Come join the conversation about freethought, philosophy, politics, religion, atheism, science, logic, reason, rationality, social issues, morality, current events, and more!
Where I (Nick) live, autumn is just around the corner — and I couldn’t be happier about it! What’s not to love? The cooler air, the smell of fallen leaves, the excitement of a new school year, pumpkin-spice lattes, and the fast-approaching “spooky season” all bring back so many favorite memories. Since 2019, this has also been the time for our Autumn Festival (previously named our “Wisdom Fest”). You’re invited to join this year’s celebration by playing board games, taking part in a free book exchange, and discussing the virtues of wisdom and reason with your local chapter! We’ve even recently updated the event’s primer for you!
If the gems found at our festival don’t satisfy your search for excellent new reads, perhaps I can interest you in our own list of great books! These selections are extremely well written and have potentially life-changing content. But you don’t have to take my word for it.
School’s in session for all of you aspiring Chapter Leaders out there! I’m pleased to announce that we’ve recently added a few more helpful pages and articles to our website that give great advice on how to start and run your chapters! (A couple of them are featured in this newsletter.) We’ve also made some great progress on our book — so stay tuned for a few exciting announcements in the near future!
Please be safe out there. The Delta Variant causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the Coronavirus. We’re still a long way from the end of the pandemic, but we’re starting to close that distance as more of us are getting vaccinated.
If you haven’t yet, please get your full COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. Even after we’re vaccinated, we should still wear masks whenever we’re in crowded areas, around children, and/or near those who are unvaccinated. ◼️
Top Stories
Fresh New Primers
The Board has been busy this month researching, writing, and peer-reviewing fresh new primers that your chapter can use in future discussions. During your chapter’s next Planning Meeting, feel free to choose from among these shiny new options. As always, we’d also love to hear your suggestions for future topics!
If you’d like to register a new discussion group for freethinkers in your area, you can do so through our New Chapter Page. ◼️
Production Notes
This Issue of the SEEKER’S KEY was written by our Board of Directors and other guest writers (as noted) under the direction of our Editor-in-chief, Nicholas Burk. Unless otherwise specified, all photos and images used are either original productions or in the public domain. The SEEKER’S KEY is produced with gratitude to all of our supportive members and donors.
An archive of every past issue of our newsletter can be found on our Newsletter Page.
If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter and receive links to future issues each month in your email inbox, please visit our Newsletter Page and fill out a quick subscription form (we respect your privacy).
If you would like to unsubscribe, please let us know by replying to one of our emails with the word “unsubscribe.” Afterward, we will promptly remove your information from our mailing lists.
100% of our programs and projects are made possible by our volunteers and our donors. If you’d like to support our cause, we now accept donations via Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal! You can also set up monthly donations through our Donate Page. Thank you! ◼️
Your first step in bringing a chapter of the Free Thought Forum to your area is securing a great venue where you can host your group’s events. Luckily, this step is far easier than it sounds!
Consistency is Key
Your group of freethinkers will need a reliable place to meet consistently, week after week. That consistency is essential. Consistency builds trust and dependability. It lays the foundation for a healthy group dynamic. When your members can rely on your meetings being held at the same time and place each week, they’ll feel more comfortable sharing their ideas, bringing their friends, and supporting the group.
Your goal is to develop a positive reputation of consistency within the wider community. Locals may not know much about the Free Thought Forum, but they’ll know that your chapter always meets at the same time and place. Therefore, it pays to think long-term about your choice of venue. Will it be a great place to meet in warm weather, in the rain, or on the coldest day of the year?
Changing your location between events is risky business. It’s never fun to hear your members explain how they went to the old meeting spot, only to find it empty. Whenever you change location, you’ll lose the interest of some of your members (for several reasons). It’s best to secure a great meeting location on the first try and stick to it!
What You’ll Need
Your chapter can meet in almost any public space. However, for best results, look for venues that meet all or most of the following criteria:
Regular hours of operation
A table (coffee table, bar, etc.) around which 5-15 people can sit on chairs, stools, and/or couches
Air conditioning/heating (as needed)
Low ambient noise (so your members won’t need to shout to be heard)
No distractions (TVs screens streaming sporting events, band performances, trivia games, poetry readings, church sermons, etc. are all things that can distract your members from the discussion, ruining the flow of a thoughtful conversation.)
Look for locations with enough space in which 5-15 people can meet for two hours on Saturday mornings, Saturday evenings, Sunday mornings, or Sunday evenings. (Other meeting times may work, but those are what we recommend.) Prioritize those locations where the owners and other patrons won’t mind the noise of excited discussions and debates. Above all else, look for where your group can meet FREE OF CHARGE! (Constantly asking your members for donations to cover your meeting location fees can undermine your chapter’s growth.)
Do a few venues in your area come to mind? Start writing them down!
Make a List
Start a list of potential meeting locations. List the name of the venue, its hours of operation, and its contact information (phone, email, etc.) Jump on a few online maps of the general area and see what is within convenient walking, biking, and driving distance for you and most of your potential members.
The following types of establishments have served our chapters well in the past, but feel free to expand your search to similar venues:
Cafes and Coffee Shops (A natural fit for freethought discussions!)
Public Libraries (Especially those with conference rooms)
Casual Restaurants (Those that encourage the public to use their spaces for meetings, board games, working on a laptop, etc.)
Student Commons (Look for wide indoor areas within a college or university campus)
Book Stores
Hobby Stores
Highlight the meeting places that sound more promising with further research. Cross-off those that don’t match the suggested criteria. Once you’ve narrowed the list down to three options, you’re ready for the next step.
Contacting Potential Venues
Meeting Spaces may look amazing on paper, but there are always unknown variables that you’re far better off finding before your members arrive. Have some note paper handy and briefly contact your top three options during their regular business hours. If you prefer to use your phone, that conversation could go something like this:
Sample Phone Call
Kyle: “Hello, this is the Esperanto Cafe. How can I help you?”
June: “Yes, hello. I’m June and I’m looking for a good place where my nonprofit group could meet. We’re the Free Thought Forum, an inclusive community that hosts public discussions on science, philosophy, and healthy life skills. I had a couple of questions for you if you don’t mind.”
Kyle: “Sure, what are your questions?”
June: “Well, I think that we’ll have around 10 people who’ll want to come to our discussions. Do you think there is enough space in your cafe where 10 people could have a 2-hour conversation each week?”
Kyle: “Yeah, that wouldn’t be a problem. We have a few tables that are big enough, and you’re free to move chairs around if you need.”
June: “Excellent! Do you need me to make a reservation? Are there any fees involved with using your space for meetings?”
Kyle: “No nothing like that. However, we’d really appreciate it if your members picked up some coffee while they were here. Also, we may not have time to clean up after your meetings, so if you could clean up any messes you make, that would help us out, big time.”
June: “That sounds great! We could totally do that. Those are all the questions I had. I’ll let you guys know if we decide to go with your cafe for our meetings. Thank you so much for your time!”
Kyle: “Ok, no problem. Take care!”
Using email would be a lot slower than making a phone call, and you’re less likely to get a response. However, if you prefer to send your top three options emails, here is a sample of what you could write:
Sample Email
Dear Laketown Library,
How’s it going? My name is Charles and I had a few questions about your meeting rooms.
I’d like to start a local chapter of the Free Thought Forum in our city. But first, we’ll need a place for that chapter to meet. Our members would like to meet every week to host public discussions on all kinds of topics like philosophy, science, critical thinking, religion, and current events. We value inclusivity, free speech, and model citizenship. If you’d like to learn more about the organization, you can check out our website (https://www.freethoughtforum.org).
We plan to meet for two hours every Saturday morning (from 10:00 AM to Noon). I was wondering, do you have meeting rooms available at that time? How can I reserve a meeting room? Are we allowed to bring food and drinks inside the library? Also, are the rooms soundproof? (We certainly wouldn’t want to bother any library patrons with our conversations.)
Thank you so much for your time. If you have any questions for me or about my group, let me know!
Sincerely,
Charles Green
As you learn more about your top picks, you’ll most likely find the venue that seems to be the best fit. Onto the next step!
Visiting the Venue
Contact your venue of choice again to schedule a 2-minute visit with their manager, head librarian, lead supervisor, etc. The goal of your visit is to establish a professional relationship with your host so that you can seamlessly work with them to coordinate meeting times and logistics. Be sure to give them your name and a good way to reach you directly. (The fewer people needed to relay messages and questions between the two of you, the better!)
When the time comes, bring a welcome pamphlet and a sample Discussion Primer so that the person in charge can look over the kind of materials that will be distributed within their establishment. (You can find printable copies of these on our Leadership Resources Page.) Chances are good that the manager of the venue would be happy to have a group of potential customers visit their establishment every week. Be sure to thank them for their time. Be friendly and come ready to honestly answer questions about you, your chapter, and the Free Thought Forum itself. By the end of your visit, your new host should have a good idea of what to expect at your upcoming meetings. Hopefully, you would have also gained a valuable ally as you establish a positive presence in your community!
Working With Your Host
The relationship between a hosting venue and a chapter of the Free Thought Forum should always be mutually beneficial (in the short and long term). Speak positively about the venue before, during, and after your meetings. Encourage your members to show their gratitude for the free meeting space by making small purchases or donations, positive recommendations on social media, and so forth.
Strive to be the best group that has ever met at that location. Greet the people behind the counter when you arrive and wish them the best when you leave. Thank them multiple times for their hospitality. Do your best not to bother any other guests or customers while you meet. Avoid causing your hosts any headaches or requiring them to do any extra work. Leave your meeting space cleaner and more organized than how you found it. No matter the venue, your hosts should feel glad that you’re there.
The Chapter Leader is the official liaison between a hosting venue and their chapter. As long as clear lines of communication are maintained, both parties will be happy. When your host contacts you, politely and promptly respond. If they have any requests or complaints about your group, take them seriously and modify how your chapter meets accordingly. If, for whatever reason, there is a change in your schedule that would affect them, let them know of the change at least a couple of weeks in advance.
Give Yourself Some Time
Once you’ve secured a venue, it’s tempting to start meeting immediately. However, your next step is to schedule your chapter’s first meeting about four weeks in advance. You’ll need that time to get the word out about your chapter and generate interest on social media, so a little patience can really pay off!
As long as you follow these guidelines, your chapter will have a great place to meet where your group is welcomed and their good work is appreciated! ◼️
A little preparation can go a long way! As first-time visitors give your meetings a try, they’ll quickly notice that you’ve come prepared. Having your printed materials and meeting supplies at the ready will communicate that you take your meetings seriously and that you’re dedicated to the cause of the Free Thought Forum. After some time, several members will follow your example and add their dedication to the group as well!
The following is a list of essential supplies that you should have with you at all of your meetings. These items may be purchased online or at most office supply stores. (Of course, assembling your Chapter Record Book will require some extra printing and organizing.) In total, this and the following materials should only cost around $45.00 or less. (If you record these purchases and save your receipts, you may be reimbursed for them through your Chapter Events Fund.)
Before your chapter’s next meeting, take some time to assemble all these materials and learn how to use them in the context of our programs and services. If you’re nervous about leading your group, being prepared with these supplies can help you feel more relaxed and ready for anything!
Shopping List:
(Large) Supply Bag
Dark Fabric Tablecloth
Two (Different) Bank Deposit Bags
Two Donation Receipt Booklets
Spare Pens
Sturdy Two-Pocket Folder
Your Chapter Record Book
A standard-page-sized 3-ring binder with a wide spine
Your chapter’s Supply Bag should be large yet portable enough to conveniently transport all of the following supplies to and from meetings. Use a bag that is made of a sturdy, long-lasting material that’s easy to clean. It may be a backpack, book bag, canvas tote, or large suitcase that has been purchased for (or donated to) the chapter itself.
Whenever a change in leadership is in order, this bag (and its contents) should be handed to the new Chapter Leader. When the previous supply bag can’t be obtained, a new one should be created with all-new materials.
2. Dark Fabric Tablecloth
To make our events more inviting and to ensure that we don’t leave a mess for our hosting venue, our chapters have adopted the new practice of bringing at least one tablecloth to our meetings. It should be machine washable, large enough to fit over most tables, and made of sturdy dark (black, gray, blue, or purple) fabric. Before your event begins, unfold the tablecloth, center it on the table, and voilà! After your meeting, neatly fold the tablecloth and return it to your Supply Bag. (Wash the tablecloth between meetings as needed.)
3. Two Different Bank Deposit Bags
Every form of monetary donation made to your chapter must be made to one of two of your chapter’s separate and distinct funds:
The Chapter Events Fund (This general fund may only be used to cover the practical expenses directly related to the chapter’s events and programs such as purchasing basic supplies, printing promotional materials, and paying venue fees.)
The Mutual Aid Fund (This special-purpose fund may only be used for mutual aid, community service, volunteer projects, and other such programs.)
You’ll need two bank deposit bags to store and transport the money donated to your chapter (one for each fund). It’s best if they are different colors and clearly labeled. (Smaller chapters will keep their cash donations in these bags between meetings, but larger chapters should consider opening two bank accounts.)
4. Two Donation Receipt Booklets
Each bank deposit bag should have its own dedicated receipt book. Whenever you (or your officers) receive a cash donation, it’s a good legal practice to use a receipt book to create tangible records of the contribution. Buy receipt books that create white, yellow (canary), and pink (or blue) copies so that you can give the white copy to the donor and keep the others for your records.
5. Spare pens
While it’s a good practice to have a few pens to take notes, fill out donation receipts, and complete forms in your Chapter Record Book, those pens may disappear after a few meetings! Plus, several members also like to take notes during a riveting discussion and may ask for a spare pen from time to time. Therefore, you should overstock your Supply Bag with more than enough spare pens, but be careful to store them where they won’t cause too much damage if broken.
6. Sturdy Two-Pocket Folder
On the table, at the center of every meeting, should be printed copies of that week’s Discussion Primer and at least 15 Welcome Pamphlets. (These can be found on our Leader Resources Page. Each pamphlet should be printed on both sides of one piece of paper and folded in thirds to create a simple brochure.)
To keep these and other printed materials in pristine condition as you transport them, store them in a sturdy two-pocket folder!
7. Your Chapter Record Book
While it may seem overwhelming at first, your Chapter Record Book is a streamlined tool that will make running your chapter simpler and more enjoyable. Using our forms and following our procedures will help you stay organized and handle the necessary behind-the-scenes parts of being a Chapter Leader more efficiently, enabling you to better enjoy meeting interesting people, making life-long friends, hosting stimulating freethought discussions, and more!
To begin assembling this book, purchase the following from your local office supply store:
A standard-page-sized 3-ring binder with a wide spine
A matching 3-hole puncher
3-hole punched lined notepaper
Plastic page-protectors (for 3-ring binders)
Section dividers (for 3-ring binders)
All of the forms you’ll need for your Chapter Record Book and further instructions about how to assemble it can be found on our Leadership Resources Page.
Your Chapter Record Book will contain forms and resources that you’ll use during your meetings, so be sure to have it open and ready in front of you before your meeting is scheduled to begin! ◼️
Hello Freethinkers! If you happen to live near Salt Lake City, Utah, (or more specifically, near West Jordan) you’re cordially invited to participate in the first meeting of our newest chapter on Saturday, August 14th! We’ll vote on when and where that group will meet, play a trivia game, and get to know other freethinkers in the area. Click here for more details. (Our online chapter that had previously met via our Discord server is merging with this all-new in-person group, but we’d love to start a new online-only group in a couple of months if you’re interested.)
Members from our Provo chapter will be there in support and the Provo group will continue to also meet at their usual time and place in the weeks following this event.
But why should Salt Lake City and Provo have all the fun? After much deliberation over the last few months, the Board has decided to grant Chapter Leaders far more autonomy and flexibility when it comes to creating and running their chapters. For example, rather than applying for an interview with the Board before getting an official charter, you can now start a new chapter by filling out a quick registration form. Doing so will ensure that your group will be included in our Chapter Directory!
This month, our organization is also taking a harder stance regarding the reality of the ongoing global climate crisis, as discussed in this issue’s main article. You may have noticed a new science primer on the topic, but it certainly won’t be the last. In the coming months, you’ll also find primers on sustainable living, effective activism, and more!
It’s always important, however, to remember that political debate, activism, mutual aid, and making a positive change can take a toll. From time to time, we can all use a break. This is a friendly reminder to limit your news consumption to an emotionally sustainable minimum, enjoy time in the sun with friends, go on vacation, and make a conscious effort to enjoy the subtle beauties in every moment. Likewise, while discussing interesting and pressing topics with your chapter is a worthy enterprise, be sure to balance those discussions with casual and recreational group activities during the week! Your fellow forum members (not to mention your family, co-workers, and friends) will certainly appreciate being around a more well-rounded you! ◼️
Contents
A Message from the Board
Climate Change is Getting Harder to Ignore
You’re Invited to our SLC Chapter’s First Meeting!
Fresh New Primers
Our Chapters
Production Notes
Top Stories
Fresh New Primers
Our writers (Sam, Nick, and Sage) have been busy this month researching, writing, and peer-reviewing fresh new primers for your chapter to use in future discussions. While you’re looking over our Primer Library during your chapter’s next Planning Meeting, feel free to choose from among these shiny new options. As always, we’d also love to hear your suggestions for future topics!
Our Chapters
By this month’s end, we’ll have two registered chapters in operation. To view a chapter’s events, please click on the links to its social media accounts.
If you’d like to register a new discussion group for freethinkers in your area, you can do so via our New Chapter Page. ◼️
Production Notes
This Issue of the SEEKER’S KEY was written by our Board of Directors and other guest writers (as noted) under the direction of our Editor-in-chief, Nicholas Burk. Unless otherwise specified, all photos and images used are either original productions or in the public domain. The SEEKER’S KEY is produced with gratitude to all of our supportive members and donors.
An Archive of every past issue of our newsletter can be found on our Newsletter Page.
If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter and receive links to future issues each month in your email inbox, please visit our Newsletter Page and fill out a quick subscription form (we respect your privacy).
If you would like to unsubscribe, please let us know by replying to one of our emails with the word “unsubscribe.” Afterward, we will promptly remove your information from our mailing lists.
100% of our programs and projects are made possible by our volunteers and our donors. If you’d like to support our cause, we now accept donations via Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal! You can also set up monthly donations through our Donate Page. Thank you! ◼️
Climate Change is Getting Harder to Ignore
Aug 09, 2021
Show notes
By Nicholas Burk (President)
Our organization was founded to combat certain issues plaguing our society, such as widespread isolation and depression, pervasive misinformation, failing social cohesion, preventable illness, and poverty. Recently, we've added a new issue to that list: Human-Caused Climate Change.
Does this mean our organization is “getting political” to keep up with popular trends? Have we given up our commitment to creating inclusive communities that respectfully engage with people from all backgrounds and beliefs? Are we losing our edge as skeptics and freethinkers?
Overwhelming empirical evidence shows that anthropomorphic climate change is a clear and present part of our reality. It may be easy to forget, but before global warming was made into a political issue, it was a purely scientific one. Much like the safety of vaccines or the reality of evolution by natural selection, human-caused climate change is a matter of testable and observable fact, not opinion or political preference. While we may discuss and disagree on what could or should be done, we’re still an educational organization seeking to increase scientific literacy. Therefore, we owe it to all of our current and future members to make the reality of this crisis crystal clear.
Of course, several of you reading this have always believed in the overwhelming evidence of humanity’s effect on our atmosphere. But large swaths of our population have been affected by decades of political and profit-driven misinformation and propaganda, largely from oil companies, gas companies, and right-wing politicians like Ted Cruz who elected to go on a tropical vacation while several Texans froze to death during last year’s freak winter storms. When confronted with the ongoing water shortage crisis in Utah, Republican Governor Spencer Cox said that the problem could be solved with, "some divine intervention." (He failed to specify, however, if his constituents should pray to a bronze-age god, bathe a sacred statue, sacrifice a virgin, do a rain dance, or some other ritual.) And how could we forget the several occasions on which Donald Trump called global warming a “hoax.”
This anti-science stance used to be mostly an American political phenomenon. For decades, several right-wing politicians in Europe and Asia had no problem acknowledging the science showing our society's role in rising sea levels, deadly heatwaves, ocean acidification, etc. But they’re now mimicking their American counterparts at an alarming rate, another reminder that what we believe and how we live here can have a devastating impact on people everywhere.
The effects of anthropomorphic climate change have never been clearer. In the Middle East, summer temperatures have climbed high enough to cook meat, creating new waves of mass migration. In 2019 and 2020, Australia’s wild bushfires burnt 19 million hectares. Wildfires in Siberia have destroyed an even greater land area. This year, after months of dozens of states experiencing exceptional drought, hundreds of record-breaking wildfires have sent acrid smoke clouds that caused places like Salt Lake City and Denver to have the worst air quality on Earth! Wildfire smoke from the west coast has blocked out the sun as far as New York City and Washington D.C. where astonishingly ignorant arguments against the reality of global warming still take place (sometimes featuring snowballs).
Of course, average temperatures have risen everywhere, every year, hence the term “Global Warming.” But fires and warming are only part of the big picture. Flash flooding has destroyed several cities, especially this year in Europe. Rising sea levels continue to threaten the existence of island nations in the South Pacific. Our hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are growing larger, and more powerful. Increasing global temperatures alter ecosystems, causing the accelerated extinction of native species and the expansion of invasive species (and pandemic-causing viruses). But it is difficult to put all this death and destruction into perspective since it has become a regular part of our news cycle. Is it the warmest summer on record again? What else is new?
It's long past time to call a spade a spade. We can begin to make a positive impact by encouraging productive conversation about what needs to be done to slow (and in some cases, reverse) these trends, not as partisan pundits, but as scientifically literate freethinkers and concerned citizens of our one and only home planet. Those conversations need to happen more, but we shouldn’t stop there.
Why is this all happening in the first place? It's not a secret. Scientists had figured out what was going on long before the mid-90s. As time passed, their measurements and predictions have only gotten more accurate. Our society produces CO2 and other greenhouse gases at a rate greater than what can be naturally incorporated back into our planet’s carbon cycle. About 1/3 of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere (and dissolved in our oceans) was only added since the industrial revolution. Carbon dioxide levels now exceed 417 parts per million, the highest they've been in 4 million years.
True, there are small things we can individually do about reducing our "carbon footprint." We could travel less, carpool, bike, and use public transportation. We can all eat less meat, buy local produce, live in smaller homes, buy and live on less, throw away less, replace our green lawns with environmentally-friendly gardens, plant trees, and so forth. Just look at how dramatically a few weeks of quarantine allowed our planet to heal in 2020! But the day-to-day lives of citizens only account for a tiny fraction of the CO2 dumped into our atmosphere. Since 1965, over 1/3 of it, for example, was produced by only a handful of companies. So if you really want to make a difference, it's time to write to your lawmakers, show your support for green initiatives, protest, and "get political."
It's not our place to tell you who to vote for or which political movements to support. But moving forward, the Free Thought Forum will publish more Discussion Primers for your chapter on the reality of human-caused climate change and how we can all live more sustainably. Chapter Leaders and members are encouraged to bring up climate change and political activism in your monthly Mutual Aid discussions. If other chapters, groups, and organizations are taking action, feel free to combine your efforts so that each protest or letter-writing campaign can have a stronger impact. The more we work together, the better our chances will be of leaving a cleaner and more sustainable future for generations to come. ◼️
You're Invited to the Epic FIRST Meeting for our NEW Salt Lake City Chapter!
Aug 07, 2021
Show notes
By Nicholas Burk (President)
After several months of online meetings, we're excited to announce that an all-new chapter of the Free Thought Forum will start meeting in person every week in West Jordan, Utah! You're invited to join us on Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT for this special occasion, share your thoughts, and get to know other open-minded people in the area!
At this, the first meeting of our all-new chapter, we'll be happy to answer your questions about the Free Thought Forum, its mission, and so forth. We'll also vote on our future meeting times, plan upcoming discussion topics, and play a game of science and philosophy trivia.
This meeting will help our Board of Directors get an idea of the level of interest for a group like this in the area, so by inviting a friend or otherwise spreading the word about this event, you'll be helping us out in a big way. Thank you so much, and we look forward to meeting you in person!
HOW TO FIND US
We've reserved the conference room at the High Point Coffee shop in West Jordan (1735 7800 S, West Jordan, UT 84088). Look for the chatty group handing out Free Thought Forum pamphlets between 10:00 AM and noon! High Point Coffee serves great drinks, smoothies, pastries, and more in a warm and hospitable setting. You're invited to join us as we show our appreciation to our fantastic host by ordering a drink or snack at each meeting.
ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION
The regular meetings of the Free Thought Forum are celebrations of free speech, civil discussion, and the free exchange of ideas. Our members and visitors come together from various backgrounds to share their perspectives, hear new viewpoints, develop positive friendships, perform community service, and learn about science, rationality, philosophy, and life skills. Each chapter is an inclusive and supportive community that meets regularly under volunteer leadership.
If you would like to start a new chapter in your community, please visit our website (https://www.freethoughtforum.org) for more information. ◼️
This last month, the United States celebrated its newest federal holiday. While some of us had never heard of it, others regard it as a date with more historical and cultural significance than the 4th of July.
Juneteenth (June 19th) celebrants recognize that many problems in our society, such as slavery or systemic racism, may persist despite having been abolished on paper. While laws on the books protect our liberties in theory, those liberties, in practice, may continue to be ignored. This event calls attention to the fact that years after the Emancipation Proclamation, several Americans remained enslaved, kept ignorant of their legally codified liberty by their owners.
Nevertheless, despite the setbacks and widespread resistance to progress, both then and now, Juneteenth is a symbolic celebration of persistent optimism in the ongoing struggle toward equality. Every small victory and step toward a better future has a moment to shine, one day every year.
Our Provo, UT Chapter celebrated Juneteenth as part of their Courage Festival with pizza, watermelon, and water games at the park. We hope you've had a great Juneteenth this year and look forward to celebrating it with you in the future! ◼️
Contents
Happy Juneteenth
Rethinking our Discussions on Religion
The Forum Cycle (Step 2)
Our Bylaws have been Signed!
Podcast Episode: How to Act with Courage
Our Chapters
Production Notes
Top Stories
Our Chapters
As of this month, we have two chapters in operation and one super-close to being formed! The current leadership, meeting details, and links to their events and social media pages will be made available soon on their chapter pages!
Would you like to create your own group of friendly freethinkers? CLICK HERE to get started! ◼️
Production Notes
This Issue of the SEEKER’S KEY was written by our Board of Directors and other guest writers (as noted) under the direction of our Editor-in-chief, Nicholas Burk. Unless otherwise specified, all photos and images used are either original productions or in the public domain. The SEEKER’S KEY is produced with gratitude to all of our supportive members and donors.
An Archive of every past issue of our newsletter can be found on our Newsletter Page.
If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter and receive links to future issues each month in your email inbox, please visit our Newsletter Page and fill out a quick subscription form (we respect your privacy).
If you would like to unsubscribe, please let us know by replying to one of our emails with the word “unsubscribe.” Afterward, we will promptly remove your information from our mailing lists.
100% of our programs and projects are made possible by our volunteers and our donors. If you’d like to support our cause, we now accept donations via Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal! You can also set up monthly donations through our Donate Page. Thank you! ◼️
Rethinking our Discussions on Religion
Jun 28, 2021
Show notes
By Nicholas Burk (President)
Our organization faces a difficult question. Should we continue to host conversations that feature "great ideas" from various religions, or should we replace those meetings with discussions that explore logical fallacies and cognitive biases? In this article, I'll frankly share my evolving opinions on the matter. In the next meeting of the Board of Directors, we'll vote on the issue. In the meantime, you're invited to weigh in with your thoughts via email or in the comment section below. (Your feedback will help our Board better represent the interests of our members, so it is deeply appreciated.)
Our curriculum of discussion primers currently fit into five main categories:
Special Occasions (Planning meetings, Mutual Aid meetings, festivals, etc.)
Scientific Literacy
Western Philosophy
Healthy Living
World Religions
We've found that our members prefer that their chapters rotate between these categories so that their meetings don't feel repetitive. Thus far, this approach has worked well. However, a growing number of our members and leaders are asking, "Why are we going out of our way to host discussions on religion when our society desperately needs better education on logic, rationality, and skepticism?"
There are several good reasons to study world religions. We’ve done so, in part, to send a clear message that our organization is for everyone, not just atheists and skeptics. Our goal has always been to be as inclusive as possible and create communities that accept people as they are. Each belief system discussed has been like an olive branch to members of that specific community. However, it could also be argued that hosting conversations based on logic and rationality would be far more inclusive, useful, and inviting to a greater number of people.
Since the spring of 2019, our discussions on world religions and religious movements have been among our most well-attended. For example, just a couple of weeks ago, our primer on Wicca and Pagan Witchcraft attracted dozens of new interested parties to our Provo, Utah chapter's meetup page. At such meetings, however, current practitioners of the religion sometimes reach out to those interested in joining it. Active recruiting and promotion of the lifestyle take place. Yet, as hosts preoccupied with being inclusive and supportive, we may fail to prioritize the real-time exercises in skepticism that our meetings typically feature. Whether the discussion is about Sikhism, Buddhism, or Judaism, we may inadvertently connect people to those who eagerly espouse magical thinking, pseudoscience, and the lack of skepticism that plagues our society.
Why else have we included religion in our curriculum? After all, doesn't our organization exist to promote scientific literacy and critical thinking skills? Our religious studies were meant to be purely academic, a form of cultural exposure and a chance for secular freethinkers to consider novel points of view from around the world. Just as with our other programs, it was a way to shatter the echo chambers in which we find ourselves. We perceived a cultural trend toward atheism and skepticism, so it seemed prudent to include the study of world religions within our exploration of moral philosophy. We could discuss reality, it was reasoned, through our science primers, and we can discuss morality through our philosophy and religion primers.
However, this approach has had some unfortunate consequences. We've asked our Chapter Leaders and their Assistants to run discussions on ideologies they believe are harmful. Our leaders who happen to be atheistic or agnostic have been in the awkward position of defending certain religious beliefs in front of visitors who ultimately shared in their atheism, but who quickly lost interest in the Free Thought Forum before finding that common ground. The opposite has also been the case. Our discussions on religion piqued the interest of some, only for that interest to fade when science or skepticism was discussed. Most importantly, we've learned that several of our members have been victimized and traumatized by the same religious movements we've featured at our meetings. That trauma has even been what led many people to give the Free Thought Forum a try in the first place.
Like many of you, I love to study religion, superstition, spiritual movements, cults, mythology, and failures in critical thinking as a hobby. Yet this hobby is, admittedly, like playing with fire. After all, while religious movements claim that their popularity comes from the good they do, such as the direction and comfort they give, it is simply ignorant to claim that subtle emotional manipulation and fallacious logic aren't at play. Several of us are lucky enough to have had an informal (or formal) education on logical fallacies, so we have a form of mental immunity to them. Several of us may spend days studying and discussing the Baha'i Faith, Taoism, Jediism, etc., without feeling the temptation to convert. But others aren't as fortunate, and exposing them to some of the most persuasive and harmful movements in history is like exposing a newborn to a deadly new virus.
I've found that most of our visitors and members know almost nothing about logical fallacies or cognitive biases. Without a doubt, the American educational system is a fault, but there doesn't seem to be much public will to improve it in this regard. I see an obvious need that our organization can fill. But when do we have time to explore things such as the backfire effect, the false cause fallacy, or the sunk cost fallacy? Our Board has contemplated encouraging our Chapter Leaders to briefly introduce a "fallacy of the week." However, there doesn't seem to be a reasonable time within our weekly meeting schedule for such.
Therefore, I propose that we solve both these problems with a single, simple solution. Despite how much we have loved exploring world religions, doing so has been harmful to our members. Those victimized in the past by religious thinking or who lack the education needed to recognize the deceptive and manipulative methods of religious movements have been especially ill-served. Even when we've tried to preserve the so-called "baby in the bathwater" by highlighting healthy moral ideas from religion, we needn't present such as inseparably tethered to superstition, deceit, or dogmatic belief.
I propose that our primers on religion should be replaced by those that feature a logical fallacy or cognitive bias. By discussing these new topics, our chapter members will be empowered, enlightened, and enriched in profound ways. I believe that as we study logical fallacies and cognitive biases regularly, we'll be better able to live as freethinkers and resist the controlling, thought-limiting, and persuasive tactics that are all-too-common in our modern world.
What do you think? Can we still be an inclusive community if we abandon our discussions on religion? Is a transition to more primers on logic and rationality long overdue? Is there a third option we have yet to consider? Feel free to send us an email or add your comments below. Thank you! ◼️
Ask Open and Non-threatening QuestionsForum Cycle | Introduction | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 By Nicholas Burk (President)“Judge a person by their questions, rather than their answers.”― Voltaire“The one who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.”― Confucius“We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good.”― Carl SaganIs this step in the Forum Cycle covered by the questions featured in our Discussion Primers? Yes and no…The most recent version of every Discussion Primer available on the Free Thought Forum’s website was specifically engineered to stimulate freethinking discussions. After each section, our primers usually feature an open and non-threatening question that ties the abstract topic back into the experiences and opinions of our members. While our Chapter Leaders are strongly encouraged to discuss each of these questions with their group, they're also encouraged to let the conversation wander.When our conversations wander, we may step into uncharted territory. This is, of course, by design, and an intellectually stimulating part of the meetings of the Free Thought Forum. Straying from the linear structure of the primer can lead to intensely enjoyable and fascinating discussions. However, those discussions should still be facilitated with the help of the Forum Cycle. This article is a guide on how to think of good questions on the fly when a discussion drifts beyond a primer. A Form of Recognition“What do you think?”What other phrase so concisely communicates such a clear recognition of someone else’s humanity and value as a freethinker? “Please,” “Thank you,” and “I don’t know,” are emotionally potent and impactful communication tools. But “what do you think?” is also a powerful phrase, at least on the same level as “I love you,” or “Maybe you’re right.” It’s a question we should all start asking more, especially in our organization.What do you think?Being asked a thoughtful question can be a deeply rewarding experience. Such questioning implies that the one being asked has something of value to share, like an expert who has been invited to weigh in on an important issue. In those moments, a Chapter Leader plays the role of an interviewer, an eager journalist getting at the juiciest bits of a story. A thoughtful question from a Chapter Leader sets their members up for success, like a basketball in a layup, waiting for someone to grab it and score with a slam-dunk!Unfortunately, this is in stark contrast with an average person’s day-to-day experience. They have ideas and opinions, of course, but these tend to be expressed only in social media posts and other self-published content, launched into the void of the internet. Our society typically deems their views superfluous, ordinary, or unimportant. But when they visit the Free Thought Forum, their perspectives matter, because they matter as human beings. They matter, and asking questions is a vital step in showing that we know it.For a conversation to be truly engaging, there must be a real exchange of ideas. If you skip over this vital step, then you may come off as closed-minded, arrogant, insufferable, or someone who has only come to share their opinion and dominate the conversation. Everyone else may feel like a captive audience, mere spectators to the conversation you're having with yourself. Such an experience can feel alienating and dehumanizing, causing people to wonder why they've wasted their time to be here in the first place. If you sense that this is the case, then you can course-correct by apologizing for hoarding so much time. Immediately ask an open question and encourage everyone present to weigh in with their thoughts.It helps to imagine that the conversation has a spotlight. When this spotlight is on someone, its warming glow feels empowering and energizing. If you don't share the spotlight often enough, then your fellow freethinkers are left in the cold, feeling unappreciated or annoyed.When we enthusiastically ask one another thoughtful questions, we are showing a form of respect, genuine curiosity, interest, and modesty, the same attributes that most of us appreciate in our closest friends. When asked what they think, people feel validated, respected, appreciated, and valued for their unique perspective and experience. Even if their views are technically wrong or come from a place of ignorance, the invitation to participate in the first place can be heartwarming and encouraging. Indeed, we all have stories to tell and helpful things to say, but too many of us have grown accustomed to having our opinions ignored or undervalued. First, Build Bridges“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”— Dale Carnegie“Until every soul is freely permitted to investigate every book, and creed, and dogma for itself, the world cannot be free. Mankind will be enslaved until there is mental grandeur enough to allow each man to have his thought and say. This earth will be a paradise when men can, upon all these questions differ, and yet grasp each other's hands as friends.”— Robert G. IngersollThe vast majority of visitors to the Free Thought Forum do appreciate our stimulating discussions. However, their main purpose for attending is to form meaningful human connections. The good news is that we have the same main purpose! While our mission is to educate and serve our communities, our long-term goal is to help people forge life-long relationships. Asking open and non-threatening questions helps to build bridges between people and strengthens the cohesion of the group. Therefore, this simple step serves both why people visit the Free Thought Forum and the main reason our organization exists.Whenever you ask a question, do so with these reasons and long-term goals in mind. If a question would likely jeopardize your budding friendship with someone, or violate the inclusive and supportive environment that you’ve worked hard to establish, then that question should be rephrased or abandoned. Ask yourself, “Will my next question build bridges or burn them?” While so-called “gotcha questions” and “zingers” make for good television or exciting internet debates, they don’t belong in the Free Thought Forum.Does this mean that we should never challenge assumptions or explore controversial topics with our questions? Not at all. However, there are good times and bad times to ask challenging questions. If your questions poke into the assumptions of a first-time visitor, there is a good chance that the criticism will lead them to conclude that your chapter is a place in which they don’t belong.We’re here to build bridges, establish communities, and forge life-long friendships. This is our priority. Critical questions should only be asked after a robust foundation of trust and friendship has been laid. Our emotional need to belong, to be recognized, and to be appreciated must come first. Without that essential foundation, even our most sincere questions may come off as accusatory, insulting, or dismissive. Sincere Curiosity“In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.”― Bertrand Russell“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”― Albert Einstein“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't.”― Bill Nye, the Science GuyIn engaging conversations, nothing is asked just for the sake of asking questions. Instead, we ask questions to breathe life into the moment and stimulate reflection. Good questions can stir the imagination and encourage people to step into an all-new headspace. Therefore, every question must be asked with sincerity and a real desire to hear the answer. Be deeply curious about what your chapter members will say. Otherwise, the question will feel hollow and pointless.Avoid the temptation to anticipate another person's answers. When we make assumptions or try to predict where the conversation will go, we mentally remove ourselves from the moment and undercut our ability to listen well. Ask every question with a completely open mind, like a blank notepad eagerly awaiting exact quotes and careful notes.Asking open questions helps us show respect to our fellow freethinkers, strengthens our connections to one another, gives our members the power to take our conversations in new directions, improves our understanding of one another, and helps us avoid alienating and offending one another. What we have yet to discuss, however, is how developing this skill is an essential part of improving our cognitive skills as freethinkers, skeptics, rationalists, and everyday scientists. A scientifically-minded person isn’t satisfied with believing in claims at face value. They want to dig deeper, deconstruct, and uncover the inner workings of what they don’t understand. When we ask someone about what they think, we’re exercising our natural sense of scientific curiosity. When we embrace this insatiable aspect of our nature, our discussions become thrilling games of discovery.It isn’t hyperbole to say that every person you meet has valuable insights to share. This is a major reason why our communities emphasize inclusivity to such a large extent. We truly believe that every person, no matter their age, race, sex, education level, or background, has a unique and valuable perspective that the rest of us lack. When we properly understand this, we approach each meeting of the Free Thought Forum with bubbling anticipation to experience new ideas that have never before crossed our minds.The questions you ask your fellow chapter members should glisten with the enthusiastic raw curiosity of a scientifically-minded person. Navigating life, after all, can be complicated. We are all limited by our narrow frames of reference. When we invite others to open up about the lessons they’ve learned along the way, our perspective is enriched in ways that we could never have predicted. Asking the Right Questions“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.”― Francis Bacon“There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the world. There is no such thing as a dumb question.”― Carl SaganSincere curiosity is paramount, but the structure of a question also matters. Close-ended questions, for example, can be answered in one or two words. Do you have a telescope? Yes. Do you agree with John Locke about how people have a right to revolt? Yes. Have you created a personal budget that you use daily? No.Close-ended questions are like stop signs and speed bumps. They kill the momentum of a conversation and add unnecessary pressure to the group as they often seem like they have only one correct answer. Close-ended questions usually make members feel like they’re on trial or that they’re taking a test. Who needs that extra stress?Open-ended questions, on the other hand, expand and deepen the discussion. They allow it to wind and weave in new and interesting directions. Open-ended questions can’t be answered in one or two words. Instead, they invite people to speculate, elaborate, and tell stories. Why do you think people enjoy using telescopes so much? What might John Locke have thought of the American, French, or Haitian revolutions? How has living with a budget changed your life? Adding open questions to a discussion is like adding logs to a campfire. Without them, it will quickly fizzle out. Like close-ended questions, accusatory or biased questions add unnecessary pressure to a conversation. They raise the emotional temperature of the meeting and make everyone feel uncomfortable. Biased questions assume or imply a correct answer and draw a line between the person and the rest of the group. With only a few words, they can isolate and alienate people. Accusatory questions assume that people are rigid and locked into a belief or idea. They fail to separate people from ideas. These questions represent a mindset that contradicts our values. Is that supposed to be funny? Why would you ever believe in “intelligent design.” As a woman, how have you seen discrimination in the workplace? What kind of a mother wouldn’t vaccinate their children? Doesn’t that seem like a waste of time?We should never ask questions that force people to assume a defensive position or fight for an ideological team’s position on a controversial issue. Always remember that when people come to the Free Thought Forum, they do so as unique individuals, not as representatives of a political party, the spokesmen for their ethnicity, or some other ambassador of some group identity. As freethinkers, we allow one another the flexibility to change our minds and follow our unique philosophical paths. Therefore, no question should be asked that pins a person to an identity or idea, as if people and opinions can’t change over time.Good group questions are non-accusatory, open-ended, not-too-personal, thought-provoking, related to the topic at hand, and easy to answer with a story. They come with no pressure or fear of “getting it wrong,” and allow for several valid answers. What makes you say that? What would you say is the most convincing argument for that position? If you’ve experienced discrimination in the workplace, how would you describe it? Why would you say the anti-vaccination movement is so popular? What do you enjoy most about that hobby?When in doubt, ask “What do you think?” Clarifying Questions“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.”― Socrates“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.”― Eugene IonescoWhen you’re listening to someone’s answers, you should listen to understand. No other agenda should interfere with that goal. Clarifying questions are valuable tools for active listeners. As you run through the Forum Cycle throughout a conversation, this step shouldn’t only be used to start up a new train of thought. It should also be the step in which you ask probing follow-up questions to better understand what has been said.When we share our thoughts, we tend to assume that we always make sense. After all, our thoughts and conclusions seem obvious to us, so why shouldn’t they be easily understood by everyone else? It usually isn’t until after we’re asked to clarify something that we realize that we’ve been ambiguous or illogical. When people ask us clarifying questions, they are doing us a service. Again, they are showing that they have respect for us and interest in what we are saying. However, asking such questions takes some practice and tact. Some people may believe that they’ve been clear enough and might be insulted by any suggestion to the contrary. Being asked to restate something can seem like an accusation or a personal attack. Rather than expand on their views and the topic at hand, they may cut themselves off, defeating several of the purposes of the meeting. This is why tact is essential.Use clarifying questions in your conversations as often as needed, and maybe even more often than you’d expect. It’s human nature to assume that we understand something more than we actually do, isn’t it? So asking for clarification, even when you don’t think you need it, is a good habit to form. Erroring on the side of caution is certainly warranted.The most friendly and effective clarifying questions don’t smuggle any judgment or assumption. They are neutral, open, and clinical, like the questions of a doctor trying to zero in on a specific diagnosis. We don’t want to change the direction of the conversation or derail someone’s train of thought. Rather, we want to get a closer and clearer view of what they truly meant to say in the first place. This is communicated t…
Our Bylaws have been Signed!
Jun 14, 2021
Show notes
By Nicholas Burk (President)
This month, we’ve made a giant leap in our progress as an organization. Early on June 13th, the Board submitted its final signature needed to ratify the official Bylaws of the Free Thought Forum! This is our core governing document, the constitution of our organization, and the rules under which our leaders operate. You’ve been hearing about it for months, but now you can see it for yourself!
While we have been in operation hosting events, editing curriculum, and developing our programs for almost two and a half years, the ratification and publication of this important document launch us into an exciting new phase in our history. Effective June 20, 2021, the Free Thought Forum will be an official Unincorporated Nonprofit Association, a step above the informal association that we have been during the first experimental phase of our organization, and just one step below our long-term goal of becoming a Nonprofit Incorporation. This special event also grants us a new founding date and added cause for celebration during our annual Courage Festival.
These bylaws establish the duties of our Directors, codify our purposes and values, assert the rights of our members, and set forth the legal framework within which our organization can thrive. Publishing this document on our website is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and our dedication to operating as a model institution in full compliance with local and national laws at every step of our development.
This is an exciting time to be involved with the Free Thought Forum. We’ve resumed meeting again in person, secured the trademark for our name, been contacted by new potential Chapter Leaders, have adopted a new logo, are designing a new official flag, and have implemented new primer standards, improved topic schedules, updated the forms used by our Chapter Leaders, replaced our volunteer program with a robust Mutual Aid program, and much more! This month’s achievements have been made possible by the hard work of our founders, volunteer leaders, and, of course, the feedback and support from you — our members! Thank you! ◼️
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