Americans United for Separation of Church & State - OC

Let's join our friends at the Humanist Association of Orange County.

Happy New Year, and welcome to our first event of the year! We thought we would start off with a light documentary honoring the heroic work of Thomas Paine. Please join us for a documentary screening celebrating the life and legacy of Thomas Paine, a revolutionary thinker whose words helped give birth to a nation. Through works like Common Sense and The Rights of Man, Paine challenged tyranny, defended human dignity, and insisted that government exists to serve the people. This event welcomes everyone interested in history, democracy, and the timeless struggle for justice and freedom.

Zoom Reg HERE

Thomas Paine was a self-taught writer, immigrant, and political radical whose ideas helped transform public opinion at a pivotal moment in history. In 1776, his pamphlet Common Sense made the case for independence in clear, accessible language, reaching ordinary people and helping turn a growing protest into a revolutionary movement. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Paine argued that freedom was not a privilege granted by rulers, but a natural right shared by all people.
Beyond the American Revolution, Paine remained a passionate advocate for democracy, social justice, and human rights. His later works, including The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason, challenged monarchy, religious authoritarianism, and inherited power, often at great personal cost. Though celebrated in his lifetime, Paine was later marginalized for his uncompromising commitment to reason, equality, and freedom of thought—ideas that continue to resonate today.
This documentary explores both Paine’s heroic contributions and the controversies surrounding his legacy, inviting viewers to reflect on the power of ideas, the risks of speaking truth to power, and the ongoing struggle to live up to democratic ideals. Following the screening, we welcome discussion and conversation. All are invited—no prior knowledge required.

Questions? PM me on Meetup or find me on LinkedIn

Rhett Kuseski
President, Humanist Association of Orange County

Zoom Reg HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting

This 2025 film pulls back the curtain on two of the most controversial issues in America today: book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools. Banned Together follows three students and their adult allies as they fight to reinstate 97 books suddenly pulled from their school libraries. As they evolve from local to national activists – meeting with bestselling/banned authors, politicians, Constitutional experts, and more – the film reveals the dark forces behind the accelerating wave of book bans in the U.S.

This documentary comes at a pivotal moment in the fight for free expression, as challenges to books and curriculum continue to rise across the country.

Questions? PM me on Meetup or find me on LinkedIn

Let's join our friends at Braver Angels. This is a teen workshop but all are welcome to attend. Bring or send your teen or just pop in to see some of the great work Braver Angels is doing or meet some of your local youth, future leaders in the making.

Please reg HERE in addition to Meetup RSVP so we can get an idea how many might be attending.

## Overview

Learn and practice effective listening and speaking skills when facing controversial issues in your lives.

Note: This *FREE* event is to be attended in person (Promo code: BRAVER). You will not need physical or virtual tickets to attend this event.

This Braver Angels workshop gives participants an opportunity to learn and practice effective listening and speaking skills when facing controversial issues in their lives—with teachers, principals, peers, roommates, employers, and relatives. These are especially helpful during these polarized times.

Participants will learn and practice:

• How to disagree with others without demonizing, dismissing, or stereotyping large segments of our nation’s population or members of your community
• Listen to understand
• Speak in ways others will want to hear and be heard
• Affirm the importance of building relationships
• Feel safe to practice those skills
• Learn to take a “LAPP” = Listen, Acknowledge, Pivot, and (give your) Perspective

For a brief overview of the LAPP Skills, watch the following 5-minute video:
Sharing my perspective in a way others can hear - 'Braver Angels' LAPP

*Tickets are Free, Contributions Help: Use access/promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Optional paid tickets support Braver Angels, 501(c)3, and are considered a non-tax-deductible fee for service. If you wish to make a tax-deductible contribution instead, head on over to our website.

Location:
The IRWD Community Meeting Room** addr is 15500 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine
Use this link to find the building and the front doors.
We are not at the main IRWD office but the adjacent Community Room Building attached to the Clinic.
Here is the map link.

Questions? PM me on Meetup or find me on LinkedIn

* This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org

**Irvine Ranch Water District neither supports nor endorses the cause nor activities of organizations which use the District’s meeting rooms that are made available as a public service.