Secularism in Alberta
Next time we’ll be talking about the state of secularism with Cliff Erasmus, Executive Chair of the Centre for Inquiry Alberta.
With the recent launch of the “There’s Probably No God” bus ads in Calgary, atheism has hit Alberta’s mainstream media.
But why is it so important to talk about it now? What’s going on in the province that’s bringing the atheists, humanists and other secularly-focused folks out of the woodwork?
Could it be the teaching of creationism in our small-town public schools? Or the fact that megachurches from Texas have recently moved in? Or is it a product of a more general cultural shift?
Find out what Albertans are up to on the all new next Skeptically Speaking (formerly known as Q Transmissions), every Friday at 6pm on CJSR.
Note: Yes friends, we have a new name, a new format and a new website going LIVE this week! Keep checking this blog for details.
Or follow us on twitter at SkepticalRadio!
Atheists in Foxholes with Paul Welke
The Atheists in Foxholes podcast with Paul Welke is now available for download here.
A summary of the posts relating to this episode:
PZ Myers: Post-show links and such
Thanks again to PZ for being a wonderful guest and allowing me to keep him on the phone for over an hour.
Here’s some information about the debate:
Does God Exist – Featuring PZ Myers and Kirk Durston
Monday, January 26, 2009
5:30pm – 7:30pm
ETLC E1-001 University of Alberta
The cost for students is $2, non-students, $5. CFI Friends of the Center are free. All profits will be donated to a local charity.
For more information, visit the University of Alberta Atheists and Agnostics website here.
Directions to the event from a kind campus-based skeptic:
If you are coming by car the best place to park would be Windsor Car Park, which is on 116 st and 92 ave. Outside, you’ll see NINT and Chemical Materials Engineering. If you walk between the two of them, ETLC will be the first building on your right, after Chemical Materials Engineering.
If you are coming by bus, get off by St Joseph’s College, the first stop after the bus turns left past the Butterdome. Keep SUB on your left and follow the outside wall until you are on the far side and can see Agriculture and Forestry Centre. Keep AgFor on your left and follow a wide road toward the Computer Science Centre. Follow the road between CSC and AgFor and ETLC should be straight ahead.
Adventurous or cold attendees can enter SUB and try to follow the pedways to ETLC.
It sounds a little confusing, but that’s just how the place is laid out. All of the buildings should have signs posted outside them though, and there is a map here. ETLC is in C3/D3.
PZ will actually be in Calgary on Sunday, before he hits Edmonton. Find out more about his lecture on protecting evolution education in public schools here.
The JREF post I mentioned before the interview, about Obama’s inauguration speech, is here.
Update: you can listen to this episode online here.
Next Show: Interview with Dr. PZ Myers
Next episode we’ll be speaking to Dr. PZ Myers, author of the scienceblog Pharyngula: evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal.
We’ll be speaking to PZ about creationism, the existence of god and being an outspoken atheist in an increasingly fundamentalist society.
Join us on the next Q Transmissions, every Friday at 6pm on CJSR.
Song Contest VOTE!
In order to be as equitable and transparent as possible, we at Q Transmissions have decided to turn the song contest over to the will of the people.
All you have to do to be a part of this historic occasion is:
1. Listen to the contest submissions here.
2. Vote for your favorite entry here.
The deadline for voting is January 16 at 4pm. We’ll announce the results that day on the show.
Vote early and vote often!
Contest Time
Q Transmissions wants YOU to sing us what is sure to be the next smash hit on the Skeptical charts… Fervent Unbeliever!
For the lyrics and music to the song, go here. Thanks, Miss Prism!
Perform your best rendition. Speed it up, slow it down, sing it in any genre. Play with the lyrics and ad lib. Sing it to different music altogether.
Use YouTube, your blackberry, your laptop… it doesn’t matter how you do it as long as we hear your lovely (or not so lovely) voice serenading us. Like this!
Get all the fame and prestige that a skeptical talk-show on a community radio station can provide. And a prize!
The winner (or winners if there’s more than one individual singing the winning version) can have their choice of one of the sexy new pieces of Q Transmissions merchandise.
Yes, that’s a pillow. You can use it to curl up on the couch with while you listen to our show.
Please email your mp3 or video (or a link) to q (at) cjsr (dot) com.
Contest ends January 2nd, and we’ll announce the winning entry January 9th.
Q Transmissions 
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