Campus Sun Article on "Free Hugs from Atheists"

Here is the full-text of today's Campus Sun article on GF's "Free Hugs from Atheists":

"Atheists give free hugs to fellow students"
March 23. 2007 6:01AM
By JESSICA PALOMBO, Campus correspondent

Turlington Plaza, the University of Florida's hot spot for preachers of ominous messages, was the backdrop for an ideological clash Thursday afternoon.

Frank Zaccaro, toting a Bible, was screaming warnings of hell to passersby when a group of atheists tried to hug him.

"No, I don't want that!" he yelled, and jumped back beyond their reach.

One of the rejected huggers, Robert Stark, said, "It would have been a good juxtaposition to the whole, him yelling about hell."

Stark and about 10 other members of the Atheist, Agnostic and Freethinking Student Association were tabled nearby, advertising "Free Hugs" and publicizing the upcoming speech "Why There Really Is No God."

On Sunday, the group hosts Eddie Tabash, author, lawyer and noted atheist, who will examine the question: "Who made whom: God or man?"

The event will begin at 2 p.m. in Norman Hall, Room 137, and is free and open to the public. A Q&A session will follow.

"We're working on the image of atheists," AAFSA President Daniel Morgan said. "We're trying to show people that there are young, happy atheists who want to give hugs."

Morgan, a 25-year-old University of Florida chemistry graduate student, said atheism faces a "gray problem;" people often picture atheists as "older, grumpy professors."

Vice President Brandon Smock said tabling was an attempt to dispel some common misconceptions and to "provide an alternative to the inflammatory speech that usually dominates Turlington Plaza."

"Atheists are some of the most moral, friendliest, most intelligent people I know," he said.

Tabash's appearance is sponsored by the Center for Inquiry, an international nonprofit group advocating scientific naturalism.

For more details about AAFSA or the event, visit http://aasauf.blogspot.com/.

Made my day! :-) Thanks again, all, for your support. Without you, AAFSA wouldn't exist, and the message wouldn't be heard.
________________
Technorati tags: God, Religion, Atheism, AAFSA

Free Hug from an Atheist

We've been discussing a simple and fun way to advertise our event, and to raise awareness of the group in general, on Facebook: "Free Hugs from Atheists." We will be out in Turlington Plaza on Thursday (3/22) from 12-2 pm, and we will bring our large sign from the SOF event, lean it up against a tree or plant, put together a simple poster that says, "Free Hugs from Atheists" and hug away. We will offer the hugs with no strings attached, but at the same time, afterwards, inform people about the event this Sunday and ask them, if they are interested, if they would like a flyer with more information.

What I would really appreciate from you guys is to bring handouts using flyer_05. Just save it to your disk, and open it using something simple (like MS Picture Viewer), then print 4 to a page, preferably with borders outlined for easy cutting. I did this, and the print is still very legible. Anyone interested in the free hugs, please do this, just print out a few (5-6) pages of 4 per page, of flyer_05 (easier to read than flyer_06 at low res and small font), cut them and bring them with you on Thursday 12-2 pm. See you then!
________________
Technorati tags: Atheism

Promoting the Event via Advertising, Facebook and Emails

The big day is almost upon us, and I wanted to post a last (hopefully) note with an emphasis to help promote the event and spread the word, reiterate the link to our flyers, and encourage you to help out. I know that some of you have already seen some of this, but it is important to ensure that everyone receives the event information:

• Atheist Eddie Tabash, "Why There Really Is No God." Sunday, March 25th, 2 PM, Norman Hall 137 (SW 5th Ave & 13th St)

Eddie's title isn't "Does God Exist?" anymore, but it doesn't really matter. We are advertising the event as a lecture by an atheist, so I doubt that many of them will come in unsure as to which side Eddie will be taking.

Now, I don't ask for much of our members, but there are two things I ask of you now to help us promote and advertise the event:

1. First, you can find the flyers, generously created by Brandon, here.

Please download them, print some off, and post them around your residence, and at any available bulletin board you see. Since we are a registered student organization, and since this event has been planned and permitted, you can post the flyers basically anywhere. Here are the details concerning on-campus restrictions -- most important (and simplest) is to use a stapler, not glue or tape, and not to use trees.

I went this morning at University Copy and had 150 copies of flyer_06 made on purple paper, then I put them all around the NW area of campus, including Turlington, the Hub, Library West, and even around Reitz. I noted someone came behind me and tore down two of mine at Library West within an hour of them being posted...sad (I bet it was motivated by someone who can't stand challenges to their mindset/beliefs, but I could be wrong). Please join me, either working independently or working with me this week: if you need copies, just call my cell (number here)!

2. Second, please go to the Facebook event tool and RSVP, if you already haven't. Then, invite people!!!

As of this morning (6 AM), there are 75 "yes" and 60 "maybe" responses. We can do better. The hall has a capacity of almost 400, so please help us to keep it from looking empty.

If you don't have Facebook, or if some people you know don't, please email friends an invitation, and/or a flyer, for the event. Emphasize that there will be Q&A afterwards, and that this event is free and open to the public, and that they can bring guests.

You may have noticed that our event (finally) appears on the Reitz calendar. We also got a listing on the Gator Times. I've already noted a lot of web traffic to the AAFSA site from that URL.

Unfortunately, and I don't know why, they refused to post the event to the "Stuff to Do" Calendar, and the UF Calendar.

It's okay though, as the visibility of flyers, use of word of mouth and the Facebook tool will certainly draw in a packed crowd...IF you all help out!! Now, I'm done being the cheerleader/broken record, no more notices or posts encouraging participation, so it's up to you to help make this event what I hope for it to be.

I would love for a few of you to come a little early to the event, just in case we run into any problems with setup/sound/unforeseen issues, and need some help.

Thank you, AAFSA members, for making this group successful with your time and support. I am looking forward to a successful event. I figure that some of you will want to socialize with Eddie, so clear your calendar that evening, if you want to go out and eat and have some beer (or Kool-aid, or whatever) afterwards.

Finally, if there is anyone who is willing to video record this event, please contact me asap, and if any of you have a video camera that we can borrow, preferably digital and with either DVD or HD-recording format, please let me know. I'll see you Sunday, if not sooner.
________________
Technorati tags: God, Religion, Atheism, Philosophy