Ray Comfort

If you see people on campus handing out copies of Ray Comfort's version of On The Origin of Species, PLEASE TAKE ONE. Take multiple copies, if they will give you more than one, telling them you'd like to give some copies to friends. Please bring them to the next SHIFT meeting. The more copies we can get out of their hands, preventing them (peacefully) from being further distributed on campus, the better.

Whatever Happened to Civility in Politics?

This Thursday, November 12, at 7:30pm join the Humanists of Utah in Eliot Hall of First Unitarian Church (600 S. 1300 E.) for a lecture by Alan Coombs entitled "Whatever Happened to Civility in Politics?" The lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session and light refreshments. This lecture is free of charge and open to the public - please encourage fellow free-thinkers or interested parties to attend!

Carl Sagan Day

When you make the finding yourself - even if you're the last person on Earth to see the light - you'll never forget it. - Carl Sagan

This Saturday, November 7, 2009 we will be joining other Center For Inquiry affiliates in celebrating the 1st annual Carl Sagan Day - commemorating the time of his birth (Nov. 9) 75 years ago.

Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was a renowned Astronomer and Secular Humanist.

Please join us this Saturday in the Union Theatre at 12:00pm to begin our celebration!

12:00pm - Lunch Buffet

12:15pm - Contact

2:45pm - Research Assistant Professor John Belz

First Secular Monday (FSM) in November

Have YOU Been Touched By His Noodly Appendage?

Whether you answer "Yes!" or "No?" join us for the first-ever F S M - First Secular Monday - This November 2, 2009 in the Union Theatre.

You will be enlightened on many fascinating topics such as Pastafarianism, The Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster, and Talk Like a Pirate Day.

If you would like to do a bit of Homework before the event, read this:

http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/

Or, just come curious! Delectable refreshments will be provided.

The purpose of First Secular Monday is to come together as a group for entertaining discussions and planning. We hope to hold these in Coffee Shops next semester, possibly with proceeds benefiting our group or other worthy local causes.

In addition to our discussion honoring First Secular Monday's acronym's namesake, The Flying Spaghetti Monster, we will be beginning preparations for Festivus, The Holiday For The Rest Of Us!

Check out this website to come ready with your preferences on how to celebrate Festivus:

http://www.festivusbook.com/

Or, again, just come curious!

Third-Thursday Discussion Group

Please join us THIS THURSDAY at 7:00pm in the Student Union, Room 319 for a week-day discussion group for those for whom Sundays aren't so convenient ... I know this is our Fall Break, but please take the opportunity to come to campus this Thursday evening for some great snacks and discussion with like-minded peers!

Humanists of Utah Thomas Paine Day Celebration

Thursday, October 8th marks the second annual Thomas Paine Day celebration, as held by the Humanists of Utah. In addition to free food, the event will feature Professor Bruce Dain from the University of Utah History Department, in his address of the issue of how historians see Paine's place in the intellectual history of the Age of Revolution and of American political thought. Also, the winner of the Humanists of Utah essay contest will read the winning essay (The Importance of Secularism in a Truly Democratic Society) and be awarded the first prize of $250. The event will occur in Elliot Hall (southwest door) of the First Unitarian Church at 7:30p. All of the public is invited to attend for free.

This Wednesday!

On Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00pm, SHIFT will welcome Brian S. King, Representative, Utah House District 28, to speak with our group about his experiences with the American Health Care system. Please join us in the Union Theatre for a discussion led by Representative King, followed by a free showing of the Michael Moore documentary, Sicko.

Humanists of Utah Discussion Group

Vice-president, Jason Cooperrider, and treasurer, Shawn Thomas, attended the Humanists of Utah (HoU) discussion group last night (9/24). The group of 10 people met at the First Unitarian Church (600 S. 1300 E.) to discuss the recent article "Profiles of the Godless," which analyzes some of the shared and differing characteristics among the different types of nonreligious people (several copies of the article will be available at the next SHIFT meeting for those who are interested). The discussion was very entertaining and enlightening, lasting from 7:30 until around 9:00. While much of the discussion did focus on various interesting aspects of the article, there was also a great deal of banter about personal stories and opinions, ranging from the existence of other intelligent life in the universe, to the reasons why those present had abandoned religion and how that has affected their lives. The discussion group meets once a month on Thursday at 7:00 (check the HoU website for specific dates) in room RE 201 of the First Unitarian Church. The HoU members were excited to see participation from younger people at the discussion group and were very accommodating.

Health Care Discussion at First Unitarian Church

After the 11:00am service on Sunday, September 27, there will be a Health Care Discussion held at First Unitarian Church (569 S. 1300 E.) If you're interested, come to the 11:00am service and enjoy some Coffee for a few minutes before the discussion, or just come at 12:20 to join in the Health Care Discussion!

This will be a great introduction to our Brian King event next Wednesday!

Movie & Discussion Event

On Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00pm, SHIFT will welcome Brian S. King, Representative, Utah House District 28, to speak with our group about his experiences with the American Health Care system. Please join us in the Union Theatre for a discussion led by Representative King, followed by a free showing of the Michael Moore documentary, Sicko.