Atheists and Other Freethinkers

Beyond the Big Three: Reporting on religion and ethics in a diverse community

A Christian, a Jew and a Muslim are quoted in a news article.

So what’s wrong with that? And why are the mainstream media - and mainstream religion reporters - so obsessed with the “Big Three” when reporting on issues that affect the lives of millions of people who don't believe in (a) Moses, (b) Jesus, or (c) Mohammed?

What does “fairness” mean when writing about religion and belief? Can belief systems be treated both respectfully and critically? What do people need to know about how religious beliefs are altering the political landscape, and how can we report those issues without stirring up prejudice? And finally, what about religious beliefs and ethical systems that fall outside the “Big Three”?

Two writers from the Sacramento News & Review, an alternative news weekly, will discuss how they approach fairness, accuracy and diversity when reporting on issues that involve religion, spirituality and ethics.

Keleigh Friedrich has an English degree from UC Berkeley and is working on an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College. A native Californian, she has long been interested in the issues surrounding spirituality, religious beliefs and ethics. Keleigh is a freelance columnist for SN&R, where she writes the Higher Ground and Sacreligious columns.

Kel Munger’s degrees are in medieval British literature (with a minor in religion). She’s also been a baker, waitress, maid, meatpacker and cop--and now she’s a jill of all trades for SN&R, where she edits and writes about news, opinion, theater, music and books. A political junkie, a recovering Jehovah’s Witness (it wasn’ her fault; her mother did it to her), and an all-around nerdy girl, she has read a book a day for the last 41 years.

Light refreshments will be provided. The public is invited.

Location/Address:
Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, Room 10
2791 24th Street
Sacramento, CA 95818-3255

Map URL:
maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=2791+24TH+ST,+sacramento,+ca&ll=38.553602,-121.48349&spn=0.011897,0.025299&t

Parking instructions:
Street parking and the Sierra 2 parking lot off of 4th Avenue and 24th Street.

E-mail contact:

Phone contact:
916.447.3589

General Meeting Information:
AOF meetings are open to the public and are generally held on the second Sunday of the month, from 1:30 - 4 PM at the Sierra 2 Community Center, Room 10. Note: The months of February and October are exceptions, since AOF co-produces two public education events: (1) an outdoor faire in October - "Sacramento's Freethought Day" (2007-10-07), and (2) a science and humanity celebration - Sacramento's "Darwin Day Educational Gala" (2008-02-10). Watch the newsletter for details.

Additional information:
Keleigh Friedrich: http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Archive?author=302966
Kel Munger: http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Archive?author=oid%3A13859&pub=all