Backyard Skeptics cover photo

Backyard Skeptics

4.7•2205 ratings

Share

About us

We are a group of scientific skeptics (as opposed to 'conspiracy skeptics') with a heavy emphasis on critical thinking. If you don't believe in paranormal ability, ouija boards or ghosts then this group is for you.

FOUNDED IN 2008, we have many field trips and casual get-togethers just to socialize with other critical thinkers as well, and of course our great pot-luck summer and winter solstice parties.

Our goal: To support the agnostic/athiest/skeptic/humanist community with local meetings, potluck parties, and other social events. To spread the word that scientific skeptics and non-believers that promote secular values and the separation of church and state. We cherish humanistic values over any supernatural superstitions and encourage others to look at their worldview with critical thinking skills.

I hope you join our group and enjoy the conversations we have!

This meetup is a subgroup of Atheists United

Upcoming events

14

Sunday Morning Discussion Brunch
Sun, Apr 5 · 11:00 AM PDT
Luna Grill Market Place, 13774 Jamboree Rd, Irvine, CA, US
There’s plenty of parking in front of Luna Grill. If you are yearning for coffee or breakfast foods for our Sunday Brunch Discussion group, you can get some takeout and bring it to Luna Grill to enjoy! This location will give us a fully covered patio to be out of the rain or sun, or if it’s cold, we can move inside to a large table we can share.

COME JOIN US !

This meetup is held the 1st Sunday of every month.

It's a laid back meetup designed to provide a less formal atmosphere and an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics. Enjoy a casual meal with your fellow free thinkers.

We are a group inclusive of different ideas and perspectives, but we do not tolerate trolls. If your purpose is to simply disrupt the group, you will be asked to leave.

Please update your RSVP if you're unable to make it.

Hope to see you there!
12 attendees
The Best of Times - The Worst of Times
Sat, Apr 18 · 3:00 PM PDT
·
Online
Online
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT, The Freethought Society and the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara will host Dr. Jeremy M. Berg, Professor of Computational and Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and is a
former Science Magazine (2016-2019) editor-in-chief.

His presentation “The Best of Times - The Worst of Times” will highlight that since World War II the United States has enjoyed an enviable international leadership position in science, driven by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health. The potential for science to address key societal challenges is profound. However, the first year of the current administration has been tremendously damaging to the American scientific enterprise with un-precedented grant delays, terminations, “realignment with agency priorities,” staff terminations, and more. The traditional scientific establishment has largely complied in ad- vance, cowered in fear, or worked “behind the scenes,” but some groups and groups have stepped up with more activist approaches. Members of the public, who depend on advances made by science for health and economic prosperity, must be engaged to understand what is happening and to speak out.

The link to view this Zoom event is below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88193881833
4 attendees
Sunday Morning Discussion Brunch
Sun, May 3 · 11:00 AM PDT
Luna Grill Market Place, 13774 Jamboree Rd, Irvine, CA, US
There’s plenty of parking in front of Luna Grill. If you are yearning for coffee or breakfast foods for our Sunday Brunch Discussion group, you can get some takeout and bring it to Luna Grill to enjoy! This location will give us a fully covered patio to be out of the rain or sun, or if it’s cold, we can move inside to a large table we can share.

COME JOIN US !

This meetup is held the 1st Sunday of every month.

It's a laid back meetup designed to provide a less formal atmosphere and an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics. Enjoy a casual meal with your fellow free thinkers.

We are a group inclusive of different ideas and perspectives, but we do not tolerate trolls. If your purpose is to simply disrupt the group, you will be asked to leave.

Please update your RSVP if you're unable to make it.

Hope to see you there!
3 attendees
Humanity’s Debt to Africa
Sun, May 17 · 3:00 PM PDT
·
Online
Online
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT, the Freethought Society and the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara will host professor of anthropology David Orenstein, presenting “Humanity’s Debt to Africa:Evolution, Humanism, and the Legacy of 8 Million Years of African Descent.”

Orenstein will take the audience on a journey through the evolutionary process using a powerful slideshow filled withscientific facts, an overview of the scientists who confirmed those facts, and information that viewers will be able toconvey easily should social conversations demand a defense of evolution. The link to view this event is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88193881833

About our speaker:
Dr. David I. Orenstein is Department Chairperson and a tenured full professor of anthropology at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. He has been affiliated with the American Humanist Association (AHA) for more than a decade and now serves on its Board of Directors. Dr. Orenstein serves on the Smithsonian Institute, Hall of Human Origins Broader Social Impacts Committee Board. He has taught human evolution, primatology, science history, and science advocacy. He is also the author of three books. In addition, Dr. Orenstein served as the AHA representative to the United Nations for five years, and is an ordained Humanist Clergy. He is a happy freethinker who believes life is best lived with reason and joy for the human condition.
This event is free and open to the public.
2 attendees

Past events

1434

Organizers

Atheists United 3 and 11 others

Members

1,169

Related topics

Freedom From Religion

Cognitive Science