tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967136012904865592011-12-12T23:41:38.747-07:00A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization fostering a community of atheists, secular humanists, agnostics, skeptics, and other non-theists by providing opportunities for socializing, networking, and friendship. We Believe In You!Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02589802482476524586noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-33416261128382321712011-09-22T00:34:00.001-06:002011-09-22T00:39:10.328-06:00

Yes, it's time once again for our annual Board Elections, and this time we're doing a picnic as well.When: This Saturday, September 24th, 5:30 - 10:00Where: Bonner Park in Missoula Please bring whatever dead animal product you'd like to throw on the grill (we'll have a grill or two available), as well as a small side dish to share.Thanks to Milo, we'll also have a limited supply of free

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-68639823869241004852011-09-09T13:22:00.006-06:002011-09-09T13:41:10.970-06:00

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @

Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02589802482476524586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-8308077038633299172011-07-29T16:55:00.000-06:002011-08-01T15:29:20.502-06:00

Welcome to the website for the Missoula Area Secular Society, or M.A.S.S. for short (pronounced Mass).We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization who's mission is to foster a community of non-theistic individuals in Missoula, MT, and to develop and/or promote educational programs focusing on secular ethics, science, history, and critical thinking for our members, their families, and the public at

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-44635079848988126312011-07-28T09:28:00.005-06:002011-07-28T09:44:28.926-06:00

Our trip to the Blue Mountain Observatory has arrived.We'll meet at 11:00pm, Friday night, in the parking lot for Peak Fitness at the corner of Blue Mountain Road and Highway 93/12. From there we'll drive up to the top of the mountain for the Blue Mountain Observatory's Public Observing Night. Bring a snack, a flashlight, a light jacket and wear long pants. The natural AC on top of the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-80056946807939559782011-07-17T15:44:00.003-06:002011-07-17T16:13:27.331-06:00

M.A.S.S. Camp Out Twenty Eleven was a huge success and a lot of fun. Many of us camped for two nights while others came out for one.On Friday night we celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of M.A.S.S. as an organization and talked about the upcoming billboard. Of course, food was cooked over fire and grill, smore's were available in plenty, and the weather was perfect.On Saturday, a bunch of us drove

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-30397806229210295782011-06-14T19:20:00.005-06:002011-06-14T21:17:49.605-06:00

It is time for another M.A.S.S. bicycle trip down the Hiawatha. The "Route of the Hiawatha" was called one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country. Although there is no longer a railroad the scenic views have remained. We will be biking along 15 miles of the old railroad through 8 open tunnels and over 7 high trestles following the mountainous terrain.It is a gentle downhill

Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02589802482476524586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-9586300432559629972011-05-30T13:23:00.003-06:002011-05-30T13:44:13.129-06:00

It's almost time for another Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch. As usual, we'll be in the meeting room at the Stone of Accord at 4951 N. Reserve at 10am, Sunday June 5th. Just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll show you they way. Also, Milo, our seminary graduate, is putting together a monthly "Secular Bible Study" class. No dogma allowed. This class will be

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-10911915163962116012011-04-28T00:14:00.004-06:002011-04-28T01:10:23.489-06:00

The UM Chapter of Sigma Xi is hosting another Science Café, this time with the Director of the National Center for Science Education, Dr. Eugenie C. Scott.Dr. Scott is recognized nationally as an expert on the controversy of teaching creationism in public classrooms. and served as a science and education consultant in the federal "Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District" case in 2005.For

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-77474394797311954302011-03-28T21:35:00.007-06:002011-03-28T22:38:00.710-06:00

Brother Sam Singleton, Atheist Evangelist is coming back through Missoula.Brother Sam (B.S.) has been busy traveling all over the country spreading the good word (so to speak), and at long last he's making another pass through Missoula.He'll be performing his new show "If the Ocean was Whiskey and God was a Duck" at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center ( 519 South Higgins Avenue ) on Saturday, April

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-40468690137531056432011-02-27T15:43:00.006-07:002011-02-27T18:09:33.461-07:00

Q: Which Sunday of the month is this coming Sunday?A: It'll be the first Sunday, of course.Q: How can you be so sure?A: The Missoula Area Secular Society (M.A.S.S.) is having Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch again. It's so predictable, you can set your calendar by it.Q: What is this Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch that you speak of?A: It's a time for members of the M.A.S.S. and other like minded people to get

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-38745404402303055472011-02-06T08:49:00.007-07:002011-02-06T09:08:07.023-07:00

In the last post, I suggested that maybe our group New Year's Resolution could be to finally get the billboard we've been talking about for over two years. Well, our Board of Directors took that to heart and things are happening faster that we've grown accustomed to. In fact, I am very pleased to announce that we've signed the contract with the billboard company and our billboard is

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-53035583779735090022010-12-30T07:00:00.001-07:002010-12-30T07:00:07.663-07:00

2010 was an amazing year for M.A.S.S. We received our 501(c)3 approval. We finished our new logo (with big thanks to Dan and Russ). Our T-shirts are made. Our bi-weekly Discussion Group (organized by Bill) is going strong and (thanks in part to James) has found a permanent home downtown. Several of our members were able to successfully challenge the church service at the County Fair and

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-45642623460303132522010-12-02T21:28:00.005-07:002010-12-02T21:41:45.803-07:00

Many of us are taking a trip to Big Sky this weekend for an event hosted by the Bozeman Freethinker's, but unfortunately, not everyone is able to go. Therefore, the tradition of Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch will go on as scheduled. So come on out of that cold closet and join those of us still in town for some warm and friendly unsupernatural conversation.When: Sunday, Dec 5th, 10amWhere: The Meeting

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-48217509899596849462010-11-12T17:57:00.004-07:002010-11-12T18:03:18.753-07:00

The Missoula Area Secular Society is hosting another free public lecture.When: Thursday, Nov 18th, 6:00pmWhere: Missoula Public Library, Large Meeting RoomEmbryonic stem cells hold great promise for replacing cells in damaged tissue, even brain cells, but significant challenges remain before this can be realized. Not least of challenges is that stem cells may form tumors. It is difficult to

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-1204970191464105702010-10-31T22:05:00.005-06:002010-10-31T22:31:51.503-06:00

Another month has flown by, Fall is officially here, and that means it's time for yet another Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch.When: Sunday, November 7th, 10amWhere: Stone of Accord Meeting Room ( 4951 N. Reserve )Need we say more?"Snowy Leaves" photo (c) Janie Jones

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-25477677146355825892010-10-28T09:28:00.005-06:002010-10-28T09:43:17.891-06:00

Neil Shubin, author of Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body, will be speaking at the University Theater at 8pm tonight.Neil is best known as one of the discoverers in 2004 of the fossil that revealed a missing link in evolution between fish and land animals. He will discuss his 2008 book, Your Inner Fish, which tells the story of evolution by tracing

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-83741254866003960282010-10-11T15:48:00.006-06:002010-10-11T16:58:57.840-06:00

If you have just heard about us through our recent Montana press coverage, welcome to our website.The Missoula Area Secular Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a community of non-theistic individuals and to promote and organize educational programs focusing on secular ethics, science, history and critical thinking for our members, their children and the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-37249014025003648352010-10-04T08:56:00.002-06:002010-10-16T12:18:52.405-06:00

Our annual board of directors election on Sunday went well. Our two board members who's terms were expiring (Milo and Gina) were both reelected without opposition to new three year terms. Gina will continue serving as our highly capable Treasurer, and Milo will continue as our Member at Large. Next October Russ and Jon's terms will be expiring.The Board of Directors met later, and created a

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-21718299895229700932010-09-26T20:43:00.007-06:002010-09-26T22:04:26.792-06:00

It's time once again for our Monthly "Sunday M.A.S.S." Brunch Meeting and boy do we have an important one this time.Our 501(c)3 application has finally been approved by the IRS. We're the real deal, now! We'll have some info on that at the brunch as well as where we go from here.Also, two of our Board of Director's terms are expiring (Gina and Milo), and we'll be either re-electing them or

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-26077734089154275102010-09-11T14:59:00.005-06:002010-10-13T10:03:02.703-06:00

Bozeman Freethinkers Aleksi and Kate are organizing the first of two "play in the snow" weekends in Big Sky, MT and are inviting members of the Missoula Area Secular Society (plus friends, family, and fellow-travelers) to join in the fun, December 4th and 5th.Aleksi welcomes everybody to stay at her spacious house in Big Sky for this fun-filled weekend! You DO NOT have to be a good skier,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-43886741303659667082010-08-28T16:48:00.005-06:002010-08-28T16:59:23.865-06:00

It's time once again for our monthly brunch meeting that we affectionately call Sunday M.A.S.S.Please join us at the Stone of Accord at 10:00AM on Sunday, September 5th in the meeting room. If you're not sure where the meeting room is, just ask the host(ess) and they'll get you there pronto.Mr. Breakfast Photo (c) M@X

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-72726620666021582092010-08-12T13:08:00.002-06:002010-08-12T13:10:14.967-06:00

The weather for Ovando changed to thunderstorms and rain all evening, so it doesn't look like we'll have much of a view of the sky. We'll try again next time.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-52496567596889429612010-08-09T00:45:00.005-06:002010-08-09T01:17:53.627-06:00

The Earth is rapidly approaching the densest part of the debris trail of the comet Swift-Tuttle, the new moon will be providing plenty of darkness, and now the Western Montana weather appears to be cooperating as well, so...Put in your vacation notice for Friday and come out with the Missoula Area Secular Society to spend Thursday night staying up into the wee hours far away from city lights

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-1426058840172621482010-07-29T08:16:00.003-06:002010-07-29T08:36:12.045-06:00

Those members of M.A.S.S. that are attending the Bozeman Freethinkers Camping/Lewis & Clark Caverns/Museum of the Rockies trip this weekend won't make it to brunch, but not everyone is going to Bozeman and we have a standing reservation at the Stone of Accord. So, brunch is still on.In the absence of the entire board or directors who will be either camping or otherwise out of town, Martha has

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-39345653530993223922010-07-15T07:18:00.004-06:002010-07-15T07:41:11.877-06:00

COSMOS: A Personal Voyage is a thirteen-part television series written by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steven Soter and first broadcast by PBS in 1980. As of 2009, it is the most widely watched PBS series in the world. It won an Emmy and a Peabody Award and has since been broadcast in more than 60 countries and seen by over 500 million people.With special permission from Druyan-Sagan

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-36397760451941765062010-06-30T07:34:00.007-06:002010-06-30T08:04:05.530-06:00

If you're not headed out of town for the holiday weekend (or if you're headed to our area from points beyond), join the Missoula Area Secular Society for Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch to celebrate our independence from superstition and dogma.We'll be meeting at the usual time and place for our usual lively and educational discussions on science, secularism, and superstition.Where: The Stone of Accord,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-86726507290024681802010-06-08T06:43:00.009-06:002010-06-08T07:20:42.756-06:00

The Missoula Area Secular Society is proud to present a free public screening of the critically acclaimed documentary, The God Who Wasn't There.From exposing the hidden history of Christianity to lampooning the bloody excesses of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (which caused Gibson to attempt legal action against the documentary), The God Who Wasn't There pulls no punches. Directed

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-32552335089481338722010-06-01T18:34:00.006-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.040-06:00

It's time once again to enjoy the bewildered looks on the faces of your friends and family when you tell them that you're going to Sunday M.A.S.S.We've been seeing more and more people coming to our monthly brunch event, and if this keeps up we're going to outgrow the meeting room at the Stone of Accord soon. We look forward to the day that we move into the regular dining room and claim part of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-85344731291079135212010-05-17T18:35:00.003-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.040-06:00

COSMOS: A Personal Voyage is a thirteen-part television series written by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steven Soter and first broadcast by PBS in 1980. As of 2009, it is the most widely watched PBS series in the world. It won an Emmy and a Peabody Award and has since been broadcast in more than 60 countries and seen by over 500 million people.With special permission from Druyan-Sagan

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-13692274538220011362010-05-04T20:56:00.004-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.041-06:00

Due to someone managing to reserve our usual room for the first Sunday in May before we did, our Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch this month will be on the Second Sunday (that's the one coming up now).Hopefully nobody went to the usual place last Sunday. I meant to post something ahead of time warning people, but time slipped away from me.Anyway, it's on again, like butter on toast.When: Sunday, May 9th,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-21611717810512980732010-04-27T19:46:00.008-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.042-06:00

Put in your vacation notice at work now. M.A.S.S. is taking a road trip at the end of July for our (1st annual?) joint camp out with the Bozeman Freethinkers.When: Friday, July 30th - Sunday, August 1stWe'll head over the divide to the camping spot that the Bozeman Freethinkers will have picked out for us and stay Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday there will be a group trip to the Lewis &

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-9138388777964732592010-04-22T22:22:00.003-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.043-06:00

Change of plans!Instead of Oceans on Saturday, we'll be attending Creation at The Wilma on Sunday at 3PM. Then we'll wander up to the Old Post for dinner and drinks.Where: The Wilma Theater (downtown)When: Meet under the tent in Caras Park at 2:30. We'll head up to the theater at 2:40.If you can't join us for the movie, please feel free to meet us at the Old Post a little after 5:00.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-88401213027334255792010-04-17T16:04:00.006-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.044-06:00

UPDATE: We'll be going to "Creation" at The Wilma on Sunday, instead. Click here for the details.This month's M.A.S.S. Movie date will be on the big screen at the Carmike 10 instead of at the library. Come join us for "Oceans" on Saturday, April 24th in the afternoon. The exact time will be posted here later in the week once the theater posts their matinée times for the show.Meeting ahead of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-49860941970348494042010-03-30T19:59:00.009-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.045-06:00

To hell with hunting eggs! Break out of your shell and join us to eat a few (or, if you prefer, something less animal based) and wish a Happy Birthday to our favorite zombie.Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch for April has arrived, and as usual it's guaranteed to be superstition free. Lots of friendly conversation will be had though about whatever people want to talk about. We had a new record attendance

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-56112039557019722112010-03-14T11:55:00.006-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.045-06:00

COSMOS: A Personal Voyage is a thirteen-part television series written by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steven Soter and first broadcast by PBS in 1980. As of 2009, it is the most widely watched PBS series in the world. It won an Emmy and a Peabody Award and has since been broadcast in more than 60 countries and seen by over 500 million people.With special permission from Druyan-Sagan Associates,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-58149761194404603982010-03-01T21:08:00.005-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.046-06:00

Surprise! It's that time of month again! Time to gather together to share in good food and even better conversation with your fellow non-theists of Missoula.What: Sunday M.A.S.S.When: March 7th, 10AMWhere: The Stone of Accord Meeting Room (4951 N. Reserve St)If you're not sure where to go, just tell the restaurant hostess that you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll show you the way.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-28138633498398688212010-02-02T21:01:00.003-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.047-06:00

Yet another month has raced by, and it's once again time for Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch. We'll be gathering at the Stone of Accord on North Reserve in the meeting room. If you're not sure where that is, just tell the host(ess) you're with the group in the meeting room and they'll show you the way.When: Sunday, February 7th, 10amWhere: Stone of Accord (4951 North Reserve) in the meeting room.Omelet

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-18604014457537504202010-01-26T21:00:00.007-07:002010-01-26T21:37:25.362-07:00

As you may already know, the second part of the Missoula Area Secular Society's mission is to "develop and/or promote programs focusing on secular ethics, science, history, and critical thinking for members, their children, and the public at large as alternatives to the supernatural interpretations of the human condition."In accordance with that, we are very proud to host "Wanderers In The Sky",

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-17629840503438526112010-01-18T19:55:00.005-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.048-06:00

Come join the Missoula Area Secular Society as we host The Meaning Of Life (as explained by Monty Python).In this social satire, the satirical six have taken up the monumental task of explaining the meaning of life. The results are pungent, acidic, and priceless views of sex, religion, birth, war, and death. Monty Python tackles life and wrestles it to the ground in this savagely hilarious film.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-59008532452550044882010-01-07T23:12:00.003-07:002010-01-07T23:49:40.432-07:00

In the January edition of the newsletter for the Minnesota Atheists, President Jeannette Watland had some comments that I would like to share with you. I feel as if Jeannette reached inside my head and pulled out many of my own thoughts about M.A.S.S. and put them into words. I cannot find a page on their website that has her column to link to, so I'll paste it directly from the newsletter here

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-37883289565125071152009-12-29T18:32:00.003-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.049-06:00

Is it 2010 already? Come join the Missoula Area Secular Society for Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch to celebrate the end of yet another silly "War on Solstice" and the start of what we hope is a wonderful new year for everyone.When: Sunday, January 3rd, 10amWhere: 4951 N. Reserve St, The Stone of Accord Meeting Room (tell the host(ess) you're with the group in the "meeting room" if you don't know where to

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-3274652350600945172009-12-21T12:08:00.005-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.049-06:00

For anyone looking for something secular to do on Friday, M.A.S.S. will be doing an informal snowshoe hike on Lolo Pass.If you're interested, meet at the north west corner of the Super Wallmart parking lot at Reserve & Mullan at Noon on Friday, December 25th. We'll carpool to Lolo Pass from there.If you don't have your own, snowshoes can be rented from many of the local outdoor sports retailers

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-86129151870160250492009-12-16T20:13:00.008-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.050-06:00

The days have been getting shorter and shorter, and the nights longer and longer, but that's almost over.Come brave the cold and help us coax the sun back to this hemisphere and celebrate the longer days to come.When: Sunday, December 20th, Noon-1pm, or laterWhere: Council Grove State Park (take Mullan Road from Reserve St West for approx 6 miles. Turn left at sign for the park.)A BBQ will be

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-26618544857160496772009-12-01T20:02:00.007-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.051-06:00

Last Saturday evening we got a message on our M.A.S.S. voice mail line (406-646-MASS). It was Dylan from the Bozeman Freethinkers calling. He and some other members of that group were going to be in Missoula on Sunday and wanted to know if we'd like to meet up to chat.I quickly called him back, we setup a time and place, and then I sent out a message to all of our regular event attendees. Then

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-59952982934371733032009-11-29T10:35:00.006-07:002010-06-08T07:08:07.052-06:00

The Season of Reason is upon us once again and the last days of the Gregorian calendar are quickly approaching. What better way can there be to observe this spectacle than to join some of your fellow non-theists for a late breakfast, or an early lunch, or ... let's just call it Sunday M.A.S.S.Where: The Stone of Accord, 4951 N Reserve St. (in the "meeting room")When: Sunday, December 6th,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-6235197998929362802009-11-11T07:41:00.008-07:002009-11-11T08:06:59.118-07:00

The Missoula Area Secular Society is now able to accept online donations.We are still awaiting our final 501(c)(3) approval from the IRS, but our attorney (who specializes in this sort of thing) is confidant that everything will go through fine, just at the agonizing pace of bureaucracy.If you intend to deduct your donation from your taxes, you should check with your accountant first. According

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-16509385825179313132009-10-30T20:06:00.003-06:002009-10-30T20:33:59.470-06:00

The M.A.S.S. Board of Directors have voted to establish membership dues of $20/year. It should be noted however, that most of our events will continue to be free and open to the public. The $20 buys you a warm fuzzy feeling and a the right to vote for directors at each October's annual meeting and on any other issues that directors put to the members for a vote.Funds raised from membership dues

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-29883226937390259812009-10-29T23:57:00.003-06:002009-10-30T00:06:26.628-06:00

Annual Member Meeting and Board Meeting Minutes7:00 pmOctober 22, 2009Small Meeting Room at Missoula Public LibraryMembers Present:Jon GarvinTraci BrownRussell ThayerMartha ThayerMilo ColadonatoGina SimunovichJennifer KnellJon Garvin opens the meeting by clarifying the difference between “Officers” and “Board of Directors” and how the election of “Board Members” and subsequent election of “

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-92027062660819781172009-10-26T20:10:00.003-06:002009-10-26T20:16:46.260-06:00

The First Sunday of the month is fast approaching.Due to the fact that we've also got a Halloween Pub Crawl going on the night before, it was requested that "brunch" be moved to later in the day to give people more time to get the zombie/pirate/spaghetti monster makeup off their faces and the cobwebs out of their heads. So, this month, "brunch" will be at 2:00PM. Also remember that Daylight

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-42389163980221781732009-10-23T21:03:00.012-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.052-06:00

As is expected to happen when you get a bunch of like minded individuals together for socializing, many of them tend to discover other common interests. Such has happened with us and a M.A.S.S. Knitting Club is now forming. Naturally, all genders are welcome. The only requirement is an interest in knitting. For more information, contact our VP, var contact = "Traci"; var email = "traci"; var

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-51300036587513155322009-10-23T20:46:00.004-06:002009-10-23T21:02:06.156-06:00

Our first annual members meeting was a big success. All existing board members were re-elected and we added one more. Our newest board member is Milo Coladonato. Milo is also on the board of directors for Footloose Montana and brings a wealth of experience and fund raising ideas to M.A.S.S. We are extremely excited to have him on board.The first board meeting after the members meeting was held

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-91002853258955919372009-10-09T16:41:00.003-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.053-06:00

In July, members of the Missoula Area Secular Society elected their very first board of directors and instructed them to turn M.A.S.S. into a legal non-profit organization.Since then an attorney has volunteered his expertise, Articles of Incorporation have been drafted and approved, Bylaws have been drafted and approved, both have been filed with the Secretary of State, and the forms for filing

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-8285404991807780432009-10-01T17:10:00.002-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.054-06:00

Alert Member Jen K. noticed that Dauphine's appears to have closed, so Sunday Brunch will be at The Shack this month.222 W. Main St (about a block from Orange St.)Sunday, October 4th, 9:30am.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-63940029168553226242009-09-29T14:21:00.005-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.054-06:00

Is it the first Sunday of the month again, already? Yes, yes it is. So, once again the Missoula Area Secular Society will be descending upon a local eatery to eat their food and engage in friendly and enlightened conversation.This month we'll meet at The Shack. (This is a change from our earlier announcement of meeting at Dauphine's, which alert member Jen K. noticed has closed.)Where: 222 w.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-88257906131596047622009-09-01T12:44:00.001-06:002009-09-01T12:48:04.763-06:00

We are going to switch things up and try having brunch at the Catalyst this month on Sunday the 6th of September. In order to ensure we all get to sit together I'm going to move brunch up to 9:30. We will be finalizing camping trip plans, so if you plan on going camping with us I would highly encourage you to come to brunch. We will also be discussing the possibility of getting t-shirts, and a

Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02589802482476524586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-21325734412764527802009-07-30T22:33:00.001-06:002009-07-30T22:36:43.206-06:00

Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch for August occurs on the 2th.Once again we will meet at Finnegan's Restaurant at 10am. Jon may be leaving us early for Alaska so I, Traci, will attempt to fulfill my first duties as VP and lead Sunday Brunch this month. If you are looking for us, I will bring along a Watson (as in Watson and Crick) Bobblehead to put on the table so be on the lookout for that.There has been

Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02589802482476524586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-69453706263174671612009-07-25T00:26:00.004-06:002009-07-25T00:36:47.353-06:00

M.A.S.S. now has a group on Flickr to show off photos from our events and activities. The first set of pictures are from our "Happy Heathens on the Hiawatha" event (organized by Dan and Traci, yayyy Dan and Traci!).If you're a member of M.A.S.S. come join the Flickr group, especially if you have photos from past M.A.S.S. events to share.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-90079022755579761262009-07-14T17:22:00.003-06:002009-07-14T17:45:41.099-06:00

Traci and Dan are organizing a M.A.S.S. bicycle trip down the Hiawatha. So, grab your bike, bicycle helmet, and working head lamp (charge those batteries, you'll need it!) and meet us at the NW corner of the Super Walmart Parking Lot at 8am sharp on Sunday, July 19th. Look for a green Subaru Outback with Science Rocket and Flying Spaghetti Monster car emblems.Drivers with vehicles capable of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-52346293360737047402009-07-06T12:39:00.004-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.055-06:00

On July 10th 2008, four people (Jon Garvin, Dan Bowling, Traci Brown and Jeff Piotrowski) met face to face in the large meeting room downstairs at the Missoula Public Library for the first time as the Missoula Area Secular Society. Their goal was to provide Missoula's "closeted" atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and other free-thinkers with a friendly community and activities at which to

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-74149654186438279352009-06-30T17:23:00.006-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.056-06:00

Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch for July occurs on the 5th.Once again we'll meet at Finnegan's Restaurant at 10am. Getting an appropriate table has been hit and miss so far. We'll try for the one in the very back by the fire exit again but we might be somewhere else (as happened last month).Jon will be wearing his black "Peekaboo!" Zombie Jesus t-shirt and we'll try to have a "M.A.S.S." sign visible on

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-73554436075327685232009-06-24T11:57:00.003-06:002009-06-24T12:03:52.580-06:00

There's an article in yesterday's Missoulian about a "Christian Students" group and the UM Law School that's claiming they're being discriminated against by the school for not recognizing them as an official group. Why are they not recognized as an official group? Because they discriminate. These are law students who apparently don't understand the definition of the words irony or hipocrisy.A

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-2030119620460527582009-06-01T18:46:00.004-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.056-06:00

It's time once again for that raucous affair known worldwide as "Sunday Brunch with the Missoula Area Secular Society."We'll be meeting again at Finnegan's Restaurant at 10am, June 7th. Come on down to share some great conversation with bunch of heathens and infidels, and help us sacrifice a chicken ovum or two to appease our ravenous bellies.We'll try to get the big table in the very back by the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-11203966055520901932009-05-26T18:49:00.009-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.057-06:00

Once again, the Missoula Area Secular Society (M.A.S.S.) is getting together for a little evening sustenance and small talk.When: Saturday, May30th, 5:30pmWhere: The Montana Club on North Reserve (NOT the one on Brooks).After the meal we'll figure out where in the building Sam Singleton (Atheist Evangelist) will be doing his show "Patriarchs and Penises". Shouldn't be too hard to find.If you

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-28503864663719327172009-05-11T19:02:00.005-06:002010-06-08T07:08:07.058-06:00

Joni pointed out that the Uptown Diner closes at 3pm every day. Apparently they're about as interested in the IWFF Diner crowd as Food for Thought was in the Easter Brunch crowd. Oh, well. It's not as if there's a shortage of alternate locations to spend our money at.Therefore, we'll be meeting next door, at the Pita Pit. Also, since service there should be much faster, we'll wait until 6:30

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-52132766281085203492009-05-09T21:07:00.004-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.521-06:00

This is the second of three events in the busy month of May for the Missoula Area Secular Society (M.A.S.S.).Join us for Diner at the Pita Pit on May 15th, before we wander over to The Wilma for the International Wildlife Film Festival's double feature evening presentation of multi-award winning films, the second of which is "Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life" by the BBC and featuring David

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-7245153849998589402009-05-06T22:39:00.006-06:002009-05-06T22:46:29.890-06:00

Many who value the separation of religion and government have sought an appropriate response to the federally-supported National Day of Prayer, an annual abuse of the constitution. Nontheistic Americans (including freethinkers, humanists, atheists, agnostics, and deists), along with many traditionally religious allies, view such government-sanctioned sectarianism as unduly exclusionary.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-78830486495812316342009-05-03T13:50:00.008-06:002009-05-03T23:43:55.086-06:00

We had a great brunch today at Finnegan's, and it looks as if that may be the de facto location for our monthly Sunday M.A.S.S. events for the foreseeable future.We were extremely happy and honored to have Brother Sam Singleton make a not so surprise visit to join us for brunch today. (I admit it, I knew ahead of time.) Our M.A.S.S. gatherings are always fun, but they're even more so whenever

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-91571715759528763492009-04-27T21:46:00.005-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.522-06:00

At our Zombie Jesus Birthday Brunch a motion was raised, voted on, and unanimously passed. As a result, you can now count on having something worth getting out of bed for on the first Sunday of every month.Our first official Sunday M.A.S.S. will be held at Finnegan's Restaurant, at 10am, Sunday May 3rd at 700 E. Broadway. That's the place built over the river, next door to McDonald's.At our last

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-1626457502383442042009-04-12T12:27:00.004-06:002009-04-12T13:33:32.176-06:00

Let me start of with my profuse apologies to anyone who wasn't able to catch up with us in our last minute brunch revision this morning. It was entirely my fault for assuming that a restaurant known for it's brunch would be open on a holiday known for people wanting... brunch. Totally my bad for not calling and checking first.Big huge thanks to Dan for quickly hunting down an alternate location

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-85573577533686978372009-04-11T19:14:00.004-06:002009-04-11T19:41:53.423-06:00

Renowned Paleontologist Paul Sereno will be giving a lecture on Tuesday Evening about dinosaurs, giant crocodiles and ancient humans that inhabited the Sahara Desert.From his bio on his website...Discoverer of dinosaurs on five continents and leader of dozens of expeditions, Sereno's field work began in 1988 in the foothills of the Andes in

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-45305173256184973952009-04-06T19:16:00.004-06:002009-04-06T19:48:42.064-06:00

The Missoula Area Secular Society cordially invites you to help us celebrate the birth of one of our favorite biblical characters, Zombie Jesus. Drop your basket of eggs, save your chocolate bunny ears for later and join the M.A.S.S. at Food for Thought (across Arthur from the UM Campus) for Sunday brunch.When: Sunday, April 12th (AKA Easter) @ 10amWhere: Food For Thought, 540 Daly Ave. (Corner

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-70634541043891873942009-03-21T12:52:00.005-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.523-06:00

Excellent turnout for brunch this morning with a nice broad spectrum of age groups represented, including three new people. Yay!About half the table spent most of the time talking about religion, and the other half about science and stuff. There was even a moment when a calculus textbook was whipped out to settle a debate. Thankfully, it wasn't used to beat anybody over the head.Let's all give

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-34912331207420155872009-03-19T18:47:00.002-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.524-06:00

Spring is almost here and it's been a while since M.A.S.S. got together, so to celebrate the Spring Equinox, member Martha Thayer has volunteered to get us all to gather downtown at Break Espresso.Where: 432 N. HigginsWhen 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 21stIf you're not sure who to look for, Martha says she'll be wearing a plaid shirt and she says Russ will have a bald head. And just in case that's

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-26627408640199390182009-02-12T22:43:00.008-07:002009-02-13T10:16:00.130-07:00

Thanks to those M.A.S.S. members who came out tonight to help celebrate the 200th Birthday of Charles Darwin. The turnout was a little light (probably due, in part, to the late notice), but we had a good time anyway. The excuses given by some for not attending (ranging from children's recitals to studying for an organic chemistry exam) were all good and would have been approved by Charles

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-70566706810910219792009-02-11T20:49:00.006-07:002009-02-11T21:11:26.616-07:00

Charles Darwin turns 200 years old on Thursday, which seems like as good a reason as any to gather for drinks and dialog.Who: You!When: Thursday, Feb 12th, 7:00pmWhere: The Chicken Lounge (122 W. Alder. Go in the front or back door of Double Front Chicken, then go downstairs. If you go in the front door, walk part way through the dining room and the door to the stairs will be on your right. If

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-74232114737511376482009-02-05T18:23:00.005-07:002009-02-05T18:51:19.081-07:00

Thanks to one of our newest M.A.S.S. members (Bill) for letting me know that any email sent to me at this domain wasn't getting through (and apparently hasn't been since mid November). It should be fixed now though. So, if anybody has tried sending anything (words of wisdom, well wishes, event ideas, death threats, etc) to jon@that-domain-up-there-in-the-address-bar.org, anytime since mid

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-17655770954276970592009-01-30T13:38:00.001-07:002010-06-08T07:08:37.525-06:00

Now that we've all recovered from the Solstice Holiday celebrations (hopefully), it's about time we got together again to share some good conversation over good food and good beer.This time, we'll meet at the Chicken Lounge. To get there, go downtown to Double Front Chicken (122 W. Alder) (you can also go in the back door off of Railroad street), then find the stairs and go down. A juke box and

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-2510985881633858902009-01-12T19:10:00.002-07:002009-01-12T19:20:09.054-07:00

There's a wonderful letter to the editor in last Friday's Missoulian that I just noticed. What's even better is that (now that the Missoulian has finally enabled people to post comments on the website) all the comments (so far) to the letter are generally positive (by my standards). Since the Missoulian doesn't like to keep "news" around for more than a day or two, I'll post the full text of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-86293448938614479662008-12-22T09:58:00.004-07:002010-06-08T07:08:37.526-06:00

Looking for a way to celebrate the end of another stressful shopping season? Need an excuse to get out of the house and away from all those annoying family members who showed up unannounced for the holidays? Well then, come downtown Wednesday evening and party with the Missoula Area Secular Society as we attempt to put the X's back in Xmas.This is a long running tradition of several friends of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-35162849221532203022008-12-21T16:54:00.007-07:002008-12-21T17:32:43.277-07:00

This is just a quick update on today's Snow Sculpting event. We had a few surprises. The first was that hardly anybody showed up, or if they did, they couldn't find us (we were just over the ridge to the south out of view of the parking area). But it was pretty cold, so I guess the turnout wasn't that much of a surprise. We had a great time, did a lot of experimenting, built a 4 foot tall snow

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-68765024330908640902008-12-17T00:10:00.002-07:002008-12-17T00:14:45.526-07:00

Winter Solstice Officially Arrives at Noon, Sunday December 21st, 2008.Come join the Missoula Area Secular Society (M.A.S.S.) and build a snow sculpture or two to coax the sun back to our hemisphere. (If the days start getting longer on Monday, we'll know we succeeded.)Where: Blue Mountain, on the south side of the road from the lower sledding area... generally.Map: http://tinyurl.com/

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-62118364697879011042008-12-02T20:39:00.003-07:002008-12-02T20:58:24.602-07:00

I had to laugh when I got this email today. Obviously, it was broadcast out to many thousands of email addresses, but I was still amused to see it in my inbox, considering.... you know. In fact, the way it started out I thought it was a real email from a real person, and I was thinking "Oh boy, here we go...", but I quickly got suspicious about the time the "only surviving lawyer" died midway

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-82468181378295861062008-11-23T15:27:00.001-07:002008-11-23T15:28:56.923-07:00

I just couldn't resist sharing this.Via Bits & Pieces.

Dannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-48297925641604231672008-11-19T22:52:00.006-07:002010-06-08T07:08:37.526-06:00

On November 24th, 1859, Charles Darwin first published "The Origin of Species" introducing to the world the scientific theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. For this reason, November 24th is now known as "Evolution Day".2008 marks the 149th anniversary of this historic event. Since it actually falls on a Monday this year, the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-49914149646493373622008-11-18T13:08:00.001-07:002008-11-18T13:11:38.270-07:00

Tonight at 7:00 on Montana PBS...A visually stunning two-hour special edition of "Nova" examines decades of archaeological studies that contradict much of what is in the Bible. The entire Exodus story is debunked, as is the idea that the Israelites were monotheistic following the contract made between God and Abraham. It turns out idol worship was common through the reign of King David and right

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-33159373069731207782008-11-07T12:50:00.003-07:002010-06-08T07:08:37.527-06:00

PZ Myers (biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris) has an excellent blog post today that strikes to the heart, in my opinion, of one of the major reasons why the Missoula Area Secular Society exists. His post is a bit "Atheist" centric, but I think it still does a great job of discussing the roles that communities (clubs and other organizations) of non-religious

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-62124284708170028752008-10-22T23:00:00.001-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.528-06:00

Atheist Evangelist Sam Singleton of "Patriarchs and Penises ~ A Comedy in Two Acts" will be passing through Missoula setting up tour dates for his show and is looking for some friendly local faces to meet and converse with while he's here.So, to celebrate the Earth's 6004th Birthday (give or take 4,540,000,000 years) and to show Brother Sam some good old Western Montana godless hospitality, come

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-52882222122418351152008-10-16T20:54:00.003-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.529-06:00

I've been patiently waiting and I just got the magic word from The Wilma.THEY NOW HAVE RELIGULOUS!Drop everything you thought you were doing Friday and come to the opening. Show your support to the Wilma for bringing it here.http://www.lionsgate.com/religulous/http://thewilma.com/movies.phpWe'll meet on "the grassy knoll" in Caras Park at 6:15 then we'll head up to the theater at 6:30 so we can

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-78584729630397257832008-09-16T14:13:00.003-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.529-06:00

Well, it's been nearly a month since our last official get together, so it's about time to look for an excuse to do so again... hey, look, it's the Autumn Equinox on Monday!What: Dinner, Drinks, and Friendly SocializingWhen: Monday, September 22nd, 7:00PM - ?Where: Sean Kelly's, Back HalfWhy: Why Not?Jon will have returned from his Business Trip/Vacation to Alaska, and will hopefully have some

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-89261651028492043372008-09-09T19:37:00.002-06:002008-09-09T19:37:00.619-06:00

On Tuesday, September 9th, there will be two free & public events at the University of Montana that might be of interest to some M.A.S.S. members.Richard Rubenstein is an expert on religious conflict, terrorism, American foreign policy and methods of resolving serious international and domestic disputes, and is the Professor of Conflict Resolution and Public Affairs at George Mason University in

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-74472483479831548002008-09-03T09:09:00.002-06:002008-09-03T09:13:12.860-06:00

This link has 8 videos from Colbert, mostly featuring Atheist guests. I have to say my favorite video is with Richard Dawkins.

Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02589802482476524586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-78024641383489699552008-08-24T09:05:00.006-06:002010-06-08T07:08:37.530-06:00

When: Friday, August 29th, 2008, 6:30pm - midnight.Where: Sean Kelly's and Blue Mountain ObservatoryOur last stargazing event was cut short by uncooperative clouds shortly after we watched the International Space Station streak across the sky. The Space Station won't be flying overhead this Friday, but hopefully the clouds will stay away too. Regardless of the weather, the first half of this

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205623960870535646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-479934207210342412008-08-19T18:47:00.007-06:002008-08-28T20:25:54.414-06:00

Kudos to Jeff over at the Missoula Skeptics Blog for spotting an AP story in today's Missoulian about a study that found 57% of Americans still believe that "God’s intervention could save a family member even if physicians declared treatment would be futile." I would have completely missed this story if Jeff hadn't blogged about it.Jeff sounds pretty discouraged by the results of the study, but

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-29173659215371094682008-08-19T00:53:00.005-06:002008-08-28T20:26:08.874-06:00

Here's an amusing tidbit. Missoula blogger Jay Stevens over at "Left in the West" posted last night about his surprise that the Catholic League has apparently reviewed and approved that blog... and then Jay promptly attempts to correct the embarrassing situation.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-39584256865544908712008-08-18T17:59:00.022-06:002008-09-03T17:05:50.569-06:00

There's an article in the Missoulian today about Sherry Jones, a former citizen of The Garden City, who is back in Missoula for the time being because it's "where I feel safe and comfortable."It seems she was in the process of having her first book published by Random House about A'isha, the youngest of Muhammad's 12 wives. The publisher canceled the contract, however, at the last hour because

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-79019447583492630582008-08-14T14:38:00.007-06:002008-08-28T20:26:41.189-06:00

Jay Stevens, a Missoula blogger for Left in the West and 4&20 Blackbirds posted some short commentary on a recent court ruling regarding the University of California and their right to reject some high school credit from private religious schools that don't meet UC's standards for acceptance. In case any readers here missed Jay's post, I thought I'd send them on over to read it.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-18690745046800208332008-07-30T10:12:00.006-06:002008-07-30T10:51:04.412-06:00

When: Friday, August 1st, 2008, 7pm - midnight or later.Where: Sean Kelly's and Blue Mountain ObservatoryThe first half of this event will consist of dinner and socializing at Sean Kelly's in downtown Missoula. We'll grab a table in the back area and possibly pull two together if it looks like enough people will be there. If you're not sure what any of the M.A.S.S. regulars look like, Jon will

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-69110193692914430312008-07-28T10:00:00.008-06:002008-07-28T10:46:57.461-06:00

It appears that the hearings to "update" the science curriculum in Texas have begun, and the cards have been pre-stacked in favor of the anti-science Intelligent Design Creationism agenda.If you don't think this affects you or any of the children in your life way up here in Montana, think again. Text book publishers don't want to spend more money than necessary creating multiple versions of text

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-85985411606123267432008-07-25T20:07:00.031-06:002009-05-11T23:53:27.077-06:00

Occasionally, I do a little searching online for new music with particularly irreligious or heavy science themes to add to my MP3 player. There are many websites and blogs with such lists, but I find that they rarely add updates or allow readers to add to the list. Many also lean very strongly toward Heavy Metal music, which is fine (for them) but doesn't usually interest me.So, I decided I

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1096713601290486559.post-81481470010480387392008-07-22T14:35:00.004-06:002008-08-28T20:27:08.857-06:00

Several months ago I endured a period wherein every two or three weeks, the Jehovah's Witnesses would show up and leave stuff at my door. Apparently, I wasn't the only one they were having trouble reaching, because today.... they showed up at my office.A lady came in shortly after 1pm asking to leave some pamphlets for us. She was steered toward our Executive Director who politely took the

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0