BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//Meetup Inc//RemoteApi//EN VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN X-ORIGINAL-URL:http://atheists.meetup.com/24/calendar/ical/New+York+City+At heists+Meetings/ X-WR-CALNAME:Events - New York City Atheists Meetings BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:NYC ATHEISTS BRUNCH / SPEAKER DESCRIPTION:New York City Atheists Meetings\n\nWashington DC’s Newest Athei st Leader Fires Up Secularists Youthful Former Politician Declares War on Religion’s Privileges -------------------- Are Atheists Couch Potatoe s? “There are millions out there who are with us already but they’re sitti ng on the couch\,” Sean Faircloth says. “How do you get them off the couch? To me\, that is the biggest challenge. If we can get just a decent percent age of them\, then we can go like gangbusters.” ------------------------ One reporter called him “youthful and energetic… he perfectly looks and acts the part of the head of a lobbying organizatio n\, but displays a sincerity and passion that is rare…He is self-effacing\, funny…” The Examiner.com reporter\, writing in October\, was referring to Sean F aircloth\, new executive director of the Washington\, DC-based Secular Coal ition for America\, who was arguably the star speaker at the Atheist Allian ce International convention in Burbank this year. And since Faircloth was c ompeting with headliner Bill Maher at the convention\, that is quite a coup . But Faircloth\, who will be speaking to New York City Atheists at a brun ch forum on Sunday\, December 13\, may have a certain advantage: He was an elected representative to the Maine state legislature for 10 years and was chosen as Majority Whip by his peers in the legislature in 2006. Popular S peaker In June Faircloth joined the Secular Coalition\, an alliance of nin e atheist organizations for the purpose of representing secularist groups t o Congress\, and he has already proven to be a quick study and an immensely popular speaker. Why did he move from legislating to influencing legisla tors? “I served six years on the judiciary committee\, which has a lot of i ssues relating to separation of church and state. The religious right conta cted me and our committee regularly. But in all those 10 years\, no secular organization member ever contacted me to say\, ‘I’d like you to take this position’—and I’m someone who is sympathetic.” He’s about to change that k ind of secularist negligence. But his passion about improving things for th e atheist movement is even more all-encompassing: “I feel the biggest chall enge for our movement is not lobbying—the Secular Coalition does good lobby ing and will continue to do good lobbying—but the biggest challenge for our movement is changing the public’s perception of nonbelievers and raising p ublic awareness.” Faircloth is riled up about another thing\, too\, someth ing he calls “the privileging of religion in a way that harms real people.” He points to the Faith-Based Initiatives of George W. Bush\, which\, unfor tunately\, still abound. These are programs such as child care and charity that are supported by our federal tax money and administered by churches. He’s angry about these programs especially because in many child-care case s the same health and safety standards are not being applied as in nonrelig ious programs\, leading to accidents and deaths. (Are we holding churches t o a self-administered health and safety standard simply because they are ch urches?) He cites several recent cases where children have died after being locked in overheated cars by their religious caretaker. Star Speaker in Atheist Galaxy And what about those religious parents who refuse to take t heir sick children to a doctor and rely on prayer instead? Faircloth says\, “If it were faith healing\, I’d be for it—but it’s not\, it’s faith killin g.” Come hear this dynamic new star in the atheist galaxy\, one who has th e know-how\, and the position in Washington\, to make atheism the force it should be in our national seat. EVENT SUMMARY WHAT: “Mov ing Ahead in 2010 to Rescue Our Nation From Religion’s Grasp\,” a talk by Sean Faircloth\, executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. WHEN: Sunday\, December 13 at 12 noon. WHERE: The Press Box Re staurant and Pub 932 Second Avenue (bet. 49th & 50th) Second Floor COST: Brunch is $20\, which includes a selection of Buffet entrees and salad\, one soft drink\, coffee\, tax\, tip. Going back for seconds on the delicious Eggs Benedict is expected. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Kenneth Bronstein\, president New York City Ath eists\, Inc. 212-535-7425 ------------------------ New York City Atheists is a 501C not-for-profit association dedicated to the separation of church and state and to the advancement of the atheist lifestyle and values. All a re welcome\, including agnostics\, atheists\, skeptics\, humanists\, freeth inkers\, and those who are questioning and seeking. ----------------------- ------ \n\nNew York\, NY 10022 - USA\n\nSunday\, December 13 a t 12:00 PM\n\nAttending: 26\n\nDetails: http://atheists.meetup.com/24/calen dar/11923578/ LAST-MODIFIED:20091203T033313Z UID:event_11923578@meetup.com CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20091121T024339Z DTSTAMP:20091210T224952Z DTSTART:20091213T170000Z DTEND:20091213T190000Z GEO:40.75;-73.99 LOCATION:THE PRESS BOX - 932 SECOND AVE. (49/50th) 2nd Floor - New York\, N Y 10022 - USA URL:http://atheists.meetup.com/24/calendar/11923578/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:New York City Atheists Meetings December Meetup DESCRIPTION:New York City Atheists Meetings\n\n Daring Duo Hosts NYCA Meetu p Again! You Loved Them\, You Asked For Them— They Are Back on Tuesda y\, Dec. 15 You loved having Alexandra and Michael host the November New York City Atheists meetup—55 of you showed up\, and the discussions sizzle d! We are lucky to be able to get the darling duo back again: Pert\, sm art Alexandra Sidiropoulos\, whose ancestors came from Greece\, the land of Socrates\, and handsome\, talented Michael Dorian\, film director extraord inaire. They will be at the Stone Creek Bar & Pub on Tuesday\, December 15\, to lead another scintillating atheist discussion. Church Camp Vi ctim Alexandra is originally from Missouri (just like the old saying “s he’s from Missouri” implies\, Alex questions everything). She became an ath eist after a childhood experience at a church summer camp that was very muc h like the one depicted in the notorious “Jesus Camp” movie. Today\, she is working as an administrative assistant in a law firm that specializes in i ntellectual property Michael Dorian\, film director\, playwright and ed ucator\, is the director and producer of the award-winning documentary film \, “Pizza\, The Movie\,” which was recently chosen to be shown on ION\, Cha nnel 31 in New York. This fascinating\, funny film is about the highly comp etitive rivalry in pizza-dough throwing contests here and in Italy. Fin ds Humor in Religion Michael\, who also teaches in New York\, has been an atheist and a member of NYCA for several years. He picketed the Pope wit h us and he started NYCA’s blog. He is an intelligent\, articulate\, outspo ken discussion leader who brings logic and common sense to the table. He al so happens to have a terrific sense of humor (like another film director\, Woody Allen) that shows up in his film. But with Michael\, it’s not a self -deprecating form of comedy but rather\, humor based on the contradictions and idiocies of our society. Come\, share your views with a group of f riendly\, like-minded people. Stay afterwards to chat with our charming hos ts. You will also have an opportunity to buy a DVD of Michael’s film\, “Piz za\, The Movie.” And remember\, so far we have had five couples heading for the altar who met at our Stone Creek Meetup: One marriage\, two engage ments and two going-steady couples. Who knew that our vivid\, heated discus sions would set cupid’s arrows roving? Not us. EVENT SUMMARY WHAT: Discussion led by Alexandra Sidiropoulos and Michael Dorian WHEN: Tuesday\, Dec. 15\, at 7 p.m. WHE RE: The Stone Creek Bar and Pub 140 E. 27th St. (Bet. Lex & 3rd) Back Room COST: FREE. But we hope you will purchase a drink or food to compensate Stone Creek for letting us use their space. The food is good and reasonably priced and they have an excellent selection of beers. ------------------ New York City Atheists Inc. is a 501C not-for-profit organization dedicat ed to the separation of church and state and to promoting the Atheist lifes tyle and values. All are welcome\, including agnostics\, freethinkers\, ske ptics and those who are simply questioning and seeking.\n\nNew York\, NY 1 0011 - USA\n\nTuesday\, December 15 at 7:00 PM\n\nAttending: 22\n\nDetails: http://atheists.meetup.com/24/calendar/11902571/ LAST-MODIFIED:20091121T023733Z UID:event_11902571@meetup.com CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20091118T124958Z DTSTAMP:20091210T224952Z DTSTART:20091216T000000Z DTEND:20091216T020000Z GEO:40.75;-73.99 URL:http://atheists.meetup.com/24/calendar/11902571/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:NYC ATHEISTS SOLSTICE PARTY DESCRIPTION:New York City Atheists Meetings\n\n FLASH! We will have an Open Mike (called a Toasting Mike) at this party so participants can toast friends\, recite poems\, tell jokes\, sing a song\, play an instrument or just mouth off to their heart's content! Have a talent? Come and show it! Y ou don't have to be perfect\, or even good\, you just have to put your hear t into it\, and share your warm feelings and holiday cheer with atheist fri ends and colleagues. Whatever you do or say\, you'll be applauded by cheery \, ebullient\, supportive friends! IT'S PARTY TIME! Christians may have their Christmas party\, Jews their Channukah...WE ATHEISTS HAVE OUR SO LSTICE CELEBRATION! That's when the nonbelievers of Yore (Yore\, that's a hamlet in northern England) feasted\, drank\, recited ribald verse (our Ha rry Graber will do that) and sang wanton songs! OK\, maybe that's carrying things a bit far\, but we do have the sausage trees\, Harry and a lot of ni ce people who just want to forget the economy. So Come\, eat\, drink and be merry to celebrate the coming of long nights\, short days and a lot of squ abbling in Congress. EVENT SUMMARY WHAT: It's PARTY TIME! NYC AT HEISTS SOLSTICE PARTY WHEN: SATURDAY\, DECEMBER 19 at 1: 00 pm WHERE: Les-Sans-Culottes 1 085 Second Ave / 57TH ST. COST: $35 (Includes appetizer s\, main course\, dessert\, one soft drink\, tax and tip) \n\nNew York\, NY 10022 - USA\n\nSaturday\, December 19 at 1:00 PM\n\nAttending: 35\n\nD etails: http://atheists.meetup.com/24/calendar/11923632/ LAST-MODIFIED:20091130T012954Z UID:event_11923632@meetup.com CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20091121T025421Z DTSTAMP:20091210T224952Z DTSTART:20091219T180000Z DTEND:20091219T200000Z GEO:40.75;-73.99 LOCATION:LES SANS CULOTTES - 1085 SECOND AVE. (57) - New York\, NY 10022 - USA URL:http://atheists.meetup.com/24/calendar/11923632/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR