Metroplex Atheists
"If you're interested in us, we're interested in you!"

Welcome to our Website

Whether you’re a believer trying to see what these crazy atheists are all about, or a non-believer looking for like minded people, relax…take your time…look around. We’re a friendly, accommodating group that likes to help people find what they’re looking for. 

We’re also very sociable so if you really want to get a three dimensional look at who atheists are, please join us at one of our meetings. Our Wednesday evening get-togethers are like a gathering of friends getting together after work for a burger and a beer. I know walking into a bunch of strangers can be daunting but you’ll find us very informal, friendly and very welcoming to folks who just want to visit, as well as those who may want to consider becoming a part of the group.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Email me at terry@metroplexatheists.org.

Thank you for visiting us, we hope you enjoy your stay.

Terry McDonald
Chairman

Atheist Voice Issue 29 Now Available

Issue 28 (March-April 2008) of our terrific newsletter The Atheist Voice is now available on The Newsletter Page.

New Meeting Place!

Thanks much for your patience, folks. We now have a new meeting place for our monthly business meetings. We're meeting at the Merlot Room at the Grapevine Fire Hall next to the fire station. It's just north of Delaney's Vineyard on the East side of 121 North of the Glade Road exit.

It's also about a quarter-mile from that big restaurant area at the intersection of 121 and 114, so we have plenty of choices if we want to adjourn for snacks afterward.

For a google map with point-to-point directions, go here.

Wanted: Metroplex Atheists Meet-up hosts

Since you can’t come to a Metroplex Atheist event? Well then why not have Metroplex Atheist events come to you!

We now have a Metroplex Atheists Meet-up Group on www.meetup.com. Over the years we’ve had many folks lament that they couldn’t come to a MA social event because of time/location of our normal Wednesday get together.

Why not start one of your own?

If you have a good meeting place and you’re willing to show up to be somewhat of a host, then just contact Metroplex Atheists and we can put an announcement out on the web.

All it takes is for you to say, “Hey, why don’t we meet at X?” and show up!

We’d like to have a number of social groups that meet informally (because, let’s face it, the business meetings are only just so much fun). The real fun lies in meeting other like minded people.

So, where do YOU want to meet up?

Metroplex Atheists is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to informing our members and the public about the intellectual validity and the individual and social values of atheism. We also seek to protect the constitutional rights of atheists and the First Amendment principle of the separation of church and state.

We get together socially once a week and a bit more formally once a month to plan activities and discuss atheist issues.

We have speakers who address groups, particularly schools, interested in learning about atheism and we have an outreach program to church groups, and other groups, interested in interacting with atheists with the purpose of increased understanding and mutual acceptance.

Meeting Time and Place:

Business Meetings:

Metroplex Atheists meets at 1:00 PM on the 3rd Sunday of every month. We're currently between meeting places. Watch this space for an announcement of our new location.

Social Meetings:

Several members of Metroplex Atheists also meet socially at J. Gilligan's bar in Arlington on Wednesday nights (except for the first Wednesday). It's on Abrams Street just east of the municipal complex. We usually meet around 6-7 pm. They close at 10 pm, but we're usually out before then. Hope to see you there!

On the first Wednesday of the month, the same group meets at Blue Danube Restaurant in Park Row in Pantego (Arlington) at around the same time. It's got great European food and a good constantly-changing selection of beer.

If you've got a free Tuesday, check out the D/FW Atheist Meetup. We meet at 7 pm in various locations around Dallas and Plano. Keep an eye on the web page for announcements!

Meeting Schedule:

Items of interest at our meetings:

• The Atheist Voice. We've got a terrific bimonthly newsletter of atheist thought, new, and opinions. Paper copies of the newsletter are available at the Metroplex Atheists meetings. If you're unable to attend the meeting, we've got downloadable versions of the newsletter available here.
  
  If you're interested in a paper subscription snail-mailed to you, contact editor@metroplexatheists.org. Newsletter proceeds support Metroplex Atheists.
  
   

• Atheist Library. We have a good library of interesting atheism-related books and other reading material available for checking-out. Feel free to browse our titles here.

• Fishy Fashions!

  We now have Chucky D the Darwin Fish, Godless America, and What Would Jefferson Do? available on T-shirts, mouse pads, and coffee mugs. If you want to order one and have it shipped right to your door, check out our Web Store! View the Metroplex Atheists Shop! Note that we may have items for sale at the meetings from time to time, but the best way to get fish-stuff is through the online store.

• Darwin Fish!

  Darwin "fish" items are $5.00 each. We have Auto emblems, refrigerator magnets, lapel pins in gold or silver finish. Atheist bumper stickers are $1 and $1.50.

• Bank of Wisdom CD-ROM's

  Metroplex Atheists is an outlet for the Emmett Fields Bank of Wisdom CD-ROM collection. These are collections of obscure atheist literature available on CD-ROM for low prices. Many of these works are very obscure and are only available publicly in these collections. The pictured Robert Ingersoll CD, for example, contains the entire 12-volume Dresden Edition collection of his speeches and writings. This collection would cost over $1000 if purchased on paper, but you can get it on CD-ROM for around $25.

• Book Covers And, of course, we sell the infamous book covers that caused Pat Robertson to blow a gasket on the set of The 700 Club. We also ship covers out if you live outside of D/FW. You can order them here.

Old News, Protest Reports, and Pictures

• October 18, 2005, Metroplex Atheists called on Trinity Church officials to restrict minors from viewing or working at its fundraiser, because the content is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18, yet many young children were in attendance.

• June 6, 2005, after protesting the appearance, Metroplex Atheists is calling for a public apology from Governor Rick Perry after an appearance in Fort Worth where the Governor insulted and mischaracterized Americans devoted to the separation of church and state.

• May 2005, Metroplex Atheists was honored with opportunity to speak at the Scouting For All press conference.

• May 2005, Metroplex Atheists members survived a showing of the IMAX science film Volcanoes Of The Deep, which was described as "blasphemous" for its statements that the universe is over 6,000 years old.

• April 19, 2005, Metroplex Atheists officially gave their kudos to the Dallas National Day of Prayer committee for finally putting together a NDOP event that wasn't a thinly-veiled political rally.

• May 1, 2003 was once again the day that Evangelical Protestants all over the nation browbeat lawmakers into endorsing their religion and give them bad press if they refuse. We were there to voice our opinion on the matter.

• August 17, 2002 was the date of the biannual Promise Keepers event in Dallas. We were there.

• On June 12-14, 2002, the National Catholic Bishops' Conference was held in Dallas to try to put together a "policy" regarding pedophile priests. While we weren't aware that violent crime required a policy other than "imprison the perpetrators", we still showed up to voice our opinion on the debacle.

• May 2, 2002 was the yearly National Day Of Browbeating Lawmakers Into Endorsing Evangelical Protestantism And Giving Them Bad Press If They Don't (AKA, the National Day of Prayer). Of course, we were there to let 'em know what we thought.

• Metroplex Atheists was the host club for the 8th Annual AAI convention over Easter weekend 2002.

• Following all kinds of theocratic nonsense in Palestine TX, including a mandatory prayer rally in the public school and the Texas governor's statements that schools should allow coerced prayer, December 17 2001 was the date for a "get prayer back in school" rally at a local church. Needless to say, we were there to protest and several locals joined us to let everyone know Palestine is not in lock-step on this issue. Check it out here.

• Yes, December 16, 2001 was the date for the annual Infidels' Bash Holiday Party. See the fun and the latest in the Weatherford sign drama.

• For the second year in a row, several Metroplex Atheists decided to get the wits scared out of 'em. And what a better place to lose ones wits than at a fundamentalist Hell House!

• August 19-25 was the second annual Scouting For All protest of the Boy Scout headquarters in Dallas. We've got pics.

• On August 5, 2001, the Birdville TX school district decided to waive fees and bend the rules a bit for a group that wanted to hold a prayer-rally in the newly-built athletic complex. Needless to say, we were there. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently posted an article on the controversy.

• May 3, 2001 was the annual Metroplex Atheists protest of the National Day Of Browbeating Lawmakers Into Endorsing Evangelical Protestantism And Giving Them Bad Press If They Don't (AKA the National Day of Prayer).

• Easter weekend 2001 was the date of the American Atheists national convention, and a few members of MA were in attendance.

• December 17, 2000 was the date for our Infidels Bash Holiday Party. A great time was had by all. Hope to see you at the next one!

• On December 6, 2000 our co-chair Shelly Hattan was interviewed by The Infidel Guy. Listen to the interview with your RealPlayer here.

• On October 27,2000, several Metroplex Atheists members visited a Christian answer to haunted houses, the Hell House. Cringe with us in gut-wrenching terror here.

• September 10 was the date of the Cowtown RAM in Fort Worth Texas, and Metroplex Atheists helped sponsor the event. Learn more about the event here.

• August 21, 2000 was the national Scouting for All protest. Members of Metroplex Atheists were there to protest BSA's discriminatory policy against atheists. Our co-chair has an open letter to United Way that you can use to voice your support for the movement.

• George W. Bush did a quick appearance in Dallas on August 19, 2000. Metroplex Atheists was there to protest Bush's intention to institute "faith-based" welfare programs.

• July 8, 2000 was the Metroplex Atheists protest of Promise Keepers. We've got commentary and pictures here.

• June 18, 2000 was the Metroplex Atheists summer solstice party. We've got pictures here.

• May 5, 2000 was the annual "Browbeat our legislators into praying with us and give 'em bad press if they don't" celebration. Of course, we voiced our opinion on the matter.

• Several MA members attended the American Atheists national convention over Easter weekend, 2000.

• Metroplex Atheists made a showing at the Respect Our Constitution rally in Austin.

• Check out some pictures from Our 2000 Spring Equinox Party here.

• You don't need a savior to have fun in December!

• We were there at the Santa Fe, TX game-day prayer protest.

• Here is our first Day of Prayer protest in 1999.

• On behalf of American Atheists, several MA members demonstrated at the 1998 Karla Faye Tucker execution.

• American Atheists picketed Promise Keepers national convention in 1997, and some Metroplex Atheists members were there!

• And, finally, follow the adventures of our poor little Weatherford Solstice Sign.

Articles of interest written by our members

• Letters written by our members.

• Some Frequently-asked questions about atheism and atheists.

• A little something to read along with that Gideon's Bible

• God and the Tooth Fairy, a short essay for young folks

• Mr. O'Lucky Saved My Miserable Life -- Show this one to any friends you have who claim that Jesus healed 'em.

Other atheist groups in Texas:

• Atheist Community of Austin. An active group that produces a weekly show on atheism for local TV.

• Dallas/Fort Worth Ethical Fellowship.

• Houston Atheists. A great group of folks in Houston.

• The North Texas Church of Freethought. A social group of D/FW freethinkers.

National and club organization:

• American Atheists. Since 1963, the premier organization defending the civil rights of atheists.

• Atheist Alliance International. A democratic association of independent, autonomous atheist societies.
  Metroplex Atheists is affiliated with both American Atheists and Atheist Alliance International.

• Metroplex Atheists Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Contact Info:

• Contact us by email at director@metroplexatheists.org

• Contact us by snail-mail at 6 Fort Worth Court Mansfield, TX 76063-2159

• Contact us by phone at (817) 329-1441

Our Discussion Lists:

Subscribe to the Metroplex Atheists announcement list This is the low-volume group for meeting and activism-related announcements.
Sample the metroplexatheists announcement archive

Subscribe to the Metroplex Atheists discussion list This is an unmoderated discussion group for MA-related topics.
Sample the DFWAtheistTalk discussion list archive