Café Inquiry (Portage)
Friday, June 7, 2013, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Panera Bread, 5970 S. Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI, View Map
Description
Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day's topic followed by open discussion. Have dinner if you like! Drinks, snacks and sandwiches will be available for purchase.
Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact DuWayne if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.
Cost: Free. Individuals are responsible for purchasing their own food and drinks.
Contact: DuWayne Brayton, , 269-223-4559 (Please leave a message if you don't get an answer)
Café Inquiry – The Unemotional Atheist (Grand Rapids)
Sunday, June 9, 2013, 10:15 am – 12:00 pm
Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description
Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day's topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.
This week's topic is The Unemotional Atheist (Flaws of Humanism?). The discussion will be led by Wolfgang Santiago.
Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact us if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.
Additional Details
To find the group go to the meeting room located in the back left corner of the bookstore (not the café).
Cost: Free. Snacks & Beverages are available for purchase.
Contact: Laura Casaletto, , (616) 389-7115
Living Without Religion (Grand Rapids)
Sunday, June 9, 2013, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Schuler Books Alpine - Meeting Room, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description
Join others who are recovering from or have recovered from religion and want to help others do the same. We are a group of people that know and understand what you are struggling with and can offer friendly social support in a non-threatening, understanding and relaxed atmosphere. We will share experiences and resources to help cope with and deal with problems related to leaving organized religion or living without any religion.
Whether you are thinking of leaving your religion, are already living religion free, or you just wish to support others, please come join us.
Participate in discussions, share your story, ask the questions that are on your mind, meet new people, make new friends and discover you’re not alone in your search for secular beliefs.
Additional Details
To find the group go to the meeting room located in the back left corner of the bookstore (not the café).
Cost: Free, beverages and snacks are available for purchase.
Contact: Mike R, , 231-468-8345
Outsider Test for Faith (Grand Rapids)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Women's City Club, 254 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Presented by John Loftus
Description
Join us for "Outsider Test for Faith" with John Loftus!
John will argue for the Outsider Test for Faith based on his recent book on the subject. It's to treat one's own inherited faith from the same perspective as one treats the religions one rejects from the perspective as a non-believer. He will argue this is the only fair non-double standard for evaluating religious faiths. He will argue there isn't a fairer way to evaluate religious faiths. Unfortunately, when all religious faiths are examined from the same fair standard no religious faith has sufficient evidence for it. Faith ends up being a cognitive bias where one overestimates the confirming evidence and underestimates the disconfirming evidence.
About the Speaker
John is a former Christian minister and apologist with M.A., M.Div., and Th.M. degrees in Philosophy, Theology, and the Philosophy of Religion from Lincoln Christian Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. While in school John majored under Dr William Lane Craig, the infamous leading evangelical apologist/debater of our generation. John also studied in a Ph.D. program at Marquette University for a year and a half in the area of Theology and Ethics.
John authored the book, Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity, and one titled The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Decide Which Religion is True, both published by the premier atheist publisher of our generation, Prometheus Books. He has edited two other important books, The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails, and The End of Christianity. He also co-wrote a debate book (with Dr. Randal Rauser) titled, God or Godless. (That’s five published books in five years!)
John has traveled America speaking for and entertaining audiences from Ohio, to New York, to Louisiana, to Texas, to Los Angeles, to Colorado, to Wisconsin, and many places in-between. He even did a gig in Toronto, Canada, and somehow passed the border checkpoint as an atheist.
Additional Details
Meetings are open to the Public
After the meeting, join us at Vitale's Restaurant, 834 Leonard NE, Grand Rapids, MI to socialize. View Map
Learn about Parking, Accessibility, and more.
Cost: FREE / Suggested Donation $5. Ways to Support CFI & Donate Online
Contact: Jennifer Beahan, , 616-698-2342
Skeptics In The Pub (Hell)
Thursday, June 13, 2013, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Dam Site Inn, 4095 Patterson Lake Rd., Hell, MI, View Map
Description
This is a great opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality.
Don't drink? Don't let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world's most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you!
Remember that drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. If there's one thing science has taught us, it's the effects of alcohol on the human body.
To find the group, look for table signs bearing the Center For Inquiry logo.Cost: Individuals are responsible for purchasing their own food/beverages
Contact: Sherrill Rodriguez, , 616-698-2342
Service: Saul Lake Bog Workday (Grattan)
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve, 10469 6 Mile Road Northeast, Grattan, MI, View Map
Description
Join us for Saul Lake Bog Workday!
The projects will include a mixed bag of spring clean up tasks including trail clearing, painting the shed, working in the prairie, etc. There are also plans for a new demonstration garden.
Participants will be meeting at The Grist Mill for breakfast at 8:30am: 8000 Cannonsburg Rd NE Rockford, MI 49341.
Additional Details
The CFI Michigan Secular Service Program provides opportunities to support CFI’s mission by translating humanist values into action for the common good of humanity. The Program is working to provide opportunities for members to engage in community service and outreach throughout the year.
If you would like additional information about upcoming Service Program projects or have questions - please contact Cindy Krieg: Email or call 616-698-2342.
Cost: Free
Contact: Jan Van Oosterhout,
Skeptics In The Pub (Lansing)
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Harry's Place, 404 N. Verlinden Ave., Lansing, MI, View Map
Description
This is a great opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality.
Don't drink? Don't let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world's most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you!
Remember that drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. If there's one thing science has taught us, it's the effects of alcohol on the human body.
To find the group, look for table signs bearing the Center For Inquiry logo.Cost: Individuals are responsible for purchasing their own food/beverages
Contact: Melissa Cappel-Iverson & Brian Iverson, , (517) 977-7726 or (517) 763-7032
Café Inquiry – Designing an Atheist Clubhouse (Grand Rapids)
Sunday, June 16, 2013, 10:15 am – 12:00 pm
Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description
Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day's topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.
This week's topic is "Designing an Atheist Clubhouse." The discussion will be led by Laura Casaletto.
Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact us if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.
Additional Details
To find the group go to the meeting room located in the back left corner of the bookstore (not the café).
Cost: Free. Snacks & Beverages are available for purchase.
Contact: Laura Casaletto, , (616) 389-7115
Skeptics In The Pub (Ypsilanti)
Thursday, June 20, 2013, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Corner Brewery, 720 Norris Street , Ypsilanti, MI, View Map
Description
This is a great opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality.
Don't drink? Don't let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world's most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you!
Additional Details
To find the group, look for table signs bearing the Center for Inquiry logo.
Cost: Individuals are responsible for purchasing their own food/beverages
Contact: Nick Lester Bell, , (734) 719-0640
Café Inquiry (Muskegon)
Thursday, June 20, 2013, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Coffee House, 255 Seminole Rd., Muskegon, MI, View Map
Description
Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day's topic followed by open discussion. Drinks, snacks and sandwiches will be available for purchase.
Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.
Cost: Free. Individuals are responsible for purchasing their own food and drinks.
Please contact Tim Hamlin if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.
Cost: Individuals are responsible for purchasing their own food/beverages.
Contact: Tim Hamlin, , 231-282-0571
