University of Melbourne Secular Society [UMSS]

We all know you can’t wait to see it. So why not support a great cause at the same time? Equal Love presents an opening night fundraising screening of the much-anticipated Bruno, starring the outrageous Sacha Baron Cohen.

7.15pm Thursday July 9th

Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton.

Tickets: $20 or $15 concession and includes finger food afterwards.

There are still tickets available! Purchase them online now at http://www.equallove.eventbrite.com

All proceeds go towards the National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage on August 1.

Over 100 members voted in our online poll to choose the quote to go on the back of our next batch of T-shirts. The winner was Delos McKown’s

“The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike”

We will only be printing enough T-shirts to meet demand, so you must you send us an order via email and let us know your preferred size if you want in. You can choose from XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL.

The T-shirts cost $20, and can be payed for when you pick it up at our first event in semester two!

Please send your name and preferred size to umss@umss.org by Wednesday July 15.

Can science help you find your perfect mate? Need something fun and science-based to see over the semester break?

Join Chris KP and friends in a cabaret of pheromones, emotions, beauty and all things pre-coital. Presented by National Science Week, this unique show offers an understanding of life’s most powerful forces and society’s most tantalising topics. Add some great live music and it has to be seen to be believed. Seats are limited, so book now via tickytix for this fantastic event! Also, make sure you check out Chris KP on the latest episode of The Pseudo Scientists podcast.

The next UMSS event is a social evening of beer, science, religion & Tom Hanks. We are heading to the movies to see the latest Dan Brown film adaptation ‘Angels & Demons’, a thrilling and undoubtedly fictional tale of the clash between science, religion and the Vatican. For all who want to stick around afterwards we’ll be hitting the Melbourne Central Lion Hotel for drinks, a bite to eat and a chat about the issues raised in the film.

Details: 6:30pm till late Tuesday 19th of May,

Hoyts Melbourne Central

Tickets for the movie are available for only $5 for UMSS members who RSVP via email (send to anna@umss.org) by Monday May 18, 2009. Please put Angels and Demons in the subject line otherwise she’ll consider you spam.

Many of those who oppose euthanasia do so for religious reasons. Such reasoning is morally repugnant; subjecting people to unimaginable agony and suffering just to prove a point about life being sacred. The time has come in Victoria for compassion to overrule immoral adherence to dogma.

Please consider becoming a member of Dying With Dignity Victoria. 

Become a “fan” of the organisation on Facebook.

Most importantly, please also consider attending their upcoming rally:

10am, Tuesday 21st of April 

Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne

RSVP and invite your friends along to the event on Facebook.

The rally will feature a number of high profile speakers, including:
- Reverend Dr Francis Macnab (St Michael’s Uniting Church)
- Leslie Cannold (Writer, Commentator, Ethicist)
- Lisa Fitzpatrick (Australian Nursing Federation)
- Lyn Allison (Australian Humanist of the Year 2008, former Democrats Senator)

Last year, the first ever Physician Assisted Dying bill was defeated in Victorian Parliament, despite the fact that 80% of Australians support the right for the terminally ill to seek and obtain medical assistance to end their life with dignity. 

This year, a second bill is being consulted on and your help is needed to pressure the state government to review and reform the existing Medical Treatment Act.

Let’s get together and fight for a more progressive Victoria.

The team at Young Australian Skeptics are looking for enthusiastic young writers to contribute written content to their fantastic new website. This is a great way for young freethinking bloggers to gain exposure, and is also a vehicle for amateur bloggers or those new to the format to get started! By becoming involved in this freethought cultural movement you’ll be helping to promote the ideals of science and critical thinking to young people in Australia.

Apart from blogging, the website also offers forums, chat rooms, links and educational resources. Also worth a mention is the Young Australian Skeptics’ official podcast ‘The Pseudo Scientists‘ hosted by Alastair Tate, which has rocketed up the Australian iTunes charts following some awesome mainstream media exposure! The panel also includes non-other than your Secular Society President, Jason Ball!  Check it out via iTunes, RSS or on Facebook.

The world of pseudoscience, superstition and the paranormal has officially met its match down under. Be apart of it! Express your interest via the contact option on the website.

‘Faith Plus One’ is the name of Cartman’s new Christian Rock band, and a $10 bet rests on whether they can reach platinum status before Kyle’s band ‘Moop’ does. An absolutely sidesplitting episode – not to be missed!

When: Tuesday 24th March 1:00 for 1:15pm start
Where: Laby Theatre, David Caro Building (near Physics).
RSVP on Facebook.

A free BBQ (snags and veggie burgers) with Beer and Soft Drinks will follow the screening in the adjacent courtyard. We have two copies of Michel Onfray’s ‘The Atheist Manifesto’ to give away as a door prize. Remember to bring your FSM membership card, it’s your pass to free food! Non-UMSS members can join at the event.

Coming soon, don’t miss out on Simon Taylor’s “Illusination – The Stage Show”, which is proudly sponsored by the Victorian Skeptics. The show runs from the 11th-14th and the 17th-21st of March, and is playing at the Guild Theatre in Union House. 

Book online now to avoid disappointment!