Freethinkers of UTA

Freethinkers of UTA is a group where atheists, agnostics, skeptics, humanists, freethinkers, and anyone who promotes science and reason can come together.

We are a new student organization on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington.  We hold meetings every other Thursday during the semester.  Meetings usually have a discussion topic that is decided on before the meeting.  We encourage open dialogue on issues such as: Evolution vs. Intelligent Design, the Secular Roots of the American Founding, Church/State Separation, Secular vs. Religious Ethics, the effect of Religion on Society, and much more.

Our purpose is:

- To establish a positive social environment for UTA students who consider themselves atheists, agnostics, skeptics, rationalists, humanists, and/or freethinkers.

 

- To enrich the UTA campus life by sponsoring educational events and fostering student dialogue on matters of faith, science, and reason.

 

- To engage UTA students in issues of national and international importance surrounding freedom of conscience and secular education.

 

Past events have included: a Superstition Bash, a trip to a local Hell House, a viewing of "A God Who Wasn't There", a sponsored talk about Secular Ethics by DJ Grothe of the Center for Inquiry, a field trip to the Creation Evidence Museum and the Dinosaur Valley State Park, a Darwin Day Celebration and talk by Dr. Zach Moore of the "Evolution 101" podcast, and much more.

We look to expand as we become more solidified and our numbers grow.  Ideas for future events are being tossed around and include: debates, bringing in more speakers,  and some of our members are in the process of starting up a podcast.  If you are interested in becoming a member of Freethinkers of UTA, please contact utafreethinkers@gmail.com or check out our "News" and "Events" pages for updates.

Instead of having a regular meeting on Thursday, we have decided to take a field trip to SMU. Our discussion topic for the next meeting was to be "Intelligent Design", and coincidentally, SMU is having a viewing of the documentary about the Dover trial in Pennsylvania that put "intelligent design on trial" and having a panel discussion involving the judge in that case.

Information can be found here: http://smu.edu/smunews/darwin/events.asp

Specifically, on Sept. 24, 2009 :

4-6 p.m.: Screening of "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," a NOVA documentary. Introduction by Paula Apsell, senior executive producer of NOVA, who received an honorary degree from SMU in 2008.
- O'Donnell Hall - Owen Art Center

6-7 p.m.: Reception
- Caruth Auditorium - Owen Art Center

7-8:30 p.m.: A panel discussion on the legal, ethical and journalistic issues surrounding the making of NOVA’s documentary film, Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial. Participants include John E. Jones, the federal judge who barred a Dover, Pa., public school district in 2005 from teaching "intelligent design"; Paula Apsell and Melanie Wallace, NOVA producers of the documentary; plaintiff's council Eric Rothschild; and Laurie Lebo, author of The Devil in Dover.
- Caruth Auditorium - Owen Art Center


Car pool information can be worked out on the Event wall on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136473377998

Freethinkers of UTA

Fall 2009 Meeting Schedule:

 

Thursday, August 27, 2009 - Guadalupe, U.C.

 

Thursday, September 10, 2009 - Life Science 122

 

Thursday, September 24, 2009 - Event at SMU

 

Thursday, October 8, 2009 - Life Science 122

 

Thursday, October 22, 2009 - Guadalupe, U.C.

 

Thursday, November 5, 2009 - Guadalupe, U.C.

 

Thursday, November 19, 2009 - Guadalupe, U.C.

 

Thursday, December 3, 2009 - Guadalupe, U.C.

 

*Regular meetings are at 5:30pm, Discussion starts at 6:00pm

On Saturday, May 9th, we will be meeting at the UTA Planetarium at 7:15pm for the 7:30pm showing of "Bad Astronomy: Myths and Misconceptions":


Ticket Prices for Public Shows:
Adults $5
Seniors (55 and over) $4
Children (18 and under) $4
Non-UT Arlington Students $4
UT Arlington faculty, staff, and alumni with ID $3
UT Arlington students with ID $2
http://www.uta.edu/planetarium/public-shows-and-events/public-shows/show.php?id=36

February 12, 2009 is the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin.  The Biology Department is having an all-day event (details below).  The Freethinkers of UTA are having a social event at 5:30pm on Darwin Day in Life Science 101, where we will be having pizza, cake, and viewing the documentary, Kansas vs. Darwin.  A discussion about how what happened in Kansas is relevant to Texas will follow.

 

 

 

 

http://www.txsecular.net/

 

 

              Questions, Comments, Suggestions? 

             Contact utafreethinkers@gmail.com