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SEQUENCE:18794400
CREATED:20111228T185300Z
DESCRIPTION:This month Atheist Advocates of SF features a talk by Staff Sergeant Dan 
 Rawlings, the founder of the Military Atheists & Secular Humanists (MASH) 
 group at Travis Air Force Base in nearby Fairfield. Before transferring to 
 Travis, Dan was stationed in North Carolina, where he was involved with the 
 local MASH group at Fort Bragg. Earlier this year the group made the news 
 when it responded to the Army sponsorship of evangelical proselytizing in a 
 music festival sponsored by the Billy Graham Foundation. MASH demanded 
 support for a secular festival called “Rock Beyond Belief.” At first 
 permission was given, but only for a space much smaller than the one given 
 to the prior event. After a successful media and political campaign, the 
 base relented. “Rock Beyond Belief” is scheduled for March 31st, with 
 atheist musicians and famous speakers like Richard Dawkins and Dan 
 Barker.\n$6.00\nWhen Dan arrived at Travis, he discovered considerable rank 
 and file support for a MASH group, which he promptly formed. As the 
 Solstice approached, the base sponsored in a prominent place a Nativity 
 Scene with Baby Jesus and the usual characters. Another Airman at the base 
 sent a request to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) asking 
 for support in demanding that the base be forced to no longer blatantly 
 support one religious dogma (Christianity) over others. Representing 122 
 Airmen on the base, MRFF asked that the display be moved to the Chapel 
 area. Meanwhile Dan requested that his MASH group be allowed to add a 
 display. They were refused, but after intense pressure from news agencies 
 and civil rights advocacy groups, he was allowed to display the MASH sign. 
 It read : “Have a Safe Holiday Season, from the ATHEISTS at Travis 
 MASH.” The sign was paid for by American Atheists. It changed the way 
 atheists are seen in the military forever.\n \nLarry Hicok, the California 
 State Director of American Atheists and the founder of AASF, had been in 
 touch with Dan. When Larry was interviewed on KCBS radio a few days before 
 December 25th in connection with an American Atheists display among 
 religious displays in Santa Monica, he talked about the struggle at Travis. 
 KCBS then interviewed Dan about his efforts. Earlier the SF Chronicle had 
 an article about the event. This media pressure, combined with the work of 
 the MRFF and Justin Griffith, the Military Director of American Atheists, 
 helped Dan’s group win.\n \nPlease join us in hearing what it is like on 
 the front lines fighting for atheist and humanist rights in the military.\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/12/28/18703505.php
SUMMARY:AASF present SSgt Dan Rawlings, of the Military Atheists & Secular Humanists (MASH)
LOCATION:Women's Building, 3543 18th (at Valencia), San Francisco,94110\nAudre Lorde 
 Room (Upstairs)
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/12/28/18703505.php
DTSTART:20120108T230000Z
DTEND:20120109T040000Z
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