Atheist Community of Austin Building Fund

Buy a Brick, Build a Legacy!

 

We're excited to invite you to become a part of the Atheist Community of Austin's history in a truly unique way! As we continue our journey to establish a dedicated space for reason, critical thinking, and community in Austin, Texas, we're offering you the opportunity to leave a lasting mark through our custom engraved brick fundraiser.

For 3 years during the pandemic, we shut down our building and invested heavily in A/V equipment so we could stay on the air and continue to produce content. Now that we’ve opened our doors again to our community, our building is in desperate need of maintenance and repair.

The new walkway being installed at the ACA’s Freethought Library offers an opportunity for you to be a permanent part of the future of the Atheist Community of Austin!

Purchasing a customized engraved brick is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the ACA, to or memorialize a friend or loved one, share a message, or give as a gift. The brick will be visible to all as they enter our historic building and will help ensure the building will sustain our organization for years to come as it has all these past years.

As we embrace reason and rationality, we couldn't help but be reminded of Moses and his stone tablets. Well, forget the commandments; we're introducing our own modern version! Contribute to our cause and become a part of our brick fundraiser, where your engraved messages will reign supreme, sans commandments!

There are 3 sizes of bricks available, but there is a limited supply so buy your brick soon! Use code NOGODS to get 10% off your entire order if you purchase by October 1, 2023!

Here are some suggestions or come up with your own unique ideas:

• A dedication to your favorite host/volunteer/crew member
• Your family's name
• An inspirational message
• Honoring someone who was helped by the ACA
• A message in memory of a loved one

For more details, hit this link: https://tiny.cc/acabricks

In the bustling city of Austin, Texas,
a unique gathering has been taking place at the Freethought Library located at 1507 W Koenig Lane. For secular and atheist individuals seeking a sense of community, our book club and games nights have become the perfect haven. These events provide an opportunity for like-minded people to connect, engage in thoughtful discussions, and enjoy friendly competition. 

Building Connections Through Literature
At our book club, we dive into a diverse range of books that explore various subjects, from philosophy and science to literature and personal development. Through the power of literature, we delve into thought-provoking ideas, challenge our perspectives, and engage in lively discussions. Whether you're an avid reader or someone looking to explore new topics, our book club offers a welcoming environment for sharing ideas and expanding horizons.


Igniting Laughter and Competition
Beyond the pages, our games nights are a testament to the joy of friendly competition. From classic board games to strategic card battles, there's something for everyone to enjoy. These game-filled evenings create an atmosphere of laughter, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of challenge. Whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner, our games nights are a fantastic way to unwind, have fun, and connect with fellow secular and atheist individuals.


A Welcoming Space for All
ne of the defining aspects of our book club and games nights is the warm and inclusive environment we foster. We believe in creating a space where everyone feels valued, respected, and free to express their thoughts. Regardless of your background or beliefs, we celebrate diversity and promote open-mindedness. By embracing our shared values and exploring different perspectives, we build lasting connections and friendships.

Building a Supportive Community
Beyond the intellectual stimulation and entertainment, our gatherings offer a support system for secular and atheist individuals in the Austin area. In a society where religious beliefs often dominate public discourse, it's essential to have a space where non-believers can come together, find solace, and share experiences. Our book club and games nights provide that space, offering a supportive community where members can discuss their journeys, seek advice, and find understanding.

Join Us Today Click here to find the next event!
Are you ready to join a community that celebrates secularism and atheism? We invite you to come and be a part of our vibrant book club and games nights. Whether you're searching for intellectual stimulation, meaningful conversations, or simply a night of laughter and fun, we have something for you.

Join the Atheist Community of Austin for a fun summer evening on the water, conversing with like-minded free thinkers. Meet Forest Valkai and other hosts of the The Atheist Experience, Talk Heathen, and The Non-Prophets! They'll  be onboard to mingle and chat throughout the two-hour cruise around Lady Bird Lake. The cruise will pause at the Congress Avenue Bridge at sundown for the emergence of the world's largest urban bat colony. 

Tickets are going fast! Don't delay! Get yours TODAY!

Not a member? Join or renew now! 

An interesting story from UNIVERSITY of NEBRASKA–LINCOLN:

Study shows many American atheists
hide their non-belief

6/11/23
by Chuck Green | CYFS

Research by Dena Abbott, assistant professor of counseling psychology, reveals that because American atheists continue to experience a variety of social challenges, many are uncomfortable about disclosing their non-belief. (Kyleigh Skaggs, CYFS)

The religiously unaffiliated, including atheists, are the fastest-growing (non)religious population in the United States. But the social stigma associated with atheism leaves this population vulnerable to isolation and poor mental health outcomes.

So, are you hiding your atheism..?    

Building Improvements & Upgrades!

In our ongoing effort to improve our "home", we recently added some lights to the sign in front of our building to make it easier to find in the evening and to help to let folks know we are here.

 

 

We've also added some "digital signage" in the front window which consists of a 65" video monitor in "portrait" mode that displays some of our "shorts" content as well as logos and building events:

We plan to change out the window with a single pane of glass and put in some trim around the monitor to make it more seamlessly sit in that window area.

A total of two of these digital sign monitors were donated and a second is planned to be installed in the window to the left of the door to help draw even more attention and to advertise the shows and events we are having!

We also added some new flags that we put out on show days along with a roadside sign to help guide folks to the building and parking areas.

 

When you visit, be sure to check out the back theater area under the dappled shade of the trees!

 

If you haven't had a chance to visit the Freethought Library, you should really plan to. It is so much fun!  

Oklahoma is facing backlash from atheists and other groups that are vowing to sue the state for approving the nation's first religiously affiliated public charter school.

The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved the application of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School on Monday, marking the first time a state had approved a religiously affiliated charter school. The effort was championed by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK), who praised the approval of the new charter school as a "win for religious liberty."

More details about this troubling development can be found in this story from the FFRF:

https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/42308-ffrf-sounds-alarm-over-okla-ok-to-catholic-charter-school

An encouraging story from NPR includes the following:

"Boomers are about 20% 'nones' and Gen Z is about 45% 'nones,' so you're just seeing this kind of slow wave sweep across America," says Burge, who is himself a pastor with the American Baptist Church. He believes about a third of the country's 350,000 Christian congregations are "on the brink of extinction."

"Every year the pews are getting emptier and the collection plates getting lighter," he says. "We're going to see thousands of churches closing in America over the next 20 or 30 years in every part of the country, in every region and every state, urban, suburban, rural."

I am reminded of a quote from Madalyn Murray O'Hair:

“An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An atheist believes that deed must be done instead of prayer said. An atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanished, war eliminated.” 

Might be a good idea to convert those empty churches into regional medical clinics or section 8 housing, eh?

And here's the entire NPR story:

https://www.npr.org/2023/05/17/1175452002/church-closings-religious-affiliation

So here's another example of religious privilege pushing its way into secular spaces. Here's a link to the article:

https://baptistnews.com/article/texas-is-first-step-in-a-national-plan-to-install-chaplains-in-public-schools-instead-of-professional-counselors/

And here's an excerpt:

Texas is first step in a national plan to install ‘chaplains’ in public schools instead of professional counselors

NEWSMARK WINGFIELD | APRIL 20, 2023

A Texas proposal to allow unlicensed “chaplains” to take the place of public school counselors undermines religious liberty, according to Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and others.

The Texas Legislature is considering House Bill 3614 and Senate Bill 763, which would allow Texas schools to hire chaplains to perform the work of school counselors but without any required certification, training or experience.

A headline from CNN today:

Texas Senate passes bill requiring public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments

The Texas Senate passed a bill Thursday requiring each public school classroom to display a copy of the Ten Commandments, a move that drew backlash from civil liberty advocates who say lawmakers should not dictate what religious materials students are exposed to.

The legislation, which passed the state Senate on a 17-12 vote, will now head to the state’s House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 1515, authored by state Sen. Phil King, a Republican, requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in a “conspicuous place” in each classroom in a “size and typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom.”

King has previously said the bill will help restore religious liberties “that were lost” and it “reminds students all across Texas of the importance of a fundamental foundation” of America.

The full story is here:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/22/us/texas-senate-passes-bill-ten-commandments/index.html

From this article in the Washington Post comes this hopeful headline:

Latinos leaving Catholicism and organized religion, study says

"Latinos, like the rest of the country, are increasingly leaving church pews. About 30 percent of Latino adults are not religiously affiliated — a dramatic increase from just 10 percent in 2010, according to a new Pew Research Center report."

Here's hoping that once we remove magical thinking from the process, that more logical processes will prevail!