Skepticon IV in Springfield, MO

In case you are not aware of this years Skepticon, it should be bigger and better than last years which was quite large and  well attended. The Line up for speakers include PZ Myers, Rebecca Watson, Joe Nickell, Jen McCreight, Dan Barker, Greta Christina and many more great speakers and "leaders" in the skeptic and free thought community.

Skepticon IV is going to be worth attending.

This years event goes from November 19th and 20th with a special event happening November 18. That Friday a group will take a look at the "Creation Museum of the Ozarks" which is currently located in the Springfield area but is slated to be moved down to Branson when they get the funds. I believe PZ Myers is scheduled to be a part of the tour and bus transportation is trying to be arranged but as of right now it seems driving is the only option.

Beside the lecture, some of the best part of a conference like this is the chance to talk one to one with these speakers in a friendly and open area. Not to mention that the conference itself is paid for so their is no cost to you to attend.  But if you are like most attendees, you will want to buy some new books and other items to use and have the speakers sign.

While the weather in Springfield can be a bit tricky, the average is cold and rainy. Not too much snow normally. Last year is was quite pleasant so it would be reasonable to expect some rain and colder temperatures.

At the Skepticon IV website there are forums to request rides to ask for riders and to seek out places to stay. The Union Plaza Hotel, where the speakers will be staying have a special rate and if you go on line the group rate code is SKPT11. If you call them direct you just mention the conference to get the rate.

The rooms are quite large and the prices are the same for a double or a king. The give a $20 discount to the conference attendees so each room is $79 per night. You can get that rate for up to 5 nights. Not sure why you would need that but it is nice to have that option. In addition, the Plaza Hotel is about three blocks from the theater where the event is being held. It is not across the street in the convention center this year. I am not sure why that is. Maybe it had to do with them scheduling a gun show last year.

Be sure to sign up Today as the space may fill up fast. I have no idea of the configuration of the place we are going to be at this year but if it is a typical theater then it will not be so easy to move around it like it was last year.

here is the link: http://skepticon.org/

via The Friendly Atheist

Another Secular Student Alliance event: This one at Wichita State University

I just learned, via facebook, that the SkeptICTs of Wichita State University are going to have a free event this May 21, 2011. It is being put on by the Air Capital Skeptics. I guess this is the day for "Rapture" as it is being held as a "Rapture Day" event. Apparently another religious adherent has taken it upon himself to figure out the day that Jesus is going to return to Earth. Or at least begin the Rapture.I think it should be May 22, so we wo0uldn't have to deal with their crap anymore.

There is going to be a great line up for this event. If you can make it it would be greatly worth your time. I am not sure if I can yet. But if I can I sure will.

Here are some of the speakers, remember have your questions ready after they talk, you don't get to ask question in church,
Blair Scott, he is a really nice guy with American Atheists;
Darell Ray, author of The God Virus,
Richard Carrier, historian, I got to talk with him after his lecture in Springfield, really nice guy;
David Fitzgerald, He is with San Fransisco Atheist and the Center for Inquiry
JT Eberhard, I actally stayed at his apartment during Skepticon. He had a nice hotel room. Anyway he is bercoming a very prominate member of the atheist movement.
Sam Singleton, Atheist Evangelist,  We had a nice conversation but sadly more desire to talk than time to do it in.

Plus you will have a change to meet all kinds of cool people from around the country. Who know by the time some more people may be there to speak. Be sure that there will be some people there to protest and bitch and moan about how horrible using your mind is and not walking by faith.

Which brings me to my final comment. There was a video of a blind woman walking into a subway station and then falling onto the tracks. Several people helped her and signaled the train to stop.

When asked how she felt about the help she received she said that GOD used the people to rescue her. I think God would have been much more compassionate if he would have stopped her from falling onto the tracks. Or even better had her not be blind to begin with.