Benito Juarez: The Necessity of the Secular State
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(Sunday March 21st, 6pm Joyce Beers)
Join the Humanist Association as we celebrate Benito Juarez’s Birthday.
Juarez, who not only was Mexico’s First Flood Blooded Indian President, but was also the man who Took Mexico back from the church.
Join us as we discuss the nature of a secular state, its features, necessity, and how to ensure it.
As always our 3rd Sunday events are potluck, and open to the public (suggested donation $5
The Joyce Beers Uptown Community Center is located at off University and Vermont Avenues in the Uptown Shopping Plaza, Hillcrest San Diego, CA 92103
The God Virus with author Dr. Darrel Ray 3-18
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March 18, 2010
7:00 pm
Join us for an evening with Dr. Darrel Ray, author of The God Virus.
The Mission Valley Resort, Salon Ballroom
875 Hotel Circle South
San Diego CA 92108
Controversial Look at the Psychology of Religion Gives Practical Legs to the Revolutionary Idea That Religion Is an Infection of the Mind
New framework for understanding religion offers useful guidance on how to deal with religious infection in yourself or others
The idea that religion is like an infection that damages or shuts off certain mental abilities is not new, but in The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture, author Dr. Darrel Ray brings it down to a practical level.
Dr. Ray explains that the methods by which religions propagate in society bear a remarkable resemblance to the way viruses, parasites, and bacterial diseases propagate.
In some cases, biological diseases infect the brain and direct the infected organisms behavior. Religions also seem to infect mental functions, Ray asserts, and direct behavior in ways not necessarily good for people.
While biological propagation strategies spread diseases such as malaria, HIV, and rabies, Dr. Ray discusses religious infection strategies such as fear, guilt, hypnosis, and the need for security as avenues to inject the god virus and propagate it to others.
An extension of the concept of ‘viruses of the mind’ discussed by Richard Dawkins in his book, The God Delusion, Dr. Ray’s, The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture details the practical consequences of religious infection in personalities, families, and culture.
If you are non-religious, this book may help you understand the behavior of those who are infected with religion. If you are religious, it will give you tools to understand your infection and maybe how to control or eliminate its detrimental effects in your life.
Tickets may be purchased by clicking below, for the suggested donation price of 8.00 on line, or 10.00 at the door. If you pay online your tickets will be held for you at the door. Thank you.
Any questions about this event call Jennifer at 347-512-0501
$8 in advance
$10 at the door
Jason’s Birthday Dinner
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Jason’s Birthday Dinner is at Bamboo Lounge at 9:00 pm.
Join us in celebrating Jason’s 30th Birthday.
Bring yourself and your new friends from Darrel Rays talk.
After Darrel Ray we are goining over to Hillcrest to
1475 University Ave, near Normal Street, 92103
Benito Juarez: The Necessity of the Secular State 3-21
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(Sunday March 21st, 6pm Joyce Beers) The Joyce Beers Community Center is Located in the Uptown Shopping Plaza, just off University and Vermont Avenues
Join the Humanist Association as we celebrate Benito Juarez’s Birthday.
Juarez, who not only was Mexico’s First Flood Blooded Indian President, but was also the man who Took Mexico back from the church.
Join us as we discuss the nature of a secular state, its features, necessity, and how to ensure it.
As always our 3rd Sunday events are potluck, and open to the public (suggested donation $5)
Victims of Violent Crime Memorial Oak Garden maintenance and Picnic 3-14
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Join Jim Knott, Vernon, Cody and Melanie, Sunday at The Victims of Violent Crime Memorial Oak Garden.
About 1:00 pm and into the afternoon
The San Diego Victims of Violent Crime Memorial Oak Garden is a beautiful quiet garden started after in memory of a beautiful young woman, Cara Knott, who was murdered. Since then with it’s planted young oak trees and a gazebo, nearby trails, memorial rocks, small brick paths, the Oak Garden has become a place for reflection and coming together of community members for support, a quiet picnic, gardening and peace.
Join us in routine maintenance , reflection and community. Lunch, Potluck, food to share is always welcome.
Jennifer
Directions:
get off on Mercy Rd from either the North or South I-15…then head east for just a half a block and hang a U-turn…you need to get right over into the left lane as you get onto Mercy Rd. or you will miss the U-turn…then you’ll see Cara Way on the North-East corner of Mercy Rd just a few feet west of Wendy’s…then drive all the way to the end of Cara Way and you will see the Oak Garden.
Directions: Interstate 15; Exit Scripps Poway Parkway and go east; Make a u-turn at Scripps Highland Drive; First right into garden entrance at Cara Way.
GPS:
N 32° 56.670 W 117° 06.405
UTM: 11S E 490021 N 3645139
Mourners and Supporters of Chelsea King and Amber Dubois may also reflect and find comfort and community here.
Whale Watch on Hornblower 3-13
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March 13, 2010 at 1:00 pm
If you are just dying to see a whale not in captivity, here is a chance to appreciate the magnificent creatures among friends.
After we will do Coffee and Conversation after and you can have some nice rice at Bamboo Lounge to settle your stomach.
Adults $37
Children (4-12) $19
Seniors/Military $32
Kids (3 and under) FREE
Incidentally, if we don’t get to see any whales on our adventure, Hornblower gives us free passes to come back and try again for free. smile
Boarding begins at 1:15, the cruise leaves at 1:30 and and lasts until 5:00. We will meet outside the ticket station at 1:00 so we can stay together. The cruise lasts for 3 1/2 hours, so even though there should be plenty to do, see, and discuss along the way, I plan on bringing my personal MP3 player and/or some light reading material just in case.
Note: I would recommend you purchase your tickets in advance. You can do so by calling Hornblower at: 619-686-8700 or going online here: Hornblower Whale Watching and clicking the “Book Whale Watching Now” link. Hornblower does have “walk up” tickets for purchase at the gate, but there is no guarantee there will be space available. If you choose to go this route, please call before you leave so you don’t waste a trip to the harbor.
Parking: (per the Hornblower website)
Due to the popularity of the San Diego Bay we recommend allowing a little extra time for parking. The closest parking lot available on a first come, first served basis is the Five Star Parking Lot located on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway & Broadway. Hornblower does not validate. DO NOT park at the meters!
For more information, visit their FAQ page.
I can’t wait and I hope to see you there!
Hornblower Whale Watching
Hornblower Cruise is a proud partnered with and endorsed by the San Diego Natural History Museum on our Whale Watching Cruise Adventure!
See the majestic California Gray Whale while whale watching on the San Diego coast. See all the famous and historic sights of the San Diego bay: navy submarine base, NOSC and the Point Loma Light House and Cabrillo National Monument.
During your whale watching excursion, besides whales, you’ll witness many varieties of marine life: four types of dolphin, sea lions, Mola Mola (sun fish) and marine birds such as Brown Pelicans, Sea Gulls and Blue Herons along the way. Beside gray whales we have seen, Orcas, Fin Whales, Finbacks, Blue Whales and Humpback Whales.
An Evening talk with Darrel Ray author of “The God Virus”
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Date: March 18, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Mission Valley Resort Salon Ballroom, 875 Hotel Circle South San Diego, CA 92108
The Humanist Association of San Diego Proudly Presents an Evening with Darrel Ray author of “The God Virus”Best Selling author Dr. Darrel Ray entertains and informs as he discusses some questions about religion and god.There will be live piano music and a cash bar. After we will go out for dinner at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto in Little Italy for Jason’s 30th Birthday.
For thousands of years, religion has woven its way through so- cieties and people as if it were part and parcel to that society or person. In large measure it was left unexplained and unchal- lenged, it simply existed. Those who attempted to challenge and expose religion were often persecuted, excommunicated, shunned, or even executed. It could be fatal to explain that which the church, priest or imam said was unexplainable. Dr. Ray discusses this and much more in his engaging and enter- taining presentation.
• What makes religion so powerful? • How does it weave its way into our political system?
• Why is sexual guilt so important to all the major religions? • Why do people believe and follow obvious religious charlatans?
If these questions interest you, this book will give you the tools to understand religion and it’s power in you, your family and your culture.
• What makes people profess deep faith yet act in ways that betray that faith? • Why are people blind to irrationalities of their religion yet clearly see those of others?
For thousands of years, religion has woven its way through societies and people as if it were part and parcel to that society or person. In large measure it was left unexplained and unchallenged, it simply existed. Those who attempted to challenge and expose religion were often persecuted, excommunicated, shunned, or even executed. It could be fatal to explain that which the church, priest or imam said was unexplainable. Dr. Ray discusses this and much more in his engaging and entertaining presentation.
Meet Dr. Darrel Ray,
and learn about his latest book.
Dr. Ray is a psychologist and student of religion, sociology and anthropology. He is also founder of Recovering from Religion.
(www.recoveringreligionists.com)
His insights on religion and religious infection have been praised by authors and experts like Dale McGowan, Dan Barker, Frank Schaeffer, Edwin Kagin, and many others.
Learn how his revolutionary ideas explain: the fundamentalism of your Uncle Ned, the sexual behavior of a fallen mega church minister, the child rearing practices of a Pentecostal neighbor, why 19 men flew planes into the World Trade Center, why religion protects pedophile priests and how it might affect a person’s IQ.
Book signing to follow.
“Darrel gives an engaging, highly informative, fun, and at points hilarious presentation. You will be left wishing that there had been more time to explore with him all aspects of this dead-on perspective of religion and its effects on all of us. (You, too, are a vector!) Come prepared for what will be a very lively Q & A. This is a book and lecture you DON’T want to miss!
Tickets are $8.00 online , or $10.00 at the door. This is a suggested donation. Some people give more, some people give less.
Also, as a special deal, if you pay $30.00 you get you Humanist Association of San Diego Membership for a year plus admission to “The God Virus”.
(619) 646-2191 Jason
(347) 512-0501 Jennifer
Annual Conference in San Jose
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We are pleased to announce that the 69th Annual Conference of the American Humanist Association will take place June 3rd – 6th, 2010, at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose, California.
Don’t miss one of the largest gatherings of humanists, atheists, and freethinkers from across the country! The Annual Conference will feature informative breakout sessions, activist training sessions for humanist chapter leaders, banquets honoring distinguished awardees, book signings by celebrity authors, and more!
The Doubletree San Jose is located less than a mile from San Jose International Airport and offers complimentary airport shuttle, contemporary guest rooms, high speed wireless internet access, an outdoor pool, three restaurants, and more.
Book your room early by calling 1-800-HILTONS and mention the American Humanist Association, or reserve online and enter “AHA” under Group/Convention Code to receive the special rate of $129 per night.
Conference registration will be available online in early 2010. Go HERE for the latest updates.
Reel Humanism – 2/2/10
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REEL Humanism has returned! Vernon hosts a film and discussion series relating cinema to ethical issues. Join us at Cafe Libertalia on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 for Schindler’s List at 6:00 PM. This time is subject to become earlier due to the length of the film at 3 hours and 15 minutes. Updates to come…
Cafe Libertalia 3834 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92103