Introductions

[Brennan]

Hi,
I'm a second-year engineering student.
I’m an atheist; I find that too much evidence needs to be ignored in order to simply have faith.

If anything curiosity brought me here. I agreed with your message that you believe morality is defined absent of religion. Personally I don’t need religion as a crutch for false hope. 

Actually the only reason I began reading these flyers was because people I knew said there was event postings for free food, … etc.
I work at Applebee's, and Mikkelsen Coward. But Applebee's may not last too long.

[Killbot9]

My name is Nicholas
4rth year Biochemistry honors student
my interests include MMA, NBA, watching movies (Shaun of the Dead; Simon Pegg is a genius, and any John Carpenter film) and reading when I have some spare time... which is not to often because university is a pain in the ass.
I'm an atheist (in the definitive sense), and I am skeptic towards all religious dogma and all religious "science".
I'm agree with the theory of evolution, I don't like to say I believe in the theory of evolution.
I don't think religion should be abolished I just think they should keep there fantastic nonsense to themselves and let the sheep come to the shepherd if you catch my drift.
I saw the old "can an omnipotent being make a rock so big he can't lift it" question and I thought wow, this bullshit again. So I had to see what it was all about.

Oh yea I've recently been debating a friend, who is a creationist, over evolution... I hate to let them think there is anything worth debating but it sure wastes a lot of time before jeopardy comes.

[redpen]

Hey MASH,

I'm Shaun Dyck.  I've been a student at the U of W for about 8 or so years.  A classic lifer.  The thing is, I'm not leaving with a medical degree.  Instead I'm picking away at an honours history degree, taking classes in the evening.  6 credits to go.

My interests include learning about a variety of topics, including political science, sociology, psychology, human and physical geography, economics, anthropology, education and so on.  I suppose with regard to skepticism and religion, I study the claims made by religious Mennonite historians, that is tha social life in Mennonite communities is primarily directed by faith (I grew up in a Altona).  I try to unpack these claims using Marxist investigative tools and through other rational means.  I also enjoy bow hunting, fishing and playing the piano.

I've long been an agnostic that didn't give matters of faith much thought.  Then, after reading Dawkins "The God Delusion" and after listening to many hours of the "Skepticality Podcast" and the "Point of Inquiry" podcast (both thoughtfull and well produced programs), these issues became more interesting.  Now, I'd consider myself a secular humanist coming from a socialist angle.  Philosophically, I'd say Marx informs much of how I approach issues, but his work is incomplete.  Basically my philosophical beliefs aren't at this point very well developed.

I hope through MASH, I could develop that philosophical perspective.  Plus, it'd be nice to speak with or meet real living atheists/secular humanists/agnostics.  I live in the bush, an hour south of the city and most of my friends and all of my immediate family are in the bible belt.  There, belief is basically assumed of everyone.  Only how is variable.  It seems to me that bringing up atheism or secular humanism there is asking for a lot of conflict.  It'll be nice to hear what you guys have to say about atheism and secular humanism.

For work, I work at home as a full-time as a potter.

Have a good one
Shaun

[ParanoidAndroid]

Hello all,

My name is Kyle. I am a second year business student (Asper School).
It'd be an understatement to say that I'm an avid music fanatic. I play the guitar (electric and acoustic) and obsess over bands such as Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, among others. I am also a big fan a Stanley Kubrick as far as movies go.

Philosophicially, I am agnostic. I live in a heavily Christian rural town. I've found it very oppressive, and as a result havent really "come out" with my beliefs with many people. Its great to find a group of like-minded people. I liked Karl Marxs' quote "Religion is the opiate for the masses".

Anyway, Im looking forward to talking/meeting with some of you guys.

Take it easy,
Kyle

[X]

... it'd be nice to speak with or meet real living atheists/secular humanists/agnostics.

You have to be very careful.  The legendary atheist is a skittish breed, only marginally more apporachable than the fearsome Jackalope.  I'd recommend a box trap, decorated to look like a Tim Hortons, and baited with donuts.  Just be careful to keep it out of sight of Police officers, as they could trigger it prematurely.
That should help you find a real living athiest.

Of course, if you're willing to relax your standards a little, the bow hunting you do could bag you a real, almost-living atheist.  Just disguise yourself as Richard Dawkins, and shoot when they got close.

[Rachel]

Hello, my name is Rachel and I'm in 3rd year Food Science.  I love anything that will expand my mind - any kind of music i can derive some sort of meaning from, reading, thinking, questioning, debating etc etc.  I love going on adventures and discovering new (at least to me) and interesting things in Winnipeg and also in the world in general (there actually ARE some cool things in Winnipeg, who knew?).  I love to travel.  I've been to Europe twice and go on several small trips a year.  My plan is to travel the world.. haha cliche.  Whatever.  I'm definitely agnostic.  I am very against religion as it is way too humanized.  I can't say one way or another whether god exists, but I believe there is something greater than us.  Basically, I just think that there is way too much that we haven't figured out yet. 

As for MASH... I was browsing through student groups and thought this one might be interesting... I work for the government... culture heritage branch.  Do a bunch of random office work. 

So that about sums me up!

[wordwan]

Dear X. Isn't it gonna be a tad hard for you to show up at movies and meetings, if you are an X? *grin*

My name is Heather. I am not a student at this school, though I am involved with a group called icePIRG. Consider me a community resource. I find things for people. *grin* icePIRG, an alternate resource for researchers (apparently), is currently, in a somewhat dormant state and one reason I came onboard. One faction of that group is looking for writers. Do we have any writers here? I'll pass you along to Marcel. He was soliciting submissions for a newsletter called uncoiled. There are three previous issues of this item, if you wish to find out about it.

I, myself, am also into writing. I am on a website called urbis.com and I am also planning to be involved with a website to mentor writers, called aldwyn.com. It is presently under construction. More on that where applicable.

Pleased to meet you all.

I am taking a look at this group. It seems interesting. I'll try to be by for the movie night. What other kind of nosh (food) would you like? I'll see if I can bring some, this Thursday, right?

Question: What is your definition, each one of you, above, of a humanist?

And is this group to be nothing more than an opposite reaction to the fact that you AREN'T religious? Curious.

I believe in something bigger than myself. I am part of a larger essence. God? I am not too sure. I merely know we all connect in some way and I'd like to explore that aspect of the world. Been doing so for a long time. I'm not sure about altruism, but I do seem to enjoy finding the things that people need.

What do you need?

Negativity? No. I have no plan to mock the Christers. That makes me little more than they. Though to you previously employed Christers, I can appreciate your frustration. I'm willing to listen to your stories. I'm sure it was never easy.

But I will not fight the Christers. They do their thing; I shall do mine. In fact, I deal with a lot of Christers; as they seem to travel in the same circles I do. But am I one of them? No, only by my actions, not by any of their beliefs.

Unless you consider 'being kind' an exclusive belief of any one faction.

Understand them? Realize there are important ideas being parlayed from a book we call the bible; but understanding that it is sometimes the INTERPRETATIONS of said bible that are causing us grief. The rules and rituals that have come along to unnerve us in many ways?

Jesus was a man. I am rather sure of that. He had some humanist ideas, to my view. Whether his needing to be a son of a god matters, I don't know.

All I know is we spend too much coin on hate; all of us. Why is that?

Thanks.

Heather
wordwan
http://www.youtube.com/wordwan

[Admin]: I've started a new topic to discuss these interesting questions here

[Mhaddaka]

Hey all,

Just today, I walked past an interesting poster talking about the upcoming movie night. The club seemed neat, and so I decided to satsify my curiousity by browsing this website.

My name is Sasha, and I am doing a degree in genetics.

I would say it is hard to pick a philosophical stance (almost like picking a religion). I dont believe that I have enough information to really make any conclusion, and so it seems that the only thing I can do is try to be open minded and analytical of what I hear and think.

To think about our world in all the intricate ways that it functions and exists is mind boggling, if not impossible. We dont have any answers, but, for me, it is at least somewhat comforting to know that truth exists whether we know what it is or not. 'Things are' for a reason. Even if that reason is random chance.

Some of my interests are reading, discussions, guitar (russian bardic), other music,  sculpture, sketching, physical anthropology, primatology, good movies, the way things work, ideas, stories...

I will try to make it to the movie night. I have heard that Jesus Camp is supposed to be very interesting...although pretty creepy.

[ebell]

Hello, my name is Erin.  I'm in my 10th year of 'dammit, I knew I should have gone to university', so I hope I am still eligible to be a member.  As briefly as possible...one side of my family is entirely atheist, and the other side is made up of what I will call 'fairly liberal christians'.  I grew up in Steinbach (gag), and actually don't live far from there now.  I attended Sunday school until I kicked and screamed enough that they stopped making me go (i think I was about 7...haha).  I don't actually remember this, but my Granddad said that when I was 5 or 6 I asked him "if god created the universe, then who created god?" (I was a pretty intense child by all accounts).  Then of course there was the high-school incident (see my post on 'telling friends and family').  Since graduating high school, I've lived in Nova Scotia, on Vancouver Island, and several places in between.  I'm sort of a student of the world (as cheesey as that sounds).

All in all, nobody can say that my stance on religion is based on any lack of information.  I've been well exposed to my options, but have always been certain in my beliefs (or lack thereof).  I am absolutely without a doubt an atheist, and proud to be so.  I certainly don't lack imagination, but my thought process is based on logic, and religion in general just never seemed very logical to me.  Not enough proof, and in my opinion, too much evidence against it.  I agree with the theory of evolution, and believe in the laws of science and the power of nature.  I find learning about different religions interesting, but to me it all just seems like a work of fiction...sometimes even stretching to comedy.

I'm all for people believing whatever they feel to be true...whatever helps them sleep at night.  So long as nobody tries to tell me what I should believe, I really have no problem.  Live and let live.  "Make love, not war" and all that.  I see it as more of a personal choice, and have never understood why it has to be such a big issue.  I wish everyone would just RELAX!!

Okay, something about me that doesn't pertain to religious beliefs.  I've had quite a variety of jobs, and probably always will.  There are just far too many things that I want to do and learn and experience...I haven't managed yet to find one thing that I can see myself doing forever.  For the last year I've been working at a lumber yard as basically the office manager (among other things), and also do some house painting on the side (that's what i did for about 4 years before where I am now).  I love movies, and am obsessed with music (from Pink Floyd to Elton John to My Chemical Romance...basically anything except country and jazz).  I play the piano (although a bit rusty now), and also like to sketch, paint, knit & crochet...anything creative, and i love to cook and bake.  Oh, and apparently I talk a LOT!  lol

I would love to meet all of you.  I found out a little too late to make it to movie night, but I'll keep watching for the next event.  Don't be strangers!

[Gerry]

Hi... My name is Gerry...
All I can say is that I wish there was an Atheist/Skeptic organization when I was attending the U of M.
I studied Computer Science at the U of M for 5 years, but never graduated. I would currently be considered late in my 3rd year if I returned to my studies. Had to work less than a full course load in order to work and pay the rent.

Anyways. Back to why I'm here... I've been a skeptic since I was young.
I can't ever remember a time when I really believed in a god. I went along with it, being a young kid you're not allowed to question such things.

Strangely, I credit my iPod for my re-invigorated sense of skepticism. I've found some great podcasts and they got me interested in looking to see if any skeptical organizations exist here in Winnipeg.

I don't know anyone else personally who I'd call a skeptic, and I've gotten tired of feeling like the oddball... Actually, the others seem like the oddballs to me. 

I'm a pretty quiet person, but am interested some discussions that don't end up in my frustration after trying to explain what seems obvious to me.... (a-la claims of "alternative medicines", "The Secret", fear of vaccines, belief in the paranormal, etc.)

People never cease to amaze me with their willingness to accept unfounded claims without a critical thought.

[Ares]

Hey my name is Scott and I’m a second year Arts student. I guess I would consider myself an Agnostic. I’m against a lot of stuff that the church does i.e. stance on gay marriage/abortion. I don’t think that the bible is completely useless but am strongly sceptical about most of the Old Testament in particular genesis. Although at the end of the day I still hold out hope for divine presence in this world and after.

This group in particular caught my attention because I really do enjoy discussing important and relevant topics. Look forward to talking with you all!

[Jason]

My name is Jason Hatherly.

I'm a 1st year law student (previous degree in philosophy).

I enjoy cycling (freestyle bmx and road) and philosophizing.  I'm a closet gamer: rpgs, fps, rts.

I'm a naturalist, atheistic.

I was attracted to MASH because she had pretty eyes.  I enjoy the company of contemplative and non-religious/theistic individuals.

I'm a Joint Program Coordinator for U of M's Pro-Bono Students Canada operations.

My day was long.

[Evilutionist]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Brian and I’ve returned to the UofM for my second degree, this time in honors psychology on my way to a degree in Neuroscience. I was inspired by the research of V.S. Ramachandran who has done a lot of fascinating work on phantom limbs, and brain disorders such as prosopagnosia and blindsight.

I’ve been heavily interested in the evolution/creation “debate” for a number of years now. I grew up with Catholic parents and saw the world through a “god lense” from an early age. However, in July of 2005 I put my beliefs through some intense scrutiny and came out as an agnostic, and then eventually an atheist. It was an essay by Richard Carrier titled “Why I Am Not A Christian” which finally put the nail in the coffin on my theistic belief. Although not without its flaws, it articulated a lot of thoughts I had been having for a while.

Since that time I’ve spent a lot of my free time on discussion forums such as ChristianForums.net and Internet Infidels. I mostly avoid the redundancy of philosophical debates like the ontological argument, free will, and the cosmological argument these days. However, I do enjoy debating the lack of worth of the The Bible as a source of objective morality. Mainly though, I enjoy a good YEC bashing.

When I’m not discussing atheism and evolution and partaking in online freethought groups, I enjoy a good game of poker (good being when I win), watching movies, going for a beer, things like that.

What helped me find MASH was a talk with my friend Janice Rael (aka. EverLastingGodStopper) a prominent Separation of Church and State activist in the U.S. We were just chatting and I mentioned I was interested in starting a freethought group at my university. She suggested I check out http://secularstudents.org/ and found you through there. It’s great that you’ve started this board and I’m looking forward to being an active member.

Cheers

[Feminist Wife?]

Hi folks,

I'm a professional artist, Feminist and a Humanist. 

I was 12 when my Catholic church brought a group of us into a basement the evening before our Confirmation and made us watch a bunch of pro-life films.  Unfourtunatly for them, the films had the opposite of their desired effect and I realized then and there in that darkened church basement that it was all over for me and Christianity. 

I am not, nor have I ever been a student at the U of M, but I've lived in Winnipeg my whole life.  I've joined the forum specifically because I need help with a sudden problem that's come up that I think folks here might be able to help me with, but I'll save that for another post.  I was Googling "Manitoba Athiests," so here I am. 

[gliagirl]

Okay. Here goes. My name is Megan. I am a social work student/philosophy minor with a background caregiving for seniors and working in psychiatric mental health. Some of my hobbies include playing pool and dancing (I grew up dancing, about a ten year background in ballet, jazz, modern dance, etc. I also enjoy learning everything I possibly can about anatomy and physiology and natural medicine. I came to this website because I thought it could be a good place to discuss different social and political matters with people with different points of view. As far as religion is concerned, I am going to have to skip discussions on this matter. I do not wish to discuss my religious views. I do not see any point in discussing this issue. In fact, I was going to mention the one and only philosopher in history that I agree on in matters of religion, but since you all are sharp little cookies, you would probably be able to derive my personal views on religion quite easily. Anyways, sugar bees, that's the rap on me. I have 4 siblings. That are all quite insane, especially my physics maniac brother with massive anxiety problems. Well peace out