Brisbane & Gold Coast Free Thinkers Meetup

Note to Attendees: Please consider making a $5 donation to contribute to the running costs of this Meetup.

From ancient temples filled with statues of gods to today’s obsession with celebrities, wealth, and technology, the charge of idolatry has never disappeared. As the writer A.W. Tozer once observed, “Idolatry is in the human heart, not in the form of an idol.” Some see it as the root of false worship, while others argue it reflects a deeper human need for symbols and meaning.

At our next meetup, we’ll ask whether idolatry is really a relic of the past — or whether it continues to shape our lives in unexpected ways. The questions we will address are as follows:

1. What exactly is “idolatry,” and why has it carried such weight across religions and cultures?
2. Can we see modern parallels to idolatry in things like money, fame, or technology?
3. If idolatry is part of human nature, how should societies and individuals respond to it today?

This event will be held at CSi Club Southport. After the discussion, we’ll stay on for a meal and a drink together — a chance to continue the conversation in a more relaxed setting and support the venue.

PLEASE NOTE:
– This is intended to be a good-natured but robust discussion. Please be respectful and prepared to have your ideas challenged. If you are easily offended, this event may not be for you.

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Note to Attendees: Please consider making a $5 donation to contribute to the running costs of this Meetup.

Carl Schmitt, the controversial German political theorist, once argued, “The specific political distinction is that between friend and enemy.” It’s a stark claim — suggesting that who we oppose may matter more than who we are.

From ancient tribes bound together by common enemies to modern nations rallying against perceived threats, foes have often shaped how communities see themselves. Identity, it seems, is as much about opposition as it is about belonging.

At our next meetup, we’ll ask whether our foes truly define us — or whether they are illusions we would be better off without. The questions we will address are as follows:

1. Do individuals and societies need enemies to define themselves?
2. Can peace ever exist without an enemy, or does it collapse without tension?
3. Should we love our enemies so that we avoid becoming more like them?

This event will be held at The Osbourne Hotel in the Fortitude Valley. After the discussion, we’ll stay on for a meal and a drink together — a chance to continue the conversation in a more relaxed setting and support the venue.

PLEASE NOTE:
– This is intended to be a good-natured but robust discussion. Please be respectful and prepared to have your ideas challenged. If you are easily offended, this event may not be for you.