Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · May 28

What do you say when someone assumes you believe in God?
Do you clarify? Let it slide? Or just smile and change the subject?
We’ve all been there — especially in Michigan. Curious how others handle it.
(And yeah, you're not alone if you've just nodded along to avoid a whole thing.)

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · May 25

📦 We’re collecting donations.
🧤 Bring them to:
🗓️ May 31 – Michigan Atheists mtg
🗓️ June 1 – Skeptics on the Move, Rochester Hills
Everything we collect will go toward making someone’s day a little easier. Let’s show up.
#SecularService #DayOfService #SAMCommunity #GiveBack

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · May 24

BN of Metro Detroit Brunch
Detroit Shipping Company | Sunday, May 25 | 12:15 PM
Brunch, music, sunlight, and secular community. We’re meeting up at the Detroit Shipping Company in the beer garden to connect, eat, and enjoy the vibe. No lectures, no dogma — just good people and good food.

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · May 24

Want to speak out for secular values in Michigan?
We’re building a team of advocates ready to show up, speak clearly, and push for reason and justice. Join the Secular Advocacy Initiative today.
Apply now: https://forms.gle/ehx5KTctHCaEWBtH6 #SecularAdvocacy #ChurchStateSeparation #Activism

Join the Secular Advocacy Initiative

This form serves as an application to join the Secular Advocacy Initiative, a project of the Secular Alliance of Michigan. We're looking for passionate individuals ready to speak out, organize, and advocate for secular values. Please complete this brief form to help us get to know you and assess how we can best work together.

forms.gle

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · May 7

New from SAM TV! 🧠
In our May Community Update:
• Warren NDP protest
• Troy NDP&R recap
• New podcast affiliate
• Upcoming events & talks
📺 Watch now: https://youtu.be/zpfXJ91VHn8
#SecularMichigan #SAMTV #StaySkeptical #AtheistVoices

May 2025 Secular Community Update | Protests, Podcasts, and Public Talks!

Welcome to SAM TV! In this May 2025 Community Update, Chris McLaughlin shares whatâs new across Michiganâs growing secular community. Hereâs what we cover:ð...

youtu.be

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 23

🎥 New SAM TV Community Update!
Big news + old memories:
Secular History Series 📚
MI Atheists mtg 4/26
Live AMA 4/27 🎙️
NDP&R w/ Kelsey Sill 5/1
Throwback to Grassroots Atheism 💬
Watch 👉 https://youtu.be/gqYPW6zqEGE
Events 👉 secularalliance.org

SAM TV Community Update | New Events, Old Memories, and What's Next for Michigan's Secular Community

In this special SAM TV Community Update, Chris McLaughlin shares exciting news and powerful stories from Michiganâs secular community!â New Secular History S...

youtu.be

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 19

New Secular Spotlight!
🎙️Want to build a nonreligious group in your town?
You don't need a crowd—you just need a start.
Chris shares how to launch, grow, and connect with support from SAM.
👉 https://youtu.be/pOsRSwcGzcM
#SecularSpotlight #StartAGroup #Atheism #CommunityBuilding

How to Start a Nonreligious Group | Secular Spotlight Podcast

In this episode of Secular Spotlight, Chris McLaughlin breaks down how anyoneâyes, even youâcan start a local nonreligious group. Whether youâre in a big cit...

youtu.be

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 18

• 1857—Clarence Darrow born; agnostic Scopes lawyer, civil‑liberties icon
• 1955—Albert Einstein dies; physicist who rejected a personal god and voiced humanist ideals
• 1521—Luther’s “Here I stand” at Diet of Worms cracks church monopoly on conscience
#ThisDayInSecularism

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 17

Tired of division? Join us for Peace, Understanding, and Compassion at the National Day of Prayer and Reflection, hosted by SAM and Troy-area Interfaith Group. May 1, 7 PM Balkan American Cultural Center, Troy RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/samich/events/307341470/ All are welcome.

National Day of Prayer & Reflection – Peace, Understanding & Compassion, Thu, May 1, 2025, 7:00 PM | Meetup

The Secular Alliance of Michigan (SAM) Meetup group is pleased to host, in partnership with the Troy–area Interfaith Group, our Annual National Day of Prayer and Reflection

www.meetup.com

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 17

• 1990—SCOTUS Employment Division v. Smith lets neutral laws burden faith, sparking RFRA and reshaping church–state law
• 1982—Canadian Charter enshrines freedom of conscience & equality; still a cornerstone in rights cases
• Today—Ask An Atheist Day: drop your Qs, spark a convo!

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 10

We hate to pile on the bad news about the current administration—but this matters.

SAM is gifting this @washingtonpost article so there’s no paywall:🔗 wapo.st/428N9SC

Scientists pulled an evolution paper out of fear it could lead to deportation. That’s where we are.
Read it. Share it. Speak out.

Fearing paper on evolution might get them deported, scientists withdrew it

President Donald Trump’s orders haven’t targeted research involving evolution, but the authors’ unease about publishing reflects uncertainty in the science world.

wapo.st

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secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 9

🎳 Join us for Bowling Fun with Black Nonbelievers of Metro Detroit! 📅 Sunday, April 13 in Farmington Hills All are welcome — bring a friend and let's roll!
🔗 More details: https://www.meetup.com/samich #BlackNonbelievers #SecularAlliance #BowlingFun #DetroitAtheists

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 8

🆕 New episode of Secular Spotlight just dropped!

🎙️ Free Speech vs. Safe Spaces Can secular communities handle honest debate?

Empathy ≠ censorship
Disagreement ≠ hate
Being right ≠ winning

🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/-H2PlUA95JQ
#SecularSpotlight #FreeSpeech

Free Speech vs. Safe Spaces | Secular Spotlight

In this episode of Secular Spotlight, Chris McLaughlin digs into one of the thorniest topics facing secular communities today: the balance between free speec...

youtu.be

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 4

Join us April 7 at 7PM at United Methodist Church of Troy! Hear Melanie Grund speak on immigrant & refugee services in Oakland County. Casual, all welcome, refreshments after.More: troyinterfaithgroup.org#SecularAlliance #InterfaithSolidarity

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 3

🍻 Join us for DAM 2.0 – the Detroit Atheist Meetup!
📅 Tue, April 8 at 6PM
📍 Logan’s Roadhouse, Roseville
Eat, drink & connect with fellow atheists and skeptics. Hosted by Secular Alliance of Michigan.
🔗 RSVP: meetup.com/samich/events/306816283/
#AtheistMeetup #DAM20 #SecularAlliance

secularalliance.org @secularalliance.org · Apr 3

📜 Join us at the Troy Historic Village for Constitution Café on Sun, April 13 at 2PM! This month: the 24th Amendment. Free, open to all, and hosted in a spirit of civil discourse. Details: https://www.troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/constitution-cafes/troyhistoricvillage.org

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