The Center for Inquiry (CFI) strongly condemns this resolution as a hollow, divisive, and unnecessary gesture toward monotheistic faith.  It is irresponsible and shameful for lawmakers to use faith as a political tool to divide the nation along religious lines, especially at a time when America is confronted with multiple pressing national issues.

Congress only adopted “In God We Trust” as the national motto in 1956, when American leaders sought to distinguish the United States from the communist Soviet Union.  Yet the motto ignores and reinforces the outsider status of the nation’s many nonbelievers, as well as members of minority religions that do not recognize a monotheistic god (including, for example, Buddhists and Hindus).  Polls show that 16 percent of Americans have no religious identity, while over 40 million Americans do not identify with a monotheistic God.

A far better motto for the nation is the Latin motto adopted in 1782 as part of the national seal: “E Pluribus Unum,” or “Out of many, one.”  America’s original motto accurately describes the nation as a unity comprising people from many religious and nonreligious perspectives.

H. Con. Res. 13 now moves to the U.S. Senate. CFI will track its progress and lobby against its passage.

• President: Aleicia Shanti Phulwani
• Vice President: Tausif Ahmed
• Treasurer: Jamie Thomson

The position of secretary remains vacant. If anyone is interested, get in touch with any of this year or next year’s officers. The official switch will be at the end of this term.

In related news, we have received operational funds from SAFAC for next year, so we will be able to have food at meetings starting in the fall!

Speaking of food, we are planning a BYOF (bring your own food/freethoughts) picnic on June 10 from 12-2pm outside Creese as an alternative to the Interfaith Baccalaureate Luncheon for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable attending that religious gathering. Whether you’re a graduating senior or just want to share your well-wishes and reflective thoughts about education (or anything else), join us and bring a dish to share. (Desserts have been spoken for by a couple people, so we’re looking for any other lunch dishes ) RSVP on Facebook.

Over the course of about two hours, Sweeney recounts her personal journey from believing in traditional Catholicism, to a more liberal, “mythish” interpretation of Christianity, to exploring Buddhism and New Age thought, to seeing nature as God, love as God, and then not seeing a god at all. Many of us connected with her progression, and though it’s a little long to listen to one person talking, she keeps the mood light with the sense of humor she was known for on Saturday Night Live.

Prof. Bishop described it as “a down home, folksy way of explaining to people” how one can come not to believe in god. Sweeney is much more approachable than atheist poster-boys Dawkins and Hitchens. She has no agenda to convert or attack — she’s simply telling her story.

If you missed the event, it’s definitely worth checking out. Here’s a 15-minute preview on TED, and check out some memorable quotes below the jump.

• “Jesus’ story made me want to go out and campaign for free speech, not sit in church and worship him.” “If this is all there is, everything means more, not less, right?”
• “[Those big maturing moments in life involved...] accepting what is true over what I wished was true.”
• “Truth is such a poor competitor in the market of ideas.”
• “When I think of myself as my inner most being, I don’t think of it as a body function. My brain creates this idea that myself is not itself. I think of myself as something separate looking out from my eyes, listening through my ears, pulling the strings that make my body move. That is because the brain cannot perceive its own functioning. … the mind is what the brain does, just like pumping blood is what the heart does.”

Announcing the DFS Movie Night: Julia Sweeney’s Letting Go of God. You and your friends are welcome to join us for our first movie night ever. We will be watching Letting Go of God on Wednesday February 24 at 5 pm. The movie will be shown in Curtis 455. It is also the first DFS event with FREE FOOD & DRINK. You can RSVP on Facebook. We hope to see you there!

Tomorrow night (Tuesday, February 2) the Foundation of Undergraduates for Sexual Equality is hosting a discussion about religion and sexuality (RSVP on Facebook). A description of the event was posted online:

How do your religion and sexual orientation relate? Has your religion (or your family’s religious beliefs) affected your coming out process? How do you come to terms with aspects of your religion that you might disagree with? How important is religion to you?

We’ll be discussing these questions and many, many others tomorrow night @ FUSE. Come to the North Hall gameroom and bring your opinions.

This is a great opportunity for DFS members to meet with people from other student orgs and have an interesting, lively discussion.

We’ll talk about what the DFS is going to do for the upcoming term, and we have a few videos to watch and discuss. It should be a fun, relaxing, and informative event. You can RSVP to this event on Facebook. I hope to see you all there!