The Freethought Society http://www.ftsociety.org Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:19:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The politics of sexual oppression http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/20/the-politics-of-sexual-oppression/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/20/the-politics-of-sexual-oppression/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:16:57 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=2030 Jill McDevitt’s speech, “The Politics of Sexual Oppression,” will highlight American sexual oppression laws, politics, and the psychology of oppression as it relates to sex.

This event is co-hosted by the Freethought Society and the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia. Suggested donation . . . → Read More: The politics of sexual oppression]]>

McDevitt in her store. Photo © Amy Dragoo, Main Line Media News

Jill McDevitt’s speech, “The Politics of Sexual Oppression,” will highlight American sexual oppression laws, politics, and the psychology of oppression as it relates to sex.

This event is co-hosted by the Freethought Society and the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia. Suggested donation of $5 at the door.

7:00PM – Monday, May 21, 2012

Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia

1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/20/the-politics-of-sexual-oppression/feed/ 0 Nate Phelps – The Uncomfortable Grayness of Life – April 15, 2012 http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/10/nate-phelps-the-uncomfortable-grayness-of-life-april-15-2012/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/10/nate-phelps-the-uncomfortable-grayness-of-life-april-15-2012/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:52:29 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=2020 Nate Phelps

On Monday, April 16, 2012, the Freethought Society and the Drexel Freethought Society (an on-campus student group) will co-host Nate Phelps at Drexel University. Phelps is the son of Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, which gained infamy from their protests at the funerals of American soldiers.

The Phelps presentation, . . . → Read More: Nate Phelps – The Uncomfortable Grayness of Life – April 15, 2012]]> Nate Phelps

Nate Phelps

On  Monday, April 16, 2012, the Freethought Society and the Drexel Freethought Society (an on-campus student group) will co-host Nate Phelps at Drexel University.  Phelps is the son of Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, which gained infamy from their protests at the funerals of American soldiers.

The Phelps presentation, entitled “The Uncomfortable Grayness of Life,” will begin at 7:00 PM in the Mitchell Room, located on the first floor of the Bossone Research Enterprise Center (3140 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104).  FS thanks Drexel University student leader David McDevitt for coordinating with University officials for the use of the Mitchell Room and for helping to promote this event.

Please note the suggested donation of $5 at the door. The suggested donation for students with ID is $2.

Phelps will talk about his family and his interesting philosophical journey. He is currently a resident of Calgary, Alberta, and works for the Center For Inquiry.  Phelps is currently working on a book which will reveal his exceptional story. A documentary film about Phelps is due to be released soon.

Visitors can park at the Drexel Parking Garage using the self-serve pay-by-space system. Pay in the lobby at the kiosk just after parking your vehicle by entering the parking space number and selecting from the kiosk’s menu prompts. Similar parking is available at 3500 Filbert Street. Display the printed receipt in plain view inside the vehicle’s front dash.

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/10/nate-phelps-the-uncomfortable-grayness-of-life-april-15-2012/feed/ 0 Roy Zimmerman returns to West Chester – April 9, 2012 http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/03/roy-zimmerman-returns-to-west-chester-april-9-2012/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/03/roy-zimmerman-returns-to-west-chester-april-9-2012/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:07 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1840 FS is pleased to announce that folk singer and political satirist Roy Zimmerman will be performing on the campus of West Chester University on Monday, April 9, 2012 at Sykes Auditorium (110 W. Rosedale Avenue West Chester, PA 19383).

The show starts at 7:00 PM. Admission is $18.00 for the public; $10.00 for students.

The . . . → Read More: Roy Zimmerman returns to West Chester – April 9, 2012]]> FS is pleased to announce that folk singer and political satirist Roy Zimmerman will be performing on the campus of West Chester University on Monday, April 9, 2012 at Sykes Auditorium (110 W. Rosedale Avenue West Chester, PA 19383).

The show starts at 7:00 PM. Admission is $18.00 for the public; $10.00 for students.

The Freethought Society has hosted Zimmerman several times over the years to rave reviews. This is the first event that will be co-hosted by FS with the Political Science Club of West Chester University. FS thanks student Nicholas Stark for coordinating with University officials for use of the auditorium and for helping to promote and advertise this wonderful concert.

Roy Zimmerman lives in California, and visits the East Coast only a few times a year. Get a taste of  Zimmerman’s music and terrific sense of humor by watching his clips on YouTube, and visiting his website at http://www.royzimmerman.com  but remember-  it’s not nearly as fun as a live Zimmerman performance!   Please plan to attend!

PLEASE RSVP VIA our FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/events/260612840699568/  or on our meetup.

 

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/04/03/roy-zimmerman-returns-to-west-chester-april-9-2012/feed/ 1 Margaret Downey at Rock Beyond Belief http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/03/30/margaret-downey-at-rock-beyond-belief/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/03/30/margaret-downey-at-rock-beyond-belief/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:57:04 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1939 Margaret Downey

Freethought Society president Margaret Downey will speak at the Rock Beyond Belief event in North Carolina on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Please try to attend this free event at Fort Bragg. See:

www.rockbeyondbelief.com

Her speech will be about the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). She will talk about BSA discrimination history, disclose . . . → Read More: Margaret Downey at Rock Beyond Belief]]>

Margaret Downey

Freethought Society president Margaret Downey will speak at the Rock Beyond Belief event in North Carolina on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Please try to attend this free event at Fort Bragg. See:

www.rockbeyondbelief.com

Her speech will be about the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). She will talk about BSA discrimination history, disclose details about gratuities, and suggest what should be done to change BSA (or hold them to their now “private” status). A young Scout will join her on stage and his now viral video will be shown. See:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-1TqPCy_Bs

Margaret has worked to stop BSA discrimination for many years. See the ADSN section for reports about this work, or click here: http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1944

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/03/30/margaret-downey-at-rock-beyond-belief/feed/ 1 The Boy Scouts of America- legalized discrimination http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/03/29/the-boy-scouts-of-america-legalized-discrimination/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/03/29/the-boy-scouts-of-america-legalized-discrimination/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:29:28 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1944  

Margaret Downey and FS have worked for many years to change the policies of the BSA and/or make sure they don’t get taxpayer funding if they insist on a policy of discrimination. Here are numerous articles and reports detailing our efforts. If you’d like to join us in this cause, please email volunteer@ftsociety.org.

January . . . → Read More: The Boy Scouts of America- legalized discrimination]]>  

Margaret Downey and FS have worked for many years to change the policies of the BSA and/or make sure they don’t get taxpayer funding if they insist on a policy of discrimination.  Here are numerous articles and reports detailing our efforts. If you’d like to join us in this cause, please email volunteer@ftsociety.org.

January February 2011 Newsletter-Boy Scout Article

BSA 2010 Protest

BSA 2010 Protest Carter

BSA NCC Orientation Speech Copy

BSA NCC ESP Press Release

BSA: letter to National Constitution Center

BSA: Letter to President Jimmy Carter

BSA: Christian Legal Society v Martinez – Supreme court ruling hailed

BSA: Disability bias: Orlando Sentinel Article

BSA: Disability bias: Florida Today Article

BSA Disability bias: Beacon Article

National and Local Taxpayer Money Continues to Support BSA bigotry – March 2005

BSA Protest- 2004

BSA: AHA Press Release

BSA 2003 Press Release

AHA complaint letter to School board

BSA: Speech delivered to Mayor Street, Phila, 2000

 

 

 

Scouting for all is a wonderful alternative to the Boy Scouts.

For more information, visit:  http://www.scoutingforall.org/data/layer02/aboutFrame.html

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/03/29/the-boy-scouts-of-america-legalized-discrimination/feed/ 0 Join us at the Reason Rally- Washington DC, March 24, 2012, on the mall http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/02/29/join-us-at-the-reason-rally-washington-dc-march-24-2011-on-the-mall/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/02/29/join-us-at-the-reason-rally-washington-dc-march-24-2011-on-the-mall/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:38:26 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1854 The Reason Rally is an event sponsored by many of the country’s largest and most influential secular organizations. The Freethought Society is one of the sponsors of the event. It will be free to attend and will take place in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2012 from 10:00AM – 4:00PM at the National Mall. . . . → Read More: Join us at the Reason Rally- Washington DC, March 24, 2012, on the mall]]>

The Reason Rally is an event sponsored by many of the country’s largest and most influential secular organizations. The Freethought Society is one of the sponsors of the event.  It will be free to attend and will take place in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2012 from 10:00AM – 4:00PM at the National Mall.  There will be music, comedy, speakers, and so much more.  We hope you will join us!  See the current issue of the Freethought Society News Jan_Feb_2012_FS_Newsletter1   for information on hotels, buses, more.

Philadelphia and Tri-State attendees should visit the Freethought Society (FS) table, located in the Sponsors’ tent. Michael Newdow will be on hand to meet and greet along with Margaret Downey and several of the FS board members.

Thanks to a generous donation from comedian/filmmaker Troy Conrad, the Freethought Society (FS) will be giving a complimentary DVD, “The Comedy Jesus Show” (pictured at right) to the first 100 people who sign up to receive the FS’s free newsletters. Follow Conrad on Twitter @troyconrad. If you’d like to purchase a “Comedy Jesus” DVD, visit: www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7969702

Please visit www.reasonrally.org, for more information, and updates.

Speakers include:

Richard Dawkins

Adam Savage

Jessica Ahlquist

Dan Barker

David Silverman 

 Tim Minchin

 Jamila Bey

 Greta Christina

 Elizabeth Cornwell

 Michael Shermer

 PZ Myers

 Fred Edwords

 Sean Faircloth

 Bad Religion

 Roy Speckhardt

 Taslima Nasrin

 Annie Laurie Gaylor

 Greg Graffin

 Victor Harris

 Rep. Pete Stark

 Paul Provenza

 Jamie Kilstein

 Lawrence Krauss

 Ron Lindsay

 Todd Stiefel

 James Randi

 Hemant Mehta

 Cristina Rad

 Shelley Segal

 Indra Zuno

Rational Warrior a.k.a Tombstone Da Deadman

 Sponsors:

 

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/02/29/join-us-at-the-reason-rally-washington-dc-march-24-2011-on-the-mall/feed/ 0 Dinner and a Movie: “Bondage and the Bible” Feb 21, 2012 http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/01/31/dinner-and-a-movie-bondage-and-the-bible-feb-21-2011/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/01/31/dinner-and-a-movie-bondage-and-the-bible-feb-21-2011/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:48:24 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1825 FS’s “Dinner and a Movie” event format is back by popular demand.

Please bring your own dinner to the Norristown Library Community Room on February 21, 2012 to view Bondage and the Bible. The address of the library is 1001 Powell Street, Norristown, Pennsylvania. For information about public transportation . . . → Read More: Dinner and a Movie: “Bondage and the Bible” Feb 21, 2012]]>

Bondage in the Bible

FS’s “Dinner and a Movie” event format is back by popular demand.

Please bring your own dinner to the Norristown Library Community Room on February 21, 2012 to view Bondage and the Bible. The address of the library is 1001 Powell Street, Norristown, Pennsylvania. For information about public transportation please see the following website: http://www.septa.org/stations/rail/norristown.html

The movie will start at 6:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive between 5:30 and 5:45 PM to socialize and set up their dinner tables. FS will provide bottled water, napkins and paper plates.

Bondage and the Bible is a 60 minute independent film by Eric Harmon. This film includes the critical analysis of the Bible’s endorsement of  slavery and examines the inconsistent message in the New Testament, which supports slavery and inequality.

Synopsis

Bondage and the Bible tackles the controversial subject of African Americans who follow the bible as “the word of god” despite glaring passages that support and condone the institution of slavery.  The film examines how Old Testament curses and commandments legitimizes slavery and how New Testament scriptures urge slaves to obey even the cruelest of masters.  In addition, the film evaluates the psychological damage that ensues when African American people worship iconic images of a white god.  Using actual bible scriptures and interviews with people ranging from biblical scholars to ordinary citizens, the film offers a diverse look at how the bible’s support of slavery allowed U.S. slave owners to pass on a religion to African Americans that guaranteed an inferior relationship to all things divine.

View the trailer at: www.filmbaby.com/films/3052

Genres: Documentary // African American Heritage      Influences: The History Channel’s Mysteries of the Bible // Jesus Camp

Please RSVP using our Meetup page:  http://www.meetup.com/Freethought-Society-Meetup/events/49602002/

or our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/events/268988663166890/

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/01/31/dinner-and-a-movie-bondage-and-the-bible-feb-21-2011/feed/ 0 The January/February 2012 FS Newsletter http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/01/25/the-januaryfebruary-2012-fs-newsletter/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/01/25/the-januaryfebruary-2012-fs-newsletter/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:24:15 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1814 The January/February 2012 Freethought News is now available for download or online reading at this link: Jan_Feb_2012_FS_Newsletter1

In this newsletter you will find the following articles:

Chester County Commissioners Reject the Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey Chester County Protest, by Glen Loev A January Evening With Dr. Lawrence Krauss, by Tracy McPherson Evidence . . . → Read More: The January/February 2012 FS Newsletter]]> The January/February 2012  Freethought News is now available for download or online reading at this link:  Jan_Feb_2012_FS_Newsletter1  

In this newsletter you will find the following articles:

  • Chester County Commissioners Reject the Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey
  • Chester County Protest, by Glen Loev
  • A January Evening With Dr. Lawrence Krauss, by Tracy McPherson
  • Evidence that the U. S. is not a “Christian Nation,” by Dom Nozzi
  • FS Supports Building Bid, by Margaret Downey
  • The Freethought Society’s 2012 Four-Month Activities Calendar
  • Review of Christopher Hitchens’ book Hitch 22 by, Ben Ackerley
  • Helping Hands Committee by Margaret Downey
  • A cartoon by Emily Anthony
  • Free Thinkers of Haiti Report on Solar Box Cooker Project

We want our supporters to stay informed at all times. To keep updated about events, meetings and issues, please sign up to the Freethought Society Discussion List, follow us on Facebook, and register as a member of the Freethought Society Meet Up page. Why not make sure to visit and register at all three locations? Links are as follows:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FS-Discussion/

http://www.meetup.com/Freethought-Society-Meetup/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Freethought-Society/147128532024347

If the attached newsletter inspires you to become more actively involved with the Freethought Society, please provide us with your contact information including your phone number and mailing address. Special events are being planned in your area so don’t miss an opportunity to participate further. All personal information is confidential and will not be shared with other organizations.

~The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2012/01/25/the-januaryfebruary-2012-fs-newsletter/feed/ 0 Dr. Andrew Newberg: “God and the Brain” http://www.ftsociety.org/2011/12/29/dr-andrew-newberg-god-and-the-brain/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2011/12/29/dr-andrew-newberg-god-and-the-brain/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:23:43 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1757 Dr. Andrew Newberg.

Physician, educator and author Dr. Andrew Newberg will present “God and the Brain.” His presentation will discuss current knowledge about brain processes as they relate to religious and spiritual phenomena. Topics will include religious . . . → Read More: Dr. Andrew Newberg: “God and the Brain”]]>

Monday January 23, 2012
Free/Open-to-the-Public
The Free Library of Philadelphia- 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia.  Montgomery Auditorium

Dr. Andrew Newberg.

Physician, educator and author Dr. Andrew Newberg will present “God and the Brain.” His presentation will discuss current knowledge about brain processes as they relate to religious and spiritual phenomena. Topics will include religious belief systems, the experience of God, and practices such as prayer and meditation. The implications of this research for both science and religion will also be presented.Dr. Andrew Newberg is Director of Research at the Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Medical College. He is also Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nuclear Medicine. and is considered a pioneer in the neuroscientific study of religious and spiritual experiences, a field frequently referred to as – neurotheology. His work attempts to better understand the nature of religious and spiritual practices and experiences.Principles of Neurotheology

This work has been compiled into his latest book, Principles of Neurotheology, which reviews the important principles and foundations of neurotheology. Believing that it is important to keep science rigorous and religion religious, he has engaged the topic like few others. He has been fascinated by the implications of this research for the study of the mind, brain, consciousness, morality, theology, and philosophy. He has also been particularly interested in the relationship between the brain, religion, and health. His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and various trance states. He has also performed surveys of people’s spiritual experiences and attitudes. Finally, he has evaluated the relationship between religious and spiritual phenomena and health. This includes a recent study on the effect of meditation on memory.

Principles of Neurotheology

In his career, he has also actively pursued neuroimaging research projects on the study of aging and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. He has also researched the neurophysiological correlates of acupuncture, meditation, and alternative therapies, and how brain function is associated with mystical and religious experiences. Dr. Newberg helped develop stress-management programs for the University of Pennsylvania Health Systems and received a Science and Religion Course Award from the Center for Theology and  the Natural Sciences for his program entitled “The Biology of Spirituality” in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania. He is currently teaching a course in the Department of Religious Studies entitled, “Science and the Sacred: An Introduction to Neurotheology.”

Dr. Newberg has published over 100 research articles, essays and book chapters, and is the co-author of the best selling books, Why God Won’t Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief (Ballantine, 2001) and How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist (Ballantine, 2009). He has presented his research throughout the world in both cientific and public forums. He appeared on Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, ABC’s World News Tonight, National Public Radio, London Talk Radio and over fifteen nationally syndicated radio programs. His work has been featured in Time, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and many other newspapers and magazines. An overview of his work can be viewed at on this site. (Biographical information from http://www.andrewnewberg.com)

Please plan to attend this exciting event! 

RSVP via Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Freethought-Society/147128532024347#!/events/161130347328416/

RSVP via Meetup:  http://www.meetup.com/Freethought-Society-Meetup/events/45901882/

]]> http://www.ftsociety.org/2011/12/29/dr-andrew-newberg-god-and-the-brain/feed/ 1 Hear Physicist Lawrence Krauss explain how nothing produced everything. http://www.ftsociety.org/2011/12/24/hear-physicist-lawrence-krauss-explain-how-nothing-produced-everything/ http://www.ftsociety.org/2011/12/24/hear-physicist-lawrence-krauss-explain-how-nothing-produced-everything/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:24:41 +0000 Carol Roper http://www.ftsociety.org/?p=1797 Noted physicist Lawrence Krauss, whose . . . → Read More: Hear Physicist Lawrence Krauss explain how nothing produced everything.]]> How could the universe come from nothing? It’s a mind-boggling concept to many people. We want to know how existence came to be, what was there before it, what is going to happen to it. And while we’re at it, just what is “nothing” anyhow?
Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss

 Noted physicist Lawrence Krauss, whose research focuses on the beginning and end of the universe, will tell you that science can now answer these questions. Quantum Mechanics – the science of the strange and very small, shows that nothing must always produce something- quantum fluctuations exist within ‘nothing’ and they are unstable- thus it’s nearly inevitable that universe like ours would be made. What does that mean? Come and find out.

Krauss, the author of many books, will discuss his newest book, “A Universe from Nothing”, to be released on January 10, 2011, in which he explains the current state of the art knowledge on these questions. Nearly a million people have watched his provocative You-tube video explaining “nothing” and how “nothing” not only generated the universe, but eliminates any need for a first cause – a supreme being. This book came about because of the overwhelming response to that video.

Very much in demand as a lecturer, a teacher, a physicist because of his ability to clearly convey these complex ideas to the general public, Krauss is a professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the physics department at Arizona State University, and is the inaugural director of the Origins Project.

Whether you already understand this cutting edge science, or just want to understand it, there’s no doubt you’ll learn from this lecture. You’ll have the opportunity to hear and speak with Krauss – to ask your questions and have him answer them, when you attend this program hosted by the Freethought Society and the Philadelphia Ethical Humanist Society at the Ethical Society’s Rittenhouse Square headquarters.

Where: Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia
1906 Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Time: 7:00 PM, January 11, 2012

Free and open-to-the-public, with a suggested donation of $5.

Contacts:

Hugh Taft-Morales
(215) 735-3456
www.phillyethics.org/

Margaret Downey
(610) 793-2737
www.FtSociety.org

 

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