Unsinkable Atheism - Atheist Alliance 2008 Convention

[Synnical]

I've never been to an AAI Convention - this looks very cool and fun. I like that they invite other atheist/secular organizations, unlike the American Atheist conventions. Plus, I have family in SoCal and have always wanted to stay on the Queen Mary. Definitely considering attending, if I can afford it.

Details:
http://www.margaretdowney.com/atheist_alliance_convention_2008_registration

Costs/Rates:
http://www.atheistalliance.org/conventions/2008/registration.php

2008 Atheist Alliance International Convention
~ Unsinkable Atheism ~

Unsinkable Atheism," the 14th Annual Atheist Alliance International (AAI) Convention, will be held the weekend of September 25—28, 2008 on the beautiful and historic Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in Long Beach, California.

Thursday, September 25, 2008


The AAI Board of Directors will conduct a pre-convention business session from 1:00 PM—6:00 PM. AAI Board meetings are open to the public. Observers can also join in a dinner and social hour with the Board by participating in a catered buffet meal service.

. . .

The convention officially begins on Thursday night with a unique Fun Raiser in the Grand Salon (R Deck, Midship). A secular wedding ceremony will take place at 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:30 PM). The marriage of Larry Mendoza and Rebecca Rivera will be solemnized by the Captain of the Queen Mary, Roy Sorge and AAI President Margaret Downey, who is a certified Secular Officiant.

. . .

Friday, September 26, 2008

On Friday, September 26, convention attendees can partici­pate in a number of activities:

1. AAI Board Meeting (9:00 AM—5:00 PM)

All AAI Board meetings are open to the public. Observers can also join in a noontime social luncheon with the Board by participating in a catered buffet meal service.

. . .

2. Blood Drive

Ken Bronstein AAI board member and president of New York City Atheists and David Cottun, member of Atheists United, are coordinating a "Gift of Life" event beginning at 10:00 AM. Blood will be drawn until 4:00 PM in the Board Room (Promenade Deck, Midship).

. . . .

3. Queen Mary Exhibits and Area Attractions
Please visit the following website for descriptions of the many attractions available through the Queen Mary and in the Long Beach Harbor area:

www.QueenMary.com/index.php?page=prices


On-board tours include a Haunted Encounters Tour, Ghosts and Legends show, Ghost Sighting Scavenger Hunt, Behind-the-Scenes of World War II Guided Tour, free self-guided tours, and much more. In addition, a free trolley service, known as the Long Beach Passport, is available to take tourists to and from the Queen Mary, stopping at a shopping mall (Shoreline Village), the Aquarium of the Pacific, restaurants, and other local attractions. The trolley leaves the Queen Mary every 15 minutes on the quarter-hour.

4. Locks of Love

AAI President Margaret Downey will coordinate a Locks of Love event. Willing donors must agree to have at least 10 inches of hair cut, collected and sent to the Locks of Love non-profit organization. The hair will be used to create wigs for cancer patients.

. . .

5. Shop at the EvolveFish Store
The EvolveFish store (www.EvolveFish.com) will open at noon on Friday. Visit them in the exhibition hall in front of the Grand Salon (R Deck, Midship).

Friday Night Happy Hour, Opening Ceremony and Plenary


The Friday Night Happy Hour (cash bar and complimentary vegetable crudités with assorted dips) starts at 6:00 PM in the Grand Salon (R Deck, Midship).


. . .

The Opening Ceremony begins at 7:00 PM featuring Margaret Downey (AAI president) and Herb Silverman (founder of the Secular Coalition for America).

The Friday-night platform includes a special recognition to atheists in foxholes with a salute to Pat Tillman (deceased). AAI is pleased to host Carlos Bertha (associate Professor of Philosophy at the United States Air Force Academy), Christopher Hitchens (author), Jason Torpy (president of Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers) and Mikey Weinstein (founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation) as honored speakers.

. . . .

Saturday, September 27, 2008


Many educational and interesting workshops are available for convention attendees. Please plan to attend as many as possible. The workshop schedule is as follows:

9:00 AM—11:00 AM
Lori Lipman Brown~ Lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for America
"All Hands on Deck for Political Tempests"

. . .

9:00 AM—11:00 AM
Jamie Kilstein ~ Comedian
"Manning the Humor Lifeboat"

. . .

9:00 AM—10:00 AM
Jennifer Bardi ~ Editor of the Humanist magazine
"Anchoring Your Atheist Story"

. . . .

9:00 AM—10:00 AM
August Berkshire ~ President of Minnesota Atheists
"Catching the Wave: Start Your Own Atheist Radio Show"

. . . .

9:00 AM—10:00 AM
Scott Cozza ~ Co-Founder of Scouting For All
"Throwing Prejudice and Bigotry Overboard"

. . . .

10:00 AM—11:00 AM
Cathy Jones ~ Writer and Humorist
"Atheists and Loss: Navigating Grief"

. . . .

10:00 AM—11:00 AM
Matt Cherry~Executive Director for the Institute for Humanist Studies
"Bon Voyage: Celebrating 'Unholy Days' and Human Rites"

. . . .

A very special Awards Luncheon will take place at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 27, in the Grand Salon (R-Deck, Midship).

. . . .

Julia Sweeney (the 2006 Richard Dawkins Awardee) will be on hand to give the 2008 Richard Dawkins Award to a secret person whose identity will only be revealed at the Saturday luncheon.

. . .

1:45 PM—2:45 PM
Michael Shermer ~ Publisher of Skeptic Magazine
"Chicken Soup for the Atheist's Soul: Finding Spirituality in a Godless Universe"

. . . .

3:00 PM—4:00 PM
PZ Myers ~ Biologist, University of Minnesota
"Science as an Instrument of Change"

. . . .

4:00 PM—5:00 PM
Michael Newdow ~ Attorney and Physician
Title to be announced soon.

. . . .

Saturday Night Happy Hour, Banquet, Plenary and Entertainment


Saturday Night Happy Hour (with cash bar and servings of soft pretzelsand Dijon mustard dip) begins at 6:00 PM in the Grand Salon (R-Deck, Midship). Enjoy a jazz trio and slide show featuring beautiful natural scenery and man-made wonders of the world.

. . .

The After-Dinner Plenary session will honor atheists in politics. Diane Olson will speak about her grandfather, who was the twenty-ninth Governor of California (1939-1943).


Eddie Tabash, Esquire (who made a gallant run for the California State Assembly in 2000) will talk about electing atheists to public office.


The first annual presentation of the AAI "Freedom of Conscience Award" will take place during this session. Recipient to be announced.

Margaret Downey will present the 2008 Friedenker Award and AAI's Second Annual "World of Thanks" Award.


After the formal speeches, please stay for a late-night musical presentation by Michele Rundgren, Debra Ryll, and Wanda Plimmer. During a 15-minute break the Grand Salon stage will be transformed into a scene from the new musical Religiomania. In this scene two moms are on a mission to take down organized religion (in between carpool and soccer practice). Yes, they would like to save the world…if they just had the time.

. . ..

Sunday, September 28, 2008


Sunday morning kicks off in the Queen's Salon (Promenade Deck, Midship) with an 8:00 AM Continental Breakfast service (coffee, tea, and assorted breakfast pastries). The Sunday-morning program will highlight the challenging subject of freeing women from the constraints of religion. The following speakers will each deliver 30-minute presentations. A 30-minute panel discussion moderated by Bobbie Kirkhart on the subject will follow:

Margaret Downey ~ AAIPresident

Downey will highlight traditions and biblical rhetoric that subjugate women in America and around the world. Downey's presentation encourages tossing superstition, biblical traditions, and religion overboard.

Annie Laurie Gaylor ~ Freedom From Religion Foundation President
There are no gods and no masters! Annie Laurie Gaylor explores this premise with her insightful research.

Ellen Johnson ~ American Atheists President

Johnson will highlight what "Atheist Activists" in America can do to insure inalienable rights for not only women, but all persons.


Please plan to attend the Convention Closing Ceremony at 11:00 AM (same room). Activities include an award cere­mony acknowledging AAI and convention volunteers, a memorial to atheists who have died within the year, a 2008 conven­tion highlights slide show, The Camp Quest Players, and an announce­ment about the 2009 AAI conven­tion.

. . . .

Camp Quest West Information


Chris Lindstrom and Amanda Metskas will run a Mini Camp Quest for the children of conventioneers. Reservations are required and can be done at the AAI website. Children ages 6-13 are welcome.


Teens who would like to help as volunteers are also welcomed and encouraged to participate. Camp Quest activities will take place in the Capstan Club (A Deck, Stern).

[Trajan]

1. Having lived in Long Beach when the QM drifted in ....

I loved playing on the boat .... MANY times we partied on the Queen Mary .... Great Independence Day Fireworks too .... It used to be free to go aboard ....

Sounds like a GREAT place for this .....