Atheists Talk Cable Show - Video

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Godless Congregations" recorded 11/07/2013 This is a movement started in England designed to attract atheists to weekly social gatherings of music, dance, speakers and community that have a feel of church but without religion or dogma. Stephanie Zvan interviewed Rev. Dr. David Breeden of the First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis, Scott Lohman President of the Humanists of Minnesota and August Berkshire of Minnesota Atheists representing three local organizations that have something to offer atheists interested in Sunday Assemblies and something to lose if Sunday Assemblies were to become active in Minnesota. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "History of the Gay Movement in Minnesota and Role of the Minnesota ACLU" recorded 10/3/2013 August Berkshire interviewed Matthew Stark, past president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. The topic of discussion was the recently released book, History of the Gay Movement in Minnesota and the Role of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union, written by Minnesota Atheists honorary member Dick Hewetson. The book covers the struggle for civil rights by gays and lesbians in Minnesota in the 1960s and ‘70s. History of the Gay Movement in Minnesota uses extensive interviews and the archives of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota to provide a detailed recounting of the history of the early gay and lesbian movement in Minnesota. The book is comprehensive and informative and addresses a frequently overlooked aspect of Minnesota history. The book is available for download from: http://www.mnatheists.org/media/stories/cableshow/gaysinmn-hewetson.pdf Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Deliverance at Hand by James Zimmerman" recorded 09/05/2013 Deliverance at Hand! describes James’ life as a Jehovah’s Witness and how he eventually left that religion. In the show, James explains his motivation for writing the book and why he feels the book will be of interest to the general public. Eric asks James about the frustration of dealing with the leaders in Jehovah’s Witnesses and the difficult decisions James had to make when he discovered information that ran counter to the doctrines of the Witnesses. Eric also explores the practice of shunning, and James briefly talks about how this affected him, both as a Witness who shunned former members, and later as a former Witness himself who experienced shunning by his family and former friends. The show provides a fascinating insider’s view of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their beliefs. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "A Diverse Nation: The Diverse Nation Struggles" recorded 8/1/2013 Jack Caravela interview Grant Steves about religion in 19th and 20th century America. Steves reviewed religion in contemporary America, noting that as we become more diverse religiously and less religious overall, we create the need for a more secular government. This is a followup to the episode titled “A Diverse Nation: The Founding of a Diverse Nation” Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "A Diverse Nation: The Founding of a Diverse Nation" recorded 8/1/2013 The Founding of a Diverse Nation, covered religion in the early years of America. Steves reviewed Colonial religious persecution by majority Christian sects over minority sects, other minority religions, and non-believers. He then went on to discuss the dissimilar religious beliefs of our founders and their impact on our Constitution and Bill of Rights. This is part one of the Diverse Nation series, part two being “A Diverse Nation: The Diverse Nation Struggles”. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Minnesota Atheists: The Next Generation" recorded 6/6/2013 George Kane interviews Eric Jayne and Heather Hegi, two new, young, leaders of Minnesota Atheists Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Intersex and Identity - Part 2" recorded 5/4/2013 During the second half of the show, Sharon Preves, professor at Hamline University, further detailed the medicalization of conditions that do not, normally, require medical intervention, including intersex infants and childbirth itself. Sharon compared the unnecessary interventions into intersexed individuals bodies with circumcision, and she then discussed the emotional ramifications on the patients. Many felt guilt, shame, and even fear. Some grew up convinced they had been born with a disease so terrible that no one - not even their parents or doctors - would discuss it openly. Sharon next cited recent gains in the rights of those born intersexed, and listed off ways they have found healing, such as through support groups. Sharon also provided the example of an intersex teenager who was instructed to pray that she become fully female. Sharon concluded by offering several resources, including her own book, Intersex and Identity. James Zimmerman hosted. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Intersex and Identity - Part 1" recorded 5/4/2013 For the first part of the show, Dr. Sharon Preves, sociologist and professor, discussed her research of intersex individuals. Sharon first defined terms, such as "intersex," "hermaphrodite," and "transgender," then explained how and why she became involved in this research. Sharon next explained the cause for negative stigma against intersex individuals, including the religious views of people who do not fit easily into the male/female binary. Sharon noted the strong drive that society has to pigeonhole everyone - even fetuses - into one of two genders. She discussed the evolution of outlying conditions in Western civilization: from sin, to crime, to medicalization. Sharon then explained the excessive intrusion of the medical world and its treatment of intersexuality as an emergency requiring "correction." James Zimmerman hosted. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Challenges to Reproductive Health in 2013" recorded 4/4/2013 George Kane interviews Linnea House, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota about reproductive issues, such as abortion and birth control. http://ProChoiceMinnesota.org Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Critical Thinking" recorded 3/7/2013 George Kane, who formed the first Critical Thinking group in Minnesota, discussed the importance of critical thinking. He explained exactly what is meant - and what is not meant - by the term, and provided a few examples from the political and religious spheres to illustrate what is needed to be a critical thinker. George provided resources for learning more and getting involved. James Zimmerman hosted. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "The Importance of Atheist Volunteerism" recorded 2/7/2013 Minnesota Atheists Associate President Eric Jayne discussed the importance of giving time, energy, and money by volunteering for important causes. Eric first cited reasons why humans, whether or not they are religious, feel compelled to volunteer. He also provided reasons for rejecting the claim that religion is what makes people want to help their fellow humans. Next, Eric detailed many of the organizations and events that Minnesota Atheists has helped to - and continues to - support. He mentioned a few upcoming volunteering events and offered resources for how freethinkers can find out more about volunteering for non-religious charities. James Zimmerman hosted. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "The 2012 Elections: What it Means for Secularists - Part 2" recorded 1/3/2013 In part two, Pacheco continued his explanation of the ramifications of the 2012 election. In this half, he detailed several specific ballot measures that were defeated in various states, such as Florida's Amendment 8, and Minnesota's proposed amendment to forbid same-sex marriage. Pacheo next explained the illegality of church electioneering, and the IRS' response to their overt endorsements of specific candidates. Finally, he discussed the conflict of interest in using churches as polling stations. Pacheco offered resources for those who wish to learn more and get involved. James Zimmerman hosted. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "The 2012 Elections: What it Means for Secularists - Part 1" recorded 1/3/2013 In part one, David Pacheco, Board Member of the Minnesota chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, discussed his organization's history and purpose. He then explained the good points of the recent election, such as the large number of voters identifying as non-religious and what this will mean for future elections. Pacheco also spoke about voters' rejection of hard-line anti-abortion candidates. James Zimmerman hosted. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Vegans, Vegetarians and Atheist, Part 2" recorded 12/6/2012 During part one, guest Rohit Ravindran discussed his background and the points in his life that brought him to atheism. He then explained how, from a philosophical standpoint, the logic that led him to atheism also led him to become a vegetarian, and later, a vegan. Rohit provided definitions of a few terms, and detailed the violence inherent in factory farms. He shared a video of covertly recorded footage from inside one such factory to bolster his claim, and offered suggested reading material to learn more. James Zimmerman hosted.   In part two, Rohit Ravindran continued his discussion of eating conscientiously. He explained the ethics involved in decided what to, and what not to, eat. Host James Zimmerman aired several common objections to vegetarianism, and Rohit explained the common responses. He also explained the benefits of a non-meat diet from environmental and health perspectives. Rohit shared some of his favorite books on the topic, and noted a couple local vegan groups to help viewers learn more. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Vegans, Vegetarians and Atheist, Part 1" recorded 12/6/2012 During part one, guest Rohit Ravindran discussed his background and the points in his life that brought him to atheism. He then explained how, from a philosophical standpoint, the logic that led him to atheism also led him to become a vegetarian, and later, a vegan. Rohit provided definitions of a few terms, and detailed the violence inherent in factory farms. He shared a video of covertly recorded footage from inside one such factory to bolster his claim, and offered suggested reading material to learn more. James Zimmerman hosted.   In part two, Rohit Ravindran continued his discussion of eating conscientiously. He explained the ethics involved in decided what to, and what not to, eat. Host James Zimmerman aired several common objections to vegetarianism, and Rohit explained the common responses. He also explained the benefits of a non-meat diet from environmental and health perspectives. Rohit shared some of his favorite books on the topic, and noted a couple local vegan groups to help viewers learn more. Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighborhood atheism in order to: - Provide a community for atheists - Educate the public about atheism - Promote separation of state and church http://www.mnatheists.org/