the Freethinkers of Colorado Springs includes humanists, agnostics, rationalists, freethinkers, atheists, deists, and a great deal of people who simply cannot be categorized! A freethinker is a person who forms opinions about religion on the basis of reason, independent of tradition, authority or established belief. The single-word term originated in European areas where religious clashes resulted in wars, genocide and repression of personal freedom. After some degree of study and application, a freethinker might further classify themselves as a humanist, agnostic, rationalist, atheist or deist. No one can claim the title of "freethinker" who demands conformity to a bible, creed or messiah. To the Freethinker, faith and revelation are invalid and orthodoxy is no guarantee of truth. Any human practice that produces satisfaction for its practicers and doesn't harm others, should be allowed in a free society. Including religions. But they should not be allowed to harm, or control, non-members. Freethinkers understand that religions have been hugely destructive of human advancement. And as any rational person would, most freethinkers would like to see more freedom and less oppressive religion in society. Its obvious to most rational people that it would be fruitless to ask believers to give up their faith. Some believers do achieve good things. Many have contribute greatly to society. But at other times, some of their churches have used god to justify war, genocide, etc. That behavior should surely be stopped; as soon as the current holy wars end. Before there was religion, there was superstition. Magical spells or super natural forces living in black cats or broken mirrors. Things that would grab people without apparent cause. But as those magically spells came up against rational science; the spells fell away, superstition faded and testable knowledge reigned supreme. Some of the early Europeans who did this were called witches. Other were called criminals, or heretics. All were attacked by the powerful churches of their day. Other titles were saver. Freethinker was one of those save names. What have Freethinkers ever done for society? Most social and moral progress has been made by people free from religion- including Carl Sagan, Charles Darwin, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Marie Curie, H.L. Mencken, David Hume, Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, Bertrand Russel, Magaret Sanger and many others. Most religions have consistently resisted progress- including the abolition of slavery, women's rights to vote and to choose contraception and abortion; medical developments such as the use of anesthesia; scientific understanding of the heliocentric solar system and evolution and the American principle of state/church separation. Where do Freethinkers go when they die? A belief in heaven or an afterlife has been used for centuries to control humans and to allow class discrimination. People have been lulled into contentment with inequity and poverty. "Don't make trouble or question appalling church laws or governments that discriminate against you, and you'll have 'pie in the sky when you die'." Freethinkers have no anxiety about "fire and brimstone" after death nor any reason to postpone happiness. While it is rational to fear fanatical and oppressive humans, there is no reason to fear a silent, invisible deity. Without fear of the supernatural world, our physical world can be enjoyed for what it is. Life can be seen as a wonderful journey, with happiness in the travel. What about Morality? Doesn't it come from religion? Freethinkers live moral lives because it's best for themselves, their families and for their communities. It's reasonable to treat people the way you wish to be treated yourself. Traces of these behaviors can be found throughout human and animal history. Religion didn't give society our morality. If anything, most religious writings guarantee immoral behavior, as they teach oppression and even murder of those who have different beliefs. Those writings also justify oppression of minorities, especially women. And no wars have been fought tin the name of rationality, while many are fought in the name of a god. Who are the "freethinkers of Colorado springs?"
In 1992, voters of Colorado passed Amendment 2, a law to limit the civil rights of gay people. The amendment's authors and supporters were predominately religious people who wanted their intolerance to become law. Many groups formed to resist this effort. One group, Citizen's Project, encouraged the formation of neighborhood and special interest groups. One of those evolved into Freethinkers of Colorado Springs (FTcs) in 1993. FTcs was then, and is now a diverse group, with members of all ages, occupations and political affiliations. Members of the group might also describe their world views with different words: freethinker, humanist, agnostic, atheist, etc. FTcs members were untied originally by their belief that laws should not be passed to punish groups of people. We continue to work toward those ideals by supporting and promoting tolerance, education and equal rights for all humans and separation of church and state. Freethinkers know that freedom was never given by a supernatural power, but it is a right that is often taken away by other human beings. We want to help restore and protect true freedom and equality. What Activities are available? An ongoing lecture series on the fourth Wednesday of each month.. potluck socials the second Saturday of each month.. a hiking group.. Free Thoughts for Kids, a group for families.. women's group.. we
have had book clubs and singles support groups...
Dues-paying members can receive a monthly newsletter. Visit our website to learn about the group, our gatherings and how to become a member. www.FreethinkersCS.com
revised 12-07, and 02-12
