Event: Wanderers In The Sky

As you may already know, the second part of the Missoula Area Secular Society's mission is to "develop and/or promote programs focusing on secular ethics, science, history, and critical thinking for members, their children, and the public at large as alternatives to the supernatural interpretations of the human condition."

In accordance with that, we are very proud to host "Wanderers In The Sky", a presentation by Professor Diane Friend from the University of Montana Dept. of Physics and Astronomy.

The last two decades have seen a renaissance in astronomy as new technologies have opened exciting new windows into the universe. The last 15 years have been an especially exciting time for planetary science with the discovery of new worlds both within our own solar system and beyond. These new worlds have led scientists to rethink everything from the definition of the word “planet” to theories of planetary system formation and evolution over time.

This talk will start with ideas about what constitutes a planet in our own solar system and progress to a discussion of the amazing richness, variety, and abundance of planets we have found orbiting other, nearby stars.

When: Monday, February 1st, 7pm
Where: Missoula Public Library, Large Meeting Room (downstairs).

This event is free to the public and open to all ages. Please come out and give Diane a very warm welcome as the first professional educator to help us fulfill this challenging part of our mission. Bring a friend or two.

(Solar System Picture above (c) Jules Stoop)

M.A.S.S. Movie Date

Come join the Missoula Area Secular Society as we host The Meaning Of Life (as explained by Monty Python).

In this social satire, the satirical six have taken up the monumental task of explaining the meaning of life. The results are pungent, acidic, and priceless views of sex, religion, birth, war, and death. Monty Python tackles life and wrestles it to the ground in this savagely hilarious film. Rated R.


When: Saturday, January 23rd, 3:30pm
Where: Missoula Public Library (301 East Main) in the Large Meeting Room

Admission is free of charge (donations will be gratefully accepted).

After the movie, for those interested, we'll move to a nearby downtown bar for drinks, dinner and dialog.

Feel free to RSVP on the Facebook Group Event and follow us on Twitter for event update notifications.

Thanks To All Of You! Here's To A Wonderful 2010.

In the January edition of the newsletter for the Minnesota Atheists, President Jeannette Watland had some comments that I would like to share with you. I feel as if Jeannette reached inside my head and pulled out many of my own thoughts about M.A.S.S. and put them into words. I cannot find a page on their website that has her column to link to, so I'll paste it directly from the newsletter here.

President's Column

By President Jeannette Watland

Christmas day saw me sitting around a table eating Dim Sum in a Chinese restaurant with about nine other atheists. At one point during the meal, one of the diners told the table that this has been the first Christmas in awhile that has actually meant something. I’m lucky enough to have a family that supports my atheism, but the sad reality is that many of us do not. Providing an alternative on a religious holiday normally shared with family not only gives us something to do when everyone else is out, but is also an example of community in Minnesota Atheists.

I recently had an email correspondence with a member who was dismayed at the apparent pride some atheists take in the “herding cats” mentality. Honestly, it dismays me too. I can understand the reasons people don’t like to organize. It can feel too much like church or other organized religions. People feel like they will lose individualism if they band together with a group. I can understand these things, but I still think the benefits of joining and participating in an atheist community outweigh the downfalls.

One of Minnesota Atheists’ missions is to educate the public on atheism. The more the public is educated the more we will build tolerance. If the public could see how many of us there actually are, and how normal we look, the stereotypes begin to break down. When we band together we can also make a larger wave in the world of politics. We are going to make more progress in fighting for the separation of church and state if we act as a community. Already our numbers at the Day of Reason are beginning to rival those of the Day of Prayer.

Finally, creating a close community is just in our human nature. Humans are social beings. It is good for us to be around other people. For many of us, being around other atheists is an invaluable experience. I love the Minnesota Atheist community and hope that every single one of our members has a chance to experience it. It is a place where we can discuss our lack of belief without fear of offending someone. We can come out of the atheist closet and be ourselves without fearing discrimination. We baby-sit each others children, celebrate weddings, welcome new babies, comfort the sick and lonely, and mourn the loss of members. We maintain our individualism and offer our services to benefit others. I am truly proud to be part of such a caring group of people. Minnesota Atheists has become like a second family to me. I hope it means as much to our members as it does to me.

Thank you Jeannette for putting many of my exact thoughts into words so eloquently. Thank you also to all of our active M.A.S.S. members. I didn't even know most of you this time last year, and now I feel like you are a second family to me, as well. 2009 was an impressive year for us in terms of growth and organization, thanks in no small part to your participation and generosity. I have great confidence that 2010 will be equally impressive for us and I am looking forward to many new faces appearing (and re-appearing) at our upcoming events and get togethers.

First Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch for 2010

Is it 2010 already? Come join the Missoula Area Secular Society for Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch to celebrate the end of yet another silly "War on Solstice" and the start of what we hope is a wonderful new year for everyone.

When: Sunday, January 3rd, 10am
Where: 4951 N. Reserve St, The Stone of Accord Meeting Room (tell the host(ess) you're with the group in the "meeting room" if you don't know where to go).

Feel free to RSVP on Facebook (not required).

("Happy New Year" photo by Carl Jones)

Snowshoeing on Friday

For anyone looking for something secular to do on Friday, M.A.S.S. will be doing an informal snowshoe hike on Lolo Pass.

If you're interested, meet at the north west corner of the Super Wallmart parking lot at Reserve & Mullan at Noon on Friday, December 25th. We'll carpool to Lolo Pass from there.

If you don't have your own, snowshoes can be rented from many of the local outdoor sports retailers. Be sure to dress warm and pack water and snacks.

RSVP on Facebook.

(Photo by selihpxe8)

2009 Winter Solstice Celebration

The days have been getting shorter and shorter, and the nights longer and longer, but that's almost over.

Come brave the cold and help us coax the sun back to this hemisphere and celebrate the longer days to come.


When: Sunday, December 20th, Noon-1pm, or later
Where: Council Grove State Park (take Mullan Road from Reserve St West for approx 6 miles. Turn left at sign for the park.)

A BBQ will be available (assuming we can get it fired up), so bring something to put on the grill.

Our annual snow sculpting event is being moved to January when we'll hopefully have more of the stuff available to sculpt. But if there's some snow on the ground on Sunday, we'll may do a little practicing, or maybe just divide up into teams and throw it at each other.

"Sunset ice sculptures" photo by Mark K.

Bozeman Freethinkers

Last Saturday evening we got a message on our M.A.S.S. voice mail line (406-646-MASS). It was Dylan from the Bozeman Freethinkers calling. He and some other members of that group were going to be in Missoula on Sunday and wanted to know if we'd like to meet up to chat.

I quickly called him back, we setup a time and place, and then I sent out a message to all of our regular event attendees. Then, about 20 hours after Dylan's message there were 12 of us all crowded around a couple tables at Break Espresso talking and laughing and sharing ideas.

The Bozeman Freethinkers are a rebirth of the Southwest Montana Freethinkers (a group that fell by the wayside when their leader moved away). The new leaders seem well organized and off to a great start. We all had a lot of fun meeting with them and are looking forward to our next meeting. In fact, there is already talk of a possible joint camping trip with the two groups sometime next summer.

Next time you're in the Bozeman area, check if they have any events scheduled and go join them, or if not, let them know you're coming and maybe they'll organize something informal. That goes as well for anyone traveling to Missoula from elsewhere in Montana, or Earth for that matter. If you're a non-theist heading our way, send an email or call our voicemail line to let us know you're coming. An impromptu meeting at a local bar or coffee shop is never out of the question. Just try to give us more than 20 hours notice if possible.