March 10 in Des Moines

[Niles]

The Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers is sending out an invitation to an event at the State Capitol building. It is short notice due to problems with logistics in getting the room reservation at the Capitol. Here is the scoop:

Some Christian (very conservative types) have been showing a series of videos at the Capitol using a room and resources at the Capitol. It is called the “Truth Project” and was covered by the DM Register and other news sources. We are going to COUNTER their arguments and have a presentation at the Capitol to give a humanist world view to counter their narrow Christian world view.

So we have Dr. Hector Avelos of ISU going to give a presentation. The event will be on March 10th at noon to 1:00 at the Capitol. We are asking if any folks want to attend—it would be good to get a good crowd. It is over the noon hour and that may be difficult and it is one week from now so short notice.

Please spread the word around and let people know that they are invited. If any questions, let me know.

The above, from Randy Henderson, Assistant Organizer, Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers
http://www.meetup.com/Iowa-Atheists-and-Freethinkers/

For full information, See
http://www.meetup.com/Iowa-Atheists-and-Freethinkers/calendar/12776307/

[Niles]

From the Iowa Independent:
Atheists offer alternative to Focus on the Family series at Iowa Capitol
Group reserved statehouse room for public discussion of evolution and 'intelligent design'
By Lynda Waddington 3/4/10 12:28 PM

An Iowa organization dedicated to supporting non-religious individuals wants to ensure that a Christian educational series being shown in the Iowa Capitol does not go unanswered.

Dave Grzeshowiak, vice president of Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers, said his group learned that screenings of “The Truth Project,” a DVD series produced and marketed by the conservative group Focus on the Family, were being shown in the statehouse by reading about it in the Iowa Independent. In response, the group decided to present an opposing viewpoint.

Next Wednesday the group will bring Dr. Hector Avelos, professor of religious studies at Iowa State University, to room 103 at the statehouse for a discussion on evolution or “intelligent design,” which is one of several topics in the Focus on the Family series. The discussion will take place at noon and is open to anyone who wishes to attend.

“Our preference would be for this to be a non-issue and neither [event] to have been at the Capitol,”  Grzeshowiak said. “But, because one already is, we feel it is our responsibility to present both sides. We are also very grateful to have the opportunity to do so.”

In January, The Iowa Independent learned that a room had been reserved inside the Iowa Capitol by a legislator for the purpose of showing the controversial Focus on the Family DVD educational series. The meeting, despite being held in a public facility, was not subject to any public notification by the state.

The Iowa Independent has since learned that very few meetings or events of the same nature — held in the statehouse with the room reserved by a lawmaker — are openly announced to the public on calendars produced and maintained by Capitol officials. Due to the lack of transparency in the existing process, several open-government advocates have called for changes, and The Iowa Independent has filed document requests in order to learn more about the types of meetings that take place in statehouse rooms.

The meeting being planned by the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers is being openly announced by the organization, but is not required to appear on existing statehouse calendars.

Prior to the start of the legislative session, the Iowa group sent a letter to all Iowa representatives and senators asking them to end the practice of prayers that begin each legislative day. Chief among the group’s complaints is that the state pays the invited clergy a $10 stipend for the service as well as reimbursing round-trip mileage.

“We did the same last year and received absolutely no responses,” Grzeshowiak said. “This year, however, we received a few replies and have met with a few legislators. They have been very productive and very supportive, which, honestly, was something of a pleasant surprise.”

The group also made waves recently for its ad campaign on public buses in Des Moines, which drew the direct ire of Gov. Chet Culver.

“I think [next week's Capitol event] is a large step toward the acceptance of non-religious people in society, which is really one of our main goals,” Grzeshowiak said.

Grzeshowiak declined to comment about which lawmaker made the room reservation on behalf of his group. The Iowa Independent has asked Capitol officials for the information but had not received a response by publication.

UPDATE at 2:40 p.m.: According to Mark Brandsgard, chief clerk of the Iowa House, the room that was reserved for the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers was done so by state Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, However, Brandsgard’s records have no indication of the purpose of the meeting or on whose behalf the reservation was made, only that Hunter reserved the room.