August 25, 2007 Freethinker meeting
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:50 am
It's time for our August Fayetteville Freethinker meeting. And it's going to be a doosey.
The meeting is this Saturday, August 25th at 2:00pm in the Fayetteville Public Library. And, by the grace of God (or perhaps the other guy arranged it) we have even been granted use of the full-size Walker meeting room.
On the plate:
One of the most contentious religious/political issues of our generation has been the topic of abortion. As part of our Freethinker Bible education mandate we already have an informative tract showing just how mistaken those are who say the fetus should have full personhood status *because* of what the Bible says. Far from it! If you haven't seen our tract you can read it here:
Does the Bible consider the fetus a person?
http://fayfreethinkers.com/tracts/fetus.shtml
Aside from the religious arguments, virtually everyone agrees it would be better if there were fewer abortions. As the "Catholics for Choice" ad used to say: "Nobody Wants to have an Abortion." So if reducing the number of abortions is the goal, what is the best strategy to get there? Are we, as a society, pursuing policies to accomplish this goal? And how about the people that proclaim to detest abortion the most because they understand it to be murder? Sorry to say but there is an "elephant in the room" and it is time for us freethinkers to start pointing it out and making some noise about it. If you are not aware of what has been going on regarding this issue then you will want to attend to see this. To explain the situation we will have a presentation by Doctor Scott J. Spear, MD. He is the Affiliate Medical Director for Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and E. Oklahoma and has recently moved to our area.
We will also have a short presentation by Kevin Metcalf, president and founder of the new Razorback freethinker group at the University of Arkansas. They are the Razorback Freethought Alliance (RFA) and are gearing up to be fearless champions of reason on campus. I encourage you to check out their website here:
http://www.razorbackfreethought.org/
If you are involved with the U. of A. in any way, get involved with this group! Kevin will tell us about the groups the RFA is affiliated with nationwide and some of the things they have planned. We will be working closely with these fine students to make sure they have any support the Fayetteville Freethinkers can provide.
For dessert:
Thanks to the watchful eye of Christina, our freethinker representative from Germany, we have learned of a new program by Richard Dawkins. Continuing where he left of in his "Root of all Evil?" programs he now goes after the "Enemies of Reason." During the second part of the meeting we will be treated with this brand new, fresh from Britain, 47 minute presentation by Richard Dawkins.
We've set the table and prepared the food, now all you have to do is come and get it.
***
Meeting Details:
When: Saturday, August 25, 2007
Where: The Fayetteville Public Library. 401 W. Mountain
St. (two blocks west of the town square). Library phone: 571-2222.
Time: 2:00 pm
Room: The Walker Room. This is the main meeting room. Go in the front
door, through the lobby and go to your RIGHT. You can bring a snack or coffee from Arsaga's in the lobby if you like.
Questions? Call Darrel (479) 442-6738
PS If you have magazines or books to share bring them and put them on our free table.
The meeting is this Saturday, August 25th at 2:00pm in the Fayetteville Public Library. And, by the grace of God (or perhaps the other guy arranged it) we have even been granted use of the full-size Walker meeting room.
On the plate:
One of the most contentious religious/political issues of our generation has been the topic of abortion. As part of our Freethinker Bible education mandate we already have an informative tract showing just how mistaken those are who say the fetus should have full personhood status *because* of what the Bible says. Far from it! If you haven't seen our tract you can read it here:
Does the Bible consider the fetus a person?
http://fayfreethinkers.com/tracts/fetus.shtml
Aside from the religious arguments, virtually everyone agrees it would be better if there were fewer abortions. As the "Catholics for Choice" ad used to say: "Nobody Wants to have an Abortion." So if reducing the number of abortions is the goal, what is the best strategy to get there? Are we, as a society, pursuing policies to accomplish this goal? And how about the people that proclaim to detest abortion the most because they understand it to be murder? Sorry to say but there is an "elephant in the room" and it is time for us freethinkers to start pointing it out and making some noise about it. If you are not aware of what has been going on regarding this issue then you will want to attend to see this. To explain the situation we will have a presentation by Doctor Scott J. Spear, MD. He is the Affiliate Medical Director for Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and E. Oklahoma and has recently moved to our area.
We will also have a short presentation by Kevin Metcalf, president and founder of the new Razorback freethinker group at the University of Arkansas. They are the Razorback Freethought Alliance (RFA) and are gearing up to be fearless champions of reason on campus. I encourage you to check out their website here:
http://www.razorbackfreethought.org/
If you are involved with the U. of A. in any way, get involved with this group! Kevin will tell us about the groups the RFA is affiliated with nationwide and some of the things they have planned. We will be working closely with these fine students to make sure they have any support the Fayetteville Freethinkers can provide.
For dessert:
Thanks to the watchful eye of Christina, our freethinker representative from Germany, we have learned of a new program by Richard Dawkins. Continuing where he left of in his "Root of all Evil?" programs he now goes after the "Enemies of Reason." During the second part of the meeting we will be treated with this brand new, fresh from Britain, 47 minute presentation by Richard Dawkins.
We've set the table and prepared the food, now all you have to do is come and get it.
***
Meeting Details:
When: Saturday, August 25, 2007
Where: The Fayetteville Public Library. 401 W. Mountain
St. (two blocks west of the town square). Library phone: 571-2222.
Time: 2:00 pm
Room: The Walker Room. This is the main meeting room. Go in the front
door, through the lobby and go to your RIGHT. You can bring a snack or coffee from Arsaga's in the lobby if you like.
Questions? Call Darrel (479) 442-6738
PS If you have magazines or books to share bring them and put them on our free table.