Author Archive: Tom Cara

Tom, who has been a life member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation since 2010, began coordinating efforts for a Chicago area chapter of FFRF in April, 2012. He is a declared atheist whose religious skepticism began during his high school years in the mid-1970's. He is married with two grown children and has worked professionally as an advertising media planner/buyer since 1985 in both the consumer and business-to-business markets. Additionally, Tom has been active with several non-profit organizations/groups, including the Park Ridge Healthy Community Partnership, the Maine (Township, IL) Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF), as well as working with the “Teens Against Tobacco Use” program of the American Lung Association.

rss feed

Secular Holiday Displays Back Up For 2016!

Secular Holiday Displays Back Up For 2016!

Thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers, the FFRFMCC holiday displays are up once again in both Chicago Daley Center Plaza and North School Park in Arlington Heights. In Daley Center Plaza, our 8 1/2 foot x 8 1/2 foot Dawkins scarlet “A” (for atheism) sign is shining bright with over 100 seasonal red lights, […]

By November 30, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
Hug An Atheist in Chicago

Hug An Atheist in Chicago

On Saturday, November 5th, the FFRFMCC took part in an event organized by Ron McCullough. “Hug an Atheist Day” was designed to showcase how the non-religious are made up of all genders, ages, races and ethnic, cultural, political and socio-economic backgrounds.  We are also decent, moral, caring people who, while we may have our differences […]

By November 15, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
Challenging Religious Beliefs – Pascal’s Wager and Assumptions of Belief

Challenging Religious Beliefs – Pascal’s Wager and Assumptions of Belief

Workshop #2 September 24th, 2016 Facilitator: Tom Cara, Director FFRFMCC The FFRFMCC held its second discussion workshop on “Challenging Religious Beliefs.” The purpose of these events is for non-theists to socialize and learn from each other’s experiences in dealing with talking points from those of religious faith. Each workshop focuses on two specific questions/topics. The […]

By November 1, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
Andrew Seidel to Speak about RFRA with FFRFMCC

Andrew Seidel to Speak about RFRA with FFRFMCC

The FFRFMCC is pleased to announce it will be hosting a speaking engagement by FFRF Staff Attorney and Constitutional Counsel Andrew Seidel. The title of his presentation will be:  “Religious Freedom or Discrimination?:  Examining Religious Freedom Restoration Acts.”  Andrew will focus on the recent wave of Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) bills that have been […]

By October 16, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
They Just HAD to Ask That Question! – Post VP Debate Commentary by the FFRFMCC Director

They Just HAD to Ask That Question! – Post VP Debate Commentary by the FFRFMCC Director

FFRFMCC Commentary Submitted by:  Tom Cara, Director, FFRFMCC —————————————————————— Perhaps CBS News decided this was the best question and should be saved for the end.  But for awhile, it looked as though we would be able to get through two full general election debates before religion was brought to the table.  Unfortunately we were not […]

By October 8, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
Christian Churches Continue to Show Their Preferences for Presidential Candidates

Christian Churches Continue to Show Their Preferences for Presidential Candidates

FFRFMCC Commentary Submitted by: Tom Cara, Director, FFRFMCC As we quickly approach the 2016 general election, it has become very apparent that religious organizations are viewing the presidential campaign as yet another opportunity to snub their pious noses at rules and regulations they feel should apply to everyone else but them. Religious leaders are becoming […]

By October 3, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
Illinois Pastors Joining the “Religious Persecution” Bandwagon

Illinois Pastors Joining the “Religious Persecution” Bandwagon

FFRFMCC Commentary Submitted by:  Tom Cara, Director, FFRFMCC Since taking effect In January, 2016, Illinois became the fourth state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to pass a much-need ed ban on gay conversion therapy, sometimes called “reparative therapy,” for LGBT individuals under the age of 18. These ridiculous and harmful techniques were condemned […]

By September 29, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
If You’re An Atheist, What the Hell’s Wrong With You? The FFRFMCC Letter to Governor Kasich

If You’re An Atheist, What the Hell’s Wrong With You? The FFRFMCC Letter to Governor Kasich

“You know that Daniel Radcliffe has declared himself an atheist? I’m serious. What a weird thing. Why would a guy who had all that success, just – I mean what the hell’s wrong with him? To become a declared atheist – I mean – I don’t know why you would even say that. But anyway, […]

By September 25, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
Challenging Religious Beliefs Discussion Workshop #2

Challenging Religious Beliefs Discussion Workshop #2

The FFRFMCC is pleased to announce we will be continuing our discussions on “Challenging Religious Beliefs,” which we began last spring.  The objective of these workshops is to assist non-theists by facilitating a group discussion among fellow freethinkers, allowing them to share their thoughts about how best to address various talking points often posed by […]

By September 9, 2016 0 Comments Read More →
Challenging Religious Beliefs – First Workshop Summary

Challenging Religious Beliefs – First Workshop Summary

On May 22nd, 2016, the FFRFMCC held its first discussion workshop on “Challenging Religious Beliefs” at the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago. The purpose of this series of workshops is to assist non-theists as they engage with people of religious faith with topics or questions on subjects relating to belief versus non-belief in a supreme god. Keep […]