Richmond Area Free Thinkers

RAFT has been in Richmond for quite sometime - and now we have a meetup page! We'll be posting all of our regular events as well as new social and guest speaker events on this site... please join us on meetup and be the first to hear about our events and other recent news.

With new age beliefs, mysticism and faith being increasingly glorified over reason and tolerance, our aim is to promote scientific literacy and critical thinking and to provide a forum and fellowship for freethinkers in the Richmond, Virginia area.

Our purpose is to encourage public education in the methods of critical thinking and scientific investigation, and to promote open and rational inquiry as the most reliable approach for obtaining knowledge.

RAFT is a local chapter of WASH, the Washington Area Secular Humanists. WASH was incorporated in 1989 as a nonprofit, educational organization to explore humanist principles and their relationship to all aspects of human experience and to study the significance of humanism throughout history.

Secular humanism is a lifestance and a philosophy that upholds reason, ethics, and justice, and rejects religious dogma and the supernatural. This life stance holds that it is up to the individual to lead an ethical life and advance an ethical society where its members can work for the betterment of humanity and attain personal fulfillment.

Being good without god is how we live.

Humanists believe we can build a better world if we...

...seek human, rather than divine, solutions to the world’s problems through the application of critical reason, free inquiry and the scientific method.

...continually weigh and test dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, against observation, rather than accepting them on faith.

...support democratic forms of government and affirm the worth, dignity and right to self-determination of every human being.

...maintain the separation of church and state and the freedom of and from religion.

...combine personal liberty with social responsibility, and recognize our dependence on, and responsibility for, the natural world.

Join us

Who do I know here?

Join us and be the first to know when new Meetups are scheduled

By creating a Meetup account, you agree to the Terms of Service

Welcome! Free Thinkers of Richmond

Join and suggest a new Meetup

There are no upcoming Meetups

Join us to be notified!
Join us

Recent Meetups

December 10, 2011 at 3:30 PM, 26 Free Thinkers attended
Tom Flynn Presents "The Trouble with Christmas"
They rated it 5.003 (3 ratings)

“
Mr. Flynn gave a great talk. I was intelligent, interesting, informative, and entertaining.

—Steve

“
Excellent!

—Carey Stronach
November 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM, 7 Free Thinkers attended
4th Sunday Luncheon
RAFT regular fourth Sunday Meeting will be October 23 at 2 p.m. in the food court of Martin's Super Market at 2250 John Rolfe Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23233.
November 13, 2011 at 2:00 PM, 2 Free Thinkers attended
RAFT November Luncheon in Midlothian
RAFT members will meet for lunch Sunday November 13th at 2pm at Yen Ching. Yen Ching is one of the top Chinese Food Restaurants in Richmond, VA. (You can preview their... Learn more
October 23, 2011 at 2:00 PM, 3 Free Thinkers attended
4th Sunday Luncheon
RAFT regular fourth Sunday Meeting will be October 23 at 2 p.m. in the food court of Martin's Super Market at 2250 John Rolfe Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23233.
September 11, 2011 at 2:00 PM, 4 Free Thinkers attended
RAFT August Luncheon in Midlothian
RAFT members will meet for lunch Sunday September 11th at 2pm at Yen Ching. Yen Ching is one of the top Chinese Food Restaurants in Richmond, VA. (You can preview their... Learn more

See all past Meetups

What's new

New Discussion Reply

Bryan T. replied to Reason Rally
February 13 at 11:03 PM

"It doesn't look like the RRNA bus to the Reason Rally is going to happen. But if you visit the Reason Rally site, you can find information on taking one of their busses from Richmond. Pretty cool deal. http://reasonrally.dc... Bryan"
New Member

Pascal joined
February 3 at 3:00 PM

"I've been a free thinker for as long as I can remember. Looking for like minded people..."
New Discussion Reply

Erica replied to Reason Rally (latest of 2)
January 31 at 9:33 PM

"Sounds awesome."
New Member

Billy Snyder joined
January 31 at 1:03 PM

"Hello everyone. I have experienced several major life-changing events in the past year, and I am looking for fellow skeptics with whom to fraternize."
New Discussion Reply

Bryan T. replied to Reason Rally
January 29 at 4:39 AM

"One of the organizers for Richmond Reason and Naturalism Association (also on Meetup) is looking into booking a bus from Richmond to the Reason Rally. Keep your eyes on the RRNA Meetup site for details."
New Discussion

Doug Thrower started Reason Rally
January 28 at 11:57 AM

"I don't know how many people have heard of the Reason Rally in March, but was wondering if any were going ? The date is Mar 24th, 2012, from 10 to 4 at the National Mall. They have a website for further information...."

Read more…
New Member

John Summerville joined
January 22 at 12:47 PM

"I am a 53 year old physician from Midlothian. Haven't looked for a local humanist group, but got an e- mail from CSI about their new network and decided to see what groups are available locally."
New Member

Mandy Yarnell joined
January 19 at 7:36 PM

"I'm an intern with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. This year I'm trying to network as much support as possible! I will be inviting several groups to help volunteer in hopes of building a better community and restoring our bay's natural habitat."
New Member

Marsie joined
January 12 at 6:51 PM

"Freethinker. That's me. Hope to attend the next get-together."
New Member

Sangee joined
January 11 at 6:47 PM

"Hello."