Iowa Secularists » Announcements http://iowasecularists.org A community of religion-free Iowans! Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:40:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 1st Annual Iowa Secularists Blood Donation Drive http://iowasecularists.org/2009/1st-annual-iowa-secularists-blood-donation-drive/ http://iowasecularists.org/2009/1st-annual-iowa-secularists-blood-donation-drive/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:47:42 +0000 sfedler http://iowasecularists.org/?p=332 Please join the Iowa Secularists in partnering with the American Red Cross as we host a month-long, state-wide member blood donation drive from July 20th through August 21st!

Most people consider it a right to receive a blood transfusion when they need it, but without volunteer donors, there’s no blood for you to receive if you are severely injured or undergo major surgery! By volunteering to donate, you ensure that there is enough blood available so that all patients DO have a right to blood transfusions in emergencies.

Below you will find a donor form and a list of donation centers and open blood drives across the state over the next month, organized by county and by date.

Simply pick a location and time that works best for you, then return the donor form to the Iowa Secularists after donation so we can track our member donations!

Click here for the list of open drives, the donor form, and answers to common questions (in PDF format).

]]> http://iowasecularists.org/2009/1st-annual-iowa-secularists-blood-donation-drive/feed/ 0 Church | State Separation Campaign http://iowasecularists.org/2008/church-state-separation-campaign/ http://iowasecularists.org/2008/church-state-separation-campaign/#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:53:30 +0000 bsabel http://iowasecularist.com/?p=82 We are very excited to announce the launch of the Iowa Secularist Church | State Separation Campaign! Each month for the next twelve months the Iowa Secularists will focus on a particular issue related to the separation of church and state. The Campaign will consist of discussion in our local groups and on the forum of the meaning of church-state separation, a quote of the month, letter writing campaigns to newspapers and elected officials, an Iowa Secularist lobby day at the Iowa Statehouse, and the presentation of a “Friend of the First Amendment” Award at the Annual Conference of the Iowa Secularists. We will make resources available to help you write letters and advocate for the separation of church and state and for the Iowa Secularists. Here’s what we have planned for March:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America

Iowa Secularist Lobby Day will be Thursday, March 27, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come to the Capitol and speak to your legislators. Brian J. Sabel, a registered lobbyist for the Iowa Secularists, will be at the Capitol all day speaking to various elected representatives about the importance of the separation of church and state and about the concerns of the members of the Iowa Secularists. Come out and show your support for the separation of church and state and for the Iowa Secularists!

Local Group Discussion Questions: In our local group meetings this month we will discuss the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment. Consider the following questions:

  • The words “Wall of Separation” and “separation of church and state” don’t appear in the U.S. Constitution. Does it actually exist?
  • What government actions violate church/state separation and how far can government go without violating the wall of separation?
  • To what extent must religious politicians leave their faith at the door – how much can their religion influence their decisions?
  • Where does Free Exercise end and Establishment begin? Is there a way to tell when the two clauses conflict?
  • Do cities have to recognize the wall of separation?
    • ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2008/church-state-separation-campaign/feed/ 0     Iowa Secularists National Day of Reason Event in Cedar Rapids http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-secularists-national-day-of-reason-event-in-cedar-rapids/ http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-secularists-national-day-of-reason-event-in-cedar-rapids/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 01:00:01 +0000 jsabel http://iowasecularist.com/?p=59 The Iowa Secularists Present:

    From Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady,
    the Academy Award Nominated:

    JESUS CAMP

    A Documentary about the raising of evangelical Christian children to be soldiers in “God’s army” and the “War for young minds.”

    “Cooly objective and well made” – TIME Magazine

    “An enlightening and frank look at what the force known as Evangelical America believes, preaches and teaches their children.” – Chicago Tribune

    This is a free and public event to celebrate the National Day of Reason!

    Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 6:00pm
    Beems Auditorium in the
    Cedar Rapids Public Library
    see the map here

    ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-secularists-national-day-of-reason-event-in-cedar-rapids/feed/ 0     This Week’s Events: March 5-11 http://iowasecularists.org/2007/this-weeks-events-march-5-11/ http://iowasecularists.org/2007/this-weeks-events-march-5-11/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2007 03:12:32 +0000 jsabel http://iowasecularist.com/2007/this-weeks-events-march-5-11/ Thursday, March 8

  • ISU Atheist & Agnostic Society
    7:00 p.m. in Ross 129 on the ISU campus
  • Iowa City Meeting
    7:00pm Old Chicago, Coralville

    • Saturday, March 11

  • Cedar Rapids Secular Breakfast
    10:00 a.m. at the Blue Strawberry, Cedar Rapids
  • North Iowa Secularists
    10:00 a.m. at the Mason City Airport Cafe at Hwy 122 W, Mason City
    • ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2007/this-weeks-events-march-5-11/feed/ 0     This Week’s Events: Feb. 19-25 http://iowasecularists.org/2007/this-weeks-events-feb-19-25/ http://iowasecularists.org/2007/this-weeks-events-feb-19-25/#comments Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:46:40 +0000 bsabel http://iowasecularist.com/?p=55 Tuesday, Feb. 20

  • UUSIC Secular Humanists
    7:00 p.m. in the UUSIC Fireside Room at 10 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City
    Dr. Bill Klink, UI Dept. of Physics and Astronomy: “Free Will and Physics”

    • Wednesday, Feb. 21

  • Cedar Rapids Meeting
    7:30 p.m. at 224 26th Street NW, Cedar Rapids

    • Thursday, Feb. 22

  • ISU Atheist & Agnostic Society
    6:00 p.m. in Ross 129 on the ISU campus

    • Saturday, Feb. 24

  • Cedar Rapids Secular Breakfast
    10:00 a.m. at the Blue Strawberry, Cedar Rapids
  • North Iowa Secularists
    10:00 a.m. at the Mason City Airport Cafe at Hwy 122 W, Mason City
    • ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2007/this-weeks-events-feb-19-25/feed/ 0     Iowa City Darwin Day Events Cancelled http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-darwin-day-events-cancelled/ http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-darwin-day-events-cancelled/#comments Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:26:36 +0000 jsabel http://iowasecularist.com/2007/iowa-city-darwin-day-events-cancelled/ Due to the snow storms, Dr. Pigliucci will not be able to make it to Iowa City for the planned events on February 14. The events will hopefully be rescheduled for a later date. For more information, please visit www.iowacitydarwinday.org.

    ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-darwin-day-events-cancelled/feed/ 0     Iowa City Meeting http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-meeting/ http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-meeting/#comments Sat, 03 Feb 2007 20:24:00 +0000 bsabel http://iowasecularist.com/general/postname%/ The Iowa City area Iowa Secularists will meet at 7:00 on Thursday, February 8 at Old Chicago in Coralville. Please leave a comment to RSVP. See you then!

    ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-meeting/feed/ 6     Cedar Rapids & West Des Moines Meetings http://iowasecularists.org/2007/cedar-rapids-west-des-moines-meetings/ http://iowasecularists.org/2007/cedar-rapids-west-des-moines-meetings/#comments Thu, 18 Jan 2007 03:54:21 +0000 bsabel http://iowasecularist.com/?p=49 Sorry for the short notice but we have two meetings on Tursday, January 18.

    Cedar Rapids
    Blue Strawberry Coffee Company at 7:00 p.m.

    West Des Moines
    Panera Bread at 7:00 p.m.

    ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2007/cedar-rapids-west-des-moines-meetings/feed/ 0     Iowa City Social Next Week! http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-social-next-week/ http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-social-next-week/#comments Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:56:53 +0000 bsabel http://iowasecularist.com/?p=48 Join us for an Iowa City Area Iowa Secularists Social at Old Chicago Pizza in Coralville [map] Thursday, January 11, at 7:00 p.m. This will be a great time to visit with old friends and meet some new ones! Please R.S.V.P. A.S.A.P. by sending an email to jsabel[AT]iowasecularist[DOT]org so we are sure to have enough space reserved. See everyone there!
    You can also let others know you’ll be there by leaving a comment below!

    ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2007/iowa-city-social-next-week/feed/ 5     Donor Sought http://iowasecularists.org/2006/donor-sought/ http://iowasecularists.org/2006/donor-sought/#comments Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:12:15 +0000 bsabel http://iowasecularist.com/?p=45 In an effort to improve the ways in which we communicate with our members, the Iowa Secularists are overhauling the quarterly news letter to provide better content in a better format. However, we need your help to offset the cost. We are currently seeking a one-time donation of $250.00 to cover the increased cost of printing and postage. If you are able to contribute or have questions please email the news letter editor, Brian Sabel at bsabel [AT] iowasecularist [DOT] org.

    Contributions to the Iowa Secularists are not deductible for purposes of income tax.

    ]]>     http://iowasecularists.org/2006/donor-sought/feed/ 0