Freethinkers are people who decide what to believe
based on reason (facts and logic) - not authority or dogma.
There are two Free Thinkers Club meetings in most months. We host speakers on a variety of topics and encourage debate, discussions and questions after an initial presentation. There are Freethinkers Club meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month at Bridgeport Recreation Center at 2:30. We also meet on the 4th Thursday of each month at Aviary Recreation Center, at 3:30. We were asked to give meetings at this location a separate name for administrative purposes, so Freethinkers Club meetings at Aviary Rec. Center will be referred to as "Freethinkers Club South" meetings. For more information, or to get on our email distribution, email us at freethinkingvillager@gmail.com. Villages Resident or Guest ID are required to attend.
The Freethinkers Club collaborates administratively with The Humanists Club. We share the same email distribution list and management. Emails with information concerning future presentations for both clubs will be sent to the joint email distribution. The list below shows upcoming Freethinkers Club meeting topics.
Upcoming scheduled topics
The Freethinkers Clubs do not meet in July
Jan 8 Jim Laurent Bridgeport 2:30 The British Museum
The British Museum holds all the best that the British Empire could plunder from around the world. How did they get there? This museum is not the only one holding artifacts that the source countries would like returned. Should these treasures be returned to their source countries? Jim provides the facts and asks your opinion.
Jim is a trained educator who started his career as a 7th grade science teacher. He worked for 30 years as an instructor and technologist in the computer industry. He is a frequent and popular speaker at numerous discussion clubs in The Villages, and is a member of the Board of the Humanists Club.
Jan 22 Peter Irwin Aviary 3:30 Are U.S. Drug Laws Rational?
If drug trafficking is to be used as a rationale for U.S, military action, ought not U.S. drug laws meet criteria for rationality? Why do we criminalize users and suppliers of some harmful drugs but not users and suppliers of other harmful dugs? What are the differences in harm and costs involved?
Peter Irwin is a retired clinical research scientist who worked in academic institutions examining psychoactive drug effects on the brain and in the pharmaceutical industry developing drugs to address diseases of the brain. He has many scientific publications and is a frequent speaker at discussion groups in and outside The Villages.
Feb 12 Drake Shepard Bridgeport 2:30 Going, Going, Gone
Man is radically transforming our planet into vast dead zones through convenience, arrogance and entitlement. Witness dozens of iconic world landforms, animal species, and forests vanishing at an alarming rate. Join Drake as he details his personal journey to become a steward of our ailing planet - and share your opinion as to whether you agree with this environmentalist point of view.
Drake Shepard is one of the most popular and prolific speakers at discussion clubs in The Villages.
Feb 26 Jim Laurent Aviary 3:30 The British Museum (repeat of Jan 8 presentation)