First Coast
FreeThinker
The Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
Volume 7, Issue 8
Inside
this issue:
HFA Conference
3
Human Nature, & 4
the Rule of Law
War Prayer
5
Book Review of
6
The Science of
Good and Evil, by
Michael Shermer
Camp Quest FL
7
Where Does the
8
Enlightenment
Fit in the Puzzle?
How to Handle
Two Medical
Emergencies
10
Proposed Bylaws
Amendment
11
NPR Fundraising 14
Drive - A Success!
August 2009 President’s Message
Earl Coggins
knowing. I think it is
much more interesting
was thinking about to live not knowing than
to have answers that
thinking—somemight be wrong. If we
thing I can’t stop
thinking about. Some of will only allow that, as
we progress, we remain
my favorite epistemounsure, we will leave
logical quotes immediopportunities for alterately came to mind.
I
uncertain…In
order to
make
progress,
one must
leave the
door to the unknown
ajar.”
One of my
I think freethinkers should . . . I believe that
Dr. Feynman
favorites (there
be
ever
vigilant
in
the
promowas saying it’s
are many)
tion and proliferation of all
okay to say we
comes from
Caltech physi- knowledge whether it is scien- don’t know.
Socrates is
cist and Nobel
tific, historic, or otherwise.
said to have
laureate Richsaid, “All I
ard Feynman.
He observes rather casu- natives. We will not be- know is that I don’t
come enthusiastic for
know.” Many people deally, but profoundly: “I
can live with doubt and the fact, the knowledge, fine freethinking as the
the absolute truth of the
uncertainty and not
day, but remain always
(Continued on page 3)
August 2009 Meeting
Pam C. Dement-Liebenow, Professor of Biological Sciences
Florida Community College at Jacksonville
“Tales of the Clubfooted Boy”
We will examine creation stories throughout our history
and compare them to the facts that scientists have discovered.
Monday, August 17, 2009, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
In the Sanctuary, upper parking lot level ● Doors open at 6:00
Unitarian Universalist Church ● 7405 Arlington Expressway ● Jacksonville, FL
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
2
HUMANIST BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
When:
2:00 p.m., the first Sunday of each month.
Where:
Borders Books, 8801 Southside Blvd., 519-6500, books are
usually in stock.
What:
Books/magazines planned for discussion:
•
August 2, 2009 - Article of choice from Atheist.About.com website
•
September 6, 2009 - The Tyranny of Dead Ideas, by Matt Miller
A
leading political and business thinker identifies the greatest threat to our economic future: the
things we think we know—but don’t. America is at a crossroads. In the face of global competition
and rapid technological change, our economy is about to face its most severe test in nearly a century. Yet our leaders have failed to prepare us for what lies ahead because they are in the grip of a set of
“dead ideas” about how a modern economy should work.
Matt Miller, one of America’s most creative public-affairs thinkers, offers a unique blend of businessworld acumen and public-policy vision to lay bare how this conventional wisdom holds our country back,
and he introduces us to a new way of thinking—what he calls “tomorrow’s destined ideas”—that can reinvigorate our economy, our politics, and our day-to-day lives. —Excerpt from introduction.
For more information, contact moderator Jewell Kross at [email protected] or
call 904-996-1553. (NOTE: If you purchase books from Amazon, please go to our website first: http://
www.firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org/ and then click the link to Amazon.com. Thank you!)
First Coast
Newsletter Staff
FreeThinker
Editor:
Hugo Borresen
779-6883
[email protected]
Layout:
Fred Hill
358-3610
The First Coast FreeThinker is published for
FCFS members, other freethinkers, and potential Staff Writer and Staff Illustrator
[email protected]
freethinkers. Nonmembers may receive three
Staff Writer: Terry Loucks
288-6291
issues free of charge, after which they must join
[email protected]
the FCFS to continue to receive hard copy.
Wilhelmina Walton
642-8798
Readers are invited and encouraged to reprint Proofreader:
our original materials provided they give credit to [email protected]
Carrie Renwick
268-8826
this publication. The officials of the FCFS are not Proofreader:
[email protected]
responsible for opinions or other statements
expressed in this newsletter. The FreeThinker is
intended to convey ideas that stimulate thought
following month’s issue. Submit contributions to
and promote discussion on a variety of subjects.
the newsletter by e-mail to Hugo (see above), or
We welcome submissions. The deadline is the by U.S. mail to Hugo Borresen, 8831 Taurus
FOURTH SATURDAY of each month for the
Circle South, Jacksonville, FL 32222.
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
It’s gotten so bad that in a
recent eSkeptic edition, Daniel
rejection of authority and dogma, Loxton, Editor of Junior Skeptic
especially in religious thinking, (and the organizer of “What Do I
Do Next? 105 Practical Ways to
in favor of rational inquiry and
Promote Skepticism and Adspeculation. I believe a fundavance Science”) addresses the
mental aspect of freethought is
importance of Wikipedia, one of
the ability of the freethinker to
intuitively know that doubt and the best science-based public reuncertainty own more real estate sources for information on the
internet.
in the community of knowledge
than do all discoveries to date.
Loxton is calling on all skepJune 2009 President’s Message
(Continued from page 1)
August 2009
3
scientific paradigms and causing
massive changes in not only the
way in which a scientist looks at
the world, but in how the world
looks at the world.
There are flat earth societies,
fundamentalist religious leaders,
and old world politicos who are
not ready for such a revolution.
They are doing everything possible to turn the information age
into an era of misinformation,
tics and science lovers to become propaganda, and half-truths.
Wikipedia watchdogs, sniffing
I think freethinkers should
out paranormal assertions lack- join Loxton’s call and be ever
ing credible references (are there vigilant in the promotion and
any WITH them?) and either
proliferation of all knowledge,
flagging them for citation, addwhether it is scientific, historic,
ing scientific criticism, or remov- or otherwise. Our mantra
ing them altogether, if appropri- should be a line from a popular
ate. (For guidelines on how to
show of the 1950’s and 60’s—
fix Wikipedia, visit http://
Dragnet. In it the detectives, alwww.skeptic.com/get_involved/
ways looking for evidence to
fix_wikipedia.html.
solve the crime of the week,
In a period boldly labeled the
“Information Age,” we freethinkers are faced with just as many
challenges as were our predecessors. Not only are we facing the
same challenges as Copernicus
and Darwin regarding the acceptance of new scientific discoveries, we also have to be ever vigilant with the way in which our
current knowledge is handled
and perceived. Many attempts to
rewrite history or block it out
We are on the verge of what
entirely are a daily threat to our Karl Popper called an
educational systems and knowl- “ideological” revolution. In an
edge base.
ideological revolution, new scientific discoveries are replacing old
would habitually respond to
statements from potential witnesses with a simple and
succinct request: “All we
want are the facts.”
Humanists of Florida Association - April Conference
guide for parents, grandlocal groups that are presently
parents, and guardians
affiliated with the HFA and five
he weekend of April 30 to Florida Center for Inquiry com● Becoming a part of the
May 2, 2010 may sound
munities will be involved. The
political action in FL
like a long way away, but FCFS is proud and happy to parAnd many others.
it’s not!! It will be upon us beticipate! The conference is being
fore we know it. Mark your cal- held at the Sarasota Hotel and
For more information, see
endar now and plan to attend
Marina.
the next issue of The Florida
what promises to be an exciting
Humanist News, visit website:
Programming ideas curHFA convention.
www.Florida Humanist.org, or
rently include:
write info@FloridaHuIt is being billed as “the most
● Update on progress of the manist.org. (And of
broad-based humanist coference
Evolution Institute
course, I shall update you
ever held in Florida.” Thirteen
● Raising freethinkers: A
as well!)
Carrie Renwick
T
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
4
Human Nature and the Rule of Law
Ken Hurley
W
hen I worked in the
corporate world I
loved to tease the
“Human Resources” director,
asking, “How are the humans
doing today?” The response was
usually a polite giggle and a roll
of the eyes. Occasionally, I
would be shown a balled fist and
clenched teeth. But, I thought it
to be a reasoned and fair question.
hood through young toddlerhood
when the urge to poop hits—we
simply let go. However, that’s
messy and the adulthood doesn’t
tolerate pants pooping for too
long.
both our hope
and our bane.
It is the
humans who
developed
elaborate tales
As children, we desire to
of mysticism,
conform to the adult world, so
mythical powwe clean up our act and learn to ers of gods, and thousands of
stifle the urge until we reach the religions. It is also the humans
bathroom. Thus, learning to
who developed vaccines, cell
poop in proper places marks a
phones, space exploration, and
significant commonality among burritos.
the humans and a demonstrable
So I’m putting my precarious
beginning of our evolution as
faith in the humans to create a
individuals and as a civilization. societal vision that is capable of
It is our assessment of ourselves that matters. It is our
sense of esteem; how
we rebound from sad“The capacity for transformation
ness; how we create
seems to be the most notable characour happiness; how we
teristic of human nature. This paraperceive our place in
doxically is both the cause for a bethe world that helps
determine our produc- lief in God and a rejection of belief.
tivity, friendships, and
our future direction.
Humans diverge from pants mans.)
What’s wrong with the
world? The humans.
What’s right with the world?
The humans.
Often times it’s the same humans too.
There is a notion that people
are the same wherever you
go . . . Bulgaria, China, Italy,
Nigeria, Ecuador, Palatka . . .
that under our skin we share a
common human nature.
Not entirely so . . . more no,
than so.
This writer subscribes to the
notion that the nature of humans at its most basic level is to
poop in our pants. From baby-
pooping in a myriad of directions. However, one significant
element about human nature
seems to be that we are deeply
different. Perhaps, the most important aspect of human nature
seems to lie in its ability to be
shaped by culture and experience in tremendously disparate
ways. Human nature is flexible
and capable of change. The capacity for transformation seems
to be the most notable characteristic of human nature. This
paradoxically is both the cause
for a belief in God and a rejection of belief. This duality is the
basic cause of war and is the basic cure for war. This duality is
adaptation, celebrates
our cultural diversity,
and seeks rational
and peaceful solutions to problems that
no doubt were created
by other humans.
(Not me . . . other hu-
I shall give heavily weighted
credence to the vision and hope
that America still offers, starting with the framework we have
agreed to govern ourselves by—
our Constitution, the Bill of
Rights, subsequent amendments, and the rule of law.
That the equality we seek is
found by a fair and impartial
treatment under the law.
The rule of law principle
states that every member of society, even our highest elected
officials, must follow the law.
The rule of law is supposed
to offer protection against capricious indiscretions among those
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
(Continued from page 4)
none of its own, the collapse of
the state, in my view, is not far
off; but if law is the master of the
government and the government
is its slave, then the situation is
full of promise and men enjoy all
the blessings that the gods
shower on a state.
who would govern. Unfortunately, Americans have elected
presidents and others who
scoffed with a smirk at the notion they too should be held accountable to the rule of law.
(Due to newsletter space limitations we can not provide a list of
(Oh, to be showered once
all those who have circumvented again by the blessings of gods.
our laws for personal gain.)
Perhaps that might be a good
product name for a shampoo –
The pamphlet, Common
Sense, written by an EnglishBless. The tag line could be
man” (Thomas Paine) in 1776,
“Bless Shampoo. Makes the gods
said that, “in America, the law is smile and your friends, too.”)
King.” In 1976, my grandfather
The rule of law shares the
told me that common sense is
paradox of human nature—a
not too common.
duality conundrum, simply put
The rule of law is not a new
American idea but was considered by Aristotle and Plato.
Plato is credited writing:
Where the law is subject to
some other authority and has
August 2009
5
sion?
That depends on the whether
the humans in question employ
a decision making process that
is reasoned or emotional, rational or irrational, based on
precise assumptions or implicit
assumptions. Will the humans
list the pros and cons, flip a coin,
refer to tarot cards, pray to God,
acquiesce to an “expert,” leave it
to “fate,” determine the highest
probability-weighted utility for
each option, or seek refuge in an
apathetic lethargy induced by a
gin-filled tumbler?
It’s up to you. What’s in your
nature?
— humans can be good and bad,
laws can be good and bad.
—Ken Hurley is the co-founder of
Should we follow bad laws?
Civication, Inc. whose website is
Should we follow bad humans?
www.civication.org.
If not, how shall we proceed?
How do humans make a deci-
War Prayer - by Mark Twain
O
Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle—be Thou near them! With them—in spirit—we also go forth from the
sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help
us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their
smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriotic dead; help us to drown the
thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us
lay waste to their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the
hearts of their inoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out
roofless with little children to wander unfriended the wastes of the desolated land in rags and hunger
and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn
with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it—for our sakes who adore Thee,
Lord. Blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps,
water their way with their tears, stain the snow white with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask
it, in the spirit of love, of Him who is the Source of Love, and who is the ever faithful refuge and
friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.
—Mark Twain wrote this imprecatory (pronounced IM-pre-ca-tor-ee) prayer, which is a curse,
around 1904-05. It was not published until after his death in 1910.
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
6
Evolutionary Ethics: A Book Review of
The Science of Good and Evil, by Dr. Michael Shermer
Terry Loucks
or nationality.
M
Early humans, from
100,000 to
10,000 years
ago, roamed
primarily in
small bands
(10 to 100 individuals). Then
relatively quickly, our social
structure evolved first to tribes
(up to 1,000 individuals), to
chiefdoms (5,000 individuals),
to states (50,000) and finally to
much larger empires in the
last thousand years.
and groups and belongs to the
species. Moral principles preichael Shermer, a
ceded religion and exist outside
leading spokesman for of us, being products of the imskeptics and secular
personal forces of evolution, hishumanists, does a good job of
tory, and culture.
explaining why humans are
He introduces a list of
moral (and immoral) animals, in “human universals” compiled by
his recent book: The Science of
anthropologist Donald E. Brown.
Good and Evil. It has the inter- Numbering 373 (over half being
esting subtitle, “Why People
moral or religious), these univerCheat, Gossip, Care, Share, and
Follow the Golden Rule.”
Using scientific data
rather than opinion or Holy
writ to defend his conclusions, he shows that moral
sentiments in humans and
moral principles in human
groups evolved primarily
through the force of natural
selection operating on individuals and secondarily
through the force of group
selection operating on populations.
Humans are, by nature,
moral and immoral, good
and evil, altruistic and selfish, cooperative and competitive, peaceful and bellicose,
virtuous and nonvirtuous.
Most people, most of the
time, in most circumstances
are good and do the right thing
for themselves and for others.
Central to our evolved ethic is
the Golden Rule, augmented by
Shermer's “Happiness Principle”
and “Freedom Principle.”
As an evolved mechanism of
human psychology, the moral
sense transcends individuals
Along the way, moral sentiments evolved out of the premoral sentiments of our primate and hominid ancestors,
and moral rules were established. In the last 10,000 years,
these moral behaviors were
codified into moral rules and
principles by religions that
arose as a direct result of the
shift from tribes to chiefdoms
to states.
Shermer also introduces the
powerful concept of the biocultural evolutionary pyramid,
which is much better described
by a drawing than words. At
the bottom of the pyramid is
the
individual whose concern is
sal traits of culture, society, language, behavior, and psyche are self survival, and the next level
present without exception in all is the family, with the task of
ethnographically or historically passing on the genes.
recorded human societies. In
Next is the extended family
other words, we all have the
and above it the community,
same “universal” behavior
where humans first discovaround the world regardless of
ered the benefits of reciprocal
race, culture, language, religion,
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
altruism. Prior to the community (35,000 years ago), our
moral behavior was influenced
primarily by the ancestral environment; since then, it has been
influenced primarily by the modern environment.
The top three levels of Shermer’s bio-cultural pyramid are
the society (where most of us are
today), next the species and ultimately the biosphere. He closes
with a note of optimism by
pointing out that humans have
made rapid progress moving
from survival of the individual
to survival of societies, and that
we are already broadening our
“in group” to include the entire
August 2009
7
species. Next in this evolution
will be the inclusion of the entire
biosphere.
I can recommend this book to
anyone who wants to understand why humans are moral
(and immoral) without resorting to the supernatural.
Camp Quest Florida 2009 - A Winter Secular Camp
Elizabeth Spike
est), California, Michigan, Minnesota, Smoky Mountains, and
Attention Freethought Fami- now Florida! There is one CQ in
lies!! Camp Quest (co-sponsored Ontario, Canada and a new CQ
by the Humanists of Florida As- in the UK.
sociation) is a secular humanist
The camp serves children
camp for kids ages 8 through 17, from freethinking families. The
which is now registering.
goal is to provide a fun and safe
skepticism. This
is a very special
and exciting opportunity!
Please visit
the website and
share it with
friends and family who might
environment that nurtures benefit from such a unique exand cultivates the inquisiperience. If you are as excited
tive, rational, and ethical
about CQ FL as I am, then also
nature in our children.
please consider making a donaCampers are given a chance tion. Website: http://
www.florida.camp-quest.org/
to make friends, ask questions, analyze answers, and
Below is a link to the regisask more questions about
tration form. (Price list is on the
humanity and our natural
form.) You can register online.
world.
http://www.florida.campCamp Quest Florida will quest.org/index_files/
be held this winter from
cq_fl_registration_forms.htm
The winter session runs from 12/25/2009 to 1/1/2010. ChilDecember 25, 2009 to January 1, dren (and their families) are
—Elizabeth Spike is the director
2010, in Fort Lauderdale. Dead- welcome to stay with us at Birch of Camp Quest Florida 2009.
line for camper registration and State Park in Fort Lauderfees is November 20, 2009. For
dale, Florida. (http://
more info read what director
www.floridastateparks.org/
Elizabeth Spike has to say:
hughtaylorbirch/)
amp Quest Florida 2009
This is Florida’s first
is finally here! Camp
secular camp for kids. It is
Quest (CQ) is a concept
pleased to announce that
organized at the grassroots
The Amazing Randi will
level. There are six operating
visit us to perform magic
CQs in the USA: Ohio (the oldand share thoughts on
C
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
8
Where Does the Enlightenment Fit in the Puzzle?
Hugo Borresen
ism more acceptable. The fall of Diderot and
man, grace, redemption, and sal- d’Alembert
he Enlightenment was
vation were often ignored. Peocreated the
the real beginning of con- ple wanted to lead their own
first big encytemporary free thought. lives as they saw fit. Improving clopedia, emAn outgrowth of Renaissance
society through education and
phasizing proHumanism, the Enlightenment social improvement gained imgress through
flourished from the mid-1600s
portance.
moderate change, arts and
until the late 1700s, when it
Greek writers became impor- crafts, and a liberal middle class
brought about the toppling of
society. Rousseau had a plan for
tant. Plato and Aristotle were
behavioral control and believed
the Ancien Régime in France. It studied for government. Pluemphasized reason, developed
man was harmed by his society.
tarch, Cicero, and Seneca were
mathematics, and encouraged
read for natural law. Democritus D’Holbach emphasized atheism.
science, producing advances in
Voltaire attacked the Catholic
chemistry, physChurch. Econoics, anatomy, and
mists, such as
astronomy. PhiAdam Smith, emlosophers comphasized laissezfaire and held that
piled information
in encyclopedias
land was the only
and founded scireal wealth. Diderot
entific institutes.
wanted government
New discoveries
to regulate wheat.
Gibbon, Hume, and
were applied to
education, law,
Voltaire broadened
politics, and sohistory to include
cial justice, strivsocial, economic,
ing to overcome
and cultural life,
superstition, bigA Philosopher Giving a Lecture on the Orrery * describing not only
otry and ignofacts, but causes as
(Joseph Wright of Derby, 1766).
rance. Reason and
well.
progress sought to overthrow the and Lucretius were studied for a
Art and literature broadened
status quo, particularly religious materialistic theory of the unito provide pleasure in living,
dogma enforced by state power
verse. Galileo studied the heav- which helped set the standard
in all nations, at least until a
ens and Newton studied gravita- for morality which was found in
product of enlightenment ideals, tion and motion. Locke believed human beings. Literature broadknown as the United States, es- reason could help people organ- ened to include human potential
chewed that hoary old union in a ize for the benefit of all. They
for evil and the need for selfConstitution adopted in 1789.
thought animals were emoaffirmation through aggression,
T
Many intellectuals of the era
adopted Deism, a belief that God
created the universe but left it
alone, so prayers for intervention did not work. Christians
became more liberal and athe-
tional, running away if frightened or fighting if angry, but realized that humans could use
reason to solve their problems.
Montesquieu thought climate
had an effect on government.
domination, power, and prestige.
Conflicts arose with the belief
that society is natural but there
are conflicts in pleasure and so(Continued on page 9)
Th
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
cial standards of virtue. Intention and conscience conflicted
with the idea of the social effects
of action. The ways of the individual became more important
than the self-denying teachings
of Christianity.
sity of Oxford.
should protect property, but
Marx pointed out that this was
merely a prejudice of the middle
class. Hobbes claimed reasoning
was only adding and subtracting
ideas; critics disagreed and
burned his books at the Univer-
ams, Jefferson, and others when
they created our Constitution.
The thought of political and civil
rights, rational and just society,
representation, popular sovereignty in voting, and other elements of democracy grew. Marx
August 2009
9
pushed the doctrines of class
struggle, economic determinism,
and dialectical materialism. The
worth of action depended on its
contribution, and morals were
rejected.
At the end of the 1700s, feeling was more important than
reason; and passion, individuality, and spontaneity were preferred to discipline, order, and
control. But there was little
Enlightenment weakened the
Wild ideas about law, educa- agreement about progress. The
myths of the Middle Ages. It sugtion, and government appeared. Reign of Terror phase of the
gested equal rights for women,
Some writers wanted regimenta- French Revolution put enlightindeed, for all people, although
tion, thought control, and reenment into disrepute. One leg- the suggestion would not grow
shaping of individuals. Some
acy is that people realized that
into reality until nearly two censuggested control, including cen- society law could control human turies after the end of the
sorship, spying, deception, and
development. Philosophical offEnlightenment era, held by
propaganda. Others, including
spring of the Enlightenment in- many scholars to have roughly
increasingly outspoken
coincided with the
[The
Enlightenment]
emphasized
women, such as Mary
French Revolution of
Wollstonecraft, argued reason, developed mathematics, and
1789. It undermined
for individual liberty,
the biblical view of
encouraged science, producing
universal education,
the cosmos, as well as
advances
in
chemistry,
physics,
representative governthe antiquated and
ment, and limited mon- anatomy, and astronomy.
repressive moral,
archy. Pessimism about
metaphysical, and pothe human condition was comclude utilitarianism, commonly
litical structures of the world.
mon, but there were people who described as promoting the
Yet it also expanded recognition
believed human nature could be greatest good for the greatest
of the importance of individuals
reformed in a planned society.
number of people; and nihilism, controlling their own lives and
Most believed that science would a doctrine suggesting there are
the need for human betterment.
continue progressing. Overall,
no objective values or truths.
Then, as reverence for feeling
there was little agreement.
increasingly supplanted reason,
Liberal and totalitarian de“Truths” were never certain, mocracies developed. The think- the romantic movement began,
often only probable, or even
ing of the French and British af- but that’s a another story for another day.
false. For example, government fected Madison, Franklin, Ad*An orrery is a mechanical device that illustrates the relative
positions and motions of the
planets and moons in the solar
system in a heliocentric
model.
“On religion, many are destined to reason wrongly:
others not to reason at all: and others to prosecute
those who do reason.” —Voltaire (1694-1778)
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
10
Know How to Handle Two Medical Emergencies
pain in left arm or chin, nausea,
sweating, numbness in face,
eart attacks or strokes arm, or leg (especially in one
can occur at any age,
side of body), trouble in speaking
but are most common in or understanding, trouble seeing
people over the age of 55. Belief with one or both eyes, trouble
in God may not actually save
walking, dizziness, loss of balyou, but recognizing the follow- ance or coordination, possible
ing symptoms and knowing how chest pain.
to respond might. If you see
Response: Dissolve two aspisomeone experiencing these
rins in mouth, swallow with wasymptoms, call 9-1-1 right away ter, call 9-1-1 and say “heart atas treatment by trained medical tack, I took aspirin.” Sit or lie
professionals as soon as possible down by unlocked door.
is essential. If you are by yourStroke: Symptoms: numbself and have these symptoms,
even if they go away, respond as ness in face, arm, or leg
(especially in one side of body);
described as best you can:
trouble in speaking or underHeart attack: Symptoms:
Hugo Borresen
H
standing, trouble seeing with
one or both
eyes, trouble
walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. A ministroke is brief and causes no
lasting damage to the brain.
Response: Call 9-1-1 and say
“stroke,” sit or lie down by
unlocked door.
More information is available at the American Heart Association website: http://
www.americanheart.org/
presenter.jhtml?
identifier=3053
Ongoing FCFS Activities
Dinners for Doubters
Sign up to attend or to host a dinner yourself. Sign-up sheets will be at the back table at
the monthly meetings. For details on how this works, see page 7 of the August 2008
FreeThinker (available on website) or ask a greeter at the back table.
Secular Sunday Morning in the Park (or Atheist Sunday Morning)
Freethinkers… let’s get acquainted and enjoy intelligent conversation every 4th Sunday
of the month (unless inclement weather prevails) at 10 a.m. until ? at the pavilion at Losco
Park, 10851 Hood Rd., S., Jacksonville 32257, between Shad and Losco Roads. Need
directions? Call Beth Perry at 733-5489 or Google the address to get a map and directions.
We generally provide coffee, but you might want to bring some, to be on the safe side. Bring
a breakfast snack and a chair. Mark your calendar. We hope to see you there!
No Atheist Left Behind (or Are You Going My Way?)
If you are seeking a ride to an FCFS event, contact Hugo Borresen at
[email protected] or call 904-779-6883.
Caring Tree
If a telephone call to a member is in order, or if a sympathy card, flowers, or some form of
support is needed, please contact Judy Hankins at 904-724-8188 or e-mail her at
[email protected]. If you prefer, leave a notation on the sign-in
sheet at the back table at one of our monthly meetings.
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
11
ATTENTION MEMBERS!!
The Board
Proposed Bylaws Amendment
MEMBERSHIP VOTE REQUIRED
W
hen the Bylaws were first drafted, it was felt prudent to set term limits on the officers.
However, after due consideration, the Board has concluded that this limitation is too restrictive. The Board recommends the below change.
The paragraph in ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS regarding term limits reads:
“All officers shall serve a term of one year. The President and Vice President shall be eligible
to serve two consecutive terms, after which they shall be ineligible to hold the same office for
one year. The Treasurer and Secretary shall be eligible to serve four consecutive terms, after
which they shall be ineligible to hold the same office for one year.”
The proposed change is to strike the sentences:
“The President and Vice President shall be eligible to serve two consecutive terms, after which
they shall be ineligible to hold the same office for one year. The Treasurer and Secretary shall
be eligible to serve four consecutive terms, after which they shall be ineligible to hold the same
office for one year.”
and to add to the first sentence, the phrase in bold:
“All officers shall serve a term of one year, after which they may be reelected.”
In accordance with the current Bylaws, this proposed amendment is being placed in the newsletter
and requires a membership vote.
FCFS members with e-mail are requested to vote by e-mail, replying to Carrie Renwick, e-mail
secretary. Just say in your e-mail:
__ YES. I support the proposed amendment to remove officer term limits; or
__ NO. I do not support the proposed amendment to remove officer term limits.
FCFS members using U.S. Mail will find a ballot enclosed in the newsletter and are requested
to return the ballot in the enclosed envelope.
Deadline: Please, EVERYONE, vote by September 1, 2009.
Thank you,
The Board
First Coast Freethought Society
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
First Coast Freethought Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 550591
Jacksonville, FL 32255-0591
(904) 288-6291
http://firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org
Statement of Purpose
The First Coast Freethought Society, Inc. is an
educational, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to supporting nonreligious
persons in the Northeast Florida area and promoting a nontheistic approach to everyday life.
Meetings
The FCFS meets the THIRD Monday of each
month at the Unitarian Universalist Church of
Jacksonville, upstairs in the sanctuary, 7405 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, Florida 32211,
(904) 725-8133. Meeting time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Meetings are free and open to the public. Doors
open at 6:00 p.m.
Committees and Chairs
Program
Carrie Renwick
268-8826
[email protected]
Audit
Roger Wenner
288-6291
[email protected]
Editorial
Hugo Borresen
779-6883
[email protected]
August 2009
12
FCFS Officers
President
Earl Coggins
521-5039
[email protected]
l
Vice President Carrie Renwick
268-8826
[email protected]
Secretary
June Applen
762-0627
[email protected]
Treasurer
Mark Renwick
268-8826
[email protected]
At-Large
Steve Peek
742-5390
[email protected]
Other FCFS Appointments
Parliamentarian Fred W. Hill
[email protected]
358-3610
E-mail Secretary Carrie Renwick
268-8826
[email protected]
Finance
Mark Renwick
268-8826
[email protected]
Publicity
Carrie Renwick
268-8826
[email protected]
Website
Mark Renwick
268-8826
[email protected]
Membership
Judy Hankins
724-8188
[email protected]
Welcome
Judy Hankins
724-8188
[email protected]
Telephone
Judy Hankins
724-8188
[email protected]
Long-Range Planning Curtis Wolf 573-3847
[email protected]
August Social
Where:
OLIVE GARDEN on Philips Highway, near the Avenues Mall.
When:
Tuesday August 25, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. Proceed directly to our
room. Drinks at 6:00. Dinner at 7:00. (Order from the menu.)
RSVP:
[email protected] (or 268-8826) by Tues. a.m., if you plan to go!
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society
August 2009
13
First Coast Freethought Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 550591, Jacksonville, FL 32255-0591• (904) 288-6291
2009 Membership Application
Name
Date
Home address
City
State
E-mail address
Home phone
Business phone
Occupation
Areas of interest and/or expertise
Zip Code
How did you hear about us? Comments?
Membership level (please select one):
Regular ($30/yr.)
Carl Sagan ($50/yr.)
Charles Darwin ($200/yr.)
Student ($15/yr.)
Bertrand Russell ($75/yr.)
Robert Ingersoll ($500/yr.)
Senior - 65+ ($15/yr.)
Thomas Paine ($100/yr.)
Lifetime ($1,000)
Family ($45/yr.)
Do you object to your name appearing on our membership list, distributed to other members?
Yes
No
I’m interesting in getting involved in the FCFS as a(n):
General member
Committee member
Officer
Financial supporter
•
Annual dues cover the period of January 1 through December 31.
•
The initial dues for new members joining in July through September are half the regular
rates. Membership extends to the end of the current calendar year.
•
The initial dues for new members joining in October through December are the full,
regular rates. Membership extends to the end of the following calendar year.
You can make a lasting impact on the future of
freethought and secular humanism in this community
…if you provide for the First Coast Freethought Society in your Will.
Your bequest will ensure that the FCFS continues to be a beacon for freethinkers
on the First Coast and to remain a vital Voice of Reason in the Northeast Florida area.
Several options are available for establishing a bequest (specific, percentage, residual, or
contingent). We will be happy to provide the appropriate wording to you
and your attorney, depending upon your wishes.
For further information, contact
Carrie Renwick, P.O. Box 550591, Jacksonville, FL 32255-0591 or
904-288-6291 ● [email protected] ● http://www.firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org/
All inquiries are held in the strictest confidence.
The
FreeThinker Newsletter of the First Coast Freethought Society August 2009 14
FCFS August 2009 Activities
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2 Book
Group
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 Monthly
Meeting
18
19
20
21
22 Newsletter
Deadline
23 Secular
Sunday
24
25 Olive
Garden
26
27
28
29
30
31
Visit our website at http://www.firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org/.
In the Adobe version, the links are LIVE! One click takes you there. If the
two-line links do not work, copy and paste into your browser window.
2009 NPR CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FUNDRAISING DRIVE- A SUCCESS!!
Y
es! The First Coast Freethought Society has once again reached its fundraising goal of
$4,095. Our “Voice of Reason” will continue to be heard throughout the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia area, as a constant and necessary reminder that the FCFS is
a permanent fixture of our social fabric and that nonreligious persons are here to stay.
The First Coast Freethought Society has been speaking out, broadcasting our freethought
message on National Public Radio (NPR) member station WJCT 89.9 FM, over a listening area
of 1.5 million people, since 2007. In addition to announcements about the FCFS in general, we
frequently announce an upcoming monthly meeting. This is proving been very fruitful.
In fact, in 2007 when we started the NPR announcements, we had 250 people on our emailing list. Largely thanks to our NPR Corporate Sponsorship, the list now totals 950.
MANY THANKS to FCFS members, friends, and supporters for enabling our NPR presence
in the community to continue through December of 2009! It goes without saying, this would
not be happening without you.
Note, our NPR Corporate Sponsorship Fund is ongoing, so our announcements can be, too.
To donate online, visit firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org, or mail a check to the First Coast Freethought Society, P.O. Box 550591, Jacksonville, FL 32255-0591. All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE under
IRS Code 501(c)(3), and you will receive a letter to that effect for your income tax records.
FIRST COAST FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY, INC.
An organization of freethinkers and secular humanists supporting
free inquiry, education, and community in the Northeast Florida area
Our Motto: “To Question is the Answer.”
Post Office Box 550591, Jacksonville, FL 32255-0591
Website: http://FirstCoastFreethoughtSociety.org
Telephone: 904-288-6291
E-mail: [email protected]
Support the First Coast Freethought Society
Dear E-mail FreeThinker Recipient:
To provide support on line, click here: http://www.firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org/support.htm
to go to the FCFS website and use a credit card or PayPal account.
If you prefer to mail a check, print this page and use the “card” (below) to indicate your choices.
To print this page, put your cursor anywhere on this page. Click Print. Then select “Current Page”
and click the “OK” button.
Mail your check to the FCFS, P.O. Box 550591, Jacksonville, FL 32255-0591. Thank you!
The First Coast Freethought Society, Inc.
Post Office Box 550591
Jacksonville, Florida 32255-0591
http://www.firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org/support.htm
I wish to contribute to the NPR Corporate Sponsorship Fund; or
I wish to contribute to the ongoing General Promotional Fund
No preference
Enclosed is my contribution for (please check one):
$25
$50
$75
$100
Other __________
I authorize the FCFS to include my name in a forthcoming issue of the First
Coast FreeThinker recognizing my support.
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
E-mail: ________________________________________________________
Your Support Promotes Freethought on the First Coast