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.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
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
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
Monday, November 14, 2005
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.
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
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
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
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
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
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Secular Singers at Christmas
We, the Secular Singers, had a good time singing at the HAT meeting last Sunday, although I wish I could have done a little better playing the keyboard.
Now we are focusing upon the Christmas, or Winter Soltice, concert, which will be held on December 18 at Randy Bradley's house. Our next rehearsal will be at 10am on Saturday, November12.
Now we are focusing upon the Christmas, or Winter Soltice, concert, which will be held on December 18 at Randy Bradley's house. Our next rehearsal will be at 10am on Saturday, November12.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Final preparations for concert
The Secular Singers met for a two and a half hour practice session this afternoon at my house. We tweeked the program a bit and made a slight modification in the order of the songs we will be singing. Here it is:
The Battle of Church and State
I Don't Need Jesus
Joe Hill
The Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues
No Masters and No Gods for Me
The Ballad of Judge Roy Moore
Draft Dodger Rag
This Land is Your Land
Hard Traveling
Oklahoma Hills
Just Say 'No' to Religion
What a Wonderful World
The Battle of Church and State
I Don't Need Jesus
Joe Hill
The Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues
No Masters and No Gods for Me
The Ballad of Judge Roy Moore
Draft Dodger Rag
This Land is Your Land
Hard Traveling
Oklahoma Hills
Just Say 'No' to Religion
What a Wonderful World
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Secular Singers to Sing this Sunday
The vocal ensemble The Secular Singers will give a free concert at the HAT meeting this Sunday at the Hardesty Library, starting shortly after 1:00 PM. Members of the Secular Singers come from HAT and include Bea McCartney, Randy Bradley, Julia Topi, Gail Storey, and Dan Nerren. Included in the concert will be the well-known songs (at least well-known among freethinkers) "Just Say No to Religion," and "I Don't Need Jesus."
Monday, October 10, 2005
Jimmy Carter on Fundamentalism
I would describe fundamentalism as, first of all, a movement led almost invariably by authoritarian males who consider themselves to be superior to others and who have an overwhelming commitment to subjugate women and to dominate their fellow believers.
Second, fundamentalists draw clear distinctions between themselves, the true believers, and others. They are convinced that they are right and that anyone who contradicts them is inferior and beyond the purview of God's full blessing.
Third, fundamentalists are militant in fighting against any challenge to their beliefs, are often angry and sometimes resort to verbal or even physical abuse against those who oppose the implementation of their agenda. Finally, they tend to make their self-definition narrow, to isolate themselves, to demagogue social and emotional issues and to view change, cooperation, negotiation or other efforts to resolve differences as signs of weakness."
Second, fundamentalists draw clear distinctions between themselves, the true believers, and others. They are convinced that they are right and that anyone who contradicts them is inferior and beyond the purview of God's full blessing.
Third, fundamentalists are militant in fighting against any challenge to their beliefs, are often angry and sometimes resort to verbal or even physical abuse against those who oppose the implementation of their agenda. Finally, they tend to make their self-definition narrow, to isolate themselves, to demagogue social and emotional issues and to view change, cooperation, negotiation or other efforts to resolve differences as signs of weakness."
Sunday, October 02, 2005
The following letter appeared in the Tulsa World on Sunday, October 2, 2005. Randy is currently vice-president of the Humanist Association of Tulsa.
Judge rules correctly
Judge Lawrence Karlton's ruling is correct. The phrase "Under God" violates school children's right to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God." I would prefer that Oklahoma officials support the U.S. Constitution rather than gloat that the majority has the power to force its superstition on the rational.
A persistent misrepresentation made by the religious in America is that our Founding Fathers desired to make America religious. This is not true. They argued vehemently against the governments providing support to religion. Of our first six presidents, none attended an established church. During the term of our second president, the U.S. Senate agreed unanimously, in the Treaty of Tripoli, that the United States was in fact not a Christian nation.
Language cannot be more plain than that used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to William Short:
"I have examined all the known superstitions of the world and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth."
Randy Bradley, Tulsa
Judge rules correctly
Judge Lawrence Karlton's ruling is correct. The phrase "Under God" violates school children's right to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God." I would prefer that Oklahoma officials support the U.S. Constitution rather than gloat that the majority has the power to force its superstition on the rational.
A persistent misrepresentation made by the religious in America is that our Founding Fathers desired to make America religious. This is not true. They argued vehemently against the governments providing support to religion. Of our first six presidents, none attended an established church. During the term of our second president, the U.S. Senate agreed unanimously, in the Treaty of Tripoli, that the United States was in fact not a Christian nation.
Language cannot be more plain than that used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to William Short:
"I have examined all the known superstitions of the world and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth."
Randy Bradley, Tulsa
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
What a Wonderful World
At our rehearsal last Saturday, the Secular Singers decided to replace "Hard Times in the Mill" with "What a Wonderful World."
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Song List for Oct. 16 Concert
1. The Battle of Church and State
2. No Masters and No Gods for Me
3. Joe Hill
4. Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues
5. What a Wonderful World
6. The Ballad of Judge Roy Moore
7. Draft Dodger Rag
8. This Land is Your Land
9. Hard Traveling
10. Oklahoma Hills
11. Just Say ‘No’ to Religion
12. Your Friendly Neighborhood Atheist
13. I Don’t Need Jesus
14. Life Is Good
2. No Masters and No Gods for Me
3. Joe Hill
4. Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues
5. What a Wonderful World
6. The Ballad of Judge Roy Moore
7. Draft Dodger Rag
8. This Land is Your Land
9. Hard Traveling
10. Oklahoma Hills
11. Just Say ‘No’ to Religion
12. Your Friendly Neighborhood Atheist
13. I Don’t Need Jesus
14. Life Is Good
Future meetings
HAT will meet for its third Sunday meetings for the remainder of the year as follows:
October 16 - Hardesty Library
November 20 - Hardesty Library
December 18 - Home of Randy Bradley, 6705 E. 54th St.
October 16 - Hardesty Library
November 20 - Hardesty Library
December 18 - Home of Randy Bradley, 6705 E. 54th St.
ALGAE now meeting just once a month
Due to low attendance at the ALGAE luncheons, we will be meeting just once a month. The luncheons will be on the third Wednesday and will be at the White River Fish Market and Restaurant, 1708 N. Sheridan.
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