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Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
 Posted - 02/06/2002 : 16:29:53
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Let me know if you'll be in Denver over one of these dates and I'll vouch for you. 
How to Answer Theist Arguments Dr. Victor Stenger, professor emeritus of physics will be presenting a seminar series for atheists, freethinkers and their guests sponsored by the Atheists and Freethinkers of Denver. The goal of the series is to provide nonbelievers with arguments, on a high intellectual plane, that can be used to counter the standard arguments of believers. These counter arguments could be used in personal conversations with theists or in writing thoughtful letters to the editor.
The seminar will be given once a month in Denver for three months, starting at 10:00 am Saturday, February 23. The sessions will be approximately 3 hours long and follow a seminar format in which the presenter will speak for 30-45 minutes, with interruptions allowed (unless guest speakers prefers otherwise) followed by discussion, followed by a break and then another 30-45 minute presentation plus discussion. The discussion will be open but kept strictly on-topic.
You may attend if you are a member of a sponsoring group or the invitee of a member. You should sign up, but do not have to attend every session.
Readings and "homework" will be assigned but these will be optional. No tests, grades, etc. A fee of $4 per session or $10 for the entire series will be charged, to cover expenses (copying costs, room costs). No honorarium will be paid to speakers, although possible help with expenses may be provided for speakers from out of town. Some meetings will include free snacks, while others may involve purchasing a lunch.
Each meeting will cover one or more general categories of typical arguments made by theists. Each session will be self-contained so it is not necessary to attend the full set. Here is a tentative list of topics spaced over three sessions; for an up-to-the-minute seminar plan, visit Dr. Stenger's
website at http//spot.colorado.edu/~vstenger/how.html:
Seminar #1: Saturday February 23, 10:00am, Country Buffet, 301 W. Girard Ave., Denver. Lunch $6.50 per person at the door.
Arguments from design in nature. Paley's watch. Second law of thermodynamics.
Irreducible complexity. Conservation of information. Complex specified information. Evolution as just a theory. Macro-evolution has never been observed? Other arguments against evolution. Cosmological arguments. Anthropic coincidences. Why is there something rather than nothing? Kalam. First and second laws of thermodynamics
Seminar #2: Saturday March 23, 10:00am, University Hills Public Library, Denver
Claims of evidence. Reports of miracles. Experiments on benefits of religion. Experiments on the efficacy of prayer. Religious experiences. Psychic phenomena.
"Prophecies" in scriptures. The coming of Jesus foretold. The "Bible Code." Historical Arguments.
Seminar #3: Saturday April 27 or May 4, 10:00am, location TBA Logical/philosophical arguments. The ontological argument. First cause, uncaused. Pascal's wager. Source of morality. Why would so many people through the ages believe if it weren't true? How can one possibly be happy without religion?
Non-overlapping magisteria. Science and religion cover different areas. Science as just a religion, since it accepts things on faith. Evolution as compatible with religion. Non-theist and non-montheistic spiritualities.
For more information, e-mail athofden@onebox.com, call 303-285-3482 x7118,
write to PO Box 22174 Denver CO 80222, or visit www.atheistsofdenver.org
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There is no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our world. It underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've known. Sagan
Edited by - Trish on 02/06/2002 16:30:47
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 04:52:32 [Permalink]
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Wish I was going to be there.
My kids still love me. |
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Xev
Skeptic Friend
USA
329 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 11:06:45 [Permalink]
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Aww, too bad. Is there some way we could get a transcript of the talk though?
Xev -Ad astra!- Bellringer |
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 11:15:33 [Permalink]
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quote:
Aww, too bad. Is there some way we could get a transcript of the talk though?
Seconded.
Laws of Thermodynamics:
1. You cannot win.
2. You cannot break even.
3. You cannot stop playing the game. |
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Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 11:20:12 [Permalink]
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Well, I can either attempt to record them, or take really good notes and transcribe them for a section on the website.
Hey, Kil, I may be writing a review of the Stenger lectures. Will those work?
Would like to see some more of us SFNers there too.
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There is no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our world. It underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've known. Sagan |
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 13:00:39 [Permalink]
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quote:
Well, I can either attempt to record them, or take really good notes and transcribe them for a section on the website.
Hey, Kil, I may be writing a review of the Stenger lectures. Will those work?
Would like to see some more of us SFNers there too.
Hey, my birthday is coming up; I know you guys are dying to get me something and I would just die to be able to go to this lecture... 
Laws of Thermodynamics:
1. You cannot win.
2. You cannot break even.
3. You cannot stop playing the game. |
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Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 13:11:40 [Permalink]
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quote:
Hey, my birthday is coming up; I know you guys are dying to get me something and I would just die to be able to go to this lecture...
Which lecture, there are three of them. Unfortunately, getting people tickets out here requires something I don't have - money.
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There is no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our world. It underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've known. Sagan |
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 19:46:47 [Permalink]
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I don't actually need any money but now that I think about it....
Looks like a round trip flight would cost me about $350. Say $50 per night for hotel. Hmm. You know, I never did go on vacation last summer. I'll have to give this some serious thought.
Laws of Thermodynamics:
1. You cannot win.
2. You cannot break even.
3. You cannot stop playing the game. |
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Topic Locked
