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Michigan Atheists Newsletter
National Alerts Special Edition
Greg Reich, Editor
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February 29, 2004
IN THIS ISSUE:
Legislative Alerts
-Michigan House Bills 5450-5456 threaten to open state funds for theology/divinity students
-School prayer bill introduced in the House
-Senate bill would require schools to offer recitation of Pledge in schools and at school functions
-Bill in Senate would require schools to allow the Scouts access if other organizations are allowed
-Ten Commandments display legislation puts decalogue in league with our country's foundational documents
-Equal time for intelligent design creationism appears in two House bills
News
-Settlement reached in court over 14th Amendment case about discrimination in Caro
-Web hits increase after Arlene-Marie appears on live PBS show
-Michigan Atheists go international
Upcoming Events
-Memorial for Bob Brooks to celebrate his life to be held on March 21
-Ellen Johnson to speak at this year's State Convention
-Full events calendar for the remainder of 2004
HOUSE CONSIDERS OPENING FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION TO STUDENTS CHOOSING RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Bills passed in Senate; recent Supreme Court decision inapplicable
-Greg Reich
In Article I, section 4 of Michigan's Constitution, the following words appear: "No person shall be compelled to attend, or, against his consent, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of religious worship, or to pay tithes, taxes or other rates for the support of any minister of the gospel or teacher of religion. No money shall be appropriated or drawn from the treasury for the benefit of any religious sect or society, theological or religious seminary; nor shall property belonging to the state be appropriated for any such purpose." [italics added for emphasis]
Michigan's Constitution notwithstanding, the Senate has passed seven bills that alter the wording of state-funded higher education programs to allow students in theology, divinity, or other religious programs to be eligible to receive tax-provided money for their education.
In a Supreme Court decision this week regarding state funding for theology students, Justice Rehnquist opined : "Training someone to lead congregation is an essentially religious endeavor." However, he also wrote that while states are not required to provide funding for religious instruction under the Free Exercise clause, they were not prohibited from providing funding if they wanted to. This opinion makes the current ruling inapplicable to the bills passed by the Senate, which are now before the House.
Rehnquist's opinion does not rule out a future challenge to the practice of state funding for theology, divinity, or ministry students under the Establishment Clause. The Chief Justice has been known to write the minority opinion on Establishment Clause cases, such as Stone v. Graham, where Ten Commandments displays on public property were ruled unconstitutional.
The bills could still be challenged in the state of Michigan, due to the Constitution's prohibition on funding that supports ministers, teachers of religion, religious sects and societies, and theological or religious seminaries. Readers are encouraged to write their Representatives to put a stop to House Bills 5450-5456.
HOUSE BILL 5424 WOULD ALLOW SCHOOL PRAYER IN SOME MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS
-Greg Reich
House Bill 5424 would allow "voluntary" prayer in first class public school districts. A first class public school district is defined as one that has over 100,000 students enrolled on the most recent pupil membership count day. This means that Michigan's largest school districts would have state-sanctioned prayer.
The exact wording of the bill follows: "To the extent that it is allowed under the state and federal constitutions, the board of a first class school district may allow voluntary prayer by pupils at school, including prayer led by a teacher or other school employee."
How can a prayer led by a teacher or school employee be voluntary? Even if students ask a teacher or other school employee to lead them, prayer spoken aloud in schools makes a captive audience of other students, faculty, and
school staff.
SENATE BILL REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A bill being considered by the Michigan Senate would require school districts to offer the Pledge of Allegiance during each school day. The bill would also require districts to offer the Pledge at all school events.
Senate Bill 0144 flies in the face of the Pledge case brought forth by California Atheist Michael Newdow, where the Supreme Court will be considering the constitutionality of the phrase "under God", in light of the Establishment Clause.
In WEST VIRGINIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION V. BARNETTE in 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that mandatory recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by students is a violation of constitutionally protected speech. In a prior challenge, where Free Exercise violations were the basis of the case, the Court ruled against the litigant. In the Newdow case, the Court could either reject the claim that the "God" in "under God" is an expression of "ceremonial deism", using a federal court decision concerning "In God We Trust" as precedent, or skirt the issue of the Establishment Clause by using the 1943 ruling, citing the fact that students may not know the difference between a mandatory request and a voluntary one. Yet another possibility is a 4-4 split in the Court over the Establishment Clause challenge, due to Justice Antonin Scalia recusing himself. Newdow asked Scalia to recuse himself, because the Justice has made several public statements that suggest his bias in favor of the Pledge.
Of course, the possibility remains that the Supreme Court could rule in favor of Newdow, based on the Establishment Clause violation represented by "under God", which was introduced into the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, during the height of anti-Communist hysteria, where religiosity was a litmus test of one's patriotism. Such a ruling would delight Newdow supporters, including American Atheists and other state-church separation activists, but is likely to raise the ire of politicians, who provided such commentary as "It's stupid", "They're nuts", and other personal attacks on the Ninth Circuit Justices, when they first ruled that "under God" was unconstitutional. Opponents to their decision often call them "activist judges", implying that they ignore the Constitution and the will of the people to advance their own agenda.
One may make the case that politicians who attack the judges are often guilty of the very activism they attribute to those they attack. By introducing legislation that violates the Establishment Clause, they ignore the Constitution and advance the interest of a minority of the people. By attacking and attempting to intimidate federal judges, they ignore the Constitutional system of checks and balances through separation of powers. When judges uphold the Constitution, they resort to personal attacks, instead of making a case against the ruling in question on Constitutional grounds.
SCOUTS WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO SCHOOL FACILITIES IF SENATE BILL PASSES
-Greg Reich
Senate Bill 0115 will allow Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and similar organizations access to school facilities, when other organizations are also allowed access. On the surface, the bill appears to alleviate perceived discrimination against the Scouts, but the Boy Scouts have a highly publicized policy of discrimination against Atheists and homosexuals. The BSA has remained firm in their stance that their policy of denying participation of Atheists and homosexuals will not change. Until the policy does change, they should be denied access to public facilities.
LEGISLATION REGARDING TEN COMMANDMENTS STILL PENDING
-Greg Reich
Introduced in April of 2003, House Bill 4596 was referred to the Committee
on Government Operations, then "analyzed" in August of 2003. The analysis
merely repeats the language of the bill, almost verbatim.
The bill echoes the Supreme Court's guidelines on holiday displays; as long
as enough secular imagery appears with the religious imagery, the religious
imagery does not violate Constitutional separation of state and church. In
this bill, the Ten Commandments are allowed to be displayed in public
buildings--including schools, as long as they are displayed with other
documents. Here's the catch: the language of the bill puts the Ten
Commandments in the league of foundational documents of the legal system and
government of the United States.
On the American Atheists website, Frank Zindler's piece, "Rehnquist and the
Ten Taboos", reveals clearly why the Ten Commandments have nothing to do
with our Constitution, and, indeed, violate it on many points. Zindler also
discusses why the Ten Commandments go against other early American ideals.
In public discourse regarding Ten Commandments displays and other
legislation that threatens the wall of separation between state and church,
the side proposing or supporting the questionable bills often cite the
Declaration of Independence not only as a foundational document, but also as
proof that the Founding Fathers intended to form a religious nation. They
cite the references to a "Creator" and "Nature's God" in the document.
People who cite the Declaration as foundational ignore the fact that it was
written even before the Articles of Confederation, which preceded the
Constitution, so it has no legal relevance to anything after 1789 (or,
indeed, after 1776). Since people persist with this argument, however, it's
time to take the Declaration of Independence back, references to a "Creator"
and "Nature's God" notwithstanding, and here's why: the document is blatant
heresy.
Most students of history have heard of the Divine Right of Kings. The
principle of the Divine Right of Kings came directly from Romans 13 (forgive
the Bible quote): "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For
there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and
they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." It is very clear
that revolution is heresy, and revolutionary documents contain heretical
statements.
Contrast Romans 13 with the language of the Declaration of Independence:
"...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. -- That
whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new
Government..." This wording does not reflect in any way an adherence to the
Bible; it does, in fact, constitute a direct rejection of Romans 13 and the
Divine Right of Kings.
Interestingly, a perusal of Christian websites reveals very few defenses of
the Declaration, as it relates to Romans 13. Only one website,
http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/controversies/rebellion/, gives
something of a defense, calling the American Revolution a "War of British
Aggression", rather than a revolution. The author claims that it was a war
of self-defense against defending British invaders. Of course, this
argument ignores the fact that the colonies had not been established as
sovereign nations, and were, in fact, under British charter.
The rest of the websites either skirt the issue entirely, concentrating on
the mentions of "Nature's God", "Creator", and "Providence", or they
actually condemn the actions of our Founding Fathers by saying that the
Declaration of Independence, along with the American Revolution, went
against biblical principles.
Proponents of Ten Commandments legislation will certainly cite the
Declaration of Independence as part of the "evidence" that the United States
has biblical roots. When they do, they must be reminded of the heretics
that were our Founding Fathers.
HOUSE BILLS DOWNGRADE IMPORTANCE OF EVOLUTION, DEMAND EQUAL TIME FOR CREATIONISM
-Greg Reich
The form of creationism known as intelligent design has appeared in two bills in Michigan's House. The first revises the science standards to modify all references to evolution and natural selection to reflect that it is an "unproven theory", and calls design by a purposeful, intelligent creator a "competing theory". The second mandates that wherever "methodological naturalism" is taught, intelligent design must also be taught.
Intelligent design is religion, not science. As such, it should never be taught in public schools. It is a philosophical idea from the metaphysics branch, and does not produce a valid hypothesis. Its proponents use popular publishing venues and legislation to promote their metaphysical idea. Their idea requires faith. They argue that evolution also requires faith, but their arguments involve discrediting evolution by distorting the meaning of the word "theory", making people think that natural selection is something it's not (random mutation plays a part in natural selection, but it is one component of the theory; factors that limit survival reproduction comprise the main component, and not-so-random genetic changes that occur naturally contribute, as well), and extending evolution to fields outside of biology. They believe that science can be put to a vote.
The bills are HB 4946 and HB 5005. To preserve science standards and keep religion from being taught in science classrooms, readers are encouraged to write their representatives.
SETTLEMENT REACHED IN FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT CASE INVOLVING CARO ATHEIST
-contributed by Arlene-Marie and George Schiffer
On February 25, at the US District Court of the Eastern District of
Michigan, Northern Division, a case involving religious discrimination
against Atheists was settled after Anonka, Atheist from Caro, testified.
Sadly, the Caro case does not set a 'precedent' in a legal sense as it was
settled before going to jury. However, it may serve as a warning to other
religious terrorists that they may have to pay for their bigotry. In this
case, Tuscola County is paying legal fees plus a cash award. The Board of
Commissioners must also make a public statement of regret to Anonka and her
family.
Lead Counsel for the Plaintiffs, Jean Marie Hansen, is to be commended for
her dedication and outstanding research on this case beginning in December
2001. Throughout this three year ordeal Ms Hansen was assisted by
Co-Counsel, David Wright, and supported by the efforts of American Atheists:
Frank Zindler, Editor of American Atheist Press; Conrad Goeringer, American
Atheists News; Ellen Johnson, President American Atheists; Arlene-Marie,
Michigan State Director, American Atheists; George Schiffer, Assistant State
Director, numerous Michigan Atheists, and the tireless commitment and
determination of plaintiffs Anonka and Tammy Jocham. When it became clear
that Mr.. Wright, Co-Counsel, would be unable to attend this case, Edwin
Kagin, Kentucky State Director, American Atheists, an attorney, came from
Kentucky to Co-Counsel and present this case.
Details of the trial began with Mr.. Kagin presenting a fine opening
statement, followed by direct and lengthy examination of plaintiff, Anonka,
detailing the events that began December 11, 2001 when she (Anonka), an
Atheist and owner of a witch museum that displays the atrocities committed
by the Christian church, stood up at an open meeting with Tuscola County
Commissioners to protest a nativity display on City property. In response,
the county commissioners told her she had no right to be there and proceeded
to publicly ridicule and denounce her.
At one point, during her emotional and tearful testimony, Anonka held up a
wooden cross stating, "this represents a campaign by the Caro business
community to discriminate against me, boycott my business and drive me out
of town because I am not a Christian."
The opening of the trial on day two, began with opposing counsels
examination of Anonka. Once again, Anonka was emotional and tearful as she
testified to the threats she and her family have received; the physical
abuse she and her family have encountered; and the vandalizing of her
personal and business property, with the thieves leaving personal notes of
warning and religious tracts behind.
After a grueling and emotional one hour of testifying, and at 9:35 AM Anonka
stated she did not feel well. With her lead counsel, Ms Hansen, at her side
it became clear that Anonka failed to take her heart medication that
morning. Emergency rescue was called and 66 year old Anonka, mother of 5
children, grandmother to 17 grand children and great grandmother to 10 great
grand children, was taken from the witness stand, by ambulance, to Bay
County emergency where she was stabilized. At 12:30 PM, and at her request,
she was discharged. And, upon her insistence, George Shiffer and
Arlene-Marie returned her to the Federal Court where negotiations for a
settlement were in process.
Back at the comfort of our hotel and by the dinner hour that evening,
February 25, 2004, a personal and long awaited victory celebration was in
full swing.
At the Michigan State Atheist Convention in November 2003, Michigan State
Director, Arlene-Marie named Anonka the Outstanding Michigan Atheist of The
Year for her courage and continued effort to defend separation of state and
church and freedom of speech in Tuscola County.
Join us as Michigan Atheists applaud the courage of Anonka, 'an amazing woman,' and her devoted family. Join us as we express deep respect for her Counsel and those who supported this effort for the past three years. We trust that the settlement of this case holds that Atheists are a protected class under the Constitution and that the settlement terms will bring Equal Protection of The Laws Under the Fourteenth Amendment to Atheists border to border.
MICHIGAN ATHEISTS WEBSITE RECEIVES RECORD NUMBER OF HITS AFTER STATE DIRECTOR APPEARS ON PBS
Arlene-Marie, Michigan State Director for American Atheists, appeared on "Currently Speaking", a point-counterpoint round table show that appears on PBS, on February 17. The show aired live in the Saginaw/Bay City area, then aired again on Sunday, February 22.
Since the show has aired, Michigan Atheists Website, www.michiganatheists.org, has received a record number of hits. The site receives a relatively steady number of hits per week, but after this show aired, the site saw a 195% increase in its normal hit rate.
Additionally, the people involved with "Currently Speaking" reported a record number of callers. The show was about adding the Bible to the Frankenmuth schools' curriculum.
MICHIGAN ATHEISTS GO INTERNATIONAL AS FRENCH JOURNALISTS PUBLISH ARTICLE
French Journalists Sylvan and Richard Pak, who visited Michigan Atheists in May of 2003, returned to France and published their article on life as an Atheist in America. Here is the full text of the article, translated by Bill Bacon:
IT ISN'T EASY TO BE AN ATHEIST IN THE UNITED STATES
Although the principal of separation of Church and State are inscribed in the Constitution, American remains a religious nation. This is hard for the non-believers, above all since the arrival of Bush to power. BY SYLVAIN PAK
THE CENTER OF LANSING, capital of the state of Michigan is almost deserted this Saturday morning. As in many of the American cities, outside of the work hours, the place has all the feeling of a phantom city, and rare are the silhouettes that stroll the sidewalks. Suddenly, turning a corner, a little group of some sixty people move forward, armed with signs whose sense invites provocation: “Democracy, not theocracy!” “Smile, hell doesn’t exist”, “Dependence on religion can be treated” to protest against violation of the principal of the separation of church and state, the Atheists of Michigan have decided to march, this day in May, upon the State Capitol, the parliament of the State. The destination was not chosen by chance: several months ago, the governor had painted “In God we trust” in the hall of he building. This reference to God is not the only one to make the demonstrator jump. Here, the elected representatives recite a prayer before opening their session; there the judges post the Ten Commandments in the courtroom. The final irony, as a car slows and approaches the marchers, it asks directions to the united Methodist church. The lost driver is dispensed with general hilarity, but the scene couldn’t illustrate better the isolation of the Atheists in a country profoundly devout.
Scarcely ten minutes after their departure, the meager group arrived at the foot of the capitol, where no official is there to hear them. Nor was the press there. “They ignore us politically and media wise, complains Arlene-Marie. Nevertheless I sent dozens of announcements to the press. But no one dares writes an article about us.” Besides her role as passionate anticlerical, this elegant woman of 65 years, dressed in a white shirt under a beige vest with black designs, a real estate agent in her state, she has the air of a patroness of a charity organization. For three years she has presided over the destiny of the Michigan Atheists, an association having nearly 1000 subscribers or her internet newsletter. But the active members don’t vary. Last November the national demonstration of the American Atheists at Washington united only 2500 persons. “People are afraid to participate,” complains Arlene-Marie, “Or else they couldn’t care less.”
According to Darren E. Sherkat, a sociologist specializing in religions at Southern Illinois University, “whatever administration is in place, the daily life remains difficult for Atheists. And it’s true also at the professional level.” The arrival to power of George W. Bush has made no difference since, as a born-again Christian, the new president loves to dress his speeches with religious references, having discovered his faith lately. His entourage is in keeping with this spirit, such as John Ashcroft, the Attorney General, who conducts a mandatory prayer session each day with the members of his cabinet.
Several months ago, the debate about secularization in the United States was raised by the fact that Michael Newdow, a doctor in Sacramento, became overnight one of the most detested people in America. Insults and death threats became a part of his life ever since he brought suit against his daughter’s school for violation of the separation of church and state. Each morning, actually millions of American pupils are required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag which includes the following words: “One Nation under God.” The matter would probably have passed unnoticed if the Supreme Court of California hadn’t provoked a national scandal in recognizing in June 2002 that to require the recitation of the Pledge did indeed violate the Constitution. In one blow the House of Representatives was mobilized to recite the embattled pledge. George W. Bush qualified the decision of the California judges as ridiculous.&Mac226; And the democratic leader of the Senate, Tom Daschel, felt obligated to issue a definitive verdict: “It’s nuts.” Thus, already heavy since the arrival to power of the administration of Bush junior, the climate has become even more suffocating for the non-believers.
How many are there of these unhappy folk? According to their own calculations, they have reached the peak of 30 million, or 11% of the population. But other estimates put them between 5 and 10%, which is in fact few, above all, if one refers to the survey by La Vie and Le Monde in March 2003, according to which 41% of the French judge that the existence of God is improbable or rejected. “The most astonishing”, as Darren E. Sherkat observes, “is that contrary to other developed nations, the number of Atheists has hit a ceiling in the United States.” Without a doubt”, he explains, “because that the people believe quite naturally in God since no power has forced them to, not a monarchy of divine right, nor an all-powerful State.”
The result is that God is everywhere. It is impossible to scan the FM ban of your car radio without falling upon one or several Christian radios. In certain cities, one finds a chapel at each corner. This is normal since anyone can open his own place of worship without any particular authorization. And the various groups fight like dogs to attract the faithful. It’s a fantastic religious enterprise where one third can be qualified as Christian fundamentalists. And these Christians weigh heavily against the Atheist minority.
Of course, not all the non-believers of America are persecuted from the moment they open their mouths. At least, if they live in the big cities such as New York since they are very badly viewed in the states of the Bible Belt&Mac226; in the south of the United States, “this band of American territory haunted by the Gospel and where a man must, if only for business reasons, take his religion seriously,” according to the words of Truman Capote. Generally it suffices to fall upon a reactionary patron or a worker with bigoted colleagues to have a hard time. “Many risk losing their jobs if they talk too much,” states Robert Brooks, a former technician at General Motors and member of the Atheists of Michigan for 28 years. Dillard Henderson knows something about that. As does almost everyone in the Detroit region, he’&Mac226;s a former employee of the automobile industry. During 30 years he was an engineer at the same company before being forced to take early retirement. His crime: having posted on a bulletin board of the company statements in favor of atheism. All his colleagues did so with their religious convictions. “My boss called me in to tell me that I couldn’t express opinions of religious nature likely to shock the salaried employees. I told him that their own opinions shocked me too. But he didn’t want to hear about it. After several changes he proposed that I leave with six months of salary,” a transaction that he finally accepted. According to Dillard, every company is bathed in a permanent religious climate. “One of my colleagues, Atheist like me, didn’t get a raise during six years. When he complained to his boss, the boss told him that the best way to get a raise was to pray.”
Significant, also, is the misfortune of Sharon Moss, student at the University of Ohio, a conservative state in the Middle West. She filled her spare time each month by working part time as a craftsman specialized in the repair of musical instruments. A few weeks ago some clients asked her unceremoniously if she believed in God. “Why is that important? I do a good job. Isn&Mac226;t that what&Mac226;s important?” Apparently not because the clients who left with their instruments under their arms certainly won’t do business with a non-believer. “That happens to me regularly. Naturally the competition benefits, all too happy to announce that they are good Christians.”
In the United States, God is part of the landscape. Even the simple act of shopping obliges the Atheists to proclaim a faith they reject. Bank notes carry the notice in God we trust.&Mac226; Some people rebel. Like Arlene-Marie, who with a stroke of a red marker replaces that phrase with the original phrase E Pluribus Unum&Mac226; which translates to one among many&Mac226; or more liberally of diversity is born unity.&Mac226; Others are content just to draw a line, a gesture considered as legal.
For these non-believers, often isolated in the daily flow of like, it is good to get together. This is the case of the annual visit to the museum of Natural History at the University of Michigan. This is an occasion to celebrate Darwin and his theory of evolution, regularly criticized by all those who swear only by the biblical interpretation of the creation of the world. The previous week, a demonstration at the hour when others go to mass, some thirty of these Americans without religion get together at Denny’s, a family restaurant where they can talk with an open heart. “It&Mac226;s the only time when one can discuss among our selves,” says Arlene-Marie, “because the majority of the people who know me know that I am an Atheist, but ask me not to talk about it.” As a matter of fact, in the United States, one tells one’s family and friends that one is an Atheist just as one does with a coming out: with apprehension and a thousand precautions. “That’s how I lost a friend overnight,” remembers Sharon Moss, who believes, however, she has found the words that move. One of her friends was even thrown into the street by her parents when they learned of her atheism.
The trauma of September 11th and the religious demonstrations, which followed, have done nothing to improve the situation. On the cars and in the mouth of politicians, “God bless America” has become the word of the day for a murderous nation. “ We have already known the same phenomena during the cold war with Russia,” recalls Arlene-Marie. “To believe that each time there’s a disaster or one seems imminent, religion appears to be the only response.” In fact, in 1954 when Congress added one Nation under God&Mac226; to the Pledge of Allegiance, and in 1955 when in God we trust” (which until then appeared only on certain coins) was added to bills.
However, the American Atheists don’t want to lose hope. They grasp at the slightest encouraging sign. “Some twenty years ago many restaurants refused to rent us a room for our monthly lunch. Today it’s much easier,” rejoices Arlene-Marie. It is a small satisfaction, but when everything is going badly, one takes consolation where one can.
_________
Since the Pak brothers' visit, the press has become more interested in Michigan Atheists. Otherwise, the article is a good assessment of the current status of Atheists in America.
REMEMBERING BOB BROOKS ON MARCH 21
Instead of the normal Spring Equinox celebration, Michigan Atheists will be holding a memorial for Bob Brooks to celebrate his life. People who knew him are encouraged to attend and to prepare something to say, if they so desire.
Bob Brooks chose to take his own life on Sunday, February 15, due to his failing health, and his imminent loss of quality of life.
The memorial will be held at China Star Palace in Westland, at 270 S. Wayne Rd, from 3:00pm till 7:00pm. Please park in the bank lot next door.
ELLEN JOHNSON TO SPEAK AT 2004 MICHIGAN ATHEISTS STATE CONVENTION
Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists, will be speaking at the Michigan Atheists State Convention on Saturday, November 20. Details concerning the other speakers and convention activities are forthcoming, but the event will be held once again at the Holiday Inn Livonia West, at 17123 Laurel Park Dr, Livonia, Michigan. The convention will be held from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
JOIN US FOR ALL OF OUR 2004 EVENTS
SUNDAY MORNING BRUNCH: Michigan Atheists gather on the first Sunday of every month at Denny's in Westland. The next breakfast will be on March 7, from 11:00am till 2:00pm.
Denny's is located at 7725 N. Wayne Rd, Westland, MI, Between Warren and Joy, near the Westland Mall. The phone number is 734-427-2711.
GATHERINGS AT THE CHINA STAR PALACE: The next gathering at the China Star Palace in Westland will be the Bob Brooks memorial on March 21, mentioned above. Michigan Atheists will also be meeting at the China Star on the following dates:
April 18: Dinner/Reports and Guest Speaker
May 16: Dinner/Reports and Guest Speaker
September 19: Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox, Dinner/Reports and Guest
Speaker
October 17: Dinner/Reports and Guest Speaker
December 19: Celebrate the Winter Solstice, Dinner and annual auction
The time for all events will be 3:00pm till 7:00pm. The cost of dinner is
$13, and will be served at 4:00pm, with scheduled program to follow.
The China Star Palace is located at 270 S. Wayne Rd in Westland, MI. The
phone number is 734-326-1310. The location is between Palmer and Cherry
Hill (close to Cherry Hill, across from K-Mart). Please park in the BANK
LOT.
OLD FASHIONED PICNIC: Join us for our annual Summer Solstice Celebration on
Sunday, June 27, from noon until whenever we leave. The picnic will be held
at Tattan Park in Pavilion #1 (southwest corner of Carlson and Cliff Orr
Drive) in Westland, South of Ford Rd, North of Cherry Hill, East of Newburgh
Rd, and West of Wayne Rd. take Carlson/Central City Parkway to the site.
Carlson/Central City Parkway is near City Hall.
Pack your picnic basket. bring your day's eats and something to share. We
will provide cups, plates, napkins, and forks. Note: grills are available,
but you must bring all your grilling needs. you may want to bring a lawn
chair, jacket, and umbrella (if it looks like rain--though we have a
pavilion). Don't forget the kids, dogs, and friends. Plan to stay into the
evening. We'll have plenty of daylight. Join us rain or shine!
ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER
Michigan Atheists Newsletter is an electronic publication dedicated to news relating to the separation of state and church, as well as social events for Michigan Atheists. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are written by and
are the intellectual property of Greg Reich, editor of the Michigan Atheists Newsletter. Submissions of news items and editorials relating to the separation of state and church or other stories of interest to Atheists in Michigan should be submitted to Greg Reich at MichiganAtheistsNewsletter@comcast.net.
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