Atheists Talk Cable Show - Video

Atheists Talk cable program by Minnesota Atheists. "Americans United for Separation of Church 2016 Legislative Review" recorded 2/11/2016 David Pacheco, President of the Minnesota chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, discussed upcoming legislative proposals in several states. Pacheco specifically mentioned how Religious Freedom Restoration Acts are now being used to deny equal rights to same-sex couples and reproductive rights to women. He also discussed First Amendment Defense Acts, which are bills designed to allow businesses and government employees to discriminate against same-sex marriages and unwed couples, among others. The conversation then turned to student groups at publically-funded colleges that wish to adopt discriminatory membership requirements; and the policies that several state legislatures are proposing to legalize the discrimination. Pacheco noted that interested persons should visit his chapter's website at mnau.org to learn more and to get involved. James Zimmerman hosted the episode. 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. "Americans United for Separation of Church and State 2015 Year in Review" recorded 1/14/2016 Host James Zimmerman interviewed David Pacheco. David is the president of the Minnesota chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and has been active for a number of years on many issues involving the overlap of religion and government. After providing a brief history of Americans United, David discussed the major issues the group worked on in 2015, including same-sex marriage rulings and religious activities in public schools. David talked about the upcoming elections, specifically the presidential election, and offered some insights on how the candidates' comments can affect the voting public, even if those candidates don't ultimately win office. David concluded by providing resources for those who wish to get involved with Americans United. Visit their site, www.au.org, to 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. "Black Freethinkers of Minnesota" recorded 11/12/2015 James Zimmerman interviews Mahad Muhammad, founder of Black Freethinkers of Minnesota. They reviewed the history of Black Freethinkers, challenges and prospects for future growth, and issues of importance to Black Freethinkers. There are two organizing tools they are using today, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackFreethinkersofMinnesota) and Meet Up (http://www.meetup.com/Black-Freethinkers-of- 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. "The Satanic Temple and Separation of Church and State" recorded 10/08/2015 George Kane interviewed John Wreisner about The Satanic Temple and its tactics in the struggle for separation of state and church. The interview covered the founding humanist principles of the Satanic Temple as well as national and local issues that the Satanic Temple has tackled. 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. "Mr. Paul Aints" recorded 9/10/2015 James Zimmerman interviewed Eric Jayne, President of Minnesota Atheists, on The History and Future of the Mr. Paul Aints. Minnesota Atheists has been a corporate sponsor of one ballgame a year for the Saint Paul Saints, an independent professional baseball team. Jayne gave the history of how the sponsorship came about and how the Saints organization has worked with Minnesota Atheists to help defer costs, to make the game a memorable experience and also to help secular charities for each game. 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. "Reason and Purpose" recorded 8/6/2015 James Zimmerman interviewed Grant Steves for two programs in August. Both programs were based on a series of books by Freethinkers on purpose and reason in the lives of non religious people. The first program was titled: Purpose Driven: Object or Goal and the second was: Reason and Purpose. Resource books were Robert Price’s Reason Driven Life and Walter Kaufman books The Faith of a Heretic and Critique of Religion; Dan Barker’s Life Driven Purpose, Lawrence Krauss’ A Universe from Nothing and James Zimmerman’s Deliverance at Hand. 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. "Purpose Driven: Object or Goal" recorded 8/6/2015 James Zimmerman interviewed Grant Steves for two programs in August. Both programs were based on a series of books by Freethinkers on purpose and reason in the lives of non religious people. The first program was titled: Purpose Driven: Object or Goal and the second was: Reason and Purpose. Resource books were Robert Price’s Reason Driven Life and Walter Kaufman books The Faith of a Heretic and Critique of Religion; Dan Barker’s Life Driven Purpose, Lawrence Krauss’ A Universe from Nothing and James Zimmerman’s Deliverance at Hand. 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. "Using Science to Study Religion" recorded 6/4/2015 Grant Steves was interviewed by Jack Caravela about using science to study religion. 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. "Religion Beyond Christianity" recorded 6/4/2015 Jack Caravela interviews Grant Steves about why non-believers should study religion. 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. "Secularism and Mental Health" recorded 3/5/2015 Licensed counselor and Minnesota Atheists board member Jill Carlson appeared on our cable program this month to discuss the importance of finding a secular mental healthcare provider. Jill noted that this can be difficult, as most therapists and counselors do not advertise their feelings on religion and faith; but that it should be possible to determine if a mental health provider is secular or, at least, friendly toward those who are not religious. Jill discussed some of the challenges and issues that might arise in seeing an overtly religious counselor; for example, they might wish to pray with you or view your problems from a religious perspective. Jill then talked about some of the problems regarding church-state separation in the mental health provider field. For example, some practices receive state funding yet are religiously driven. A court might order someone to attend AA although the only such groups in their area might be very religious. Jill indicated a need for a database of secular providers, not just in the mental health field, but also in other areas of care (such as prenatal) where trust and confidence are very important, and where a provider's beliefs might color their methods of treatment. 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. "Sunday Assembly" recorded 2/5/2015 James Zimmerman interviewed Erin Manthey. Manthey is an organizer and coordinator for the Twin Cities’ Sunday Assembly. After first discussing her youth growing up in a fundamentalist home and her subsequent rejection of religion, Manthey explained the origins and rapid growth of the Sunday Assemblies. She identified their appeal and contrasted them with both traditional religious services and with local UU churches. Manthey explained what a typical Sunday Assembly is like and offered information on how and where to get involved, or just attend, the local Sunday Assembly in Minneapolis.
 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. "Animal Liberation and Atheism" recorded 2/5/2015 Author, professor, and activist Kim Socha discusses her latest book, Animal Liberation and Atheism: Dismantling the Procrustean Bed. Socha noted the need for a book such as hers, and then discussed the link between atheism and veganism. Socha noted that Christianity and Judaism treat animals as the property of humans, to be used as humans see fit. While animals fare better in other religions, such as Buddhism, the treatment of animals in those religions is only good so far as it benefits humans ─ they are not given respect and consideration in their own right. She next talked about the major, lamentable flaws in the way notable atheists ─ such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins ─ have approached animal rights. The discussion concluded with an examination of the continuum of practices in treating animals with respect and an explanation of the term “suicide food.” Socha noted that her book is available at several local book stores and online at Freethought House’s site. 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. "Does God Exist Meetup" recorded 12/4/2014 August Berkshire interviewed Dan Wegner, a Catholic and founder and host of the "Does God Exist?" Meetup. The Meetup was aimed more for religious people but many atheists have been interested and welcomed to be part of the group. It was a civil discussion of issues related to god belief covered in several past Meetups. 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. "Compassion and Choices" recorded 11/6/2014 Steve Petersen interviewed Janet Conn, President of Compassion and Choices Minnesota and discussed end of life issues, healthcare directives and Bethany Maynard, the person in Oregon who recently used the Oregon Death with Dignity law to relieve her suffering. 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. "Robert G. Ingersoll" recorded 10/2/2014 Steve Petersen interviewed Jim Barri, Minnesota Atheists member, about Robert G. Ingersoll and American freethinking icon of the late nineteenth century. Jim is well educated regarding Ingersoll and we discussed the relevance of Ingersoll today and his impact on American and freethought history. 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/