Second Day at Free Tulsa Music Festival

Once again, I was at the Humanist booth at the Free Tulsa Music Festival today. I arrived shortly after 3 pm, and it was very hot at that time. At had been there half an hour when a young person came up to the table and started asking questions. Also at about the same time a second person came to the table and started talking with person number one.

Person number two was a like-minded freethinker. The two carried on a long conversation, each defending his side of the argument over the Bible, free will, evolution, church/state separation, and other related topics. I asked the young believer to look at www.skepticsannotatedbible.com when he got home. Can anyone view this site and still think that the Bible is the "word of God?"

Kenny once again provided food for those who worked the table. We had fixings for turkey sandwiches, cantaloupe, and watermelon.

It was a scorcher today, but fortunately we had a strong fan giving us a cooling breeze.

Kenny had my shirt ready which I had ordered from him. It is a baseball style jersey with a picture of the twin towers of the World Trade Center with the words "Imagine No Religion" superimposed upon the scene. Below that was the Tulsa Atheist logo.

At the Free Tulsa Music Festival

From right to left: William Poire, Bill Dusenberry, and Bob Hooper.

TAM, 7-25-10

It was close to 1 pm when Kenny called the meeting of the Tulsa Atheist Meetup to order. Kenny said he had purchased a canopy to be used at the Free Tulsa Music Festival next weekend to be held in the vicinity of Cain’s Ballroom. The portion due from HAT will be $66.67. A two-day ticket to attend the Festival will cost $15, but those working at the Festival get in free. Ticket price includes a t-shirt. Kenny said he would like to have more volunteers.

Our group will have a prime spot among the vendors. We will have two canopy tents. I assume the other tent will be that of HAT. If you intend to work the first part of either day, please be there at 2:30 pm.

The mid-month social gathering will be held at the Delta Café. A poll was taken to see how many people lived close to which Delta Café. The results were split almost evenly among the two locations. Check the TAM web site to find which location will be the one chosen.

Next Will spoke to the group. He is sponsoring the Atheist Hotline. He said our group now is on Facebook.

Nick Singer, president of Oklahoma Atheists, addressed our group. He said his group is made up mostly of young people who are activists. Plans for a gathering of both groups in Stroud could not be worked out, he said.

Next, Stan Young addressed the group. He spoke about a book titled Three Lives of a Warrior written by Phil Butler. He also referred to a Dana French, whose name I Googled. There were several people by this name, so if Mr. Young would like to include something about Mr. French, I invite Mr. Young to add it by attaching a comment to this blog entry.

Next, Bill Dusenberry spoke to the group. Bill spoke on the Boy Scouts issue and the hospitals issue. He mentioned that around September 1 a billboard will be erected calling attention to the fact that Oklahoma at one time had an atheist representing us in the U.S. Senate. He mentioned that Freethought Radio is available at AM 540. Dan Barker or Anne Laurie Gaylor will be making a trip to Tulsa in conjunction with a billboard to be erected at approximately 14th and the BA Expy. Plans are in the works to bring Rob Boston to Tulsa.

There was some discussion of 12-step recovery programs, the Secular Organization for Sobriety, and Alcoholics Anonymous. Three videos or books were cited by advocates within our group: Decoding the Language of God, Veiled Atrocities, and Why We Fight.

There was some discussion of our library and the absence of our librarian.

These are the highlights that caught my attention. As always, you are welcome to add your own comments by using the comment feature below

Street Tabling: A Learning Tool

[The following article is taken from the July/August 2010 newsletter of the New York City Atheists.]

I recommend, for those who want to strengthen their confidence and skills in dealing with the public, that they consider joining our [New York City] street tabling group on Saturdays. In good weather, we pitch our tent at Columbus Circle, hang up our banners, set out our chairs and prepare to meet the public. It is only recently that I realized that street tabling is probably the most valuable tool we have in learning how to deal with, and communicate to, the non-Atheist community. You can get experience in telling people that you are an Atheist and why; you can rehearse your responses while answering the questions of the people who approach our table. Oddly enough, we get many new members via our street tabling, which shows me that some of our regular tablers have gotten quite proficient. In any case, tabling is a good first step before dealing with your parents or work colleagues. Street tabling is, indeed, a mini-classroom for people who want to build up their confidence, communication skills or interpersonal skills. It makes you aware of what people are interested in learning about Atheists, what reservations they have and how they perceive Atheists.

Street tabling can prepare you for participating in panels, organizing events or volunteering for political candidates who respect our goals.

And truth be told, street tabling is an easy way to “come out.” You are out there with a group of Atheist friends, chatting it up and having fun. You are telling non-Atheists, if they ask, why you are an Atheist and the wonderful delusion-free, selfdetermined Atheist way of life. You are actually out as an Atheist. Free at last.

So come join us on good-weather Saturdays, wear your Atheist tee shirt or cap, think about Harvey Milk and begin your life-long journey toward building a better society based on reality.