The Centre for Inquiry Vancouver and UBC Freethinkers are proud to present a talk on blasphemy and human rights by Austin Dacey.

Lecture title: “The future of blasphemy“

When: May 30th, 2012

What Time: 7pm until 8.30pm

Where:  BUCH A103, UBC

How Much: $10 General Admission

                   Free for members of CFI or UBC Freethinkers

Austin Dacey is a philosopher, author, and human rights activist whose work on issues of freedom of conscience and expression has been profiled by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC World Service, NPR, and Voice of America. His writings have appeared in numerous publications including USA Today, Dissent, and the New York Times, which ran his 2006 op-ed, “Believing in Doubt.” 

A representative to the United Nations for the International Humanist and Ethical Union, Austin has participated in international debates regarding freedom of expression, religion, and the “dialogue among civilizations,” speaking before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. His 2008 book, The Secular Conscience: Why Belief Belongs in Public Life, which argued for the central role of conscience in political and moral discourse, was embraced by figures as diverse as Sam Harris and Father Richard John Neuhaus. It was noted in North American, European, and Arabic media, and called “timely and important” by Asharq Alawsat. He holds a doctorate in applied ethics and social philosophy and has taught most recently at Polytechnic Institute of New York University in Brooklyn.

This talk will address the controversial issue of blasphemy in our society, and promises to be an exciting and lively discussion.

a Breakfast of Champions! That’s right, another fine opportunity to break organic, fair-trade bread with your fellow freethinkers is coming up soon; Sunday, 13 May 2012, 10:30 am to be exact, at the Rhizome Cafe . For newcomers, it’s located at 317 Broadway E, Vancouver. Facebook Event Page

As we come to the end of the school year (and the world, if the Mayans nuts are to be believed) you needn’t fear- our regular events are still in the works so you have something to look forward to besides your exams!

Breakfast of Champions!

Take a break from the study session to breakfast in style with your fellow freethinkers. Sunday, 15 April 2012, 10:30. Rhizome Cafe, 317 Broadway E. Facebook Event

Feynman’s Funtimes.

Celebrate the end of finals with board games, card games, strategy games, and plenty of them! If you have a favourite, bring it! If you don’t, come play games with us until you do! Wednesday, April 25th 6:30pm, IBLC 158. See the Facebook Event.

P.S.

Happy Easter and Passover- please enjoy your chocolate bunny eggs or dry crackers with horseradish respectively.

President: Stephanie Van Dyk
Vice President: Alex Radtke
VP Communications: Jonathan Wilinofsky
Treasurer: Scott Dornian
Ombudsperson: Kristin Crowther

Go go, exec-utive!

Here comes a massive update of really cool things we are doing this month. If you’re looking for interesting ways to spend your study breaks, we have quite the buffet of events.

AGM

We are holding elections and making plans for the next year of UBC Freethinkers. You should come out, have your say, feel good about participating in democracy and eat free snacks. Wednesday, March 28, 5:30pm. See the Facebook event for more details.

Lectures

We have two excellent lectures coming up, from prominent speakers whom we were really fortunate to book.

This Thursday, we have Ted Cox coming in for the following event:

See Facebook for the details.

Then, we have Will Gervais, presenting his work on anti-atheist prejudice. You may recall that his research recieved quite a lot of press when it was released – see here, here and here. His talk, entitled “Do You Believe In Atheists? Distrust and Anti-Atheist Prejudice” is on Thursday, 7:00pm, 22  March, in BUCH A103. See Facebook for more info. [edit: fixed details]

Feynman’s Funtimes.

Games, as per usual! Thursday, March 29, 6pm, IBLC 158. See the Facebook Event.

Russel’s Tea Parties

We are holding weekly events on Wednesday at 5:30 which are turning into quite the lively discussion groups and all-round good time. You should come! See our Facebook group for details on the most recent event, discussion topics and all that. They are always held in the Frank Forward Building, UBC Room 217.

And, since you made it through all that, check out these cuties.

See you soon,
Stephanie

Here’s the deets:

When: 10am, Feb 12. (Note the new time!)
Where: Rhizome Cafe, 317 Broadway.

Check out the Facebook event:

Stephanie

From Daniel, our wonderful VP:

…we have decided to start hosting a weekly meeting where we will talk about a variety of topics relating to atheism, secularism and skepticism! In the future we are hoping to get a more permanent room but at the moment the rooms will change week to week. For future weeks the event will be for members only ( you will be able to purchase membership there) but for this week anyone can join us.

For the first week we will get to know each other by discussing our own paths to atheism/agnosticism/skepticism and what got us interested in joining a club promoting that world view. Does anyone come from a deeply religious background? Has anyone faced difficulty in “coming out” as an atheist or agnostic?

It’s this Wednesday at 5:30 in IBLC 461.

Here’s the Facebook event!

See you there,
Stephanie

Skeptics in the Pub Richmond
Again, as the name implies, and this time with a different location! See the Facebook event for more info.

Where: Legends Pub & Restaurant, 6511 Buswell St, Richmond
When: Thursday, 26 January 2012 at 7:30 pm.

Atheists Are Nice!
From the Facebook event:

It’s cold out there and a lot of homeless people are in desperate need of warm socks. Atheist Republic happens to have 1000 pairs! Atheist Republic wants to invite Vancouver atheists, skeptics and humanists to come and help pass these socks to the homeless people on East Hasting. No donations are required (although you can bring food or clothing to hand out but its not required) so join us if you are free …

Where: East Hastings
When: Saturday, 28 January 2012 from 6:30 to 11:30 pm.

Café Sci: Beyond Nemo: Coral reefs in a warming world
From the Facebook event:

The speaker for the evening will be Simon Donner, an Assistant Professor in the UBC Department of Geography who is interested in why the climate matters. His talk will be on …

“Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the ocean, are thought to be more sensitive to climate change than any other ecosystem on the planet. Drawing on his research in the Central Equatorial Pacific nation of Kiribati, Simon Donner will talk about the effects of changes in climate and ocean chemistry on tropical corals and the potential for adaptation.”

Where: Railroad Club, 579 Dunsmuir St
When: Tuesday, 31 January 2012 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

Check em out!

Stephanie

Hopefully you’ve had a wonderful break from school, work or what have you. Now that it’s a new semester, it’s time for some sweet events.

Breakfast of Champions
You know the drill! See the Facebook event for all the details
When: Sunday, Jan. 15th at 10:30am
Where: New location! Rhizome Cafe Inc. at 317 Broadway E, Vancouver, BC
Map:

Feynman’s Funtime
Games are back after a wee hiatus. Come join us for some snacks, conversation and games of all sorts. More info on Facebook.
When: Friday, Jan. 20 at 6pm – 11pmish
Where: ILBC 191

Also, here’s some political commentary:

Stephanie

This Friday, we are having one of our biggest events of the year. It’s going to be freaking epic:

Dr. Hugh Ross, President of Reasons to Believe, and Dr. Rob Tarzwell, Centre for Inquiry Advisory Fellow, will present a lively discussion/debate followed by always exciting audience Q/A. This FREE event will be the third time Reasons to Believe and the UBC Freethinkers Club have teamed up to host this always popular discussion on the existence of God.

Hugh Ross is an old-Earth creationist. Rob Tarzwell is a faculty member of the UBC School of Medicine. They will be debating whether science demonstrate the existence of God.

When: Friday, 04 November, 19:00 – 21:00
Where: Buchanan A101
Cost: By donation.

More information is on the Facebook event. Show up early – seating is first come, first serve. We will likely be going out for drinks or food or fun after, so if you are interested in that, take a look at my profile pic and come say high at the event.

See you then!
Stephanie