September 2009 Freethinker Meeting

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Dardedar
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September 2009 Freethinker Meeting

Post by Dardedar »

Freethinkers, it's time for our September meeting. We'll have another action-packed meeting devoted to promoting critical thinking, science, and freethought in general.

First off, you have a homework reading assignment. You are to read this article by our freethinker friend Art Hobson which was published in the NW Arkansas Times, August 29, 2009. Here is the link:

http://physics.uark.edu/hobson/NWAT/09.08.29.html

It's also posted in our forum here where you can post comments:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6064&start=0

Read it, think about it, critique it (and send it to your friends). We are going to talk about it.

At our meeting we will also be honoring and remembering a famous freethinker by watching 70-minute biographical film about magician and inventor Jerry Andrus. Andrus was a staple of The Amazing Meeting series of conventions, and he passed away in 2007. This biography explores the life and work of this freethinker--who was a founding member of a freethinker organization in Oregon. Andrus also created many optical illusions. Doug will bring one for us to pass around. We had scheduled this for last month's meeting, but we ran short on time and bumped it to September.

We will have a short and to the point (excellent) video presentation on critical thinking.

Also in the works, a laser show with TWENTY THOUSAND points of light. Holy cow!

At our last meeting Darrel gave a presentation about the US health care system and how it compares with our peer countries. He has now transcribed his notes and converted his Power Point presentation to text. It is posted in our Freethinker Forum here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6079#p19867

***
Freethinker Meeting Details:

When: Saturday, September 26, 2009.

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 library lobby.

Map: http://tinyurl.com/b3sfgf

For dinner afterward, we're thinking... Thai Diner.
JamesH
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Re: September 2009 Freethinker Meeting

Post by JamesH »

Just to give everyone a heads up this is biker weekend in Fayettville. So leave early to get through the traffic.
JamesH
"Knowledge will set you free, but freedom comes with responsibilities." I know that someone had to say that before me.
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Dardedar
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Re: September 2009 Freethinker Meeting

Post by Dardedar »

September Meeting Summary and links:

We talked about the Paul Gregory study which shows a correlation between high levels of religiosity and social dysfunction. The press release for the study is here.

The original article/essay can be read here (44 pages, PDF).

Also mentioned was the new book called "The Spirit Level" which finds a consistent correlation with income inequality and religiosity.

We celebrated the life of freethinker Jerry Andrus by watching a documentary about his life. Here is a page all about Jerry Andrus. See also the Friends of Jerry Andrus page by the Oregonians for Science and Reason (O4SR).

We also watched these comedy clips:

Human Sacrifice

Godless Fruit

Share them with your friends.

See you on Halloween!
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Re: September 2009 Freethinker Meeting

Post by Savonarola »

Darrel wrote:We talked about the Paul Gregory study which shows a correlation between high levels of religiosity and social dysfunction.
I think you mean Gregory Paul.
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