Our group name
Devin Spaulding
interesting sight. What we noticed is that there is a group on campus
that already uses the acronym SSA--it is some sociology club. While
that doesn't necessarily mean we can't have the same acronym, as many
UofL clubs do, it could pose a problem later on. Also, I don't want
people to feel they are locked into only being affiliated with SSA or
that they must join SSA to be a part of the group. There are a few
other reasons and we've talked about these I've mentioned at the
meeting. So I'm sending out this email as a call for a new name.
The new name can still be Secular Student Alliance but it will
need another acronym but I can't seem to find an easy one. It would
look like SeSA, or SESTAL, or something or other. And careful about
the acronym because it could spell the wrong thing; we wouldn't like
to be the Atheists Student Society and be ASS. If you come up with a
new name please post suggested acronyms. Also, since this is a club
for secularists, the word "secular" or it's sibling "freethought"
would need to be retained. Many people like feeling like a nationwide
organization and not some small local club, a word that still conveys
the meeting of alliance (alliance can be used in your new name if you
wish) should be in as well. Finally, we can't use University of
Louisville or it's related acronyms in our name per the RSO policy.
I'm not creative enough to come up with a catchy name but to help
with the creativity I am linking the SSA list of student organizations
to help you get to thinking. I noticed a few groups with catchy
acronyms and some nice names. UK has a club called UK SHIFT (the
Society for Humanistic, Intellectual, and FreeThought). The
University of Kansas has SOMA (Society of Open Minded Atheists &
Agnostics). The University of Illinois at Chicago has RAFT
(RAtionalists and FreeThinkers). This link will provide a few more:
http://www.secularstudents.org/affiliates
Just reply to this message and your idea will be sent to the
whole group. On Wednesday at 2:30 in Strickler 209 we will discuss
the submissions. Submissions can still be submitted after then and
more than one submission can be made! So let creativity move you and
we will all see what happens!
--Devin
AnthonyG0dless
a few thoughts on the subject.
I don't think we'd want to be associated with drugs but Legion of
Student Disbelievers. (LSD) Just to throw it out.
Seriously though, I really like the Students Beyond Belief. I Also
like SESTAL. However here are some that are more my own:
Universal Student Alliance of Freethought (USAF)
Freethought Alliance of Secular Truth (FAST)
Skeptics Alliance of Freethought and Enlightenment (SAFE)
Students Against the Demonization of Freethought. (SAD)
Well that's it for my suggestions, the last four, Anyway let me know
what you think and see you all wednesday.
-Jarred
David R Dotson
S.T.A.R. - Secularists (or Society) for Truth And Reason
F.A.R. - Freethought Alliance for Reason
H.A.T. - Humanist Alliance for Truth
A.F.T. - Atheists For Truth
F.A.I.R. - Freethinkers Alliance for Inquiry and Reason
All in all I think I prefer S.T.A.R. Good acronym, memorable, and to the point.
-David
>>> Devin Spaulding <shado...@insightbb.com> 11/24/2007 3:53 PM >>>
Devin Spaulding
and I'd like everyone to keep up the good work with the names. I've
already started looking at a few that I really like. If you've been
kicking some group names around in your head, write them down and send
to the group. No name is too silly, or stupid or anything! Your name
may give someone an idea for a name and then we'll have a good long list
to choose from or your name that you were afraid to write down may just
be the name we were looking for.
--Devin
jba...@aol.com
Devin Spaulding
name. However, not many members showed up so I'm doing one last chance
for everyone to make their voice heard. I'm opening up a vote for
everyone to end Friday. So Saturday I'll put the results up.
*PLEASE* Send me an email even if you don't care what name we pick.
Send me an email stating that whichever name is picked is fine with you.
_*SAFE*_ (Secular Alliance of Freethought and Enlightenment)
The most favored name is SAFE. Originally, it stood for Skeptics
Alliance of Freethought and Enlightenment. However, when we were
discussing names we used the term "secular" in place of "skeptics." I
believe the term secular is more inclusive than skeptics; therefore,
SAFE stands for _S_ecular _A_lliance of _F_reethought and
_E_nlightenment. This name is best for many reasons; here are a few:
1. The acronym is perfect for getting across the main idea that
this group is a safe place for freethinkers to come be with other
freethinkers.
2. Again, the acronym creates a disarming thought for those outside
the group. A name like safe is non-threatening to the religious groups
(hopefully) and will help promote the idea that we are indeed
trying to help out in the community.
3. The term, "enlightenment," is perfect for the fact that it
reminds people of the forefathers of this country and their ideas. More
importantly, the
"New Atheism" movement is being retermed by those involved as
"The New Enlightenment." This shift is intended and has several reasons
behind
it but our group's concern is that it is inclusive of
non-Atheists who are helping this movement. There are deists,
agnostics, humanists, "alt"
religions, and even some freethinking xians helping this
movement to further the goals set up by the original enlightenment movement.
4. The terms Secular and Alliance are both still retained as requested.
_*STAR*_ (Secular Society for Truth and Reason)
This was the second favored name. Originally it was _S_ecularists (or
_S_ociety) for _T_ruth and _R_eason. I was thinking about this the past
few days and wondered why it didn't occur to us Wednesday to just use
both words! Secular Society for Truth and Reason is better and still is
STAR. This is a good name because the acronym is positive for the
members. The problem with this name, and why it came in second, is that
it's going to raise some red flags with religious groups. The acronym
can be seen as pretentious and the word "truth" is a buzzword the xians
use. It could also cause us to be challenged for answers where there
aren't any, yet, and we know how the xians respond to that. In sum,
this name has potential to cause some problems.
_*SESTAL*_ (Secular Student Alliance)
This is, if I remember correctly, the third best choice. It still
retains the original name we were after just with an acronym that won't
be confused with another group. The drawback to keeping this name is
that I don't want people to feel like this group will ONLY be affiliated
with SSA. Also, it could be hard for people to remember the acronym.
If you wish, you can send me your email privately if you don't want
everyone to see your vote, for whatever reason. To do this, you must
log on to the site and click my name, enter the code on the screen to
see my full email. Or, if you have a good email program like my Mozilla
Thunderbird, you can see my email in the from section of this email.
Remember, voting closes midnight of Friday and results will be posted
Saturday. ONE vote per person. Do send the correct vote the first time.
Charlie, Jarred, and my vote are known to me. Julianne, I don't exactly
recall your vote or if you did--sorry. Can you send it to me?
--Devin
David R Dotson
I still think I like S.T.A.R. the best... but you have an excellent point about the use of the word truth having the potential to cause trouble, so I will cast my vote for S.A.F.E.
Good work everyone who submitted names. Clearly a group of powerful minds. (no surprise there =])
>>> Devin Spaulding <shado...@insightbb.com> 12/1/2007 11:47 PM >>>
Robert
I'm not that creative nor am I picky so whatever someone
comes up with is great. UL SHIFT sounds like an 90's
rock band though :)
Tomorrow I have an MBA-Level Econ test and hope
to be more active in the group after that. I have dozens
of great documentaries on the subject of humanism,
athiesm, etc. Maybe we can sponsor a movie at the
S.A.C theater.
Imagine a big showing of Jesus Camp...
We could still get A/V services on campus to provide a
TV/DVD set for a smaller showing in a room. I'm not a
lawyer so I'm unaware of the "fair use" laws involved in
airing a film. If we want to reach more people, a movie
is an excellent way.
I'd be glad to accompany anyone who wants to talk to
UofL administration about this. My primary desire is to
boost membership in the group. In the future, when an
issue arises, we will have a strong voice in the matter.
Take Care,
Robert
Devin Spaulding
Enlightenment (SAFE). Thanks to all for the creative names and those
who voiced an opinion on the matter! Now that we have a name, we only
need to shore up the constitution and we'll be set to form an RSO for
next semester. I'll see everyone next semester.
--Devin
On Dec 3, 4:44 pm, "David R Dotson" <d0dot...@louisville.edu> wrote:
> Devin,
> I still think I like S.T.A.R. the best... but you have an excellent point about the use of the word truth having the potential to cause trouble, so I will cast my vote for S.A.F.E.
>
> Good work everyone who submitted names. Clearly a group of powerful minds. (no surprise there =])
>