In the May edition of PANViews, you’ll find the following items:
* President’s report, which talks about PAN’s upcoming event with the Pennsylvania Legislature commemorating the 50th anniversary of two major school prayer decisions, and some details about this year’s Atheist/Humanist convention
* Legislative update, from Carl Silverman. Take a minute to look at all the nonsense we have to fight
* From Greenville PA, news about a City Council that can’t believe that there’s anything wrong with prayer before meetings, and from Philadelphia, the horrifying story of parents whose child died, because they used prayer instead of medicine
* Member submissions, including Brian Field’s account of his journey from fundamentalism; Priscilla Oppenheimer’s favorite recent religious news story; Wayne Trotta’s take on the new atheists, and Wayne’s letter to PennLive about the proposed legislation to name the complainants in certain cases; Linda Turk’s submission of British children’s answers to a religious test; Shannon Turk’s attempt to educate his fellow atheists; Josh Neiderhiser asks where atheists should spend our money
* PAN news, including meeting information, new and exciting ways to donate to PAN, volunteer opportunities, and the Free Thought Forum
In the April edition of PANViews, you’ll find the following items:
* President’s report, with info about our upcoming PA Atheist Humanist convention
* Results of our Board of Directors election
* Legislative news, along with the result of the case against the church that staged a mock kidnapping of children without their parents’ permission, and news about religion and crime
* A report from Jean Silverman about some PAN members visit to the Hadee Mosque in Harrisburg, and some York Co. religious irony, from Pam Zerba
* News about meetings, and volunteer opportunities
In the March edition of PANViews, you’ll find the following items:
*President’s letter from Brian Fields, outlining exciting upcoming events
*Biographies of five of our board candidates
*News from Pennsylvania, the nation and the world: Lost Cajun Kitchen strikes again, as does the Pennsylvania legislature; for you gamblers, recent odds for the papal election
*From our members, a remembrance of longtime PAN member, Dr. John Nernoff, from Priscilla Oppenheimer; Doug Diggens describes an encounter with street preachers in York; Priscilla gives us something to think about; Pam Zerba talks about the Catholic church’s hypocrisy in opposing the contraceptive mandate requirements of the Affordable Care Act; and Linda Turk provides a few laughs
*PAN News, featuring PAN’s preliminary net worth, as of 12/31/12; a request for members to write pamphlets or handouts for our booths; education committee news from Shannon Turk, including a review of Nat Hentoff’s The First Freedom; information about donations, meetings, and a request for volunteers to work at the Central PA Food Bank, and to march in Harrisburg’s St. Patrick Day parade, and a plug for PAN’s TV show, the Freethought Forum.
In the February edition of PANViews, you’ll find the following items:
*PAN President Brian Fields’ letter, discussing our upcoming annual meeting and elections
*Biography of board candidate Kristine Danowski
*Information about upcoming conventions: Second Annual PA Atheist/Humanist and American Atheists
*Secular Coalition’s Lobbying Training Course
*Volunteer opportunity at the Central PA Food Bank
*Atheists wanted for interfaith group
*Atheist news: Two Ten Commandments cases in PA, and how Catholic hospitals handle advance directives
*Member submissions: Cheryl Huber’s adventures as an atheist organist in Christian churches and Linda Turk explains the original of our valentine heart, and you will never look at it the same way again, and Linda’s pictures from PAN’s Winter Solstice party
*PAN news: Shannon Turk’s Education Committee notes, Freethought Funzie, and book review, and Fundraising Committee news from Linda Turk, meeting listing, donations to PAN and PAN’s Freethought Forum TV show
*Current PAN Board members
In the December edition of PANViews, you’ll find the following items:
*President’s report from Brian Fields, reviewing the ACLU Year of the Bible roundtable
*John Wolff brings PAN up-to-date about the Lost Cajun Kitchen controversy
*Final election news, emphasizing the role of non-believers
*The Alliance Defense Fund’s effort to politicize pulpits, including some in central PA
*The ADF’s advice to municipal court clerks who don’t want to perform marriages between gay couples
*Report on the Boy Scouts and the York County United Way
*American Atheists’ lawsuit against Kentucky’s bizarre take on homeland security
*PAN’s Education Committee news, including Shannon Turk’s discussion on agnosticism
*Information about the Muslim guests for the Harrisburg PAN meeting
*Mark Gecker talks about our imaginary friend in Jesus
*Catholic abortion rules in Ireland lead to a woman’s death, and the University of Wisconsin approves the largest amount on record to a nonbeliever student group
*Shout out to founding father John Adams
* President’s message, about the PA Atheist/Humanist Convention
* Reflections from the convention from Priscilla Oppenheimer and Karlen Keto
* Report on the Barker-D’Souza debate from Dietrich Dellinger
* Legal news, including our local triumph over the Greencastle-Antrim School District Board, the moral victory over the Year of the Bible, and a salute to lame duck Rep. Babette Josephs for her stand on the Pledge of Allegiance
* Funny from Linda Turk
* Meet Board member Carl Silverman
* Education Committee news from Shannon Turk, including October atheist birthdays, Mark Twain’s The War Prayer, and thoughts on the origins of homosexuality, and, of course, the Freethought Funzie
* News about our TV show, the Freethought Forum
* Report on PAN members’ participation in the Light the Night Walk from Jeannie Hess
* An update on Boy Scouts, atheists, the York County United Way, and the York Daily Record
* Note on the Pew Survey on Religion
* Sally Quinn, religious bigot
* Update from President Brian Fields about the upcoming PA State Atheist/Humanist convention, Sept. 28-30.
* Atheist billboards in honor of the political party conventions, and the aftermath. (Yes, PANViews now has pictures!)
* Remember the fake kidnapping of young teenagers by the church in Elizabethtown? Here’s an update.
* Missouri is a stupider state than you may have realized.
* Meet Board member Jason Fegely.
* See the angry religious hobo clown!
* Education news, and a biography of the freethinker accused of involvement in McKinley’s assassination, courtesy of Shannon Turk.
* Cheryl Huber tells us about volunteering at York Revolution games, for the Margaret Moul home, complete with pictures of the happy volunteers.
* Another unbelievable story about a priest and a young boy.
* Summary of the recent world survey that found atheists were 5% of the US population, with a list of the most atheist, and the most religious, countries in the world.
* News about religious freedom, or lack thereof, on military bases.
* Christian love in York County.
In this issue you’ll find details as of now about the First Central PA Atheist Convention…Jonh Wolff’s own account of the Prudhomme Restaurant fight…updates on the Mt. Soledad cross, and Ten Commandment monument issues…summary of PAN’s July activities…a brief biography of PAN Board member Paulette Parquette…Education Chair Turk’s thoughts on atheist education…a request for volunteers to work at York Revolution games, as part of PAN’s commitment to Volunteers Beyond Belief…a plug for the Free Thought Forum…atheists and baseball…a sample of the attitude toward atheists in high school…a win for the non-religious against a Catholic hospital.
Have you bought your tickets for the Atheist Convention yet?
President’s report from Brian Fields…Solstice party news…legal update…summary of PAN’s June activities, including quotes from Robert Ingersoll, courtesy of Don Zook…Meet Board member Shannon Turk…Turk’s Freethought Funzie…Meetings and Volunteer Opportunities…PAN’s Volunteers Beyond Belief activity at the York Revolution game, described by Cheryl Huber, with additional volunteer opportunities…donations needed…Freethought Forum…summary of skills and talents our members have to offer other members…addition treatment options for nonbelievers, with recovery accounts from members Tom Kane and Mikki Weidman…more Books for Skeptics…snakehandlers update…Catholic Church stands on priniciple…more Christian kindness to gays, with a little good news, for a change…are religions cults?…a name that cannot be spoken…church membership in York County.
Welcome to the June edition of PANViews! In it Brian Fields, our esteemed leader, talks about new members and new responsibilities…a politician with guts…the Olde York Street Fair…an update on billboards and signs, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s lawsuit over the Year of the Bible…board news, and a brief bio of board member Mikki Weidman, and this month’s Freethought Funzie from Shannon Turk…volunteer opportunities…books for skeptics, suggested by fellow members…Darwin: A Life in Poems, reviewed by member Priscilla Oppenheimer…director John Waters’ thoughts on the Amish…the prosperity gospel, not prospering…more Christian kindness to gays…Catholic hierarchy v. nuns and Girl Scouts…government craziness in Maryland…why we should admire Norway…news about religious websites…what people really think about politicians who spout religiosity…and the first Skeptical Crossword Puzzle.
In this edition you’ll find Reason Rally memories from PAN attendees…an update on the Year of the Bible lawsuit…a report on the Washington Co., MD, interfaith coalition panel discussion…news about Satan in Lancaster…a controversy about a surprisingly offensive bus sign in Scranton…reports on a 10 Commandments monument on school property, and Christian kidnapping in Central PA…biography of PAN VP Gail Crow…many volunteer opportunities, and reasons why PAN needs your donations…list of movies PAN members might enjoy, submitted by members…a “Coming Out” essay from a PAN member…notes about recent examples of Christian kindness toward gays, and another example of the problems caused by religious “conscience” objections.
You’ll find articles about the Reason Rally, and a discussion about the Harrisburg Year of the Bible Billboard. It includes requests for volunteers for the Olde York Street Fair, the Annville Memorial Day Parade, Volunteers Beyond Belief, and PAN’s Free Thought Forum television show. There’s information about PAN’s participation in the York St. Patrick’s Day parade, and the Irish blasphemy law. In addition, you’ll see a list of Board members, and the first in a series of brief biographies of Board members. Shannon Turk reviews the movie The Ledge, and there are thoughts about religion and the Affordable Care Act, and Mormon Baptism. Enjoy!
This edition of PANViews brings us a summary by President George Zerba of PAN’s summer season of activity through our booths at summer festivals. Katie Haas tells us about PAN’s outing to Knoebels and two non-believers relate their stories to us.
In this edition, President George Zerba tells asks us why Pat Robertson didn’t pray away the natural disasters of the time. We announce the Autumn Equinox Celebration and the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony. We end with two non-believers telling us their stories.
Doug Diggens tells us about our May 21st Rapture Pub Crawl. Josh Neiderhiser talks about Armed Forces Day at Letterkenny. We publish Carl Huber’s Letter to the Editor in the York Daily Record. Two Nonbelievers, Jeffrey, and Paul Duryea talk about their experiences.
We have a jam-packed Newsletter this month. Our President gives his “State of the Organization” address. Brian Fields talks about the American Atheists Convention. Josh Neiderheiser talks about his vision as a new board member. We publish Priscilla Oppenheimer’s story, along with an anonymous contribution. All of this, and plenty more inside. Oh, and one more thing, we have a new newsletter editor: Jason Fegely. Please, if you see him, thank him for his hard work in getting this newsletter together! He can also be
reached here.
In this newsletter, we cover the upcoming Sam Harris appearance in State College. We publish Shannon Turk and Doug Diggens’ story. We are now offering two episodes of The Free Thought Forum a month! There’s information on how to sign up for our member discussion list. We re-publish Lavar Michael’s letter to the Editor in the York Daily Record. We also publish a request for help on the new By-Laws Committee.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Sam Harris could not make the appearance at the last minute, however, we will be working to re-schedule this event in the fall. We held off publishing this newsletter publicly because we were waiting for the contracts to be signed, but when that fell through, I was wrapped up in convention stuff and didn’t get it done. Here it is, now.
REVISED ELECTION EDITION: This edition has edited and updated entries for all candidates that submitted their information. The announced candidates discuss their views on PAN and the election. Please note: Any member can still run for election as a write-in candidate. Our annual board meeting will be March 5th, 2011. The meeting is at the UUCY Carriage House at 10:00 AM. Please consider becoming a board member.
SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION: The announced candidates discuss their views on PAN and the election. Please note: Any member can still run for election as a write-in candidate. Our annual board meeting will be Feb. 5th, 2011 with a snow date of Mar. 5, 2011. The meeting is at the UUCY Carriage House at 10:00 AM. Please consider becoming a board member.
December’s newsletter discusses PAN’s efforts to adapt to novel, controversial means of protest, and some internal unrest about our new ‘pay your dues if you wanna vote’ policy. Please submit your membership dues by January 6, 2011. Big News! — Laurie Lebo, author of “The Devil in Dover,” will grace the January 8th YORK meeting. Our annual board meeting will be Feb. 5th, 2011 with a snow date of Mar. 5, 2011. The meeting is at the UUCY Carriage House at 10:00 AM. Please consider becoming a board member. Paula Sipes essay “Atheists Were Godless Commies” rounds out our December newsletter.
In this months’s newsletter we discuss PAN’s finances and dues. Members may elect to receive a paper newsletter copy. Big News! — David Silverman, president of American Atheists, Inc., will address our November 6th YORK meeting. Read Bob Young’s column of zany faith-headed shenanigans, and Chris Chase’s “America is Not a Christian Nation” essay. Don’t miss taking the same quiz which helped establish that atheists know more about religion than religious people do.
PAN has had it’s 501(c)(3) status approved! We talk about upcoming speakers, including Tom Verenna in October and Dave Silverman in November. Also, please enjoy our new newsletter format, and welcome our new editor: Pam Zerba!
Carl Huber talks about recent changes in the PAN organization. Carl Silverman writes an article on our Riverboat Service in July. We include several verses of the Bible from John Nernoff, who’s organized a listing of his favorite verses about the world around us.
Priscilla Oppenheimer reports on her own history in Why was God So Silent, So Absent?, Clifford Crain, Jr., reviews Decoding the Language of God: Can a Scientist Really Be a Believer?. We reprint letters to the editor from Steve Neubauer and Carl Silverman. Also: PAN Summer Solstice Party: June 26 – Contact us for more information!
Gloria Heard shares a letter To My Family… Sincerely, with emotions and thoughts of love.. We cover some of our plans for the early summer, lots of parades, fairs and other events coming up! Clifford Crain Jr. reviews The Prince of War: Billy Graham’s Crusade for a Wholly Christian Empire, by Cecil Bothwell. We also share Matt Juba’s Letter to the Editor in the York Daily Record from April 15, 2010.
Our President talks about our participation in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Harrisburg. Doug Schiffer reviews The Book of Eli. William Walker reviews God: The Failed Hypothesis, by Victor Stenger. We continue our religious background profile series with Matt Juba’s story.
Our President reports on the latest from Atheist Ireland and our march in the York and Harrisburg St. Paddy’s Day Parade. Cheryl Huber talks about her experiences growing up in the Lutheran Church. Clifford Crain reviews Losing My Religion: How I Lost Faith Reporting on Religion in America by William Lobdell.
Pam Zerba shares the talk she gave to the St. Steven’s Church in Harrisburg in January. Clifford Crain reviews Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (and Why We Don’t Know About Them) by Bart D. Ehrman. We print a letter to the editor by Ron Stauffer submitted to the Altoona Mirror on December 12, 2009.
Our President reports on the Chambersburg Creche controversy, as well as the Concert for Darwin. We print Message to PA Nonbelievers by Alexander Reed. Clifford Crain Jr. reviews Some Mistakes of Moses.
We cover Christian attitudes towards us during the Pumpkinfest we attended. Clifford Crain, Jr. Reviews The New Atheism: Taking a stand for Science and Reason, and also writes about Dan Barker’s appearance in Syracuse, NY.
John Wolff writes My Atheist Journey. We talk about how Pennsylvania rejected God in 1817. Cheryl Huber reviews the September 11th Commemoration in Harrisburg. Photos of the PAN invasion of the September 6th baseball game in York.
Sharon Hill reviews Mistakes Were Made (but not by me): Why We Justify
Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts. Doug Diggens talks about George Soudini. Carl Silverman reports on the Sunbury River Festival.
Doug Diggens talks about Lancaster Pridefest. Ron Stauffer reviews The Cider House Rules. Dr. John Nernoff remembers Dennis McKinsey. Steve reviews Terminator: Salvation.
Jeffrey A. Brown reviews Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives by Jim Sheeler, William Walker reviews American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips. Clifford Crain, Jr. reviews 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God by Guy P. Harrison. Includes photos from the Old York Street Fair on May 10.
Sharon Hill talks about the Drinking Skeptically event. Clifford Crain, Jr. reviews Queen Silver: The Godless Girl by Wendy McElroy, and Milk. Stephen Neubauer writes One Good Friday.
Lorie Stauffer reviews Open City, directed by Roberto Rossellini. Jeannette Wolff talks about the Lancaster Abuse Center. Includes photos from the PAN table at the Capital City Mall.
Jeffrey A. Brown writes in to talk about Darwin. Clifford Crain, Jr. reviews Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America’s Leading Atheists.
Clifford H. Crain, Jr. responds to Christian Apologetic Dinesh D’Souza, Author Neale Donald Walsch admits to plagiarizing! Richard Slade reviews Fireproof.
Jeffrey A. Brown talks about Prophecy, Steven Neubauer writes about morality. Ron Hetzel reviews Religulous.
Jeffrey A. Brown talks about addictive personalities and religion. Steven Neubauer reviews Religulous.
Carl Silverman commemorates September 11th with an essay on Diversity. Obituary for Martin Bard.
John Wolff reviews The Devil In Dover, Dr. John talks about Christians being “saved” by Jesus, Edna talks about voting with your hopes, not your fears.
Jeannette Wolff talks about the Solstice picnic, Edna talks about patriotic atheists, Dr John talks about radiometric dating.
Carl Huber talks about the creation of the universe, Bill Rutherford talks about the Bill of Rights, Edna talks about the purpose of life.
John Wolff talks about Jonathan Miller, Sharon Hill talks about Expelled, and about the Compassion Forum, Cathy Diehl talks about reality.
Carl Silverman talks about legislative prayers, Sharon Hill reviews Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don’t Add Up.
Renald (Ren) Rebuck talks about Dr. Robert Brown, Steven Neubauer writes about “One Universe, Under God”.
Jeffrey A. Brown offers a rebuttal of The Case For Christ by Lee Stroebel, Clifford H. Crain, Jr. reviews Illustrated Stories from the Bible (that they won’t tell you in Sunday School).
Steven Neubauer reviews The Case for Christ, Bob Young writes “Trick or Treat?”, Laurence Jaeger writes “The Secular Society and Its Enemies”
Priscilla Oppenheimer reviews Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Edna answers a question about Christopher Hitchen’s exposure of Mother Theresa.
Edna talks about Larry Craig’s predicament, Steven Neubauer writes about “One Nation, Under God”
