This Thursday, November 5th, at 8:00 p.m. in CMU 207, CFA is hosting an open discussion on the topic “Flying Saucers and Men from Mars: Does extraterrestrial life exist—and have we been visited by it?”

Whether you’re convinced one way or the other or just curious and interested in the topic—come, hang out, and discuss with us. Everyone is welcome.

It’s going to be at 8:00 p.m. in MacLean 269.

There will be free pizza/pop and a scary movie! Come hang out.

[Thanks to Ben Sailer for the photos]

It’d be great to fill the crowd with skeptics asking good questions, so if you have a chance, you should check it out.

On Thursday, October 22nd, CFA is meeting to discuss this topic of ghosts and the paranormal.

Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic—come share your thoughts on this most interesting topic.

Stay tuned for updates.

Four years ago today, the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons were published in a Danish newspaper; this resulted in embassies being set on fire, countless people rioting, and more than 100 deaths. Its anniversary, September 30th has been named Blasphemy Day. From the website: “The objective of International Blasphemy Day is to open up all religious beliefs to the same level of free inquiry, discussion and criticism to which all other areas of academic interest are subjected.”

Happy Blasphemy Day.

On this Thursday, October 1st, at 8:00 pm in the CMU, room 208, we’re having Dr. Gerald Fauske, research specialist in the department entomology at NDSU, give a talk called, “When Is A Cartoon Not A Cartoon? (Or Why Gods Cannot Defend Themselves).” He offers this description,

“An audience participation seminar in which we will examine a variety of cartoons (some original) and look at what makes certain cartoons offensive to some groups of people but not others. We will also look at why members of some groups (organized religions) do not have the tolerance that other groups seem to possess when cartoons targeting their particular group are published. We will look at the Jutland Post incident as a window into motivations of such intolerant groups. Finally, as an integral part of the seminar, we will look at four principles that might be guidelines in creating cartoons and maybe answer the question ‘why gods cannot defend themselves.’”

The event will take place at 6:00 PM in Science Lab 118 and is free and open to the public.

PZ Myers is a biology professor at the University of Minnesota Morris and the authorof the popular science blog Pharyngula. He is a public critic of intelligent design and is an activist in the American creation-evolution debate. In 2009 Myers was named the American humanist Association’s “Humanist of the Year”.

PDF of poster

From the makers:

Is it rational that the dead can communicate with the living and give sound advice on how they should live their lives? What about sticking pins into your body to free the flow of Chi energy and cure your illness? Or the bending of spoons using your mind alone? Is that rational? Richard Dawkins doesn’t think so, and feels it is his duty to expose those areas of belief that exist without scientific proof, yet manage to hold the nation under their spell. He will take on the world’s leading proponents in their field of expertise, meet the victims who have used them and expose the history of the movements – from the charlatans who have milked these practices to the experiments and testing that have failed to produce conclusive results.

The movie will start at 8:00 PM in Science Lab 104.

This Thursday, Sept. 10th, we’re having a discussion based meeting on the topic “Can You Be Good Without God? A discussion on secular and religious ethics“.

Come, talk about anything from Biblical morality to humanism; we’ll cover it all, I’m sure.

It’ll be in the Union, room 207, at 8:00 PM.

Bring lots of friends!