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.

Drexel University is hosting a conference on Global Challenges: Water. This is an all day event held in Behrakis Hall Grand Hall, Creese Student Center, 32nd and Chestnut Street. The event’s description says:

Water is the source of life. Without clean water people get sick, children miss school, and the cycle of poverty is perpetuated. Millions die prematurely from water-related diseases. As water scarcity becomes more acute, the global water crisis could lead to violent conflicts. The complexity and gravity of this issue makes it a major challenge facing humanity. Let us take a look at this serious challenge from all perspectives – social, economic, scientific, political as well as cultural.

The DFS encourages its members attend this event. Understanding the social, political, and scientific challenges that humanity faces in the world today is essential for being an informed citizen and intelligently addressing our biggest issues. If you wish to attend, you must register here before attending the event.

Charles Darwin, famous British naturalist and one of the most important scientists of evolutionary theory, was born on February 12, 1809. This marks the 201st year since Darwin’s birth, and the 151st year since the publication of his most famous work, The Origin of Species.

The Drexel Freethought Society would like to take a moment to acknowledge this important freethinker. His work on the theory of natural selection revolutionized the way we view the natural world. Today, over 150 years after Darwin published his theories, our society continues to debate evolution. Skepticism and debate are important in a free society. The DFS encourages everyone to think critically about these important issues and utilize the full power of logic, reason, and science.

James Randi, world-famous magician, skeptic, and debunker of paranormal claims. He has offered a $1,000,000 challenge since 1964 (started at $1,000) for a person that can provide proof of a paranormal claim. So far, out of over 1,000 applicants, no one has ever succeeded in providing proof for their paranormal claim.

A new aid fund, Non-Believers Giving Aid, has been established to support the Haitian relief effort, and it’s earning attention in national media. The USA Today’s religion, spirituality, and ethics reporter, Cathy Lynn Grossman, wrote an article on the new fund, saying:

Now unbelievers want the world to know they’re just as caring. The champion of unbelief Richard Dawkins, Britain’s star atheist scientist, has announced he’ll personally cover the PayPal fees (up to $10,000) for donations to two non-religious relief groups — Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross — through a newly established site called Unbelievers Giving Aid.

Non-Believers Giving Aid has two goals: give “100% of your donation” to secular charities that are working to provide relief in Haiti, and counter “the scandalous myth that only the religious care about their fellow-humans.”

The Drexel Freethought Society has also been in contact with Drexel University with how we can further aid Haitian relief. More information will be posted about the University’s relief efforts in the future.

You can help too. In an email sent out this morning, the Center For Inquiry said: “All donations—100 percent with no operating costs retained—will be sent directly to the secular aid group Doctors Without Borders, which suffered the loss of all three of its medical facilities and is working against difficulties to provide the basics of first-aid care and stabilization.”

Doctors Without Borders received the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize “in recognition of the organization’s pioneering humanitarian work on several continents.” This organization has worked in dangerous, often war-torn, areas such as Sudan, Kosovo, and Rwanda. The Drexel Freethought Society wishes everyone in Haiti well. This was a terrible, unavoidable tragedy, and we hope the world can come together to help Haiti recover. There are so many problems in our world today, but we can improve things if we work together. Please do what you can for the Haitian people.

Edit: The Secular Student Alliance also has a list of relief organizations on its website, including information about secular charities.

We were introduced to the web series, and almost-HBO-series, Mr. Deity. This is a funny web show that has been in production since 2006. I encourage you to watch their show, it is quite funny. The first episode is posted below:

Happy Holidays from The Drexel Freethought Society!