The Joy of Secs (Secularism)

Freethought Freeform and PFC Meet & Eat 

Present

The Joy of Secs (Secularism)

Host: David Brunco

Mon, Sep 9, 2024

Panera Bread (Oakland) (6 pm - 9 pm)

3401 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh

https://meet.google.com/kde-uzhx-gxs (7 pm - 8:30 pm)

Please join us between 6 and 7 pm for dinner and informal conversation at Panera Bread.  The Joy of Secs event will start at 7 pm, where participants may also join online via Google Meet.

While some religious people falsely stereotype atheists as unhappy, miserable people purposely denying themselves god's blessings, the truth is that atheists / secular  / nonreligious often live joyful, meaningful, and fulfilling lives, which are often made better and clearer without the complexities and contradictions of established religions.

Discussion questions

• How has secularism / atheism / non-religiosity contributed to joy in your life?
• How can "coming out" of secular people contribute to their happiness, the happiness of the overall secular community, and to society as a whole?  Do these potential benefits outweigh the potential backlash of hatred and discrimination from a zealous minority of religious Americans (e.g., Christian Nationalists)?
• How can a local, secular community (like PFC) contribute to a sense of joy for its members?

Suggested links

• God vs. Country?!! Call Matt Dillahunty + Andrew Seidel Hear PFC member Steve Kutlenios ask about Joy of Atheism and listen to the response.
• "Nonbelievers" in Obama 2009 Inaugural speech
• https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2014/07/16/how-americans-feel-about-religious-groups/

Note: We were originally going to call this event "The Joy of Atheism", but not all our members align as atheists, so we choose a broader title.

Freethought Freeform is a variable format event that can be a group discussion, an interview, a tutorial, a movie discussion, a show-and-tell, an in-person event, or maybe something different.  It may feature an invited speaker, or maybe it won't. Topic and format will be chosen monthly by the host with inputs from the PFC community.  Email your suggestions to info@pghfreethought.org. 

PFC Meet & Eat meets monthly at a reasonably priced restaurant. 

Please join us!

Participants are encouraged to join PFC if not already a member.
https://pghfreethought.org/Become-a-member