FFRFMCC Panel Discussion – “Challenging Religious Beliefs”

One of the more frequently discussed topics among freethinkers is:  “How can we effectively respond to questions and talking points from the religious when confronted with their beliefs?”

As rationalists, one of our objectives is to inject critical thinking into everyday conversation.  Since most non-theists have friends and family who identify with a religious faith, sometimes conversations with them can veer in a religious direction.  For those of us who are openly secular, listening to friends, family and acquaintances bring up the subject of their religious beliefs can often be a complicated and uneasy situation.  How do we respond?  Should we respond?

The FFRFMCC would like to help non-theists be more comfortable in these situations by hosting what we hope will be a series of productive discussion panels regarding how to rationally address questions most often posed to non-theists by the religious.  These panels will involve participants gathering in groups with a facilitator, where freethinking individuals can each contribute to compiling rational responses designed to challenge unsubstantiated beliefs – those which the religious have typically come to accept as an undeniable truth.

To kick-off our first discussion, we will attempt to tackle the following questions/talking points often brought up by the religious:

1)  “Science and religion are definitely compatible.  One can certainly believe in both evolution and a created universe from the hands of God.”

2)  “How can a person be moral, or even find purpose in life, if they do not believe in God?”

The role of each group’s facilitator will be not to lecture, but simply encourage discussion, keep participants on topic, and document the discussion points.  This will be a group participation activity, with everyone being responsible for providing their input on what they consider the best way(s) to respond to dogmatic beliefs.  The purpose is to not only allow individuals to share their viewpoints, but also discover alternative arguments they may not have previously thought of in tackling a complex subject.  The session will conclude with each facilitator presenting the results from their respective groups to all participants.

So please join us for what will be a fascinating, educational, and challenging afternoon.  And if you have any like-minded, freethinking friends or family members, you are welcome to invite them!
Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the discussion!

Cost:  Free!