A FRIENDSHIP GROUP IN SUPPORT OF

Morality without superstition -- Freedom from religion -- Church & State separation -- Rational thought

Freethinker, noun: a person who forms her or his opinions about everything including religion independently of tradition, authority or established belief.

ARE FREETHINKERS ATHEISTS? Freethinkers are unconvinced of the existence of supernatural entities as ghosts, gods, devils, leprechauns, heavens and hells. We are frank to admit what we don't know rather than imagine answers without evidence. Generally we regard the scientific method as our best hope to understand our universe, including ourselves. Freethinkers are often also atheists, agnostics, secularists, humanists and deists.

ARE FREETHINKERS MORAL? We believe moral behavior is vital if people are to thrive and not destroy one another. We feel that respect and care for others gives the best chance to develop and maximizes wellbeing of thinking creatures. We feel it is harmful to teach children that ancient tribal god belief are true; established facts.

WHAT ABOUT THE BIBLE, KORAN AND OTHER 'SACRED' BOOKS? Rreethinkers regard them as records and imaginings of humans and not sacred. Some parts of them are admirable and some are abhorrent. We view sacredness and blasphemy as thought-control devices. 'Holy' book support for slavery and demeaning regard for women as well as commandments to burn alive or stone to death supposed witches, heretics, non-believers, homosexuals, etc. are immoral to us.

WITHOUT A RELIGION OR GODS HOW CAN LIFE HAVE MEANING FOR FREETHINKERS? Freethinkers believe that if life is to have authentic meaning, we must discover it for ourselves. To live in compliance with one or more of the claimed gods is to be enslaved to out-moded, erroneous conceptions of the universe.

HOW CAN FREETHINKERS HAVE HOPE WITHOUT A BELIEF IN AN AFTERLIFE? Freethinkers consider this life to be the only one we are likely to have. We Consider ti shameful to trivialize this life by enduring unnecessary self-deprecation, suffering and to curry favor for of an imagined afterlife.

WHY SHOULD I BE A FREETHINKER? You will be proud to seek the truth honestly and to avoid self-deception in all aspects of your life. You will find many friends who, like you, enjoy their inquiring minds and are not ashamed to say, "I don't know" when they do not have sufficient reason to believe something.

Lake Superior Freethinkers meet the first Sunday of every month at the Radisson Hotel Duluth. 9am Social, 9:45 optional Brunch and Presentation and or Discussion.