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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Seattle Atheist Church
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261129T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261129T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T192057Z
CREATED:20260927T192057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T192057Z
UID:297-1795953600-1795959000@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Wait But Why’s Story of Us\, 4: The Enlightenment Kids
DESCRIPTION:The next installment of The Story of Us by the blogger and illustrator Tim Urban of Wait But Why! \nIn the late 1700s\, the forefathers of what became the United States were Enlightenment Kids. During the Enlightenment\, Higher Minds in parts of Europe started cautiously talking about a new story. The new story talked about ideas like human rights and equality and tolerance and freedom. According to this new story\, humans had made incredible advancements in knowledge\, wisdom\, and technology—but they were still doing government like it was 7\,000 BC. The Power Games\, the story went\, were unpleasant\, unfair\, unproductive\, and unnecessary—and they were fundamentally immoral\, violating the most sacred elements of being a human. \nThe story was a mind virus\, just like other stories—and it started to spread. \nBefore long\, it had crossed the Atlantic and taken hold in minds throughout the American colonies\, turning well-behaved English subjects—good cells in the global English giant—into Enlightenment kids. Enlightenment kids were the entitled Millennials of their time\, and pretty soon people across the colonies had decided that wait\, they had rights—and those rights weren’t being respected. \nThe American forefathers were coming of age right in the middle of all of this\, and they decided to take action. They had bigger ambitions than overthrowing their king—they wanted to overthrow the concept of a king. So they wrote a letter to King George III explaining the new situation. \nThis talk \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/89721068083?pwd=8JXiwFuOazbLWh5lHZ3xK3WC20Ciab.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-wait-but-whys-story-of-us-4-the-enlightenment-kids/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261122T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261122T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T192044Z
CREATED:20260927T192044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T192044Z
UID:296-1795348800-1795354200@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: How Likely Is That? Bayes' Theorem and Why It Matters
DESCRIPTION:Bayes’ Theorem is a formula for calculating probability based on evidence available. It is demonstrably correct (that’s what makes it a theorem)\, and many modern institutions now rely on it: its logic underlies gambling odds\, insurance calculations\, and robot navigation. But it’s results often contradict human intuitions\, because human intuitions are really bad with probabilities. I’ll explain how it works and why it’s important for things like understanding medical results and risk management. \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/83123484794?pwd=0gqX0ZWeP4IasohAm7raoOsuWaOqrK.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-how-likely-is-that-bayes-theorem-and-why-it-matters/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261115T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261115T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T191511Z
CREATED:20260927T191511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T191511Z
UID:295-1794744000-1794749400@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Awesome vs. Aw(e)ful
DESCRIPTION:To be overwhelmed by the greatness of something isn’t necessarily pleasant. When we talk about Awe as atheists do we really mean the overwhelmed part? Are we focused on powerfully wonderful experiences that we might describe as AWEsome\, or on powerfully negative experiences we might describe as AW(E)ful? How about a nice mild sense of wonderment. How about just AWE. \nThis week’s speaker will be Mark. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/87341467871?pwd=oJwotEMF4ayjkiibphkTc0SG5Y3AtH.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-awesome-vs-aweful/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261108T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261108T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T191141Z
CREATED:20260927T191141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T191141Z
UID:294-1794139200-1794144600@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: AI Is Just As Dumb As You
DESCRIPTION:The more we work with LLMs (Large Language Models\, like ChatGPT and Gemini and Claude)\, and the more we struggle with the stupid mistakes that they make\, the more we see how very *human* their errors are. They struggle to please. They over-estimate their own ability. They fail to cite their sources. They misremember things. They are *terrible* at mental arithmetic. They fall prey to the easy answer. They don’t have good strategies for thinking about really complex problems. The more stuff they are trying to keep in mind at once\, the more likely they are to forget a step\, to decide that something really isn’t that important right now\, that surely ignoring that rule just this once won’t hurt. They get overwhelmed. They get confused. They forget things. And by studying the parallels between how AIs “think” — or\, rather\, fail to think — and how humans think and fail to think\, we can begin to work more effectively with their limitations. Like we do with each other. Like we do with ourselves. \nThis week’s speaker will be Mikki Phoenix. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/86448305839?pwd=bjmKNOytlKSdJ3PSoqH9LbaehIxcft.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-ai-is-just-as-dumb-as-you/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261025T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261025T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T191117Z
CREATED:20260927T191117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T191117Z
UID:292-1792929600-1792935000@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Wait But Why’s Story of Us\, 3: A Story of Stories
DESCRIPTION:The next installment of The Story of Us by the blogger and illustrator Tim Urban of Wait But Why! \nBuilding giants was a necessity for ancient humans. A human tribe was more than the sum of its parts\, in physical power\, in productivity\, and in knowledge. \nGiven the powers of emergence\, large human giants would be forces to reckon with. But unlike ants\, humans are more than just cells in competing giants—they’re competing individuals too. So as tribes grew in size\, the benefits of strength and capability would be accompanied by the cost of increasing instability. \nHumans\, like other animals\, learn via direct experience\, but their advanced language and imagination capabilities offer them a second learning pathway. Human history is a long progression of human behavior\, and human behavior is largely driven by human beliefs. And as Harari\, Weinstein\, and others point out\, what has mattered most in our past is not whether our beliefs were true but whether they drove the right behavior. At some point between 150-person ancient tribes and New York City\, human evolution jumped off of the “survival of the fittest biology” snail and onto the “survival of the fittest stories” rocket. \nThis talk will be a story about stories\, and about the power of stories. \nThis week’s speaker will be Jack. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/81619012054?pwd=qcYnknsgcIsSdOaL1pLnKGUOkuztuc.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-wait-but-whys-story-of-us-3-a-story-of-stories/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261018T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261018T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T190622Z
CREATED:20260927T190622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T190622Z
UID:291-1792324800-1792330200@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: These are the days of miracle and wonder
DESCRIPTION:There are doctors whose daily job\, their 9-5\, is making the blind to see. There are people whose everyday job at the factory is constructing tiny devices that are implanted in people’s ears\, making the deaf to hear. There are athletes who are double amputees who cannot be allowed to run races against people who have all of their limbs — because they will beat them\, every time\, by an absurd margin: making the lame to walk. We look at the dark side of the moon. We know the precise cornflower blue of a sunset on Mars. From osteoodontokeratoprosthesis to perovskite solar cells\, from talking face-to-face while half a world away to turning lead into gold\, from reading the words on thousand-year-old burnt scrolls to having meaningful conversations with a machine\, we live in a world where magic has become the ordinary. We live in the day of miracles and wonders\, and we’re so accustomed to it that we rarely ever notice. Let’s open our eyes and see! \nThis week’s speaker will be Mikki Phoenix. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/84005531479?pwd=EPqfsSOyI2kz7MB08Ea3DcbwFTdLRl.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-these-are-the-days-of-miracle-and-wonder/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261011T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261011T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T184402Z
CREATED:20260927T184402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T184402Z
UID:290-1791720000-1791725400@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: What is Fanfiction and Why?
DESCRIPTION:Fanfiction is fan-written fiction about existing characters and worlds created by other writers\, usually from popular media such as TV\, movies\, or bestselling books. When did people start writing fanfiction? Why do people write it? What needs does fanfiction fill that aren’t met by writing about characters you make up from scratch? \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/86289079402?pwd=gApdrugc6PQKvMwZp6SL3kfPb2lJK3.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-what-is-fanfiction-and-why/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261004T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261004T133000
DTSTAMP:20260927T184038Z
CREATED:20260927T184038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T184038Z
UID:289-1791115200-1791120600@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Wait But Why’s Story of Us\, 2: A Game of Giants
DESCRIPTION:The next installment of The Story of Us by the blogger and illustrator Tim Urban of Wait But Why! \nA single cell is itself a giant—a magical living giant made up of trillions of non-living atoms—and an animal is a higher-level giant made up of trillions of cells. This concept—a bunch of smaller things joining together to form a giant that can function as more than the sum of its parts—is called emergence. Pretty soon after cells started joining together to form animals\, some of the animals discovered that they could go up another level of emergence and form even bigger giants made up of multiple animals. We can visualize it as a tower. If you look around\, you’ll see them everywhere—schools of fish\, packs of wolves\, colonies of ants\, waddles of penguins. Groups like these represent floors of Emergence Tower above that of the individual animal level. \nSince the dawn of human evolution\, humans have been forming giants called tribes. Combining emergent properties made the human tribe an incredible survival machine that allowed the species to stay afloat and thrive in a relentless natural world. \nFor most early humans\, forming into giants with other humans wasn’t just an advantage\, it was a necessity. \nThis week’s speaker will be Jack. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/81974670183?pwd=QTgEhuCSX4t7unadbgXa0AKxPRF4lL.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-wait-but-whys-story-of-us-2-a-game-of-giants/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260927T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260927T133000
DTSTAMP:20260910T080008Z
CREATED:20260910T080008Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T080008Z
UID:267-1790510400-1790515800@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Storytime with Fjorlief
DESCRIPTION:Fjorlief will be reading the short story “Packing” by the award-winning author T. Kingfisher. The story\, both a requiem and a  promissory\, is food for thought about moving forward into an unknown future. \nThis week’s speaker will be Fjorlief. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82045918961?pwd=5RDZtJAUemM6Wll5YDu9Zib6OiWcix.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-storytime-with-fjorlief/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260920T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260920T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T183235Z
CREATED:20260614T183235Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T183235Z
UID:266-1789905600-1789911000@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: 5-Minute Speed Talks
DESCRIPTION:This week is our popular Speed Talks event! Three to five speakers get 5-8 minutes each to expound their ideas\, followed by our group discussion period where the community react to the ideas presented\, discuss their own thoughts on the topic\, and ask questions of the presenters. \nIf you have an idea for a talk\, but you’re not sure you can go for a full 20-30 minutes\, this is for you! \nIf you’d like to sign up to give a 5-Minute Speed Talk\, let us know using this form:\nhttps://forms.gle/cdz869YYQDDLBvb87 \nThis week’s speaker will be various volunteers. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82400650429?pwd=8GhjBgSDfaoRGXiizq3ntzSusDoxXX.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-5-minute-speed-talks-3/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260913T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260913T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T080013Z
CREATED:20260615T080013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T080013Z
UID:265-1789300800-1789306200@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Planning Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Let’s plan what we’ll be doing for the next quarter! Is there a topic you’d like to give a talk about? Come have a voice in what we do next quarter! Even if you don’t want to volunteer to give a talk\, your voice is valuable so that we know which talks to schedule! \nYou can submit your suggestions using this form:\nhttps://forms.gle/Fx2gCjmvfxyETLWn8 \n \nAs you’re thinking about what talk topics to suggest for our upcoming Planning Meeting\, we encourage you to consider our Wheel of the Year.\n \nThese are our themes for the coming quarter:Oct/Nov’s virtue is Transcendence with Character Strengths of Appreciation of beauty\, Awe & Wonder\, Gratitude\, Hope\, Humor\, and PurposeDecember’s virtue is Temperance with Character Strengths of Forgiveness & Mercy\, Humility & Modesty\, Prudence\, and Self-regulation \nThese are for inspiration purposes only. Talk suggestions do not need to conform to any particular theme. Due to the nature of how we vote and schedule the talks\, there’s no guarantee that a talk that does match a theme will end up being scheduled during that theme’s month.\n \nPlease be thoughtful about the title and description you propose for the talk\, as it will become the title and description in Meetup. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/85460838459?pwd=ztjBTsK1TnoKeB5tFVfGU7vSf0lz4p.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-planning-meeting-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260906T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260906T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T183152Z
CREATED:20260614T183152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T183152Z
UID:264-1788696000-1788701400@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Tideline: the Power of Stories
DESCRIPTION:I will read the award-winning science fiction short story Tideline by Elizabeth Bear and make some remarks about the power of stories to educate\, inspire\, and shape or even save our lives. \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82866202170?pwd=8u0WIcWaSQ3qglXNRbovZ32pVxbWZk.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-tideline-the-power-of-stories/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260830T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260830T133000
DTSTAMP:20260722T080009Z
CREATED:20260722T080009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260722T080009Z
UID:263-1788091200-1788096600@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Sonja Lyubomirsky's The How of Happiness
DESCRIPTION:You see here a different kind of happiness book. The How of Happiness is a comprehensive guide to understanding the elements of happiness based on years of groundbreaking scientific research. It is also a practical\, empowering\, and easy-to-follow workbook\, incorporating happiness strategies\, exercises in new ways of thinking\, and quizzes for understanding our individuality\, all in an effort to help us realize our innate potential for joy and ways to sustain it in our lives. Drawing upon years of pioneering research with thousands of men and women\, The How of Happiness is both a powerful contribution to the field of positive psychology and a gift to people who have sought to take their happiness into their own hands. \nThis week’s speaker will be Jack. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/87032472277?pwd=KkxwPg813AHFj4ONmQjIGEXabMtGd6.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-sonja-lyubomirskys-the-how-of-happiness-the-life-you-want/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260823T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260823T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T183056Z
CREATED:20260614T183056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T183056Z
UID:262-1787486400-1787491800@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Emergent Leadership
DESCRIPTION:The best leadership is not imposed from outside or above\, it arises organically from within. Even preschoolers can organize spontaneously to achieve a goal. The group may end up deferring to the person with the best ideas or the clearest ways of communicating them. A group member may take the lead\, follow a leader’s direct commands\, or take on a specialist role and solve a subproblem and bring it back to the group. Drawing on psychological and sociological research\, I’ll talk about how leadership emerges in a group\, and how to participate most effectively\, whether you lead or follow or some of both. \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82909335188?pwd=fI7T8drjOnYJcKSdKbC873fsQl6a9v.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-emergent-leadership/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260820T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260823T210000
DTSTAMP:20260817T000642Z
CREATED:20260816T232727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T000642Z
UID:280-1787248800-1787518800@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Seattle Skeptics Event: Skeptipalooza 2026!
DESCRIPTION:The Seattle Skeptics and Science Enthusiasts are hosting an event that members of our community might be interested in: Skeptipalooza 2026! \nHere’s a link to their event:\nhttps://www.meetup.com/seattleskeptics/events/315716135/ \nFeel free to RSVP with us to let your fellow Atheist Church folks know you’re planning on going\, but also do RSVP on their event as well so they can get a more accurate count. \nFrom their description:\n————————————————————————————————- \nSkeptipalooza 2026: Science and Skepticism in Seattle\nAugust 20-23\nSkeptipalooza 2026 is the third annual gathering of skeptical-minded folks who believe in the scientific method. Skeptipalooza is sponsored by the Seattle Skeptics and Science Enthusiasts and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (publishers of the journal Skeptical Inquirer). \nThe four-day conference is a combination of social activities and public talks about skeptical and scientific thinking presented by nine distinguished speakers of various backgrounds\, combined with ample opportunities to socialize. \nAll are welcome and attendance at any of these events is free! \n# Thursday August 20\, 6:00 p.m. \nDinner at the Greenwood Razzi’s pizzeria\, plus presentations. 8523 Greenwood Ave N\, Seattle. (Don’t confuse this with the downtown location of Razzis) \nPresentations: \n\nIntroduction to Skeptipalooza 2026: Science and Skepticism in Seattle. Scot Bastian (15 minutes)\nBehold\, the Power of Wikipedia! Susan Gerbic (15-20 minutes)\nThe Truth About Bats. Niki Desautels (45 minutes)\n\n# Friday\, August 21 5:30 p.m. (Bat night) \n5:30 Gather at Retreat coffee house\, 6900 E Green Lake Way N Seattle \n6:30 Walk around Green Lake to the Bathhouse Theater (also called Seattle Public Theater). The walk from Retreat to Bathhouse is flat and approximately 1 mile each way (or 2.8 miles\, if you take the circular walk around the lake). Or you can drive straight to the Bathhouse free parking lot. Map link. \n7:30-8:30 Sunset demonstration of bat behavior near the Bathhouse Theater on the West side of Green Lake. Courtesy of Bats Northwest. \nAfterwards: Gather for food and libations at location TBD. \n# Saturday August 22nd 9:00AM \n9:00 a.m. Coffee and conversation Retreat coffee house\, 6900 E Green Lake Way N Seattle\, followed by optional 2.8 mile walk around Green Lake \n11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Meet at the Green Lake Library Branch\, 7364 East Green Lake Dr N\, Seattle \n11:30 Tech setup \nPresentations: \n\nIntro and Carl Sagan’s Baloney Detection Kit\, Updated Scot Bastian (20 minutes)\nWhat Every Skeptic Should Know About Cold Reading. Susan Gerbic (45 minutes)\n\nLunch. SSSE will provide sandwiches\, snacks\, and drinks. \nPresentations: \n\nCoyote: America’s Song Dog. Pat Pilcher (45 minutes)\nSEA-AD: The Seattle Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Cell Atlas. Michael Hawrylycz (45 minutes)\nCows In the Sky: A Short History of UFO Cattle Abduction. Dan Green(35 minutes)\n\nBreak \nPresentations: \n\nMyths Regarding the Concept of Trauma. Keith Brown (30 minutes)\nWhere Are All the Little Green Men? Science Weighs In on the Possibility of Intelligent Life in the Universe. gReG Donohue. (55 minutes)\n\n5:30-6:00 p.m. Library room cleanup \nApproximately 6:30 p.m. Gather for dinner and libations at Jellyfish Brewing Company\, 6808 East Green Lake Way N\, (a short\, walkable distance from the Library) \n# Sunday August 23\, noon (BBQ Day) \n12 noon. Gather at Alki Coffee Shop on Alki Beach\, 2742 Alki Ave SW #100\, Seattle\, followed by a walk on the waterfront. Map link. \n2:00 p.m. to whenever. Backyard potluck BBQ at Scot Bastian’s house in West Seattle (Exact Location TBA) \nPlease note: This schedule can also be found at the Seattle Skeptics and Science Enthusiasts website \nLibrary Disclaimer: This event is NOT hosted\, sponsored\, or endorsed by the Seattle Public Library. Any views that are discussed in this meeting are not a reflection of the Seattle Public Library’s views.
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/seattle-skeptics-event-skeptipalooza-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://seattleatheist.church/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SKEPTIPALOOZA_2026_WEB1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260816T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260816T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T183039Z
CREATED:20260614T183039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T183039Z
UID:261-1786881600-1786887000@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Getting Comfortable With Discomfort: Learning Distress Tolerance
DESCRIPTION:Distress Tolerance is one of the four pillars of Dialectical Behavior Therapy\, and a valuable skill for anyone to have. This is not about staying in miserable situations or suffering for the sake of suffering\, but about being able to sit with uncomfortable thoughts or feelings without immediately jumping to fix them\, blame someone\, escape\, or distract yourself. Strengthening your distress tolerance allows you to respond mindfully to stressful situations\, be more compassionate to those in distress\, and problem-solve better\, with a wider range of information and responses available to you. It’s also good for your physical and mental health! Distress tolerance is an element of emotional intelligence\, and thus part of the Virtue of Humanity. \nThis week’s speaker will be Mikki Phoenix. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/88103853874?pwd=FFC0VeS6aCtyUlR58jqMFYNdqGliy8.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-getting-comfortable-with-discomfort-learning-distress-tolerance/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260809T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260809T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T182945Z
CREATED:20260614T182945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T182945Z
UID:260-1786276800-1786282200@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: The Cat Who Walked By Himself
DESCRIPTION:I will read the children’s story from Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling\, about how the first animals came to be domesticated. I hope you will forgive the improbable prehistory and the gender essentialism for the sake of some lovely poetic language\, a good story\, and the truth about cats. \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/88370357317?pwd=yEKBal4bO5qLRlGLBknCd0lhuxcrYR.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-the-cat-who-walked-by-himself/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260802T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260802T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T182433Z
CREATED:20260614T182433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T182433Z
UID:259-1785672000-1785677400@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Guy Winch's Emotional First Aid: Healing Everyday Hurts
DESCRIPTION:We all sustain emotional wounds. Failure\, guilt\, rejection\, and loss are as much a part of life as the occasional scraped elbow. But while we typically bandage a cut or ice a sprained ankle\, our first aid kit for emotional injuries is not just understocked—it’s nonexistent. \nFortunately\, there is such a thing as mental first aid for battered emotions. Drawing on the latest scientific research and using real-life examples\, practicing psychologist Guy Winch\, Ph.D. offers specific step-by-step treatments that are fast\, simple\, and effective. \nThis week’s speaker will be Jack. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/89478369379?pwd=NtgZtgOhkqqSGf5ob7E6EcQLPYEjPo.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-guy-winchs-emotional-first-aid-healing-everyday-hurts/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260726T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260726T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T080012Z
CREATED:20260615T080012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T080012Z
UID:258-1785067200-1785072600@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Household Justice
DESCRIPTION:“Everyone wants a revolution.  No one wants to do the dishes.” –Dorothy Day \nWe have little control over how our nation allocates labor and resources (but use what you have!  Vote and bug your representatives!)\, but we have a lot more in our own houses.  How can we best divvy up the costs and the labor–physical\, mental\, emotional–and fulfill everyone’s needs\, especially if people’s needs and/or abilities are very different?  How should disagreements be adjudicated?  I will draw on multiple sources including Miss Manners’ Guide to Domestic Tranquility and Fair Play by Eve Rodsky. \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/86380648663?pwd=6FDJTNCpsozSBrvLOZgNEKf0eFapeZ.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-household-justice/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260719T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260719T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T180918Z
CREATED:20260614T180918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T180918Z
UID:257-1784462400-1784467800@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: DEI FTW
DESCRIPTION:Diversity\, Equity\, and Inclusion measures have been put in place to ensure access to education\, government programs\, jobs\, etc. for disadvantaged groups such as women\, people of color\, queer people\, and disabled people. But these measures aren’t merely kind or fair\, they also result in better outcomes for governments and stronger workforces. This talk will range over why DEI measures are necessary\, what kinds of steps are needed to ensure real inclusion\, and what benefits they have beyond being decent to people. \nThis week’s speaker will be Mikki Phoenix. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/89410996825?pwd=ulpeG1rPbv1jJke6TZnsH3knO1ailI.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-dei-ftw/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260712T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260712T133000
DTSTAMP:20260614T180727Z
CREATED:20260614T180727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260614T180727Z
UID:256-1783857600-1783863000@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: The Elephant's Child
DESCRIPTION:I will read the children’s story from Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. This story is a coming-of-age tale\, a Hero’s Journey of the old tradition\, and an account of triumph over an abusive family system. It’s also a funny story about a baby elephant\, with lots of big rolling poetic phrases. \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/86953826996?pwd=zr1h8FdggShU0CHf0nWDH3fhaRZKwM.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-the-elephants-child/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260705T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260705T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T080012Z
CREATED:20260615T080012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T080012Z
UID:254-1783252800-1783258200@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: TED's "Dangerous memes | Dan Dennett"
DESCRIPTION:This week is our next installment of Atheist YouTube! We’ll be watching the video “Dangerous memes | Dan Dennett” from the channel TED. \nHere’s the description they gave for this video:\n——————————————————————————–\nStarting with the simple tale of an ant\, philosopher Dan Dennett unleashes a devastating salvo of ideas\, making a powerful case for the existence of memes — concepts that are literally alive. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/83992981287?pwd=CEaXg2UbakQ3uJgD22EYnx8pADzVr6.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-teds-dangerous-memes-dan-dennett/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260704T160000
DTSTAMP:20260626T202138Z
CREATED:20260626T202138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T202138Z
UID:272-1783166400-1783180800@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Secular 4th of July Potluck Picnic
DESCRIPTION:Atheists\, agnostics\, skeptics\, free-thinkers\, questioning\, and believers – whatever you like to call yourselves\, join us on July 4th to celebrate the United States and our freedoms\, especially of and from religion! Enjoy some great food\, meet friends both old and new\, and have a fun afternoon with atheist/secular organizations from around the Seattle area and the greater Pacific Northwest! \nTo make our celebration truly spectacular\, we kindly request that you bring a dish. Whether it’s a mouthwatering barbecue recipe\, a refreshing salad\, a scrumptious dessert\, some non-alcoholic drinks\, or any other culinary delight that embodies the spirit of summer\, your contribution will add to the festive atmosphere. In addition to indulging in delicious food\, we encourage you to bring along any outdoor games\, blankets\, or outdoor chairs to make the most of this joyful gathering. \nBut! If for whatever reason you’re not able to bring something to share\, don’t let that deter you from attending! There will be plenty of food to go around\, and nobody will be turned away on that account. \nThere will be some tables with seating available\, as well as grills (we’ll provide charcoal) and an outdoor sink. There is no electricity\, however. \nNOTE! Fireworks are prohibited\, as are alcoholic drinks and any amplified sound\, so please don’t bring any of that. \nPlease spread the word among your friends and fellow non-religionists\, and invite anyone who might not be on our email list yet or who might not check their email regularly. The more\, the merrier! \nWe hope to see you there!
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/secular-4th-of-july-potluck-picnic/
LOCATION:Ravenna Park Picnic Shelter #1\, 2000 NE 58th St\, Seattle\, WA\, 98105\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seattleatheist.church/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pexels_BBQ.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260628T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260628T133000
DTSTAMP:20260307T090022Z
CREATED:20260307T090022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T090022Z
UID:241-1782648000-1782653400@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Other Heroes: Less-Known Black Women Activists
DESCRIPTION:In school we learn about Martin Luther King\, Jr.\, and that might be it for Black history.  You probably know of Harriet Tubman\, Sojourner Truth\, and  Rosa Parks.  There are many other Black women activists who have shaped politics\, protest\, and public thought who are lesser-known.  I’ll share with you highlights of the lives and work of several brave Black women who’ve fought for social justice\, including Ida B. Wells\, Shirley Chisholm\, and Angela Davis. \n(virtue: Courage) \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82895542254?pwd=HRdVIdvcZ2paaF2J8tN3dlXmF0OxiP.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-other-heroes-less-known-black-women-activists/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260621T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260621T133000
DTSTAMP:20260307T090021Z
CREATED:20260307T090021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T090021Z
UID:240-1782043200-1782048600@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Leadership is Being Second
DESCRIPTION:Inspired by a video of a lone dancer at a music festival. He’s a weirdo\, a lunatic\, someone with a broken view of the world. But then a leader appears\, someone who recognizes the possibility of joy\, and joins with the first person. Suddenly\, the rest of the crowd sees that this isn’t some kind of broken view\, this is a revolution. The argument is that you don’t have to come up with revolutionary ideas to be a leader\, sometimes all that is required is recognizing a good idea and giving other people permission to embrace it. \nThis week’s speaker will be Mark. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/84146695056?pwd=8PNCiFcUa6MEdCYdgQugnmhj2aaZmv.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-leadership-is-being-second/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260614T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260614T133000
DTSTAMP:20260307T090020Z
CREATED:20260307T090020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T090020Z
UID:239-1781438400-1781443800@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Objects of Affection - a 100 day drawing challenge
DESCRIPTION:100 day challenges are a useful way to explore activities and/or to develop new habits. This particular challenge combines noticing various things that we appreciate in our surroundings\, and taking a short time each day to draw them. This is not a challenge about being a “good artist” but rather a way to encourage the hand eye connection\, a type of human interface that is often neglected in our education and lives. This challenge requires only curiousity\, functional hands\, fifteen or less minutes a day\, and extremely minimal supplies (index cards and a pencil). The small size and simple materials make the project less “precious”\, making it more accessible. Needing to find a new “object of affection” each day turns this challenge into a different form of gratitude meditation\, which is one of the ways I have found it very valuable. \nThis week’s speaker will be Alison aka Fjorlief. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/81820239135?pwd=JoHpqasgxXl0zouopw6khHccXoBZGA.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-objects-of-affection-a-100-day-drawing-challenge/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260607T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260607T133000
DTSTAMP:20260307T090020Z
CREATED:20260307T090020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T090020Z
UID:238-1780833600-1780839000@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: A Queer History of the United States
DESCRIPTION:Drawn from Michael Bronski’s book\, “A Queer History of the United States”. As it turns out\, we’ve been here through the entire history of our country. Let’s review some of that history and appreciate those who have come before us. \nThis week’s speaker will be Jack. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82595281767?pwd=h9zSrt1DJ7pRJe5AC5dM3ij2WefOQv.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-a-queer-history-of-the-united-states/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260531T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260531T133000
DTSTAMP:20260427T080007Z
CREATED:20260427T080007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T080007Z
UID:245-1780228800-1780234200@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: 5-Minute Speed Talks
DESCRIPTION:This week is our popular Speed Talks event! Three to five speakers get 5-8 minutes each to expound their ideas\, followed by our group discussion period where the community react to the ideas presented\, discuss their own thoughts on the topic\, and ask questions of the presenters.\n \nIf you have an idea for a talk\, but you’re not sure you can go for a full 20-30 minutes\, this is for you!\n \nIf you’d like to sign up to give a 5-Minute Speed Talk\, let us know using this form:\nhttps://forms.gle/cdz869YYQDDLBvb87\n \nThis week's speaker will be various volunteers. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/86740678447?pwd=moOQX9E1Vl4CUbJFUZ5oM4uMWO6pxq.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-5-minute-speed-talks-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260524T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260524T133000
DTSTAMP:20260427T080007Z
CREATED:20260427T080007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T080007Z
UID:246-1779624000-1779629400@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Planning Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Let’s plan what we’ll be doing for the next quarter! Is there a topic you’d like to give a talk about? Come have a voice in what we do next quarter! Even if you don’t want to volunteer to give a talk\, your voice is valuable so that we know which talks to schedule! \nYou can submit your suggestions using this form:\nhttps://forms.gle/Fx2gCjmvfxyETLWn8\nAs you’re thinking about what talk topics to suggest for our upcoming Planning Meeting\, we encourage you to consider our Wheel of the Year.These are our themes for the coming quarter:July’s virtue is Justice with Character Strengths of Citizenship\, Fairness\, and LeadershipAugust/Sept’s virtue is Humanity with Character Strengths of Love\, Kindness\, and Social intelligence These are for inspiration purposes only. Talk suggestions do not need to conform to any particular theme. Due to the nature of how we vote and schedule the talks\, there’s no guarantee that a talk that does match a theme will end up being scheduled during that theme’s month. \n \nPlease be thoughtful about the title and description you propose for the talk\, as it will become the title and description in Meetup. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/88936593225?pwd=1eCPmkQ7LgYYNJDOga0rGsdWSmT8gu.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-planning-meeting/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260517T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260517T133000
DTSTAMP:20260309T080015Z
CREATED:20260309T080015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T080015Z
UID:236-1779019200-1779024600@seattleatheist.church
SUMMARY:Online Service: Kind Lies--The Complex Shape of the Virtue of Honesty
DESCRIPTION:Honesty is one of the 24 character strengths identified by positive psychology research\, categorized as part of the Virtue of Courage.  But sometimes it is more virtuous and courageous to lie\, mislead\, or leave out facts.  When is lying the ethical\, kind\, and brave thing to do\, and how can we hold ourselves to account to be honest while also being ready to lie when it’s right?  I’ll cover the value of honesty and how to weigh it against other virtues when they are in conflict. \nThis week’s speaker will be Eva-Lise Carlstrom. \nAfter the talk\, we’ll have a group discussion to explore the ideas presented\, and to share related thoughts\, resources\, and personal experiences. \nThis is an online event hosted on Zoom. You can register for it here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/85322378831?pwd=iX53h28ywMT9GqboJupM9SOmpjb8AC.1
URL:https://seattleatheist.church/event/online-service-kind-lies-the-complex-shape-of-the-virtue-of-honesty/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR