2010-2011 Upcoming Events
Portland Humanist Film Fest
October 8th, 9th, and 10th
The PDX Humanist Film Fest
The Reed Secular Alliance will be attending the 2010 Portland Humanist Film Fest. The festival will be a great place for non-theists to convene and enjoy a secular cinematic extravaganza. For more details, contact Elad Gilo at egilo@reed.edu.
2010-2011 Past Events
Greta Christina
Monday, September 13th, 2010
Greta Christina speaks at the SSA Conference; Photo By: Leslie A. Zukor
Come join the Reed Secular Alliance as we welcome atheist blogger, Greta Christina ’83, to speak at Reed. Christina, a Reed alumna and Religion major, has been a freelance writer since 1989. She currently blogs at http://gretachristina.typepad.com/ about atheism, sexuality, and her queer identity. Christina will discuss the atheist movement, which is often accused of being driven by anger. She will address the validity of this assessment, as well as why some atheists seem so angry. Among the questions she asks are “Is this anger legitimate?” and “Can anger be an effective force behind a movement for social change?”
Reed College
Biology Lecture Hall (Bio 19)
7:00 pm
**
2009-10 Past Events
Greg Epstein – Good Without God
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
- Greg Epstein’s new book
Greg Epstein, author of Good Without God, will present a lively analysis of the role of religion in our society. In conflicts over religion, fundamentalist religious adherents are often pitted against New Atheists, such as Dawkins, Hitchens, and Sam Harris. However, there is an often-neglected middle-ground. In his book, Greg Epstein will explain the Humanist solution to the troubles of our current era. Instead of either advancing or ridiculing religion, Epstein provides a compassionate, positive, and non-theistic solution to the troubles of the modern era. A book-signing will follow the lecture.
Reed College
Psychology Auditorium (Psych 105)
7:30 pm
**
RSA Fieldtrip to Dawkins Talk at Portland State
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
- Richard Dawkins’s new book
In Richard Dawkins’s latest work, he cogently explains the theory of evolution, defending Darwin’s theory from its many detractors. In the face of opposition from conservatives, the evolutionary biologist spells out the undeniable nature of human evolution. According to Publishers Weekly, “If Charles Darwin walked into a 21st-century bookstore and wanted to know how his theory had fared, this is the book he should pick up.” In short, Dawkins has a great way of explaining scientific theories to novices and students of science alike.
Portland State University
Stott Center
6:30 pm
**
Dr. Darrel Ray – The God Virus
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
Darrel Ray speaks about his book
Dr. Darrel Ray, organizational psychologist and the author of The God Virus will speak about how religion has a negative impact on our lives and culture. In a cogent and highly readable analysis, Dr. Ray traces the contagion course of religion as it enters the lives of countless individuals, beginning in childhood and infecting their behavior, professions, sex lives, and virtually every aspect of living. There will be a book signing following the lecture.
Reed College
Eliot Hall Chapel
7:30 pm
**
Student Activities Fair
Friday, September 4th, 2009
- Anda Clark tables for the RSA
Come meet the Reed Secular Alliance, socialize, and sign up for our mailing list. We will have copies of freethinking pamphlets, for your reading pleasure. You won’t want to miss it.
Reed College
Gray Campus Center
1:00-4:00 pm
**
I find the approach that this feller’s taking and his language to be very offensive. It does little for your cause to ally yourselves with someone who is taking a simple argument and dressing it in inflammatory language. I just want to illustrate for you how this would be unacceptable language if our school didn’t fancy itself ‘godless’:
Dr. Darrel Ray, organizational psychologist and the author of The Race Virus will speak about how diversity has a negative impact on our lives and culture. In a cogent and highly readable analysis, Dr. Ray traces the contagion course of other races as they enter the lives of countless individuals, beginning in childhood and infecting their behavior, professions, sex lives, and virtually every aspect of living. There will be a book signing following the lecture.
All told, I expect a little more sophistication from Reedies.
I am sorry that you found the RSA’s upcoming lecture to be offensive; our intent was never to upset you. Rather, our hope in hosting Dr. Ray was to provoke serious thought about religion.
Yes, I agree that Dr. Ray’s language is stronger than I would have used. However, that being said, Dr. Ray was in town, and we wanted to offer him a platform to speak. All too often, religion is seen as impervious to criticism.
We want to challenge the idea that religion is, like race, naturally given. Although many of us are raised in a faith, we can make a choice about what religious beliefs we subscribe to.
To the contrary, when I wake up in the morning, I can’t change the color of my skin. I am of European ancestry, and unlike religion, my skin color is not something I freely choose. Therefore, your comparison is inaccurate.
Since we freely choose our beliefs, the RSA feels that it is necessary to criticize religion. Yes – practices vary. However, in many ways, religion has been harmful to society. There is no avoiding that.
From the Crusades to the Inquisition, from 9/11 to the Balkans, religion does have a damaging impact on society. How many Holy Wars have been fought over whose doctrine is right? The answer is far too many.
We would all do better to examine the negative effects of religion on society. That is why we have brought Dr. Ray to speak. If you are that upset over Dr. Ray’s speaking, attend the lecture and voice your disagreement.
You owe it to Dr. Ray to give him the chance to respond to your criticisms.
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