IN THIS ISSUE:
Many of you have been asking for this, so here it is, a new addition for 2003. Mark your calendars now and plan on joining us for a social/business meeting.
Michigan Atheists will gather the first Sunday of the months:
January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, October 5, November 2, December 7 for the year 2003
TIME: 10:00 AM till 1:00 PM
WHERE: House of Leon family dining
29041 W. Seven Mile, Livonia (810-478-3710
Located one block East of Middlebelt on South side of Seven Mile
(Not to be confused with Leon's across the street)
Here's the plan: We will fill our plates at the fabulous breakfast buffet bar for $5.95, then take our breakfast downstairs were we will enjoy the privacy of their lovely banquet room, and the company of our Atheist friends…....
As always, reservations are appreciated. All Arlene (313)399-9495 or E-mail amarie@atheists.org
TopOn the day of the vote in November, St. Luke Lutheran Church on Washtenaw Avenue in Pittsfield Township posted signs urging voters to elect Jesus as their savior. Another sign read, "You can count on Jesus. He keeps his promises." The signs were posted prominently along the way to the voting booths the church was hosting.
Several voters found the signs to be in poor taste, at the very least. Among them was Bernard Klein of Ann Arbor. He wrote a letter to the Pittsfield Charter Township Clerk, which has made an impact on local policies. His letter appears below:
Christina LironesTop
Pittsfield Charter Township Clerk
6201 W. Michigan Ave
Ann Arbor MI 48108
Dear Ms. Lirones:
I am writing to register a complaint against the polling place at St. Luke's Lutheran Church at 4205 Washtenaw Ave in Pittsfield Township. The issue is the one described in the enclosed copy of an article in the Ann Arbor News on 11/7/02.
I don't vote at this location but live across the street and vote at Carpenter School. However, I'm registering this complaint as a township voter and tax payer and as a citizen dedicated to holding the line on separation of church and state. I think their practice of putting up such religious proselytizing signs at a polling place crosses that line, and I find it reprehensible. This pushes their religious views on a captive audience: those assigned to vote there, many of which are non-Christian or non-religious. They are there only because that is where they have to vote. This is not only distasteful, but should not be allowed.
I applaud the church members for offering their church as a polling place, but feel on election day they are primarily a polling place, and their building alone should be the only religious statement.
I am asking those in charge of election rules in this Township to address this issue with the church and advise them to cease such proselytizing at future elections.
If the Township has a formal process to register such a complaint, please advise. Otherwise, I will consider this letter to be my formal complaint.
I would appreciate a reply on this matter. [phone number omitted]
Sincerely,
Bernard R. Klein
[Address omitted]
Ann Arbor MI 48108
Cc: Renee Melbardis
St. Luke's Church
Encl: Ann Arbor News Article
Join in the fun as Michigan Atheists celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Alpha Helix - the physical configuration of the molecule known as DNA, by Nobel laureates, James Watson and Francis Crick. At the same time we will hold our first annual celebration of Darwin's birth in preparation of the Darwin Day Project, designed to establish a Global Celebration by the year 2009, Darwin's 200th birthday.
WHEN: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2003 TIME: 1:00 PM
WHERE: EXHIBIT MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, 1109 Geddes Ave, Ann Arbor, MI (734)764-0478
DIRECTIONS: I 94 to exit 177 (State St.), turn R travel several miles through campus, pass E Williams, go to N University, turn R, travel 3 stop signs, museum on left.
We have a group rate of $1.50. State you are with Michigan Atheists. At 1:30 and 2:30 the museum has a planetarium show for $3:00. At 4:00 we will gather for an early dinner in one of Ann Arbors unique restaurants, location to be announced at museum.
Reservation appreciated: Call Arlene at 313-388-9594 or amarie@atheists.org
TopSUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2003, 3:00PM to 7:00PM
CHINA STAR PLACE
270 S. Wayne Rd., Westland, MI 48186 Phone (734)326-1310
Between Palmer and Cherry Hill (close to Cherry Hill & across the street from K-Mart)
BUFFET: Tea, Coffee, Tomato Juice (cash bar available)
Sweet & Sour Chicken, Almond Chicken, Pepper Steak, Stir Fried Vegetables and Rice
$Thirteen Bucks$
PLEASE PARK NEXT DOOR AT BANK
FEATURED SPEAKER: ROBERT ST. MARY, PUBLISHED WRITER AND POET, VISUAL ARTIST, RADIO PERSONALTY, MUSICIAN AND FILMMAKER.
Rob will speak about his latest undertaking, a documentary film involving the current controversy in Caro, Michigan between Anonka (an Atheist) and the Tuscola County Commissioners, which started with a nativity display on the courthouse lawn and evolved into an amazing scenario of discrimination and conspiracy.
Reservations appreciated. Call Arlene (313)388-9594 or amarie@atheists.org
TopPack your picnic basket with fried chicken, potato salad, veggies, deviled eggs, fruit, sandwiches, chips, cup cakes, or whatever. Bring your days 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.
Other things you might want to bring: jacket, baseball stuff, cards, lawn games, board games, lawn chair, and maybe an umbrella if it looks like rain. (we will have a pavilion) Don't forget your kids, dogs, and friends. Plan to stay into the evening. We'll have plenty of daylight. Join us rain or shine!!!!
WHEN: Sunday, June 22, 2003 We will gather at Noon
WHERE: Tattan Park, Westland (Pavilion #2)
S of Ford Rd. N of Cherry Hill, E of Newburgh Rd. W of Wayne Rd.
Take Carlson/Central City Parkway to the site. Near the City Hall
Need further info? Call Arlene 313-388-9594 E-mail: amarie@atheists.org.
TopThe Michigan Atheists Newsletter is an electronic publication containing news about separation of state and church, the events of Michigan Atheists, and the civil rights of Michigan's godless citizens. All content of the newsletter is the intellectual property of Greg Reich and Michigan Atheists, unless otherwise credited.
If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please send e-mail to michiganatheistsnewsletter@comcast.net with "Subscribe" in the subject line.
If you have received this newsletter in error, please send e-mail to michiganatheistsnewsletter@comcast.net with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you have any news ideas, opinions, or articles to submit, please send them to michiganatheistsnewsletter@comcast.net. Please remember that all content must be relevant to separation of state and church issues or the civil rights of Atheists and other godless citizens in Michigan.
Top