Welcome

Upcoming and Recent Events
 
  Older Entries »

Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center

By Patti Butcheck, on June 28th, 2021

Nowhere in the entire world has there been a Friday the Thirteenth online anti-superstition bash until now! Please join the Freethought Society and the Center for Inquiry (CFI) as we cure people of their superstitions during the virtual opening of the famous Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 3:45 PM PDT/6:45 PM EDT. During the Pre-Event Social, singer Rich DeSimone will perform a mini-concert of Frank Sinatra songs, including “Luck be a Lady” and “Witchcraft.”

Friggatriskaidekaphobia doctors and nurses will provide long-distance treatments that will involve humorous and fun-loving interaction as superstitions are dispelled and cured. A “Clean Bill of Mental Health” will be awarded to participants who participate and follow the “doctor’s orders.” Don’t miss your chance to take an anti-horoscope consulting pledge and participate in trashing your Zodiac sign. Join us by sitting under a ladder or umbrella. Prizes for the best Zoom box will be awarded.

The 2021 Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center will be offering a continuing education session with famous Skeptic and “Anti-Superstition Professor of Rational Thinking” Benjamin Radford. His presentation is entitled “The Curse of Magical Thinking.”


Though magical thinking can seem wonderful, imbuing the world with meaning and magic, there is a darker side to it. From lucky rabbit’s feet (not so lucky for the rabbit!) to gambler’s fallacies, Radford will examine psychological, cultural, and folkloric aspects of superstition, curses, luck, and much more. Though some magical beliefs are harmless, others can have unexpectedly harmful and even deadly consequences. Learn about the history of these beliefs as well as how to replace magical beliefs with science and reason.

Radford has degrees in psychology and education, and is a Research Fellow with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is the author of a dozen books on critical thinking, science education, and media literacy. Radford is Deputy Editor of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine and co-host of the podcast “Squaring the Strange.”

To poke fun at fortunetelling, Christina Magallanes-Jones will be attending as the Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center’s Miss Fortune Teller. She will be using her special deck of “Tarot-Bull” cards to predict your future.

We will also have a mirror breaking ceremony so have goggles, a hammer, a mirror and a trash can close by.

To see past party photos visit:

http://www.friggatriskaidekaphobia.com

RSVP at: https://bit.ly/3y1OjNz

Leave a comment   Anti-Superstition, Events, Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center   , , , , ,  

Press Release

By Patti Butcheck, on July 14th, 2021

Announcing the Anti-Superstition/Friday, August the 13th Grand Opening of the Virtual 2021 Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center 

Only one thing can be predicted for this Friday the Thirteenth — it will be an anxiety-filled day for the superstitious and gullible. Friggatriskaidekaphobes (those afflicted souls who possess an overwhelming fear of Friday the Thirteenth) will surely step out the door in trepidation, wondering what the “dark” day will have in store.

Below are details about how the Freethought Society, Center for Inquiry, and the Friggatriskaidekaphobia* Treatment Center will teach critical thinking skills this year via Zoom!

*Frigga-tris-kai-deka-phobia is the fear of Friday the 13th

6:45 PM EDT, Friday, August 13, 2021

Pre-Event concert featuring Rich DeSimone portraying Frank Sinatra as he sings songs related to superstitions (Devil Moon, Witchcraft, and Luck be a Lady). 

7:00 PM EDT

The 2021 Virtual Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center Opens

Receptionist and Zoom Technician Melissa Myers introduces Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center Nurse Practitioner Margaret Downey and Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center Doctor, Glen Loev. 

A “Miss Fortune Teller” will deliver fake and over-the-top predictions (portrayed by Christina Magallanes-Jones) using her “Taro-Bull” deck of cards. 

The continuing education section of the program will be conducted by “Anti-Superstition Professor of Rational Thinking” Benjamin Radford. His presentation is entitled “The Curse of Magical Thinking.”

Free, but RSVP is required. Register at:

https://www.meetup.com/Freethought-Society-Meetup/events/277278972/

Why conduct this event?

One need only look at the billion-dollar-a-year economic impact that plane and train reservation cancellations, absenteeism, and reduced commerce have on the world economy to see that the influence of superstition is far from harmless. Indeed, merely the personal anxiety and inconvenience of these ancient superstitions can ruin this day for millions of Americans.

It’s a fact that many people actually consult daily, monthly, and/or yearly horoscope predictions in an attempt to gain some control of their lives. People who regularly consult horoscopes usually have trouble making decisions and seek easy answers for difficult questions.

Natural circumstances and situations we find ourselves in cannot be predicted through alignments of the stars. We can, however, use probability factors and our common sense to determine our best options.

People remember the few times that they have had “bad luck” on Friday the 13th but they do not remember all the regular things that happen. Even a slight difficulty that “happens” to fall on Friday the 13th is personified in the mind of a superstition person – even though little difficulties occur every single day.

Superstitions cause fears and misunderstandings (black cats, albino children, the gypsy culture, nontheists, etc.). These fear mongering superstitions must be stopped. 

While we are having fun making a joke of simple superstitions, villages in Africa are blaming innocent children for any “bad luck” that befalls them. There is maiming and killing done when a superstitious village THINKS they have found a witch. This is the worst case of superstitions gone amok, but the humor we use now will hopefully stop superstitions from growing worse.

And we see superstitious behaviors in the United States. Just look at what comes out of the mouths of evangelical preachers after a natural or human made disaster. They quickly blame gays, feminists, liberals, atheists, and anybody they don’t agree with as they irrationally seek to understand and deal with reality.

Get rid of superstitions at the 2021 Virtual Friggatriskaidekaphobie Treatment Center on Friday, August 13, 2021! The Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center team will cure you of secret fears and unreasonable superstitions.

 
Contact Person and Event Organizer:

Margaret Downey, Founder and President 
Freethought Society 
P.O. Box 242 
Pocopson, PA 19366 

Phone: 
610-357-9432 Cell 

Email: 
Margaret@FtSociety.org 

Websites: 
www.FtSociety.org 
www.Friggatriskaidekaphobia.com 
www.Secular-Celebrations.com

Leave a comment   Events, Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center   ,  

July/August 2021 Freethought Society (FS) Ezine

By John, on June 20th, 2021

Click here to see the July/August 2021 Freethought Society (FS) Ezine
.

In the Ezine you will find the following:

  • The 2021 National Day of Reason Mayday for Humanity Event a Huge Success!
  • National Day of Reason Mayday for Humanity Photos
  • Mayday for Humanity Co-Sponsor Photos
  • Mayday for Humanity Celebrity and Performer Photos
  • Mayday for Humanity Benefiting Organizations
  • An African Journey Story by Amaka Oguguo
  • Mormons or Christians – Who Are Better? by Herb Silverman
  • Announcing the 2021 Freethought Society Secular Student Alliance Scholarship
  • Freethought Society Multi-Month Zoom Calendar
  • Donation and Information Page

We hope that you will remain or become an active supporter of the great work FS is doing. Please donate to the general fund or select a project you want to help sponsor. All donations to FS are tax-deductible!

If the Ezine inspires you to become more actively involved with FS, 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.

We want supporters to stay informed at all times.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter

The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

Leave a comment   Ezines   , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  

2021 Thomas Paine Day Event

By Patti Butcheck, on May 25th, 2021

Please join the Freethought Society (FS), the Thomas Paine National Historical Association (TPNHA), the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), the Center for Inquiry (CFI), and the American Humanist Association (AHA) as we celebrate the 2021 Thomas Paine Day via Zoom on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Register at the below link: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OAX2WWk3S0CpEVO_i4n5yw

The program begins at 3:45 PM PST/6:45 PM EST with a 15-minute Thomas Paine-themed concert by songwriter and recording artist James Klueh. BYOB to participate in toasts throughout the event. Melissa Myers (representing CFI) and Margaret Downey (representing FS) are the event co-hosts.

After an introductory statement from Congressman Jamie Raskin, co-sponsor organizations will welcome everyone to the event (Annie Laurie Gaylor, Robyn Blumner, Mandisa Thomas, Gary Berton and Margaret Downey). A summary of the life and work of Thomas Paine will be presented in sections by co-sponsor representatives:

Mandisa Thomas (AHA)
Tom Flynn (CFI)
Andrew Seidel (FFRF)
Margaret Downey (FS)
Gary Berton (TPNHA)

Sculptor Zenos Frudakis will show the progress of the Thomas Paine statue project and Dan Barker, co-president of FFRF, will perform his original song The World is My Country. After a short break a question-and-answer portion of the event will begin. Toasts and favorite Paine quotations are welcome

Leave a comment   Events, Thomas Paine, Thomas Paine Day   , , ,  

Donald Sternoff Beyer, Jr.

By Patti Butcheck, on May 25th, 2021

A new Journey Story was added to our Journey Stories page. Read “The Journey Story of Representative Donald Sternoff Beyer, Jr.” today, written by Mr. Beyer.

The Freethought Society reminds you that you are not alone.

Leave a comment   Journey Story
 
  Older Entries »