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.

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?