The Last Saturday Secular Social - Current Events, Death & Nostalgia

Picture above - 12 attendees (11 plus Monty behind camera) from our Last Saturday Secular Social & Discussion meeting, April 26th, 2025
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Car Pools Available. Contact me by text (360) 510-2501 or by email:
SecularWorld@aol.com - We meet at the North end of Bellingham Costco before 10:25 AM, Leave 10:25 sharp - We'll look for you if you text me at above number that you're coming!
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Our "ICE BREAKER" STARTER TOPICS:

#1) Current Events: Bring your latest newsworth event that reflects your concern & interest!
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We can "change the topic" on the fly based on current attendee's suggested preference - Please feel free to suggest an alternate subject on our around the table introductions!

Also, updates, links to material to read or watch and PDF files to down load are provided later this week to those I have email addresses for. If you'd like to be included and haven't received email alerts from me, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT SecularWorld@aol.com TO STAY INFORMED AND RECEIVE LATEST UPDATES!

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2. On Death & Dying & "What would you do differently if you knew you only had one year left to live" (thank you Yifan Chen for offering this question to our last Friday N. of Costo meeting.

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3. NOSTALGIA: The last time we had a big win on Separation of Church, School & State. Ever since 2004, despite the rapid growth of Americans unaffiliated with organized religion, we've been loosing the battle in court and of public opinion. Let's reminisce on our last court battle sucess in the following 2 hour NOVA special, 2004, You may click to skip add to move onto this video.

Judgment Day Intelligent Design On Trial FULL (NOVA)

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4. These lessons in scepticism could make the world a better place (offered by Tom Horton, thank you!) Tom responded to my suggestion we brainstorm simple ways to define what we are about. Click the link below to read and discuss for this coming Saturday meeting:

These lessons in scepticism could make the world a better place

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5. Monty's contribution to defining who we are and our stance:

PRAGMATISM:

Are we pragmatic? Is Pragmatism a good description of our stance, or not? The Philosophy of Pragmatism is a way of thinking that emphasizes the practical side of ideas. Instead of focusing on abstract theories or principles, pragmatists believe that the truth of an idea is determined by its usefulness and applicability in real life. If an idea works and has positive results, then it is considered true or valid.

For example, consider how you might approach a problem like getting from one place to another. You could rely on a map, ask for directions, or use GPS; the method you choose depends on what works best for you in that moment. Pragmatism suggests that the effectiveness of your approach is what truly matters, not whether one method is considered superior to another in a theoretical sense.

The philosophy of pragmatism originated in the late 19th century, primarily through the works of philosophers like Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. These thinkers posited that the meaning of any concept or belief is rooted in its practical consequences and applications.

Pragmatism rejects the notion that truth is static or absolute; instead, it views truth as dynamic and contingent on context. This means that beliefs should be evaluated based on how effectively they solve problems and enhance human experience. For instance, if a scientific theory leads to successful technological advancements, it holds more merit than a theory that exists purely as an abstract idea without practical application.

Not that we deny absolute reality, but pragmatically accept that no human has perfect and complete access to TRUTH, nor is it benificial to turn our lives and survival upside down in its pursuit, but rather we operate on the principle of WHAT WORKS for the moment limited to its immediate context to better our lives and the lives of others we value and open to continual improvement of our understanding on the basis of what works better over a wider range of domains and for a greater amount of time and using occam's razor to reduce the description to its shortest possible length and mathamatical formula.

More to read on the internet:

Explain it: What is the philosophy of pragmatism?

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We will start out by introducing ourselves, our personal passions and also share our choice on how to conduct our meeting (2 minutes or less per person).
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Freethought encourages creative solutions, but then this group uses reason, evidence and the scientific method as the only reliable means to prune down answers to our probing questions and common sense solutions to humanity's current problems.
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Normally we never follow through with pre-readings, videos or topics anyway and jump in to whatever subjects pop up during introduction circle. The flavor of conversation is quite varied and unique based on who shows and what those present bring to the table.

Feel free to bring a book or article and your take on the readings. Comments on ever changing current events easily fill our discussions!
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Free Coffee, cream and sweetener will be provided. Just bring yourself and share in great conversation, but if you'll be hungry, feel free to bring your own lunch to eat during our talk.
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Have a future idea or topic? Email me at secularworld@aol.com and share!
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Randy Drubek & Monty Vonn – Coordinators