About us
This is a community-led group that fosters stimulating conversations between people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Events in this group will range between cross-posted events with other philosophy/conversation groups, or volunteer-hosted events on Sundays.
If you have a topic suggestion for a event or if you are interested in hosting an event of your own, please reach out and we'll make it happen! Hope to chat with you soon.
Upcoming events
224
Theology & Apologetics - Weekly Thursday Discussion
·OnlineOnline**This is a cross-post from ONLINE Theology & Apologetics Discussion**
https://www.meetup.com/theology-1/ONLINE MEETING INFORMATION
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87017563332
Password = 123456A Discussion Group (Not a Bible Study)
Although we do discuss the Bible, this group is not a Bible study; it is a discussion group.
We discuss topics regarding religious faith, practice and experience including the following: Christian theology; the Bible; Atheism and other Skeptics; Islam; Mormonism; Charismatic theology; Calvinism and Reformed theology; Dispensationalism; End-Times Eschatology; King James Onlyism; Mysticism; Universalism; Separation of Church and State; ethics; etc. Topics are decided by those attending so bring a list of your favorites.
Everyone is welcome to join the group. Many perspectives are represented ranging from born-again Christians to Atheists and other skeptics and non-believers. We have spirited discussions and debates but we do so in a friendly and respectful manner.
You are welcome to participate in the discussions or just listen. Be prepared to be challenged (so come with a thick skin). And feel free to challenge the beliefs, assumptions and thoughts of others in a respectful way.
A Note about Attendance
Many new people ask, "Will you and I be the only ones there? Nobody else has RSVP'd." Most of the attendees of this group have been coming for a long time and do not bother to RSVP. There are typically about 6 to 12 people who show up each week.A Note to Christians
This is your opportunity to meet actual unbelievers who are asking you to explain the Gospel and your beliefs to them. This is a great forum to practice witnessing and putting forth a defense of your faith. You may find that defending your faith and presenting the Gospel to real live unbelievers is a bit different from reading books on witnessing or just talking about witnessing with other Christians at church. As the New Testament indicates, the Gospel is an offense to unbelievers so we should not be surprised when the unbeliever reacts out of that offense. Set your expectations accordingly. It may be difficult at first but this group will give you excellent preparation for sharing the Gospel and defending your faith. This group is not for the fainthearted (but neither is biblical Christianity).Being prepared to defend our faith is the duty of the Christian according to the Apostle Peter:
1 Peter 3:14-17 - 14b Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
3 attendees
Should the Celebrities Just "Shut Up and Dribble?"
·OnlineOnlineThis is a cross-post from the Straight Talk About Politics Group. Original group posting can be found here:
https://www.meetup.com/straight-talk-about-politics-and-more/events/313165980“If you believe in democracy, in liberty, if you believe truth still matters, and it’s worth speaking out, and it’s worth fighting for; if you believe in the power of the law and that no one stands above it; if you stand against heavily armed masked federal troops invading an American city, using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens; if you believe you don’t deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president. As the mayor of that city has said: ICE should get the fuck out of Minneapolis.”
These words were uttered by arguably the greatest American – or anyone’s – rock author of all time, Bruce Springsteen, on Jan 17, in reference to the federal government’s recent immigration enforcement crackdown. A few days later the Boss had a whole new song out dedicated to the “streets of Minneapolis”, even more one-sided than that quote.
Springsteen is hardly alone among the celebrities in expressing a wildly anti-government stance on this particular issue. Just a few days earlier, Golden State Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr called the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Good a murderer, likely a somewhat premature qualification in most Americans’ minds: “It’s shameful, really, that in our country we can have law enforcement officers who commit murder and seemingly get away with it.”
On the other side of the political spectrum, Nicki Minaj called President Trump a “role model for young men”, while referring to the Governor of California as Newscum, a nickname invented by Trump.
Celebrities speaking out on social justice issues, or political issues in general, has a long tradition in the US. Some of the notable example include: LeBron James declaring, in 2020, “there ain’t been no damn movement” for black Americans and “we got a long way to go” to, presumably, get to a racially just society. Colin Kaepernick refusing, starting in 2016, to stand for the national anthem because US “oppresses black people and people of color.” Leo de Caprio yelling the sky is falling due to global warming that same year. Or the infamous quip by George Clooney about Charlton Heston announcing he had Alzheimer’s… again: “I don’t care (that people didn’t like it). Charlton Heston is the head of the National Rifle Association. He deserves what anyone says about him.”
On the other side of the political aisle, Jon Voight’s video about the stolen election and the upcoming fight “against Satan” comes to mind. Or many venomous tweets by another actor, James Woods, against the Democratic Party and liberals in general. Such as the one unnecessarily linking the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles with a purported desire to end single family dwellings.Should the celebrities “just shut up and dribble”, as Laura Ingraham famously “advised” LeBron James? On one hand, celebrities have large platforms that give them the ability to highlight issues and advocate for change, which can have a positive impact. Many people look up to celebrities, and their voices can inspire or influence public opinion, especially on important social justice issues. They also, like anyone else, have the right to express their opinions and use their position to push for causes they believe in.
On the other hand, some argue that celebrities are entertainers, not experts in politics or social issues, and their opinions can sometimes oversimplify complex matters. There’s also the idea that audiences want to separate the art from the artist or the athlete from the activism, especially when their opinions might not align with certain values.
So what do you think? Come and share your opinion in a passionate, but respectful discussion. Or just bring your popcorn, sit back and listen to the others talk it over.
When we’re done bashing celebrities (or not), we’ll talk about other current events. Perhaps the possible government shutdown over ICE (DHS) funding. Or the proposed bill to end sanctuary cities and states. “Trump” savings accounts. A new escalation with Iran. End of the first phase of Gaza peace plan. You have your own pet topic? Bring it.
Zoom credentials will be provided the day of the event.
5 attendees
Past events
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