Someone asked us… “Are you a Church?” – No! Without delving into the Lexicology and Etymology of the word, Church basically means “House of God”. We don’t do Gods, so there is absolutely no way we can be a Church or Temple.

Furthermore:

We don’t do invocations. We do affirmations.

Freethinkers affirm our ability to do the right thing in the right way, or at least try. We don’t call on a mystical higher power. We recognize our own inner power.

We don’t bow our heads. We raise our heads.

Freethinkers raise our heads high and recognize our own power, our own authority, our own ability. We won’t bow down, kneel, kowtow or grovel.

We don’t sing hymns. We do a group shout-along.

To sing together, even poorly, is a great thing. We are mostly bad at singing so we shout. That is good enough. Oh and the word hymn means “a religious song or poem in praise to God” We don’t do Gods, so hymns are right out.

We don’t have sermons. We have seminars and speakers and presentations.

Freethinkers like to learn. It has been said in so many ways, so many times by so many great people that life is a journey of discovery, new and better information must replace older faulty facts. This is how we grow, as an individual and hence as a community. We do not just cling to dogma.

We don’t pray. We practice, we take action.

Freethinkers roll up their sleeves and get to work. That simple. We do not waste time talking to imaginary friends hoping that something good may come of it. We boldly go where some fear to tread.

We don’t have communion. We build community.

Freethinkers are social creatures. We do enjoy communicative, collaborative, constructive, conversation. We generally do not have profound intimate rapport with supernatural beings.

We don’t have commandments. We make commitments.

We make commitments to ourselves, our family, our community, our state, our nation. Generally we are very good at honoring them. For some of us we make commitments to… Education, open inquiry, critical thinking, logic & reason. Outreach, community service & fellowship. We support the separation of Church and State. Foster fellowship and community. Advocate & defend a non-religious life-stance. Serve and support adherents of our life-stance.

We don’t have an offering. We make donations.

We don’t seek a higher power. We find our inner power.

We don’t preach. We teach and educate.

We don’t do “holy days”. We have observances, celebrations & festivals.

So what are we?

We are a group of people working on improving ourselves and the world around us.

K. Freethinker