New atheist coalition plans Darwin events

PULLMAN – A new coalition of atheists, free thinkers and humanists has formed in the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho, and its first major event is a celebration of scientist Charles Darwin next week.

The Palouse Coalition of Reason seeks to counter the power of religion in society, in favor of science and secular thought.

“We think rational thought is important,” said Tyler Palmer, president of Humanists of the Palouse, one of three groups that formed the new coalition. “We are pro-logic and science and rational thought.”

The coalition includes the groups Secular Cougs at Washington State University and Freethought Moscow at the nearby University of Idaho in Moscow, Palmer said.

The Palouse Coalition of Reason is hosting two events next week as part of International Darwin Day. Atheist speakers Daniel Dennett and PZ Myers will speak Thursday evening at Washington State University. Fred Edwords and Jennifer McCreight will speak at the University of Idaho on Friday.

The Darwin on the Palouse events celebrate Charles Darwin’s 203rd birthday on Feb. 12.