Who are the Freethinkers of Colorado Springs?
by Marsha Abelman
The Freethinkers of Colorado Springs has been sponsoring
this ad in The Independent for about 14 years! The FTCS was begun
as a support group by people who were shocked by discriminatory legislation
passed in 1992 (a little item tacked onto the Colorado constitution
called "Amendment 2"). The original members were from varied backgrounds,
but they did have a couple of things in common: a fear that Colorado
Springs would become an intolerant place to live and a desire to be
agents for tolerance and inclusiveness. The group soon morphed into
more than just a social bunch, because its members were the kind of
people who wanted to be involved in their world. |
The Freethinkers of Colorado Springs has monthly meetings
at which we have educational lectures. We are always seeking thought-provoking
speakers. We also currently have several projects that members work
to advance and several sub-groups that serve as support groups and
social outlets: |
The FTCS was invited last year to become part of the
Air Force Academy's SPIRE program. "SPIRE" means Special Program in
Religious Education, and various religious groups have for years held
weekly meetings on the Academy to support their denominations' cadet
members. FTCS is now present on the Academy as a support group for
interested cadets, and we thank the Academy for the invitation. Several
members work as hosts of the FTCS weekly meetings and occasional barbeques
or other functions. |
There is a new Parent Group in FTCS. This group consists
of several families who want to have fun days and field trips that
are nature- or science-based for their kids. The group "supports the
values of respect and tolerance and promotes humanist philosophies
which will enable the kids to feel free to speak their minds, ask
questions without fear, and have a solid sense of belonging." A recent
event that the children enjoyed was a "tent city" in a family's back
yard. Soon the kids and their parents will be enjoying a field trip
to the Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park. The kids have "creative
control" of their group, and they have suggested to their parents
nature walks, movies, digging for fossils, museums, science projects,
festivals, and free play days. |
If you like hiking, have we got a lively group for you!
One of our Board members is a hiking fanatic who hosts frequent area
hikes. Some hikes are geared for beginner or intermediate hikers,
some are "whoa, Nelly!" mountain excursions. Members of the group
often go out on 2- or 3-person hikes, also. |
Is writing your talent? If you have 550 words' worth
of wisdom about some free thought subjects, we solicit your writing
for this weekly space. Followers of this space will remember the earliest
columns from some of the original organizers of FTCS, writing about
some of the challenges in Colorado Springs at that time. There is
always a need to courageously speak up for tolerance, for human rights
or for preserving the endangered separation of church and state.
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In addition to all the above, some members host book
clubs, movie nights or women's dinners. Some members are activists
on their own for women's rights or for peace. FTCS also has monthly
socials where members eat, drink and discuss. Do you have suggestions
for yet another group? What do you want to participate in?
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Send us an Email
Or write to us at:
Freethinkers of Colorado Springs
P.O. Box 62946
Colorado Springs, CO 80962-2946
Phone: 719-594-4506
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