Welcome to the Campus Freethought Alliance at UCF! We are a student group (and an officially registered UCF organization) on campus that is passionate about promoting freedom of inquiry, critical thinking, skepticism, religious (and non-religious) freedom, the dissemination and popularization of science (especially in education), and the ideals of secular humanism.

We are UCF's home for skeptics, scientists, philosophers, secular humanists, and EVERYONE who is open to testing their basic ideas, assumptions, and core beliefs. We want to bring skeptics and believers together to discuss philosophies, religion, and anything that is amenable to lively and controversial discussions.

*****Our Philosophy and Our Pragmatic Aims*****

CFA is a nonreligious student movement dedicated to promoting reason, not religion; science, not pseudoscience; the poetry of science, not faith. Freethinkers emphasize reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation. We defend civil liberties, church-state separation and religious freedom from the Religious Right and other opposing forces.

What is Freethought? "Freethought" is the name of an American intellectual and cultural movement that can be traced back to the writings of the founders of our nation, the philosophers of the French and German Enlightenment, and the secular populists of the 19th century. A freethinker is a religious unbeliever who forms his or her judgments about religion using reason rather than relying on tradition, authority, faith, or established belief. Members of the freethought movement strive to free the mind of ignorant presuppositions and superstitions.

*****What we DO*****

First and foremost, we hold 1-2 general meetings every month during the semester. The essence of a CFA meeting is the stimulating discourse that comes from people talking to each other instead of being talked at. The club's job is to set a time, a place, and name and introduce a topic. From there, everyone can pull in their chairs and argue for their position, criticize a poorly thought out position, or just listen to people debating some of the hardest and most complicated issues of our time. Our meetings aren't just for group members and supporters; we encourage everyone we meet to come and hang out. Each meeting usually starts of with a quick presentation, debate, or video to stimulate controversy and conversation. We'll occasionally bring in longer guest speakers for a general meeting as well. Everyone and all schools of thought are always welcome to stop by throughout the night. The only imperative: be prepared to have your ideas and beliefs challenged and examined under the critical eye of science and reason.

Some Past Topics: Religion and Violence, Morality, Attacking and Defending Atheism, Sexuality, Science and Religion, Conspiracy Theories, Free Will vs. Determinism, Alternative Medicines, Consciousness

In addition to holding these meetings, we engage in educational campaigns to realize our more practical sociopolitical aims. These are things like large formal debates (such as last years "Existence of God" debate featuring Edward Tabash and Rev. Joel Reif), guest speakers (like Dr. David Koepsell's "South Park and Blasphemy" talk), and activism in the form of campus advertising for awareness.

*****On Religion*****

This organization's mission is not an outright dismissal of religion, but rather a dismissal of accepting doctrine and dogma without consideration. For one to think freely, one must be able to question everything. The ultimate mission of CFA is to encourage free inquiry into all areas of human interest. To put it another way, we ask the big questions (Is there a god? Where do our values come from? What is the origin of the cosmos?) We don't feel that reason is a "dismissal" of religion. Rational thinking means examining religion and religious claims. This does not necessarily lead to atheism, although it does for some.

CFA is not an atheist organization, although many of its members are unbelievers. It is not CFA's intention to encourage others to think as we do. This would prove an impossible task, since we do not inherently converge on any issue except that of free inquiry. You won't catch us door knocking at 8 AM on Sunday mornings to witness to people.

*****Check out our website and feel free to email us with any questions.***** (read less)

Welcome to the Campus Freethought Alliance at UCF! We are a student group (and an officially registered UCF organization) on campus that is passionate about promoting freedom of inquiry, critical thinking, skepticism, religious (and non-religious) freedom, the dissemination and popularization of science (especially in education), and the ideals of secular humanism.

We are UCF's home for skeptics, scientists, philosophers, secular humanists, and EVERYONE who is open to testing their basic... (read more)