center for inquiry cfi portland newsletter.pdf · contact the center for inquiry portland at...
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Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
CENTER FOR INQUIRYPortland
The mission of the Center for Inquiry is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.
CFI has established centers throughout the world which provide a means of delivering educational programs and services on a local level and provide a venue for like-minded individuals to meet and share experiences.
In aiming to foster a secular society, we do not seek to abridge the rights of believers. We vigorously object to government support of religion and the use of religious dogma to justify public policy; we do not oppose the free exercise of religion. The secular society we are building is a community of reason and compassion in which the dignity and fundamental rights of all individuals are respected.
Three goals represent the focus of our activities: an end to the influence that religion and pseudoscience have on public policy, an end to the privileged position that religion and pseudoscience continue to enjoy in many societies, and an end to the stigma attached to being a nonbeliever.
January 2012
Cont’d on page 2
"Hello, this is Richard Dawkins. Bob can't come to the phone right now . . ."
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
CENTER FOR INQUIRYPortland
The mission of the Center for Inquiry is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.
CFI has established centers throughout the world which provide a means of delivering educational programs and services on a local level and provide a venue for like-minded individuals to meet and share experiences.
In aiming to foster a secular society, we do not seek to abridge the rights of believers. We vigorously object to government support of religion and the use of religious dogma to justify public policy; we do not oppose the free exercise of religion. The secular society we are building is a community of reason and compassion in which the dignity and fundamental rights of all individuals are respected.
Three goals represent the focus of our activities: an end to the influence that religion and pseudoscience have on public policy, an end to the privileged position that religion and pseudoscience continue to enjoy in many societies, and an end to the stigma attached to being a nonbeliever.
MARCH 2012
Cont’d on page 2
Imagine Richard Dawkins answering your phone to take messages for you! Richard Dawkins is the keynote speaker at this year's NORTH-WEST FREETHOUGHT ALLIANCE CONFERENCE. Dawkins has agreed to lend his voice to a voicemail greeting as one of the prizes to be raffled off for the silent auction.
The conference is the last weekend of March in Renton, WA, 15 miles southeast of Seattle. The cost is only $150 (or $90 with no meals). Get your tickets today! Tickets include three days of activities, four meals (with full-price ticket), two snacks, a taping of Ask an Atheist, three keynote talks, eleven workshops, and the silent auction.
See www.nwfreethought.org for details.
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Secular Parenting Workshop with Dale McGowan
DARK-TO-LIGHT 2012 Needs YOU !!Dust off that top hat and cane, polish up those dancing shoes, get those vocal warm ups going…“ME, ME, ME, ME MEEEEEEEEE!!” and start reciting your Shakespeare because DARKTO-LIGHT is back! Bigger and bolder!
We need singers, actors, and danc-ers for this year’s show, UNIVERSE deLIGHT, an all-original stage show going up 12/21/12 & 12/22/12. But if you’re not a thespian, belter or hoofer don’t panic, we still need you. We need artists, craftspeople, costumers, and carpenters to help with sets and outfits and we need folks who would like to be stage hands, ushers and fill other volunteer positions.
Send me an email at [email protected] specifying any specific talent or interest or just let me know you’re flexible (or if you have any questions). Include your phone number please.
We also need photos from any past DARKTOLIGHT performances to post on the website, www.darktolight.org.
Fred StrongBreak a leg!
Please inform family and friends you think would be interested in this event!Dale McGowan did a secular parenting workshop in Portland in April 2009. Three years later, our community has grown and there are more secular fami-lies involved. Also, this workshop will provide an opportunity for those who were unable to attend the previous one.
From Dale's website (parentingbeyondbe-lief.com/seminars/):
"Over nine million parents in the U.S. are raising children with-out theistic religion. The PARENTING BEYOND BELIEF WORKSHOP, a unique half-day event with author and educa-tor Dale McGowan, offers encourage-ment and practical solutions for secular parenting in a religious world. Based on the freethinking philosophy of the book
Newsweek called "a compelling read," the PARENTING BEYOND BELIEF WORKSHOP is empowering secu-lar parents across the country to raise ethical, caring, confident kids without religion.
Participants will learn effective ways to: - Encourage religious literacy without indoc-trination - Help kids interact productively with a religious world - Help kids develop ac-tive moral reasoning - Weigh church-state is-sues in the public sphere - Address sensitive issues with religious relatives using the principles of nonviolent communication - Help children develop a healthy understanding
of death and a joyful love of life - Build a family atmosphere of fearless questioning and boundless wonder ...and much more.
Saturday, April 21 1pm -5pm
Friendly House (Keeston Room,
upstairs) NW 26th & Thurman,
Portland, ORAdmission $35 Couples $65
Friends of the Cen-ter $25
Purchase Tickets at bit.ly/x6zzvz
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Advance Notice!Save this date for "Dark-To-Light" Gala:
Saturday, December 15th, 7pmThis years' event will be held at The Parago, 1309 NW Hoyt at 3rd, Portland, OR
Pricing information to follow when we have determined the menu. Last year's event cost $40 - $45.
You are invited to an elegant evening of dinner and dancing to celebrate human progress during the season when dark turns to light. Bring your family! Celebrate the holidays with people who know the reason for the season!
We have reserved a private room at the Paragon Restaurant in the Pearl District of downtown Portland, tastefully decorated for the holidays, for our annual Dark-to-Light celebration. Pictured is the "Gallery Room" we've reserved. It has its own private entrance and showcases artwork from neighborhood art galleries.
Together we’ll share incredible food, partake in beer, wine and cocktails, and dance to a great selection of music. Children are welcome. The event runs until 10pm so just bring a blanket for them if they want to sleep while their parents continue to party!
Dress is semi-formal. This is a unique opportunity to be in a room full of atheists in which no one is wearing jeans or fleece!
Dani Tofte has volunteered to organize this event. No CFI funds will be used.
Much to our excitement, James Randi came to Portland on Febru-ary 16th! The turnout was fantastic, and it was obvious that people were thrilled about being able to hear what Randi had to say. While many people bought tickets in advance, many also purchased tickets at the door. Friends of the Center got in free and they also got access to VIP seating.
Randi kept the audience entertained with tales of his debunking things like homeopathy, psychic surgery, and Peter Popoff.
He even did some very impressive magic of his own, leaving most, if not all of us, wondering how he did it.
He was gracious enough to speak with people before the show, and afterwards. He also spent time with anyone who wanted to meet him. Those who did meet him commented that he was funny, articulate, "ador-able", and had as much energy as a "room full of puppies". All in all, he is definitely an Amazing man.
I really enjoyed this event, and I look forward to more CFI events like this!
Report from Julia BertschingerCFI Portland Programs Chair
In March, we begin our expanded Food for Thought program. We’re planning to develop this monthly event into an oppor-tunity for the whole CFI community (and guests) to come together. As before, Food for Thought will include an interesting presentation and a delicious family dinner. In addition, we’ll begin including presen-tations about local CFI small-groups, an-nouncements about upcoming events, and other information that we think will be of interest to the community. We invite you to mark Food for Thought on your calen-dars – it will be held on the third Friday of each month. We’re also excited about our new Food for Thought venue: the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center in SE Portland (7211 SE 62nd Ave).
The next Food for Thought will be on
Friday, March 16th. We hope you'll join us for this month's presentation from Amanda Westmont of "Year of Sundays". Check out her hilarious blog at blog.beliefnet.com/yearofsundays/. Doors will open at 6pm (all are welcome to come and hang out at this time), and the program will begin promptly at 6:30. We will have a separate space for parents and children to play during the talk, and then the kids can join the group for the family dinner. Families with early bedtimes will be able to enjoy the evening, eat a great dinner, and leave before 8:30. Others will be able to hang-out as late 9:30 pm.
We hope to see you at Food for Thought! (Please RSVP on our Meetup site, so that we know how many people to expect.)
Food for Thought – New & Improved!
A Magical Eveningwith James Randi
Julia Bertschinger and James Randi
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Woodstock for Non-Belief! "The Largest Gathering of the Secular Movement in
World History"March 24th, 10AM - 4PM
National Mall, Washington DCThe Reason Rally is shaping up to be an amazing event, attracting a lot of press. And it's no wonder when you look at the list of speakers. Here's just a sampling:
Richard Dawkins - best known for The God Delu-sionAdam Savage - Co-host of MythbustersTim Minchin - Comedian SongwriterPZ Myers - Blogger at PharyngulaJessica Ahlquist - High School ActivistPaul Provenza - Showtime's Host of The Green Room James Randi - known as "The Amazing Randi"Dan Barker - Freedom From Religion FoundationLawrence Krauss - International Leader in Cos-mology and AstrophysicsMichael Shermer - Founding Publisher of Skeptic MagazineBad Religion - Rock BandShelley Segal - Singer Songwriterand a video testimonial from American's only openly atheist Congressman, Pete Stark.Go to reasonrally.org for the entire list of speakers, and to find out more about this historic event.
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
February in Retrospect
Above: Dani Tofte and Sylvia Benner enjoyed handing out birthday cake to passers-by at Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square for Charles Darwin's Birthday, February 12th. They also handed out information about CFI and our mission to advance science.Below: Attendance was great at our first Food for Thought held at the Darlington Community Center. Dr. Greg Retallack spoke about the latest ideas on why fish left their water habitat in the evolutionary past.
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
CFI March Events For more information about any of these events, late additions, or to RSVP, go to the CFI calendar at www.meetup.com/cfi-portland/#calendar and click on that event
Saturday, March 3, 2pm
Skeptics in the PubEvergreen Pieway3020 Evergreen Way, Washougal, WAMeet local skeptics, atheists, secular humanists, scientific naturalists and other friends of reason for conversation and friendship! We meet in Vancouver but welcome people from anywhere. Meetings are informal and social. Conversation is spirited and informative. We meet in their banquet room, between 2 and 5 pm.
Sunday, March 4 & 18, 12:30pm
Rogue Valley Freethinkers (Grants Pass)Union Drop-In Center,225 NW Hillcrest Dr,Grants Pass, ORWe will meet at 12:30 to discuss a topic of interest to freethinkers and humanists, presented by one of our members. The March 4 meeting will feature ex-Mormon Courtney and continued discussion of controversial Mormon topics.
Thursday, Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10amPreschool PlaydateBeaverton, OR
For preschool children aged 3 & 4 (and other ages). Please RSVP at CFI-SFN website.
Sunday, March 4 & 18, 3:00pm
Rogue Valley Humanists (Ashland)Rogue Valley U U Center, 87 4th Street, Ashland, OR
The Humanism Group studies current topics of interest to Humanists, often from a recent book or article. We meet every first and third Sunday under the balcony of the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Center Ashland from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. We usually have an optional short reading related to the discussion topic available in the UU Center library a week before each meeting.
Sunday, March 4 & 18, 11am
Eastside Sunday BrunchOld Wives Tales, 1300 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214Organizer: Sylvia Benner
Please RSVP so we can reserve the correct number of seats.
A chance to meet and get to know others in the community over good food in a relaxed atmosphere! The restaurant has a children's menu and a separate play room for the little ones. Vegetarian dishes available.
Wednesday, March 14, 6:30pm
SHEP Movie NightGenius Charles Darwin (2006)East Portland Community Center 740 SE 106th, PortlandThe program explores Darwin’s personal life, looks at the impact of his work in his own time and on the modern world, and shows how both his life and work were profoundly influenced by his surroundings.Refreshments served, informal dis-cussion before & after film.
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Thursday, March 1 & 15, 11:45am
South Coast Skeptics MeetupDenny's, 98 E. 1st St, Coquille, OROrganizer: Greg CollverPizza and skeptical discussion at Denny's!
Thursday, March 5, 12, 19, & 26 6:30pm
Save Our Selves (SOS) Secular Support Group in Rogue Valley1505 NW Washington Blvd, Grants Pass, OROur SOS Group offers secular alternative support to individuals struggling to overcome a personal addiction, such as alcoholism. This approach differs from typical 12-step programs.
Sunday, March 11, 10:30am
Secular Sunday School (grades K-3)Location and other details available upon RSVP at the CFI website
Secular Sunday School is a program geared toward kids who are between 6 and 9 years old. Children have time to play and make friends, as well as participate in fun, engaging lessons focused on three areas: science/critical thinking, comparative religion/culture, and humanism/ethics.
Wednesday, March 7 & 21, 11am
Skeptics of Eugene Coffee KlatchTheo's Coffee House199 W 8th Ave, Eugene , ORCasual conversation about whatever we feel like. Drop in or out as your schedule allows.
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
CFI March Events CONT'D
Thursday, March 22, 7pm
Skeptics of Eugene Book DiscussionManola's Thai Cuisine 652 E. Broadway, Eugene, ORDirty Minds: How Our Brains Influence Love, Sex, and Relationships by Kayt Sukel From a review in Scientific American: Journalist Kayt Sukel delves into the latest neurobiological research to explore what, exactly, love is and why it makes us do crazy things. This is no self-help book, however. In exploring such topics as monogamy, the parent -child bond, pheromones, and male and female responses to pornography, Sukel reveals just how complex and mysterious our brains really are. It's an intensely interesting science book.Manola's closes at 9, so our discussion will end promptly.
Saturday, March 17, 1pm
Secular Family Network PotluckLocation shown only to members (see CFI Meetup website)Time for another potluck get-together!Join us to chat, exchange experiences and ideas, make new friends, and have a nice get-together. Bring a favorite dish to share and/or something to drink.You can also bring an alcoholic beverage for us adults.When you RSVP, let us know what you are bringing, so together we can make sure everything's covered.
More details and RSVP: www.meetup.com/cfi-portland/#calendar
Friday, March 16, 6:30pm
"Food For Thought" Community DinnerBrentwood-Darlington Community Center, 7211 SE 62nd Ave, Portland
Food for Thought occurs every 3rd Friday of the month. This month's presentation is from Amanda Westmont of "year of Sundays". Check out her hilarious blog at http://blog.beliefnet.com/yearofsundays/. Admission $5. Friends of the Center are free--please bring your FOC card to the event.Presentation is first, and the meal follows.
Sunday, March 18, 9:30am
Secular Family Spring EquinoxLocation shown only to members (see CFI Meetup website)9:30am: Kid Friendly Spring Activ-ity Stations: scientific explanation of the Equinox, some outdoor planting, crafts, and more. 10:15am: Informal concert by the delightful Lori Hen-riques, pianist, vocalist, and composer of the wonderful album Outside My Door for children of all ages. 11:15am: Brunch potluck (we'll provide vegetar-ian options - bring your own vegan or gluten free or raw!) RSVP to Sequoia's mom if you can, but it's fine to just show up for some or all of the event - and please pass along the invitation to friends and family!
Saturday, March 17, 9:30am
Salem Humanists Monthly BrunchMcGrath's Fish House, 350 Chemeketa St NE, SalemPlease RSVP via the CFI Salem Hu-manists Meetup site. Rides available if requested.Dedicated to the pursuit of Reason, Peace, Justice, and Democracy.
Thursday, March 22, 7pm
Salem Humanists Book DiscussionLocation and other details emailed to all who RSVPIf you're a non-fiction book enthusiast and are short on people to share your books with, then come join us! If you are craving intellectual conversations on topics such as religion, atheism, science, reason, politics, history, etc. then this is the place for you!
Friday, March 23, 7pm
Skeptics of Eugene Monthly Meetup33733 Seavey Loop Rd, Eugene, ORHost: Lowell ThomasThis is Open Topic so everyone is welcome to bring up a specific subject of interest, and if there are copies of news items or articles you can share, please do. We are all interested in learning about our world with open minds and healthy skepticism.
Contact the Center for Inquiry Portland at [email protected], or visit us online at www.centerforinquiry.net/portland
Wednesday March 14, 6:30pm
Willamette U ThinkBrown's Towne Lounge 189 Liberty St NE #112, Salem, ORWillamette University hosts this popular pub series featuring talks and discussions with university professors.
March features award-winning teacher Jason Niedermeyer, who will present “How Darwin would teach evolution.”
Using hominid skulls and his innovative approach to teaching evolution, Niedermeyer will discuss natural selection and how it may be applied to education.
A South Salem High School science teacher, Niedermeyer earned a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in teaching from Willamette University. The National Association of Biology Teachers awarded Niedermeyer the 2010 Evolution Education Award, and he’s a finalist for a 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
The venue is open to adults 21 and over. Willamette U Think is free, so arrive early to eat, drink and ensure you get a seat.
CFI March Events CONT'D
More details and RSVP: www.meetup.com/cfi-portland/#calendar
Wednesday, March 28, 7pm
Beaverton Atheists MeetupMoonstruck Chocolate Cafe - Beaverton Town Sq, 11705 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton
Host: Alan LitchfieldEngaging, relaxing and interesting conversation at our monthly meeting.
Friday, March 30, 3:00pm
Parent and Baby/Toddler MeetupLocation and other details available upon RSVP at the CFI-SFN website
Saturday, March 24, 7pm
Skeptics of EugeneGame NightGrowers Market,454 Willamette, Eugene, ORHost: Bob HubbardWe'll play board games, munch snacks and socialize. If you have a game you'd like to share, please bring it. We'll decide at the beginning of the evening which game(s) we'll play. I have 3 card tables, each can seat up to 6 people.
Sunday, March 25 10:30am
Monthly Westside Sunday BrunchGoodness Coffee House4925 SW Angel St, Beaverton, OROrganizer(s): Sylvia BennerJoin us for a chance to meet and get to know others in the community over good food! Please RSVP so we can anticipate the correct number of people, as they open just for us.
Tuesday, March 27 6:30pm
Rogue Valley Freethinkers' Social (Grants Pass)Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co, 595 Northeast E Street, Grants Pass, OROpen agenda socializing and fun with freethinking friends
Wednesday, March 28, 6:30pm
SHEP Movie NightThe Tree of Life (2011)East Portland Community Center 740 SE 106th, PortlandStarring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, The Tree of Life is the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950's. The film follows the life jour-ney of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relation-ship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Ma-lick's signature imagery, we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life.
Basic member benefits include:• CFI Membership card,
good at any CFI worldwide • Free entry into all CFI-
Portland regular events• Preferred seating at major
CFI-Portland events• Two Guest Passes• CFI Window Decal
• Discounts on conferences and other special events
• Reduced tuition for CFI Institute online courses
• 15% off Prometheus Books purchased through the CFI-Portland
More benefits are available with other options. See CFI membership levels and benefits here.
MONTHLY DONATION: Click the green button to make an automatically renewing monthly donation. Sustain your membership while sustaining CFI! We'll keep your CFI membership active as long as your regular donations continue, but if your budget chang-es, you may change or suspend your pay-ment at any time. Starting at $5 per month.
ONE-TIME DONATION: Click the blue button to join or renew your mem-bership with a single donation to CFI. Regular membership is $60. Reduced rates for students and unemployed.
For more information, click on the above buttons, call CFI-Portland at 503-877-2347 or email portland@centerforinquiry,.net
Basic member benefits include:• CFI Membership card,
good at any CFI worldwide • Free entry into all CFI-
Portland regular events• Preferred seating at major
CFI-Portland events• Two Guest Passes• CFI Window Decal
• Discounts on conferences and other special events
• Reduced tuition for CFI Institute online courses
• 15% off Prometheus Books purchased through the CFI-Portland
More benefits are available with other options. See CFI membership levels and benefits here.
MONTHLY DONATION: Click the green button to make an automatically renewing monthly donation. Sustain your membership while sustaining CFI! We'll keep your CFI membership active as long as your regular donations continue, but if your budget chang-es, you may change or suspend your pay-ment at any time. Starting at $5 per month.
ONE-TIME DONATION: Click the blue button to join or renew your mem-bership with a single donation to CFI. Regular membership is $60. Reduced rates for students and unemployed.
For more information, click on the above buttons, call CFI-Portland at 503-877-2347 or email portland@centerforinquiry,.net
Please contact Dani Tofte at [email protected]
for newsletter suggestions