The weekly report on the SPI Coalition
by Julie Esris

Is God dead? Does he even exist? It depends who you ask. Recently, SPI Coalition member┬áOklahoma Atheists hosted a debate over the existence of God, inspired by points made in the film┬áGod’s Not Dead.

And speaking of death, is it moral to extend life at all costs, even by artificial means? If you could live forever, would you want to? These and other important issues are examined by public speaker D.J. Grothe in an event hosted by SPI Coalition Member Institute for Science and Human Values. A video of this event is now available on YouTube.Person-CFI-Grothe-DJ

Did you know that SPI Coalition member Atheist Foundation of Australia has a podcast? In the most recent episode of AtheistAus, we hear from Melbourne singer-songwriter Shelly Segal about her new album, Strange Feeling. Her previous releases also have cool names, such as Little March and even An Atheist Album!

Ireland continually faces a problem of discrimination against atheists in state-funded schools. But who is to blame? SPI Coalition member Atheist Ireland recently has realized that the Department of Education and the Department of Justice are blaming each other for this problem! Why? What can be done about this he-said-she-said mentality?

Sometimes religious organizations manage to sneak their way into American public schools, or sometimes American public schools promote school prayer. Where are the organizations┬áto give parents and children a secular option? That’s what SPI Coalition member┬áParent Teacher Community Action Network is for. Find a chapter near you or learn how to start your own.┬ácommunity-meeting02

SPI Coalition Member The Pink Triangle Trust is an organization that strives to promote humanism and, of course, LGBTQ rights. But like all non-profit organizations, Pink Triangle Trust needs your help. Please consider donating to help their important cause.

And while you’re helping support The Pink Triangle Trust, why not also help support SPI Coalition Member┬áHumanist Association of Ireland? Remember, every donation┬ácounts!

SPI Coalition Member Humanist Association of British Columbia maintains an original blog. In their most recent post, they examined the low HPV vaccination rate in Catholic schools. This is just one of the many scientific and humanist issues that they tackle.

Multiculturalism is usually regarded as a progressive idea in liberal circles. Any dissemination is often deemed racist. Where does multiculturalism end and “tolerance for intolerance” begin? Swedish academic┬áG├Âran Adamson attempts to answer these questions in his new book,┬áThe Trojan horse : a leftist critique of multiculturalism in the West. SPI Coalition member┬áConway Hall┬ágives a great overview of this book in case you’re considering reading it.

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Why is drug addiction treated differently than food addiction? asks Jon Lindgren of SPI Coalition Member Red River Freethinkers. Read his compelling argument for the legalization of drugs, and why this would ultimately better society.