GF Spring Meeting 4: The FSM & Religiosity

Facebook event here. Campus map directions here.


What is a religion? Can it be distinguished from "fake" religions, such as the Flying Spaghetti Monster? What makes a religion fake or authentic? What exactly is the FSM parodying? Guest speakers: two of our graduate students in the religion department—Luke Johnston and Sam Snyder—presented academic conference papers about the FSM and will be leading the fray. Come on out Wed, 4/16 @ 8pm in CSE E121 and discuss these questions and more!

Time to get our freethunk on. This time we'll be discussing something inherently fun: the Flying Spaghetti Monster. For those who don't know, the FSM is (according to "Pastafarianism") the invisible and undetectable creator of the universe who happened to fabricate all evidence for evolution in order to test Pastafarians' faith. When scientific measurements like radiocarbon dating are made, the Flying Spaghetti Monster "is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage."

It just so happens that two of our graduate students in the religion department—Luke Johnston and Sam Snyder—presented papers about the FSM at the American Academy of Religion conference in San Diego last November. Luke and Sam have both agreed to lead a meeting this Wednesday introducing us to the FSM and exploring some of its implications for how we understand religious and scientific belief. For instance: What is a religion? Can it be distinguished from "fake" religions, such as the FSM? What makes a religion fake or authentic (cough cough, Scientology)? What is the difference between "good" and "bad" science, and what exactly is FSM parodying there?

Come on out this Wednesday, April 16th @ 8pm to CSE E121 for what promises to be a hilarious and engaging discussion about these and other questions. As per usual, we'll be heading out to eat/drink afterwards, so stick around for even more fun.

We'll also be conducting elections, and this is how it will work. First, we need you to nominate potential officers for next year. To do that, simply send Brandon or me a message with that person's name (no need to specify a position). Then, at the meeting, we'll ask you to rank (anonymously) the nominees in order of how much you would like to see them lead the group. Once we've figured out the group's sequence of preference, we will ask the nominees—in the order in which they appear on this sequence—which positions they would like to hold. I hope this makes sense, but if not, no worries: it's a lot simpler than it might sound.

A few months ago, USAToday and CNN carried the AP wire about our UF graduate religion students studying the FSM. Unbeknownst to these otherwise-esteem news organizations, we have our own resident Pastafarian here in GF, and he's taken to the Plaza before to preach the good news!


I love the juxtaposition against our dearly departed own Joey Johnsen.

From the CNN article, one of the UF grad students' talks is entitled, "Noodling around with Religion: Carnival Play, Monstrous Humor, and the Noodly Master." This makes me wonder if perhaps these guys saw or were influenced by this display at UF, or if it is just coincidence...?

Come find out!
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Technorati tags: Gator Freethought

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GF Spring Social: Wii? Taboo? Beer? A most holy unholy trinity.

Facebook event here. Google map directions here.

So far this semester we've discussed the intersections of religion with politics and with dating; we've considered an economic analysis of church popularity over time; but, I ask you, have we played Taboo together? Wii? Have we drunk, together and with cheer, our own BYOB beers? We have not.

This Saturday 3/29 at 10pm located on 2340 NW 16th Ave we'll be gathering to correct this egregious error. Come on out for Wii, for Guitar Hero, for Taboo, for games, for beers, for wine, for fun and for like-minded company. Please bring your own beer, wine, etc if you can (just bring a few bucks if you can't).

***UPDATE on Thursday 3/27***: Chris Mueller has graciously offered us his domicile for the party on Saturday night. He is located on 2340 NW 16th Ave. I would offer directions but I think it's better for everyone to just use google maps—just click his address above. It's only a mile from campus so biking is completely doable (that's what I'll be doing). If you're driving, *please* try to carpool because parking might get scant, but I'm sure we'll be able to fit everyone. If you'd like a ride, just post below on the wall and one of us will pick you up. :)

So far we have/need the following forms of entertainment:
- Wii (and Brawl) [Adam]
- Dr. Mario [Holly]
- Guitar Hero [WE STILL NEED THIS!--Volunteers?]
- Taboo [Ryan]
- Beer! Wine! Etc! [Everyone]
- Any other ideas?

Come on out everyone. :) We haven't done this in a long time so let's have some fun together.
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GF Spring Meeting: "Shopping for God" with Prof. James Twitchell

Facebook event here. Campus map directions here.

Dr. Twitchell, professor of English and Advertising in our very own English department, will present next Thursday (2/28, @ 8pm in NEB 101) on his latest book, "Shopping for God: How Christianity Went from In Your Heart to In Your Face," and will lead a Q&A discussion afterwards. The description of his book reads:

"Not so long ago religion was a personal matter that was seldom discussed in public. No longer. Today religion is everywhere, from books to movies to television to the internet-to say nothing about politics. Now religion is marketed and advertised like any other product or service. How did this happen? And what does it mean for religion and for our culture?

Just as we shop for goods and services, we shop for church. A couple of generations ago Americans remained in the faith they were born into. Today, many Americans change their denomination or religion, sometimes several times. Churches that know how to appeal to those shopping for God are thriving. Think megachurches. Churches that don't know how to do this or don't bother are fading away. Think mainline Protestant churches.

Religion is now celebrated and shown off like a fashion accessory. We can wear our religious affiliation like a designer logo. But, says James Twitchell, this isn't because Americans are undergoing another Great Awakening; rather, it's a sign that religion providers-that is, churches-have learned how to market themselves. There is more competition among churches than ever in our history. Filling the pew is an exercise in salesmanship, and as with any marketing campaign, it requires establishing a brand identity. Successful pastors ("pastorpreneurs," Twitchell calls them) know how to speak the language of Madison Avenue as well as the language of the Bible.

In this witty, engaging book, Twitchell describes his own experiences trying out different churches to discover who knows how to "do church" well. He takes readers into the land of karaoke Christianity, where old-style contemplative sedate religion has been transformed into a public, interactive event with giant-screen televisions, generic iconography (when there is any at all), and ample parking.

Rarely has America's religious culture been examined so perceptively and so entertainingly. Shopping for God does for religion what Fast Food Nation has done for food."

This should be really fun and engaging, and certainly a topic we've never discussed before. Dr. Twitchell is an excellent and lively speaker. Come on out next Thursday, 2/28!
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Technorati tags: Gator Freethought

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"Love, Sex, and Religion": Second Spring Discussion, this Wednesday (Feb 13, day before Valentine's Day) @ 8pm in Rinker 110

Join us this Wednesday at 8pm in Rinker 110 for a lively discussion on how our religious beliefs inform our sexual mores and values. What is the ideal relationship to you, now and later? The ideal man or woman? Are certain sexual acts sacred and others merely bestial, and if so, why? Is sexual desire natural or sinful, to be welcomed or avoided?

Essentially we'll be discussing all things love, sex, and religion this Wednesday, Feb 13 at 8pm in Rinker 110. Come on out and join us! We'll try to have refreshments available this time for sure.

**IMPORTANT**: In honor of Valentine's day the following day, we've decided to make this meeting a STOPLIGHT meeting. So if you want, wear red to signify you're taken, green to signify you're single, and yellow to signify... approach with caution. We'll go out for food/drinks afterward as always, so should be harmless fun. :)

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Roundtable Discussion on Religion and Politics, this Monday at 8pm in 303 Griffin-Floyd Hall

Join us in this Monday at 8pm—one day before the Florida primaries—for our first roundtable discussion this semester on religion and politics. How do your religious beliefs affect or inform your political ones? Are ethical issues (abortion, gay marriage) more or less important to you than issues of foreign policy, and is your preference affected by your religious standpoint? Some Republican candidates have declared their support for teaching creationism in schools—whether or not you agree, could something like this be enough to lose (or gain) them your vote? How far should politicians' own religious beliefs affect their political decisions? Do the candidates uphold the separation of church and state—why or why not?

• RSVP @ Facebook
• See meeting location pinpointed on campus map

We plan to entertain these questions and more this Monday at 8pm in the Philosophy Library (room 303 of Griffin-Floyd—see map). We'll try to have some form of refreshments as usual. Come on out join us!

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