Atheist Holiday Billboard Debuts in Kansas City

A new billboard wishing drivers “happy holidays” will run through January 2020

KANSAS CITY, Mo. There’s a new billboard running for the upcoming holiday season, and it’s wishing everyone happy holidays from their friendly Kansas City atheists. Running in rotation on a digital billboard near the Armour Road exit from I-35 south, it’s here to convey season’s greetings to drivers on their travels along I-35. The billboard is running for three months, from Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 31, 2020.

“The holidays, for many people, are steeped in religious tradition,” Jordan McKinney, president of the Kansas City Atheist Coalition, explains, “and, for many atheists, that means they don’t really have a place they feel like they fit in during these winter months. That’s part of our message here – that there’s a community where they can make friends and build families of their choosing during this holiday season.”

Mr. McKinney acknowledges that some may see the billboard as an attack on those religious traditions, but that is not the intent. “It’s quite the opposite, in fact. We’re trying to raise awareness that atheists also enjoy spending time with friends and family over hot drinks and tasty food.”

He also pointed to the Kansas City Atheist Coalition’s tradition of collecting gifts each year for a family adopted through local charity programs. “We’re not only trying to break the misconception that atheists are steeped in a Scrooge-esque resentment of the holidays,” Mr. McKinney explained, “but also providing opportunities for atheists to give back to their local community and participate in that ‘season of giving’ that everyone enjoys this time of year.”

For media inquiries: contact@kcatheists.org

Announcing New Facebook Group

We are happy to announce that we are creating a space for KC atheists to socialize and connect via Facebook. This option is limited to dues-paying members and all participants are bound by the rules as described here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kjzJbP7aviQD9tkaoKju2ipHYkW9XgxK5dabGUUF5R8/

When you join the group, you will be asked two questions: what email address is associated with your membership (which is the address at which you are receiving this email address) and to confirm that you have read and agree to abide by our rules.

We have sent out emails to all of our members who are up on their dues. If you have not received your invitation to the group and feel that you should have received one, please feel free to contact us either via email at contact@kcatheists.org or via our Facebook page.

May Freethinking Friends

We just wanted to highlight that May’s “Freethinking Friends” event will be a bit different from our others: because this month’s 28th falls so close to Memorial Day, we invite everyone to join us at Darrel Ray’s for a cookout among friends. You can check out the event page for more details.

Hope to see you there!

2018: A Year in Review

We’ve had a fantastic year in 2018, and it’s all thanks to you – your volunteering, your smiles, and your thoughtful dialogues are all what made this a great year. We’ve put together a small collection of some of our favorite memories from this year:

Friendly Freethought Resuming in 2019

I know what you’re thinking: didn’t we just start doing these? You’re right – however, between the high number of end-of-month holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, various December religious holidays, New Year’s) between now and the end of the year ON TOP OF our white elephant holiday party (which we’ll be announcing details of soon!), we’re going to be pausing these social events until January 28. We’re hoping to see you still at our events like Trunk or Treat!

Announcing: Freethinking Friends Monthly Events!

You’ve been asking for regular social meetups to meet your fellow atheists, and we’re happy to announce our response: Freethinking Friends, hosted on the 28th day of each month. You can find out more about our first social event here.

We’ve chosen the 28th in an attempt to compromise between selecting a recurring date and float the event around the week in an effort to accommodate as many schedules as possible.

We’re still very much piloting out this recurring social event and welcome your feedback as we continue to roll this out! Please feel free to message us either at our Facebook page or at contact@kcatheists.org.

Atheists are Coming to Pride!

The Kansas City Atheist Coalition will be coming to Kansas City PrideFest 2018! We’ll have shirts available that will let you declare your pride as both a member of the LGBTQIA community and an atheist:

Make sure to come by and say, “Hi!” We look forward to seeing you there!