Central FL Freethought Community

If anyone's in the Orlando area, I'll be giving a free talk this Sunday afternoon for the Central Florida Freethought Community. (Donations are welcome!)

Hope to see you there.

In honor of spooky season, Freethought Day marks the 1692 letter that helped end the Salem witch trials. Governor Phips wrote it after people were being executed for “spectral evidence”—claims of seeing ghosts and spirits.

It’s a reminder to trust reason, reject superstition, and speak out.

The solution to your woes! Come cruise with me and @ffrf.org attorney Liz Cavell on the @cflfreethought.bsky.social 's Freethought Cruise this March. The perfect antidote. I'd love to see you there.
www.cflfreethought.org/cruise

Florida's first public school chaplain is a Jan. 6 supporter—and a warning to everyone The appointment of Rev. Jack Martin shows how Florida's chaplain law has become a Trojan horse for Christian Nationalism in public schools

Florida’s first "school chaplain" under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new law isn’t a counselor at all.

He’s a Jan. 6 supporter with extremist views, and he urges parents to avoid public education.

This program is already a disaster.

www.friendlyatheist.com/p/floridas-f...

Yeah... if he had a razor.

Trump's NSPM-7 memo casts critics of Christianity as enemies of the state The memo weaponizes federal task forces to go after those who challenge "traditional American views on family, religion, and morality"

Trump has signed a national security memo that treats dissent as terrorism.

If you’ve ever criticized Christianity, capitalism, or "traditional" views on family, you're now in the crosshairs of federal law enforcement.

It's weaponized authoritarianism.

www.friendlyatheist.com/p/trumps-nsp...

Trump Bibles being distributed in Oklahoma schools ‘missing 17 amendments’ Students will not learn about the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, the 19th Amendment granting women the vote or the 22nd Amendment limiting a president to two terms in the White House

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

Missing from the Trump Bible's version of the Constitution are the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, the 19th Amendment granting women the vote, and the 22nd Amendment limiting a president to two terms in the White House. Link in comments.

This is neither factually correct nor Freedom of Religion. Policies that promote Christianity are policies that restrict our freedom. We stand against this statement.

YouTube video by VoxPopuli: Fearless, independent local journalism. Resident calls out Winter Garden mayor for comments about God, Pledge

Elected officials should NEVER criticize citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights.

CFFC Board Member Joseph Richardson responds to Winter Garden Mayor John Rees' recent disparaging of Richardson for sitting during the invocation and Pledge in city meetings.

youtu.be/yJW2u_OY_OU?...

Ocala officials vote to enter into settlement over lawsuit involving 2014 prayer vigil Ocala officials vote to enter into settlement over lawsuit involving 2014 prayer vigil.

www.ocala.com/story/news/l...

Appeals by the city failed resulting in this news from last night out of Ocala...

"Deciding it is time to move on, Ocala City Council members unanimously voted to enter into a proposed settlement agreement between the city and two plaintiffs in reference to a 2014 prayer vigil."

(Link in reply.)

Winter Garden mayor won’t say if non-Christians are welcome in city | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL Asked during the May 8 city commission meeting, the mayor stayed silent.

This is why we speak up. When a mayor can't muster the courage to say 'Everyone is welcome,' something is seriously wrong.

www.wintergardenvox.com/articles/win...

"No respect for God": Florida mayor denies "Day of Reason" proclamation Critics are calling out religious bias after Mayor John Rees rejected the secular request

www.friendlyatheist.com/p/no-respect...

Commentary: Do we want governments promoting religion? As a local Freethought leader writes, Orange County was wrong to host an interfaith event that excluded non-Christians.

When government promotes religion, it leaves nonbelievers and religious minorities out in the cold. @freethoughtful.bsky.social of @cflfreethought.bsky.social explains why the National Day of Prayer has no place in government. 👇

www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/05/01/c...

We don't have anything specific planned for our group but we have created a MeetUp to inform our members about available protests.

Oklahoma Education Dept. sues atheist group trying to halt prayer in schools The Oklahoma State Department of Education has filed a complaint seeking to stop the efforts of a prominent secular legal organization to force a public school district to halt its voluntary prayer

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott called the state's complaint "frivolous" in a statement Monday, while FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor called Walters "a loose cannon bent on destroying secular public education in Oklahoma."

www.christianpost.com/news/oklahom...

Join us in welcoming Americans United for Separation of Church and State as a sponsor of FREEFLO!

This incredible group is defending our right to worship—or not—without government interference. AU is keeping church and state separate for a stronger democracy. www.au.org

Register at freeflo.org.

We’re excited to announce that Secular Coalition for America (@secularcoalition.bsky.social) will be sponsoring and tabling at this year’s FREEFLO!

Swing by their table to learn how they’re championing a strong separation of church and state and protecting secular values.

a judge is sitting at a table in a courtroom and pointing at something . ALT: a judge is sitting at a table in a courtroom and pointing at something .

We're waiting for you to register for FREEFLO! Time is running out! Here's the link: tinyurl.com/FREEFLO25

Gina Duncan is the President/CEO of The Pride Chamber. She is recognized as a national and international spokesperson and educator on transgender rights, public policy, and civic engagement. She received the Equality Florida Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. Register at freeflo.org

Seth Andrews (@sethandrews.com) is coming to FREEFLO! He has spoken to international audiences large and small about his former faith, the promotion of science and skepticism, the importance of Humanism, and why we should pursue a personal relationship with reality. Register at freeflo.org.

The bishop was quoting Jesus.

Haven't booked your room yet for FREEFLO?

Free parking and WiFi will be provided by the hotel at the FREEFLO 2025 - Freethought Florida Conference!

Here's the link! www.hilton.com/.../altahhf-...

Book your room before our room block with preferred rates are all gone!

Forrest Valkai will be speaking at FREEFLO 2025! He is a biologist and science communicator who uses his platform to teach exciting science lessons, promote compassion and skepticism, and share his boundless love for life with audiences of all ages.

Register at freeflo.org!

How's the weather at your place this weekend? It's sunny and warm in the Caribbean! Join us for the 2026 Freethought Cruise with Andrew Seidel & Elizabeth Cavell and take advantage of a great discount this weekend. More at www.freethoughtcruise.com

Super excited to host @davidmcraney.bsky.social this month. Connect with us at www.linktree.com/cflfreethought

That's either some ginormous gall or some stunning ignorance some to say it reflects "all" of our values.