Presentations

Presentations

The following presentations also make excellent discussion topics for radio and cable TV programs.

“Exploring Atheism: The Many Ways in which Atheism Makes Sense” (KeyNote/PowerPoint.  40-70 minutes.)
[This talk can be adjusted in length, depending upon the time available.  Longer is better.  This talk is best suited for a general college audience.  The short version is especially appropriate for high school comparative religion classes.]

An overview of atheism, touching on such topics as atheist humor; definitions; burden of proof; history of atheism; atheism in the arts; belief in gods and an afterlife; problems with belief; prayer; science and religion; the earth and the universe; evolution and creationism/ID; neurotheology (the god part of the brain); meaning and purpose in life; ethics; abortion; homosexuality; secularism; and humanism.

“Morality with and without God” (Talk. 30 minutes)

Can we be good without God?  In fact, it’s impossible to be good with God, except by accident or by relying on naturalistic sources of ethics.  How morality evolved in animals, including humans.

“A History of Freethought Organizations in the United States and Minnesota” (KeyNote/PowerPoint. 20 minutes.)
[This presentation is an overview or outline.  It is best suited for groups that want a quick summary of what the groups are and how they’re connected.]

Unitarians, Ethical Society, Freethinkers, Rationalists, Humanists, Secular Humanists, Humanistic Jews, and Atheists.  What is the history of these groups in the United States and Minnesota?

Debate Topics

  • “Does God Exist?”
  • “Can We be Good without God?”
  • “The Problem of Evil”

Brief Biography

August Berkshire has been active in the atheist movement since 1984.  He is the president of Minnesota Atheists and a past vice president of Atheist Alliance International.  He is the author of eight pamphlets and other articles, which can be found on his website: AugustBerkshire.com.  He has the “ATHEIST” car license plate for Minnesota and is proud to be listed in the reference book “Who’s Who in Hell.”