INVITATION FROM MYNGA:If you were not able to mark the special occasion along with others anytime this month, it is not too late to drop in on and at least observe a celebration. The birthday bash I helped organize here in Sacramento, California, ended up on YouTube (posted by J R Chadwick, in several parts).
The party's on at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1437CCF3219A27CF
Sacramento's February 8 event was an educational gala. The featured speaker was science historian and author (and Enthusiastic Bright) Michael Shermer, who addressed 400 attendees on "Why Darwin Matters" and signed his books. The band was "Theory of Evolution" (in Facebook), and the "science comedian" (yes, there really is such a creature, Brian Malow) was a definite hit with the audience.
"GETTING ALONG" - A DISCUSSION ON THE WEB:
"Can believers and non-believers co-exist respectfully?"
That question was addressed by discussants in the United Church of Canada's "WonderCafe.ca" at:http://www.wondercafe.ca/discussion/religion-and-faith/true-unbleievers-magazine-article [sic]
One statement had drawn interest in the UCC's forum:"Don't waste time trying to convince other people of the error of their world view, as though rational reasons were all it takes. How many times have I heard that religious people are stupid, insulting the very people we need? We have to be part of the body politic. We have to be pragmatic to be effective. It's religion's intrusion into our civic institutions - that's what really counts. We can't have influence if we don't change."
The above statement had been quoted in an article, "True Unbelievers," authored by a United Church reporter after a visit to an atheist conference in September. Reporting on her observations of a diverse array of persons attending the conference, the religious reporter, Jocelyn Bell, had commented:"Maybe the hope that believers and non-believers can co-exist respectfully lies in people like Dr. Mynga Futrell. She is a science educator and co-founder of The Brights' Network, an international organization of ethically focused secularists. In accepting the convention's "World of Thanks" award, she admonished atheists generally for their self-defeating habit of condescending to religious people."
Note: Mynga's ten minute convention speech will be published in full by Atheist Alliance International in an upcoming issue of its "Secular Nation" quarterly. The complete United Church "UCObserver.org original article by Jocelyn Bell is at:http://www.ucobserver.org/faith/2009/02/atheists/
TECH TALK:
MINI-VIDEOS: A smattering of Brights reported being unable to play Brights videos on their systems. Mike, the webmaster, has done some tweaking. As a bonus, the current setup should also enable a full screen display. Videos are at:http://www.the-brights.net/movement/video_brights.html
Please report any remaining problems to Mike via the-brights@the-brights.net (DISPLAY VIDEO).
PLAYING OUTSIDE THE BELIEFS/RELIGION BALLGAME:
The Brights movement, as an education and social action endeavor, exists to work toward the three aims listed on the Brights' home page. The action priority is civic parity for people who have a naturalistic outlook.
Well-focused Brights groups engage in activities working toward that end, and there are many websites where such "Brights groups" or "the Brights" might appropriately be listed so others can locate them. Categorizing alongside "religions" or "belief systems," though, simply misses the point of the Brights endeavor (and dilutes understanding and effectiveness). Such categories as "civic action" or "social change" (if available) are more suitable for Brights groups that have the intended civic focus.
ENROLLMENTS OF NOTE:
By the addition of a registrant from Saudi Arabia and another from Samoa, The Brights' Net count of nations having at least one registered Bright has risen to 183.
FROM THE NEW BRIGHT IN SAUDI ARABIA: "I am an atheist in land where this is a punishable by death. I am glad the internet allows me to join my fellow naturalists." [We welcome this brave but anonymous Bright.]
TO BE WHO YOU ARE!:
Allan (South Carolina, USA): "I have long disliked the negative connotation of "atheist"--not wanting to be defined for what I am not."
Neil (UK): I always think it's strange to be given a title such as 'Atheist'. Why give a name to someone who doesn't believe in something that doesn't exist?"
Tony (UK): "I've felt like this for many years, but now I have a name which doesn't make me sound like a spoilsport."
Matthew (California, USA): "Thank you for creating a website/community/movement like this. Sometimes I feel like an island of reason in a sea of believers."
RECENT CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS:
http://www.the-brights.net/people/expressions.html
Clinton Turner's pi cinquain about being a Bright
Chris Highland: "Here's to a Brighter Day!" (photo)
"Think Green" by Michel Kreuger
ANY BRIGHTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? (USA):
Ethan (Ohio, USA) said in his registration: "Please keep me connected to people that share a similar understanding of the world around us."
A quick check of The Brights' database found within his postal code 133 Brights lived within 25 miles of him, and over 300 within 50 miles.
The same may be true if you live in any larger city in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, or Germany.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A BRIGHTS GROUP?:
A Brights Community Cluster (BCC) is a local, regional, national, or international group of Brights dedicated to the aims and principles of the Brights movement. Members stay in communication with one another via e-mail, listserv, forum, web group, and/or in person. There are currently approximately 18,200 Brights in hundreds of clusters.
Twelve countries have a national BCC in operation (on line, meeting in pubs and homes, or on the web).
Interested in starting a group?http://www.the-brights.net/community/blc/list.html
REFERENCE GUIDE TO CONTACTING PERSONNEL AND LOCATING INFORMATION:
All contact and general information at: http://www.the-brights.net/reference_guide.html
All the Bulletins, including this one, may be found via the link in the
right column of the home page at http://www.the-brights.net
Bright Regards from Mynga Futrell and Paul Geisert at Brights Central
Fwd by
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>
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