Minnesota Atheists

Founded as the Twin Cities Chapter of American Atheists in 1984, Minnesota Atheists was founded in 1991 as a democratic organization of atheists.{{cite web | url=http://www.lavendermagazine.com/our-affairs/the-secular-side-of-marriage-equality/ | title=The Secular Side of Marriage Equality | publisher=Lavender Magazine | date=October 20, 2011 | accessdate=8 June 2013 | author=Walsh, Kaitlyn}} The Minnesota Atheists promote education and visibility in the community{{cite web | url=http://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2012/12/talk-tolerance-and-equality-one-group-still-forgotten-atheists | title=With talk of tolerance and equality, one group is still forgotten: atheists | publisher=MinnPost | date=11 December 2012 | accessdate=15 August 2013 | author=Philip Norris, David}} and responds to the push against atheism in the state of Minnesota.{{cite web | url=http://www.sctimes.com/article/20130804/OPINION/308040014/Your-Turn-Atheism-not-gloom-doom?nclick_check=1 | title=Your Turn: Atheism not gloom and doom | publisher=St Cloud Times | date=3 August 2013 | accessdate=14 August 2013 | author=Jayne, Eric}} In 2013 the Foundation Beyond Belief awarded the "Humanist Communication Award" to the group for their work in 2012.{{cite web | url=http://foundationbeyondbelief.org/node/1929 | title=Announcing the 2012 Heart of Humanism Award winners | publisher=Foundation Beyond Belief | date=3 September 2013 | accessdate=5 September 2013}}

Atheists Talk first aired January 13, 2008. The weekly program airs every Sunday Morning on AM 950 KTNF. Participants discuss areas of interest to the community including atheism, humanism, state/church separation, religion, ethics, science, and art.{{cite web | url=http://www.am950radio.com/shows/atheists-talk | title=Atheists Talk | publisher=AM 950 | accessdate=15 August 2013}} Guests include notable persons locally, nationally, and internationally including Ira Flatow,{{cite web | url=http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/507-with-greg-laden-and-lynn-fellman | title="Science in the Public Forum" Ira Flatow on Atheists Talk #89 | publisher=MN Atheists | date=24 October 2010 | accessdate=3 August 2013}} Neil DeGrasse Tyson,{{cite web | url=http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/571-qscience-communicationq-with-neil-degrasse-tyson-on-atheists-talk-110-april-3-2011 | title="Science Communication" with Neil deGrasse Tyson on Atheists Talk #110 | publisher=MN Atheists | date=3 April 2011 | accessdate=3 August 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/747-space-chronicles-neil-degrasse-tyson-on-atheists-talk-170-sunday-june-3rd-2012 | title="Space Chronicles" Neil DeGrasse Tyson on Atheists Talk #170 | publisher=MN Atheists | date=3 June 2012 | accessdate=3 August 2013}} Richard Dawkins,{{cite web | url=http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/37-richard-dawkins-atheists-talk-001-jan-13-2008 | title=Richard Dawkins - Atheists Talk #001 | publisher=MN Atheists | date=13 January 2008 | accessdate=3 August 2013}} and PZ Myers.{{cite web | url=http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/559-qzebrafish-and-dictionary-atheismq-pz-myers-and-greg-laden-on-atheists-talk-104-february-20-2011 | title="Zebrafish and Dictionary Atheism," PZ Myers and Greg Laden on Atheists Talk #104 | publisher=MN Atheists | date=20 February 2011 | accessdate=3 August 2013}}

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File:St. Paul Saints players wearing Mr. Paul Aints jerseys in dugout at CHS Field.jpeg

In August 2012 the Minnesota Atheists partnered with the American Atheists to hold a regional conference and sponsor a St. Paul Saints game. The team changed their name to the secular-friendly "Mr. Paul Aints" as part of "A Night of Unbelievable Fun".{{cite web|last=Gryboski|first=Michael|title=Minn. Baseball Team Changes Name From Saints to 'Aints' for Atheist Event|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/minn-baseball-team-changes-name-from-saints-to-aints-for-atheist-event-78499/|work=Christian Post|accessdate=15 June 2013}} The St. Paul Saints' general manager reported some complaints, mostly from out of state. A representative from the group stating that "sponsoring a baseball game seemed like a good way to show that apart from religion, atheists are like everybody else."{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/164522956.html | title=Tevlin: Saints have a prayer? Not on atheists' night | publisher=Star Tribune | date=31 July 2012 | accessdate=6 August 2013 | author=Telvin, Jon}} A second game was sponsored by the Minnesota Atheists in 2013, "A Night of Unbelievable Fun, The Second Coming".{{cite web | url=http://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2013/07/atheists-and-aints-seeking-dispel-preconceived-notions-about-our-nonbeliefs | title=Atheists and the 'Aints' — seeking to dispel preconceived notions about our (non)beliefs | publisher=MinnPost | date=29 July 2013 | accessdate=3 August 2013 | author=Jayne, Eric}} The general manager states "We're looking forward to being an "Ain't" for the day."{{cite web | url=https://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=210253935&m=210253947 | title=Minn. Minor League Baseball Team Goes Atheist For One Night | publisher=NPR | date=8 August 2013 | accessdate=13 August 2013 | author=Block, Melissa}} The Minnesota Atheists partnered with Foundation Beyond Belief in 2014 for the third atheist-themed St. Paul Saints game. It became the first game the secularized Mr. Paul Aints team won, which took 11 innings to do, and the last "Mr. Paul Aints" game to be played at Midway Stadium.{{cite web | url=http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_26275289/minnesotas-atheists-are-coming-out-closet | title=St. Paul's atheists are coming out of the closet | publisher=Pioneer Press | date=4 August 2014 | accessdate=31 August 2014 | author=Shaw, Bob}}

On Saturday, August 8, 2015 the Minnesota Atheists teamed up with Foundation Beyond Belief to hold the fourth consecutive year of atheist-sponsored minor league baseball at the new home of the St. Paul Saints, CHS Field. A shoe drive benefiting Soles4Souls was incorporated into the event (promoted as "Leave Your Soles at the Gate"). The team beat the Winnipeg Goldeyes 7-4 in front of 8,500 fans at CHS Field which brought the record of the Mr. Paul Aints to 2 wins and 2 losses. The Mr. Paul Aints won again in 2016, but lost in 2017 bringing their record to 3 games won and 3 games lost.

File:MN Atheists at sponsored baseball game.jpg

In 2018, after six years straight, the Minnesota Atheists and Saint Paul Saints mutually agreed to end the annual sponsorship. Though not eliminating the option of St. Paul Saints sponsorship in the future, the Minnesota Atheists are looking into other means to provide visibility.

In 2012 the Minnesota Atheists bought billboards one in St. Paul and one in Minneapolis to reach out the local atheists.{{cite web | url=http://www.mndaily.com/2012/01/31/marketing-atheism-twin-cities | title=Marketing atheism to the Twin Cities | publisher=Minnesota Daily | date=31 January 2012 | accessdate=2 August 2013 | author=Best, Eric}}{{cite web | url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2012/01/30/minnesota-atheists-launch-ad-campaign | title=Minnesota Atheists launch ad campaign | publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet, KFAI Radio | date=31 January 2012 | accessdate=2 August 2013 |author1=Hines, Bob |author2=Alimoradi, Michelle }}{{cite web | url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_19827758 | title=Minnesota atheists borrow from abortion foes, employ smiling babies in billboard campaign | publisher=Pioneer Press | date=26 January 2012 | accessdate=15 August 2013 | author=Chin, Richard}}{{cite web | url=http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2012/01/mn_atheists_anti-dogma_baby_billboards.php | title=MN Atheists sponsoring anti-dogma baby billboards | publisher=City Pages | date=27 January 2012 | accessdate=15 August 2013 | author=Rupar. Aaron}}{{cite web | url=http://www.mndaily.com/2012/01/31/marketing-atheism-twin-cities | title=Marketing atheism to the Twin Cities | publisher=Minnesota Daily | date=31 January 2012 | accessdate=15 August 2013 | author=Best, Eric}} Citing that similar types of billboards had been going up around the country, the billboards promote the idea that religious indoctrination should not happen to children. One critic called them "eye catching".{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/138207759.html | title=Minnesota atheist group sponsors Twin Cities billboards featuring babies | publisher=Star Tribune | date=27 January 2012 | accessdate=2 August 2013 | author=French, Rose}} another questioned one of the billboard placement near "religious centers".{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzeRpH6FNNI | title=Atheist Billboards | publisher=KSTP-5 | date=29 January 2012 | accessdate=15 August 2013 | author=Pescovitz, Naomi}} The billboards tied for second place in an "atheist billboard of the year" poll on the Friendly Atheist blog.{{cite web | url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/01/02/the-2012-atheist-billboard-of-the-year-is/ | title=The 2012 Atheist Billboard of the Year Is… | publisher=The Friendly Atheist | date=2 January 2013 | accessdate=15 August 2013 | author=Mehta, Hemant}}

In March 2004, the Minnesota Atheists spoke out against President Bush's speech supporting a U.S. Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Stating that the Minnesota Atheists support the religious making and following their own rules but against these becoming civil laws.{{cite web | url=http://www.southsidepride.com/2004/03/articles/mnatheists.html | title=Minnesota Atheists support equality | publisher=Southside Pride | work=Newsletter | date=March 2004 | accessdate=14 August 2013 | author=Minnesota Atheists}}

In July 2011, Minnesota Atheists filed the only amicus brief in support of the appeal of Benson, et al. v. Alverson to support the couples in their effort to get rid of the law and argues the unconstitutionality of the Minnesota Defense of Marriage Act, noting the law's theological basis. Stating "By denying the Plaintiff couples the right to marry solely because they are of the same sex, Minnesota law violates the due process, equal protection, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful association provisions contained in Article I, Sections 7, 2, and 16 of the Minnesota Constitution."{{cite web|title=Press Release: Minnesota Atheists File Court Brief to Support Marriage Equality|url=http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/news/9-newsletter/629-press-release-minnesota-atheists-file-court-brief-to-support-marriage-equality|accessdate=8 June 2013}} Representatives from the group stated that when the case Baker v. Nelson was originally heard in 1971 they did not address the issue of religious freedom. A representative from the group also testified at the state senate hearings in March 2013.{{cite web | url=http://www.theuptake.org/2013/03/12/public-testifies-on-mn-same-sex-marriage-bill/ | title=Video Replay: Legislative Committees Approve Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage | publisher=The Uptake | date=12 March 2013 | accessdate=15 August 2013 | author=McIntee, Michael}}

The Minnesota Atheists managed a compilation of stories from atheists throughout Minnesota{{cite web | url=http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_22243769/nonbelievers-navigate-tricky-waters | title=Nonbelievers navigate tricky waters | publisher=Twin Cities Pioneer Press | date=21 December 2012 | accessdate=13 August 2013 | author=Henderson, Alison}}{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/174127941.html | title=Fastest growing group in religious circles? The 'Nones' | publisher=Star Tribune | date=15 October 2012 | accessdate=13 August 2013 | author=French, Rose}}{{cite web | url=http://stillwatergazette.com/2012/08/30/local-woman-published-in-minnesota-atheist-anthology/ | title=Local woman published in Minnesota Atheist anthology | publisher=Stillwater Gazette | date=30 August 2012 | accessdate=13 August 2013 | author=Cropp, Avery}} with a foreword written by Greta Christina. The publisher states "I wanted there to be a book out there that isn't a diatribe against religion, but just personal stories."{{cite web | url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/religion/article/56789-atheists-the-next-generation-unbelief-moves-further-into-the-mainstream.html | title=Atheists, the Next Generation: Unbelief Moves Further into the Mainstream | publisher=Publishers Weekly | date=12 April 2013 | accessdate=3 August 2013 | author=Winston, Kimberly}} A review from Lavender magazine called it an "intriguing exploration of atheism."{{cite web | url=http://www.lavendermagazine.com/our-affairs/books-449/ | title=Books: 449 | publisher=Lavender Magazine | date=9 August 2012 | accessdate=13 August 2013 | author=Boatner, E.B.}} A review from the Humanists of Minnesota called it "absorbing, unique, and compelling."{{cite web | url=http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/news/8-local-news/768-book-review-atheist-voices-of-minnesota | title=Book Review: Atheist Voices of Minnesota | publisher=Minnesota Atheists | work=Minnesota Humanists August Newsletter | date=August 2012 | accessdate=13 August 2013 | author=Curland, Nathan}}

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• [https://mnatheists.org/ Official website]

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Category:Skeptic organizations in the United States

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Minnesota

Category:501(c)(3) organizations

Category:Atheism in the United States