Announcement List for the Virginia Atheists & Agnostics

[John Kubinski <>]

Hello thar VAA,

After break, we're ready to start up again this week, and want to let you know what we have planned going forward.

First of all, we will be having a regular meeting this week to (a) discuss skepticism, and (b) talk about Skepticon V, and how the VAA can get you there! To advance these objectives, we'll be watching a talk from the last Skepticon (IV) about how to be wary and critical of one's own beliefs, or "Self-Skepticism." The talk is by Spencer Greenberg who co-authors the "Ask A Mathematician" blog, and writes about self-improvement through rational thinking for SpencerGreenberg.com.

Our meeting will held in New Cabell 411, at 7:00 P.M. on 10/16.

What is Skepticon you ask? It is the nation's biggest annual convention for skeptics and freethinkers. Year after year, it's grown to wonderful new heights, bringing hundreds of people from around the country together to celebrate skepticism and partake in the pleasures of rationality. There will be a host of excellent speakers on thinking skeptically, practicing rationality, and straight up debunking bad beliefs like religion, the paranormal, conspiracies, etc. We'll be talking about it more at the meeting, as the VAA will be organizing a trip to this incredible event! Also, more info here: http://www.skepticon.org/. The dates of the event are November 9th-11th.

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Want to live in the VAA House next year?

As some of you know, the "VAA House" is currently a house on Preston Avenue (1034A) where 6 VAAers live together and share the pleasures of secular fraternizing. We feel that this is a tradition well-worth maintaining to promote community within the group, and to provide a comfortable venue for homely social events. If you think you would be interested in exploring the possibility of living with other VAA members and carrying on this precedent, please e-mail our Social Media Officer, Kenneth Hawes (). He is a current resident of the house, and is interested in living with VAAers again next year. Think about it, and seek details. If you haven't yet been to the house and would like to come by, we'd love offer you a tour. We would prefer to keep the house co-ed as it is now, so all genders are encouraged to apply!

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What will the VAA be doing for the rest of the semester?

Here's a brief sketch. We have some guest speakers who will be coming, ranging from a Christian philosopher this month to an atheistic evolutionary psychologist the next. Both will offer their (differing) perspectives on religious belief, and should start some very interesting conversations for all parties concerned. In November, we're planning on hosting a public event like an Ask an Atheist Panel, to again make our presence known here on grounds and represent the atheist point(s)-of-view. Of course, there is also Skepticon V as mentioned above, which is a big trip we're planning for November.

And something of more immediate importance...

VAA Halloween Party!

In our recognizable blasphemous style, we will be embracing the festivities of Halloween full-on. A party held at the VAA house will take place October 26th. Mark your calendars, and start planning out those sacrilegious costume ideas, if it pleases you. More info shall ensue.

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Well damn, this email is officially long enough.

See you tonight!

Loquaciously yours,

John Kubinski

VAA President