Readings

About the Event

Meeting 5

West Michigan Skeptics Rob & Kim Adamczyk, Howard Foster, Don & Vicki Hansen, Charley Moore, Jeff Seaver.

Charley brought a rhubarb pie for the second time in a row and it was enjoyed by all except for Rob, who had fresh brownies, made by the hostess, and yogurt ice cream. One of the more momentous and grave matters that was discussed tonight dealt with the word rhubarb. The question was raised as to why a dispute is sometimes called a rhubarb, especially in baseball. Webster’s New Work Dictionary says: (Slang) a heated discussion or argument. It also said that in early radio broadcasts, it was the practice to repeat rhubarb to simulate crowd noises. Webster’s 3rd New International Dictionary gives this example: an out-of-the-way sparsely populated countrified area (the slick chick from the deep rhubarb).

To be more serious: On a tape recorder Jeff played a couple of messages from his home phone mail that supported his letter to the editor. His letter criticized a headline that stressed divine intervention in a situation, instead of citing the actual life saving techniques that were successful. Jeff also distributed a full page letter from an individual agreeing with his letter.

Jeff read portions from The Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan, which described a cosmic year, showing the earth’s known history as a miniscule part of the year. Also read was how the chimps could sign to express their opinions, needs and wants. The Seven Mighty Blows to Traditional Beliefs by A.J. Matil, was described by Jeff.

Howard read a portion of sinful politics by Socrates. He also added that by watching the news on TV he was able to list 13 evils one should be aware of.

Jeff reviewed the movie, “Contact”, a science fiction story based on a Carl Sagan book, which he found very interesting because it deals rather bluntly and directly with religious beliefs.

Rob, who we learned had memorized the book of Peter (!) asked what, from an agnostic and atheist perspective, one would say to a child who had a fatal illness. Some of the answers suggested were: that to be honest we would have to say we are not sure what happens; that we return to the make-up of the earth (as Biblical writings indicate); that we become spiritual beings (realizing that spiritual may have various meanings.). Rob said that he found the movie “Lion King” significant in this regard.

Charley asked what do we live for? What is one’s purpose in life? Some of the reasons given were: to leave the world a little better place; to provide for and enhance the existence of one’s family; to wait to get up in the morning to seek answers to questions. Jeff and Howard added that when they left Christianity, it was a great uplifting. Rather than having guilt feelings, they said they got a new zest and enthusiasm for life and its meaning. Based on a conversation that Charley had with Howard Van Till, a Calvin professor, who wrote The Fourth Day, he expressed an interest in attending one of our upcoming meetings.

Next meeting will be at Adamczyks, Wednesday, 9-10-97 at 6:30 p.m.