 4329 S. Peoria.
(3) On Sun., Nov. 25, 2:00 pm is the Atheists Meetup at The Hideaway, 1419 E. 15th St.
November is the month we accept nominations to fill the offices for 2008. The current officers are agreeable to continuing on for another year. If anyone would like to place his or her name in nomination for any office, please e-mail me and I will see that you are nominated.
I had intended to see if there is any interest in taking a walking tour of the Keystone Ancient Forest near Lake Keystone (www.sandspringsok.org), but I will bring this item up at the next meeting.
Finally, the new Members Directory is ready. If you did not pick one up today, I will have them available at the next meeting.
There were 14 of us at the meeting today: Karl, Sonia, Randy, Brian, Polly, Mary, Richard, Kimberly, Marilyn, Ron, Jan, two visitors whose names I failed to record, and myself.
The treasury was at $1391.44; membership stood at 32. (We picked up four new members today, bringing the total now to 36. The new members are Karl and Sonia Sniderman, Kimberly Burdick, and Mary Kay Maule.)
We have three events remaining on the calendar for this month.
(1) On Wed., Nov. 21, at 11:20 am is the ALGAE luncheon at White River Fish Market
(2) On Sat., Nov 24, at 11:30 am is our Food & Fellowship at The Local Table, 4329 S. Peoria.
(3) On Sun., Nov. 25, 2:00 pm is the Atheists Meetup at The Hideaway, 1419 E. 15th St.
November is the month we accept nominations to fill the offices for 2008. The current officers are agreeable to continuing on for another year. If anyone would like to place his or her name in nomination for any office, please e-mail me and I will see that you are nominated.
I had intended to see if there is any interest in taking a walking tour of the Keystone Ancient Forest near Lake Keystone (www.sandspringsok.org), but I will bring this item up at the next meeting.
Finally, the new Members Directory is ready. If you did not pick one up today, I will have them available at the next meeting.
Friday, October 26, 2007
HAT Meeting 10.21.07
There were eleven people present at today's HAT meeting: Bob, Ron, Brian, Larry, Phil, Audrey, Kimberly, Marilyn, Polly, Randy and myself. I reported our membership now stands at 30, and the treasury is at $1395.81
We had a surprise guest speaker at today's HAT meeting -- Phil Ferguson from Arkansas. We actually had two speakers at today's meeting. Our own Brian Hill reviewed the book Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism by Arthur Brooks. Next Phil Ferguson of Arkansas made a special trip to Tulsa to report on his activities.
Due to the length of today's programs, the usual poetry readings were postponed until next meeting.
While Phil searched the library for the equipment he needed, Brian presented his book review -- another excellent job by Brian. Some of the audience voiced some skepticism about the author's objectivity regarding his findings.
Phil had a remarkable presentation, complete with a Powerpoint presentation. His presentation lasted the better part of a hour. Phil had just recently attended the FFRF Convention in Madison and was still fired up from hearing Christopher Hitchens inspired speech.
Phil showed a Powerpoint presentation making use of the Brick Testament, a project of Brendon Powell Smith. It is Smith's goal to reproduce the entire Bible with illustrations created from Lego blocks.
The part of the Bible Phil chose to show (via Brick Testament illustrations) came from the Old Testament story about Lot and his daughters. You remember the story of the angst created in Lot's daughters when they realize that the only way they are going to get pregnant (and thus continue the line leading up to Jesus) is to get their father drunk and have sex with him.
Phil said that he is sometimes accused of taking passages of the Bible out of context. But he points out that when you read the pages before and after the questionable passage, nothing is resolved but more (sometimes embarrasing) questions arise.
Another video Phil chose to show was part of a gut-busting comedy routine by George Carlin. Carlin is known for his no-holds-barred critique of religion.
Following the presentation I asked Phil if he would be willing to come back to Tulsa for an encore presentation for the Atheists Meetup. Today's presentation was his third or fourth before other freethought groups. He said he would be glad to give the presentation again.
We had a surprise guest speaker at today's HAT meeting -- Phil Ferguson from Arkansas. We actually had two speakers at today's meeting. Our own Brian Hill reviewed the book Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism by Arthur Brooks. Next Phil Ferguson of Arkansas made a special trip to Tulsa to report on his activities.
Due to the length of today's programs, the usual poetry readings were postponed until next meeting.
While Phil searched the library for the equipment he needed, Brian presented his book review -- another excellent job by Brian. Some of the audience voiced some skepticism about the author's objectivity regarding his findings.
Phil had a remarkable presentation, complete with a Powerpoint presentation. His presentation lasted the better part of a hour. Phil had just recently attended the FFRF Convention in Madison and was still fired up from hearing Christopher Hitchens inspired speech.
Phil showed a Powerpoint presentation making use of the Brick Testament, a project of Brendon Powell Smith. It is Smith's goal to reproduce the entire Bible with illustrations created from Lego blocks.
The part of the Bible Phil chose to show (via Brick Testament illustrations) came from the Old Testament story about Lot and his daughters. You remember the story of the angst created in Lot's daughters when they realize that the only way they are going to get pregnant (and thus continue the line leading up to Jesus) is to get their father drunk and have sex with him.
Phil said that he is sometimes accused of taking passages of the Bible out of context. But he points out that when you read the pages before and after the questionable passage, nothing is resolved but more (sometimes embarrasing) questions arise.
Another video Phil chose to show was part of a gut-busting comedy routine by George Carlin. Carlin is known for his no-holds-barred critique of religion.
Following the presentation I asked Phil if he would be willing to come back to Tulsa for an encore presentation for the Atheists Meetup. Today's presentation was his third or fourth before other freethought groups. He said he would be glad to give the presentation again.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Freethought Weekend - 9/22-23/07
There were two events which made up this freethought weekend: the Food & Fellowship at Helen of Troy and the Atheists Meetup at Border’s.
Helen of Troy serves Mediterranean Food. When Jan said she did not know what the various seasoning were, the waiter was kind enough to bring her four small cups for her to sample each. I had the chicken in pita bread; Jan had the Chicken Shish-Ka-Bob. There were 13 of us all together. We had a room to ourselves in the back. It was a small establishment, and the staff were happy to see us.
The next day 20 of us assembled at Border’s for the monthly Atheists Meetup. I led off with the reading of a poem by Philip Appleman: “Last-Minute Message for a Time Capsule.” Discussion was lively, picking up with last month’s talk about what we can do to become more visible. I suggested we create a video and upload it to You Tube. This would be minimal as for as expense goes. Three people volunteered to work on this project. Beth has a camera which we can use. Noel has video software and volunteered to do the editing. Bob H. agreed to coordinate it all through e-mail. I will be in touch with this team shortly, sharing e-mail addresses.
Helen of Troy serves Mediterranean Food. When Jan said she did not know what the various seasoning were, the waiter was kind enough to bring her four small cups for her to sample each. I had the chicken in pita bread; Jan had the Chicken Shish-Ka-Bob. There were 13 of us all together. We had a room to ourselves in the back. It was a small establishment, and the staff were happy to see us.
The next day 20 of us assembled at Border’s for the monthly Atheists Meetup. I led off with the reading of a poem by Philip Appleman: “Last-Minute Message for a Time Capsule.” Discussion was lively, picking up with last month’s talk about what we can do to become more visible. I suggested we create a video and upload it to You Tube. This would be minimal as for as expense goes. Three people volunteered to work on this project. Beth has a camera which we can use. Noel has video software and volunteered to do the editing. Bob H. agreed to coordinate it all through e-mail. I will be in touch with this team shortly, sharing e-mail addresses.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Weekend Events
Our first event of this weekend was our monthly Food & Fellowship which this month was held at Billy Ray’s Barbecue on Southwest Blvd. I wonder if anyone else saw the sign which read “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.” I can remember the first time I saw a sign with that message. It was in the Park Hotel in Amory, Mississippi, circa 1961. I could not understand why a business would want to refuse service to anybody. You would think a restaurant would want as many customers as they could attract. Then someone explained to me the racial implications of the message.
I’m not sure that Billy Ray’s has the right to refuse service to black people. Perhaps they are just pandering to the redneck element of society. Whatever the situation, I will not be choosing this restaurant again for our Food & Fellowship gatherings.
The next day was our Atheists Meetup at Border’s. The meeting was well attended with 18 people showing up. I began by reading a poem by Philip Appleman. The poem was “Fleas,” which contains the memorable lines “for God concocted pox to mock us,/staph and syph and streptococcus:/poems are made by bards or hacks,/but only God makes cardiacs.”
Then we began discussion. The question was posed: How to get the word out about our existence. One person suggested the possibility of low power radio. What would that cost? Some have heard that the cost is high; others that the cost is low. The potential audience for such a venture is unknown. What would be the reach? In other words, how far would the transmission reach? Another idea raised was to buy time on a commercial station. How much would an ad cost? Would any station sell ad time to an atheist group.
We are going to explore these questions and post the findings on the Meetup message board.
Following this meeting, six of us met at Panera Bread on 41st to have dinner and conversation. Joining us was Bob’s wife – Susan.
Next we traveled to Tulsa University for a speech given by Steven Smith. The speech was follow by a Q & A period. I think there were 6 or 8 of us HAT folks there. Randy said following the speech, “It’s not the speech I would have like to have heard.”
I’m not sure that Billy Ray’s has the right to refuse service to black people. Perhaps they are just pandering to the redneck element of society. Whatever the situation, I will not be choosing this restaurant again for our Food & Fellowship gatherings.
The next day was our Atheists Meetup at Border’s. The meeting was well attended with 18 people showing up. I began by reading a poem by Philip Appleman. The poem was “Fleas,” which contains the memorable lines “for God concocted pox to mock us,/staph and syph and streptococcus:/poems are made by bards or hacks,/but only God makes cardiacs.”
Then we began discussion. The question was posed: How to get the word out about our existence. One person suggested the possibility of low power radio. What would that cost? Some have heard that the cost is high; others that the cost is low. The potential audience for such a venture is unknown. What would be the reach? In other words, how far would the transmission reach? Another idea raised was to buy time on a commercial station. How much would an ad cost? Would any station sell ad time to an atheist group.
We are going to explore these questions and post the findings on the Meetup message board.
Following this meeting, six of us met at Panera Bread on 41st to have dinner and conversation. Joining us was Bob’s wife – Susan.
Next we traveled to Tulsa University for a speech given by Steven Smith. The speech was follow by a Q & A period. I think there were 6 or 8 of us HAT folks there. Randy said following the speech, “It’s not the speech I would have like to have heard.”
Sunday, August 19, 2007
HAT meeting, 8/19/07
Eighteen people attended today’s HAT meeting at Hardesty Library. Present were Brian, Randy, Ron, Bob H., Bob N., Polly, Kirby, Sharon G., Marilyn, Mary, Larry, Richard, Jeff, Bea, Keith, Gail, Jan, and Dan.
Randy read a poem of his choice and I did likewise a bit later. I had four items of business to present to the chapter. I read a letter from Grassroots Coordinator Michael Friedman regarding (1) Americans United’s First Freedom First Campaign (2) Jonathan Miller’s video series A Brief History of Disbelief, and (3) Dr. Stephen Frederick Uhl’s donation of two copies of his book Imagine No Superstition.
Next, I read a letter from Sarah Burgess, a First Freedom First Intern who is working to promote the film Jesus Camp. Her letter offered to loan us a copy of the film, plus a few other things, including a disposable camera. In return, we would have to send the film back after viewing, along with the petitions and camera.
Following this I read a letter titled “Tabling Material for Events.” The letter listed various materials which are available for free from the AHA. I will order some of these materials. We need to identify some upcoming events at which we can set up a table to distribute these materials.
Next, I read a letter from Dr. Stephen Uhl who is offering his book Imagine No Superstition for just a buck per copy. There were about a half dozen people who gave me a dollar for a copy. I will order a few extra copies just to have on hand.
Finally, Brian Hill gave his usual excellent presentation – a review of the book The WalMart Effect: How It’s Transforming the American Economy written by Charles Fishman.
Randy read a poem of his choice and I did likewise a bit later. I had four items of business to present to the chapter. I read a letter from Grassroots Coordinator Michael Friedman regarding (1) Americans United’s First Freedom First Campaign (2) Jonathan Miller’s video series A Brief History of Disbelief, and (3) Dr. Stephen Frederick Uhl’s donation of two copies of his book Imagine No Superstition.
Next, I read a letter from Sarah Burgess, a First Freedom First Intern who is working to promote the film Jesus Camp. Her letter offered to loan us a copy of the film, plus a few other things, including a disposable camera. In return, we would have to send the film back after viewing, along with the petitions and camera.
Following this I read a letter titled “Tabling Material for Events.” The letter listed various materials which are available for free from the AHA. I will order some of these materials. We need to identify some upcoming events at which we can set up a table to distribute these materials.
Next, I read a letter from Dr. Stephen Uhl who is offering his book Imagine No Superstition for just a buck per copy. There were about a half dozen people who gave me a dollar for a copy. I will order a few extra copies just to have on hand.
Finally, Brian Hill gave his usual excellent presentation – a review of the book The WalMart Effect: How It’s Transforming the American Economy written by Charles Fishman.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
ALGAE Outcome
Nine people attended the ALGAE luncheon at White River Fish Market last Wednesday. In attendance were Gail, Keith and Bea, Dave, Sharon, Julia, John, and Dan and Jan. I found it a good opportunity to catch up on the lives of some of the members while enjoying some of the best seafood in Tulsa. (Confession: I had red beans and rice.)
Numerous topics were discussed including the Secular Singers. There was talk of holding the next rehearsal at my house, with perhaps each member choosing one song. This way, with just four or five songs, we should be able to get our rehearsal time down to one hour. We talked about improving the quality of our singing. There is no Secular Singers rehearsal set for this month, but we will resume in September. New members and “listeners” are always welcome to come.
Julia announced that she will be moving to Washington, D.C. She will be missed.
Another topic discussed was the loneliness of atheists.
We spent close to two hours at the restaurant in conversation. Many topics were talked about that are not included in this report.
Dan
Numerous topics were discussed including the Secular Singers. There was talk of holding the next rehearsal at my house, with perhaps each member choosing one song. This way, with just four or five songs, we should be able to get our rehearsal time down to one hour. We talked about improving the quality of our singing. There is no Secular Singers rehearsal set for this month, but we will resume in September. New members and “listeners” are always welcome to come.
Julia announced that she will be moving to Washington, D.C. She will be missed.
Another topic discussed was the loneliness of atheists.
We spent close to two hours at the restaurant in conversation. Many topics were talked about that are not included in this report.
Dan
Monday, July 16, 2007
HAT meeting, 7/15/06
Eleven people attended the HAT meeting on Sunday, July 15, 2007 at Hardesty Library. Those present were Marilyn, Glenn, Ron, Ken, Gail, Mary, Polly, Julia S., Julia K., Jan, and Dan. I reported that we currently have 28 members and that the treasury stands at $1396.82. Continuing with our tradition of poetry reading, I read “The Tuft of Flowers” by Robert Frost.
The program was presented by Marilyn, who led us in a discussion of I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter. It is a fascinating yet difficult book to grasp. What does it mean to say that consciousness is an illusion? Does that mean it is less than real? Throughout the book Hofstadter speaks of consciousness as an illusion or a mirage. Take for example this passage:
In other news, Glenn sought input from the group on what book might become the subject of the next Humanist Study Group.
The program was presented by Marilyn, who led us in a discussion of I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter. It is a fascinating yet difficult book to grasp. What does it mean to say that consciousness is an illusion? Does that mean it is less than real? Throughout the book Hofstadter speaks of consciousness as an illusion or a mirage. Take for example this passage:
One day when I was around sixteen or seventeen, musing intensely on these swirling clouds of ideas that gripped me emotionally no less than intellectually, it dawned on me -- and it has seemed ever since to me – that what we called “consciousness” was a kind of mirage. It had to be a very peculiar kind of mirage, to be sure, since it was a mirage that perceived itself, and of course it didn’t believe that it was perceiving a mirage, but no matter – it still was a mirage.
It was almost as if this slippery phenomenom called “consciousness” lifted itself up by its own bootstraps, almost as if it made itself out of nothing, and then disintegrated back into nothing whenever one looked at it more closely.
In other news, Glenn sought input from the group on what book might become the subject of the next Humanist Study Group.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Today's HAT meeting
At today’s HAT meeting there were 10 members and one visitor present. Members present were Dan N., Gail S., Larry H., Russ B., Mary C., Brian H., Ron McD., Marilyn C., Julia S., and Randy B. The visitor was Ken B.
I reported that we now have 27 dues-paying members. The treasury now stands at $1389.69.
Marilyn said she would be leading the discussion at the next Humanist Study Group as well at the next third Sunday meeting. The subject will be Douglas Hofstadter’s new book I am a Strange Loop.
Today's program was an excellent presentation by Brian Hill, who spoke on the book The War on Our Freedoms: Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism.
Among other books and web sites mentioned were The Jovial Atheist by Thomas Blaylock, Born Screaming in America by Bill Hicks, The Assault on Reason by Al Gore, and Just Progress.
As always, feel free to add your own comments to what I have written.
I reported that we now have 27 dues-paying members. The treasury now stands at $1389.69.
Marilyn said she would be leading the discussion at the next Humanist Study Group as well at the next third Sunday meeting. The subject will be Douglas Hofstadter’s new book I am a Strange Loop.
Today's program was an excellent presentation by Brian Hill, who spoke on the book The War on Our Freedoms: Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism.
Among other books and web sites mentioned were The Jovial Atheist by Thomas Blaylock, Born Screaming in America by Bill Hicks, The Assault on Reason by Al Gore, and Just Progress.
As always, feel free to add your own comments to what I have written.
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