This page lists our past activities. |
Past Events
Freethought comes to Public Square in Cleveland
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has ensured a debut for freethought in the heart of Cleveland. The Northern Ohio Freethought Society, the local chapter of FFRF, has obtained at spot at the Cleveland Public Square for the FFRF Bill of Rights exhibit. The installation was set up on Dec. 2 directly across from a large crèche scene that the Knights of Columbus has erected. The mainstay of the display is FFRF's playful Bill of Rights "nativity." The irreverent cutout by artist Jacob Fortin depicts Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington gazing adoringly at a "baby" Bill of Rights in a manger while the Statue of Liberty looks on. A sign beside the tongue-in-cheek nativity states: "Happy Winter Solstice. At this Season of the Winter Solstice, we honor reason and the Bill of Rights (adopted Dec. 15, 1791)." At the bottom, it reads: "Keep State & Church Separate." Northern Ohio Freethought Society Director Marni Huebner-Tiborsky and other volunteers with the group helped put up the exhibit, and FFRF helped defray installation costs. The display exemplifies the can-do spirit of members of the freethought organization, who often assemble such installations in their hometowns to counter religious tableaus on public land. FFRF helps out by providing the materials. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is the largest national association of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics) with roughly 30,000 members and 20 chapters all over the country, including almost 800 members and the Northern Ohio chapter in Ohio. The organization works to protect the constitutional separation between religion and government. "The presence of freethought deserves to be felt in our social fabric," says FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. "With a significant and growing presence of the nonreligious, we're making ourselves heard." The Bill of Rights "nativity" has also gone up in the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison, where FFRF is headquartered. For more than 20 Decembers running, the Foundation has installed it there, along with an engraved sign saluting the Winter Solstice that proclaims there are no gods, only our natural world. |
Ingenuity Fest 2017
Yasmine Mohammed
From our Party in the Park August 19, 2017 Yasmine Mohammed
Yasmine is an Arab-Canadian university educator, activist, and author. She has a website, Confessions of an Ex-Muslim, and she has recently written a memoir titled From Al Qaeda to Atheism. In her memoir, Yasmine describes how, even though she was born and raised in North America, she endured the same traumas that are familiar to Muslims across the planet. As a child, she was beaten for not memorizing the Quran. As a teenager, she was forced into a marriage to a member of Al Qaeda (after he was bailed out of prison by Osama bin Laden himself). And as an adult, she wore a niqab, and lived in a home/prison with paper covering all the windows. Today, Yasmine is an outspoken secular activist who, in addition to speaking out on her own, takes part in the Secular Jihadists podcast with fellow ex-Muslim freethinkers Armin Navabi, Faisal Al Mutar, and Ali A. Rizvi. |
FFRF annual Conference
Join us for an unbelievably good time PRE-REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. ONSITE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE STARTING FRIDAY, SEPT. 15 AT MONONA TERRACE CONVENTION CENTER. Please note that tickets for meal functions cannot be purchased onsite, but you may attend programs with onsite registration. See the Schedule for registration times.
OVERVIEW The Freedom From Religion Foundation is proud to be hosting its 40th annual national convention in Madison, Wisconsin, this year! The event will include speeches and entertainment by illustrious personalities, a tour of FFRF's Freethought Hall headquarters, and a two-hour leisurely boat cruise around Lakes Monona or Mendota. The convention takes place the weekend of September 15-17, primarily at the lakeside Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wis. You can sign up now. We'll be hosting a pre-convention open house tour of FFRF's stunning Freethought Hall, in downtown Madison just blocks from the convention site, from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 15. We welcome you to mingle with others, chat with our staff, and visit FFRF's monument to Atheists in Foxholes (military and veterans). You can also stop by the charming Freethought Library to snap a souvenir photo with our life-size mannequin of Charles Darwin. Enjoy complimentary locally-made pastries, coffee, tea, and Mimosas or Champagne in the sunny fourth-floor auditorium featuring an exquisite grand piano. Relax and enjoy a breathtaking new view of Madison on an optional boat cruise on the city's Lake Monona or Lake Mendota starting at 10:45 a.m. on Friday. You'll be out on the water for two hours, returning to shore at 1 p.m. Passengers on the cruise will be served a buffet-style lunch. Although the boarding area for the cruise is within walking distance, a shuttle bus will be offered. Learn more.Sorry, sold out. We're thrilled to announce a distinguished list of speakers and entertainers! Engaging talks will be given by FFRF honorary president and Harvard cognitive scientist Steven Pinker, writer Katha Pollitt, author and columnist Michelle Goldberg, human rights activist Maryam Namazie, science educator Cara Santa Maria, social justice activist Kimberly Veal, composer Brent Michael Davids and renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis. A roster of victorious state / church plaintiffs will be recognized, including 2017 Freethinker of the Year Marie Schaub. Additionally, 12-year-old Kelly Helton will give a short talk about her activism. FFRF's legal team will present its traditional legal accomplishments panel, reporting a behind-the-scenes take on FFRF's 2017 legal work. Read more about speakers and honorees here. Famed comedian Paula Poundstone will stage a stand up routine that you won't want to miss, and satirical singer-songwriter Roy Zimmerman will perform a repertoire irreverent songs as will FFRF Co-President Dan Barker at the piano with his own collection. Julia Sweeney, actress and comedian, will close out the night with her trademark humor. Other annual events will include the Saturday "Non-Prayer Breakfast," the yearly drawing for "clean," pre-"In God We Trust" currency, and the opportunity to browse FFRF book and sales tables.
GENERAL SCHEDULE Following the 9:30-noon Open House at Freethought Hall, convention registration opens at 2 p.m. on Friday at Monona Terrace, with refreshments and opening talks you won't want to miss between 3-5 p.m. For Friday dinner, sign up for the optional FFRF Tailgate Party, serving up Wisconsin tailgate favorites from 5-6:45 p.m. on the Rooftop Garden. (If the weather is bad, meet us at the Grand Terrace instead). The evening program begins Friday at 7 p.m., ending with complimentary cupcakes and beverages in the Grand Terrace. The convention resumes Saturday with the optional Non-Prayer Breakfast at 8 a.m. The morning program starts at 9:30 a.m. After a two-hour lunch on your own (with an optional grab-and-go-lunch), the program resumes at 2 p.m. The dinner banquet is followed by the "clean money" drawing, evening speaker, and entertainment. Sunday morning features the annual meetings of members and state representatives, ending by noon. Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center |
Party in the Park
AUGUST 19 Party in the Park! Northern Ohio Freethought Society's "Party in the Park" is on Saturday, August 19! It will be held at the Lions Park Lodge in Cuyahoga Falls, 641 Silver Lake Avenue. the festivities begin at 1pm indoors and outdoors! The event will have picnic fare and be vegan-friendly, and will feature talks by two special guest speakers! The first presentation will begin at approximately 2:30pm, and the second one around 4:30pm. The special guests are: Yasmine Mohammed
Yasmine is an Arab-Canadian university educator, activist, and author. She has a website, Confessions of an Ex-Muslim, and she has recently written a memoir titled From Al Qaeda to Atheism. In her memoir, Yasmine describes how, even though she was born and raised in North America, she endured the same traumas that are familiar to Muslims across the planet. As a child, she was beaten for not memorizing the Quran. As a teenager, she was forced into a marriage to a member of Al Qaeda (after he was bailed out of prison by Osama bin Laden himself). And as an adult, she wore a niqab, and lived in a home/prison with paper covering all the windows. Today, Yasmine is an outspoken secular activist who, in addition to speaking out on her own, takes part in the Secular Jihadists podcast with fellow ex-Muslim freethinkers Armin Navabi, Faisal Al Mutar, and Ali A. Rizvi. Aron Ra
Aron Ra (formerly L. Aron Nelson) is a renowned video blogger and atheist activist. Many of his videos focus on biology (with an emphasis on countering creationist claims) and advocating for rationalism in science education. He also posts written material on his website, LocoLobo. Aron has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences, both in the U.S. and abroad. Aron currently serves as the Texas State Director of American Atheists. He was previously a co-host on the podcast Dogma Debate with David Smalley. He is also affiliated with the Fellowship of Freethought in Dallas, TX. In a most recent development, Aron is running for a spot in the Texas Senate! In addition to great food and great guest speakers, the Party in the Park will feature some fun games (in which attendees can win prizes) OUTDOOR GAMES Bowling Tick Tac Toe Corn hole Ring toss Hula hoops and a raffle (featuring some very nice items). The event will be indoor/outdoor (weather permitting). The guest speakers' presentations will take place indoors. The cost of admission: $15 for general admission in advance; $20 at the door $10 for children 12 and under $10 for members of the Northern Ohio Freethought Society $10 for students (with student ID) https://www.meetup.com/NOhioFreethought/events/235625638/ Recent Announcements
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OddMall
Freethought Fiesta 2016
Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-President of Freedom From Religion Foundation, was one of the speakers at our event lst year: Dr. R Elliot Ingersoll is a professor of Psychology and a faculty member from Cleveland State University. Not only that, but he also is a mean bass player. |
Reason Rally 2016!
Homeless Stand Down 2017
NOFS participated in Cleveland's Homeless Stand Down event on Saturday, January 14, 2017. It was our largest volunteer group yet! We partnered with HandsOn NEO and QWG and everyone had a great time! Homeless Stand Down: Personal ShopperVolunteers will be paired one-on-one with a guest or a guest with a child to help them shop for items in the distribution area for clothing and hygiene items. Volunteers should be able to stand for long periods of time and be comfortable interacting with a variety of individuals. |
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