Freethinkers Archive 2010-2016
Below is a listing of the distinguished speakers who have accepted our invitations to speak. Audios of their talks are available if there is a link.
Presentations, Topics, Speakers, and Dates
"Control Your Life & Death Transitions" -- Winnie Downes (April 1, 2016)
"Daughters of Susan B. Anthony: A History and Legacy of Women's Suffrage" -- Gayle Williams (March 4, 2016)
"An Act of Civil Disobedience" -- Douglas Hughes (January 22, 2016)
"Should the Death Penalty in FL Be Reformed or Abolished?" -- Adam Tebrugge, ACLU Staff Attorney (January 8, 2016)
"Climate Change: Urgency and Action" -- John Darovec and Coty Keller, Citizens' Climate Lobby of Florida Veterans for Common Sense (May 1, 2015)
"My Gender Transition: An Uncomfortable Showdown with Fortune" -- Jean-David Parlier, consults with veterinarians, is an artist, underwater photographer and avid marine conservationist (April 10, 2015)
"How to Defeat Religion in Ten Easy Steps" -- Dr. Ryan T. Cragun, sociologist of religion at The University of Tampa (March 13, 2015)
"Basics of Neuroscience for Physical and Mental Health" -- Dr. Allen E. Ivey, Distinguished University Professor (Emeritus) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and founder and former president of Microtraining Associates (February 27, 2015)
"Leaving a Legacy Through Lasting Words" -- Claire Willis, author, clinical social worker, a yoga teacher and an ordained lay chaplain with a concentration in end-of-life work (February 13, 2015)
Westar Institute (February 6 and February 7, 2015)
"The Case for Atheistic Religion" (And here is the Text of David's briefing: Text)-- David Ryan, an ordained American Baptist Minister, enabler for the Advocates for Religious Literacy at UUCS, and is the current Coordinator of UUCS Freethinkers (January 9, 2015)
"Chronic Inflammation: Controlling the Chaos Within" (And here are her excellent handouts: Outline of Talk and FunctionalMedicineProviders) -- Louise Diana, physiologist and former research faculty member at University of Kentucky Medical Center (December 5, 2014)
"Does the National Debt Really Matter?" -- Bill Denison, educator, real estate licensing law, and professional tax preparer (November 7, 2014)
"The Forbidden Religion of the Tarot" -- Barbara G. Walker, author, and artist of the Barbara Walker Tarot Deck (October 3, 2014)
"What Is a Good Death?" -- Kathy Black, Ph.D., Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar and Professor at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (September 5, 2014)
"Why Does a Non-theist Want to Lead a Religious Congregation?" -- Randy Spaulding, Chaplain in Residence of New Haven Hospital (August 13, 2014)
"Health and Medicine in the Bible" -- Marden Paru, dean and co-founder of the Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva (August 8, 2014)
"Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Mormonism but Didn't Know Whom to Ask" -- Ryan T. Cragun (June 6, 2014)
"Love Challenges Law: Defrocked Minister Tells His Story" -- Rev. Frank Schaefer (May 9, 2014)
"Roman Catholic Women Priests" (Q & A after the film) -- Rev. Bridget Mary Meehan (May 2, 2014)
"Can You Really Be a Free Thinker?" -- Page Brown in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Academy (Apr 11, 2014)
"Meditation: Is it really as helpful as it is hyped to be?" -- Stephen Gillum, in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Academy (Mar 28, 2014)
"Communication That Heals" -- Barry Bub, in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Academy (Mar 14, 2014)
"Eat to Heal: Chronic Disease and a Plant-based Diet" -- Jill Edwards, Nutrition Educator (Feb 7, 2014)
"Secular Spirituality: Oxymoron or Emotional Meaning?" -- Rabbi Adam Chalom (Jan 24, 2014)
"What You Don't Know about Religion (but should)" -- Ryan T. Cragun, Assoc. Prof. of Sociology at the University of Tampa (Jan 3, 2014)
"The Electric Vehicle Revolution" -- Chris Sharek and Britten Cleveland (Dec. 6, 2013)
"Population and Habitat: What's the Connection?" -- DeeAnna Dowdle (Nov 1, 2013)
"Obamacare - Transforming the Health Care Industry" -- Dale P. Anderson, MD (Oct 4, 2013)
"The Significance and Importance of Zen Training" -- Zen Priest Rev. Daito Zenei Thompson, Sarasota Zen Center (May 3, 2013)
"Candidate Without A Prayer" -- Herb Silverman, president emeritus and founder, Secular Coalition of America (Mar. 25, 2013)
"Grassroots leadership" -- Sarasota attorney and local activist Susan Chapman (Feb. 22, 2013)
" Top legal issues affecting the US" -- Paul Rosen, professor, Lifelong Learning Academy (Jan. 4, 2013)
" Cuba: Myths and Realities" -- Johannes Werner, editor, Cuba Standard newspaper; Carolina Cositore, Havana resident (Dec. 7, 2012)
" The Global CRisis in Our Water Supplies" -- Mike Pheneeger, president, ACLU-Fla. (Nov. 2, 2012)
" The Role of Religion in the 2012 Election Cycle " -- Frank Alcock, New College professor of political science (Oct. 5, 2012)
"What's Missing in Politics Today" -- Keith Fitzgerald, New College professor of political science (Sept. 15, 2012)
"Buddhism for Everyday Life'" -- Michael Greogry, ordained monk in the Thai forest tradition (July 6, 2012)
"Florida's 'Stand Your Ground Law'" -- Adam Tebrugge, board certified criminal trial attorney (June 4, 2012)
"Freeing the Innocent on Florida's Death Row" -- Seth Miller, executive director, Innocence Project of Florida (May 11, 2012)
"The Occupy Wall St. movement's influences and impact" -- Dr. Richard Skinner, professor of political science, New College of Florida (April 6, 2012)
"Quakers and Their Philosophy" -- Prof. Jerry Frost, Quaker historian, Swarthmore College, Quaker Library Director (Mar. 16, 2012)
"The Bible and the Historical Jesus" -- Rev. David Ryan (Feb. 3, 2012)
"Evolution Mis-applied" -- Prof. Joseph Kerata, former Ohio Teacher of the Year (Jan. 13, 2012)
"Candidate without a prayer" -- Herb Silverman, president and founder, Secular Coalition of America (Dec. 2, 2011)
"Florida's immigrants fight for fair wages" -- Coalition for Immigrant Workers (Nov. 4, 2011)
"Changing Images of Aging in the Media" -- Maria Vesperi, anthropologist, New College of Florida (Oct. 7, 2011)
"Indian Buddhist Mysticism" -- John Newman, Religion Professor, New College of Florida (Sept. 9, 2011)
"Immigration in America and Florida: Crisis, Costs and Future" -- Former Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner (August 5, 2011)
"End-of-life issues among older adults in the Sarasota community" -- Dr. Kathy Black, associate professor at the University of South Florida (May 6, 2011)
"Fissures between Black Americans and Indian Nations" -- Willard Johnson, prof. emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Mar. 4, 2011)
"Disruptive Green Technologies" -- Arthur Kesten, president, Nanocap Technologies (Feb. 4, 2011)
"The Sugar Slave Trade" -- Robert Waite (Jan. 7, 2011)
" The Human Animal" -- Joseph Kerata (Dec. 4, 2010)
"Islam and Lesbianism" -- Prof. Heather White, New College of Florida (Nov. 19, 2010)
"When 'doing the right thing' is the wrong thing to do" -- Prof. April Flakne, New College of Florida (Nov. 5, 2010)
"Whatever happened to The Enlightenment? The Decline of Critical Thinking" -- Dr. Gordon E. "Mike" Michalson, president, New College of Florida (Oct. 1, 2010)
65 Years of Social Justice -- Social activist Thomas Hemphill, former ex dir, Heifer International (Sept. 3, 2010)
"Why the Catholic church is in such decline across the modern world" -- Prof. James W. Johnson (August 6, 2010)
"A Reform Rabbi Wrestles with God" -- Rabbi Harold Caminker, spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in Bradenton (June 3, 2010)
"Cuba at a Crossroad" -- Monte Hayes, retired AP bureau chief, and attorney Lou Altman (May 21, 2010)
"Evolution ... only a theory?" -- Joe Kerata, retired advanced biology teacher (May 7, 2010)
"The Tranformation of Quebec" -- Larry Birch, retired government of Canada official (April 16, 2010)
"Dispatches from the Front: The Battle to Separate Church and State in Florida" -- Glenn Katon, director, ACLU's Center for Religious Freedom (April 2, 2010)
"Achieving peace in the Middle East" -- Andy Blanch, director, Center for Religious Tolerance (March 19, 2010)
"Reconciling Economic development and Environmental Sustainabilty" -- Prof. Frank Alcock, director, Marine Policy Institute, Mote Marine Lab (March 5, 2010)
"The economic maelstrom in Washington and what it means to you" -- Syndicated financial columnist Lauren Rudd (Feb. 5, 2010)
"Buddhism 101" -- Paul Lewis (Jan. 8, 2010)
Presentations, Topics, Speakers, and Dates
"Control Your Life & Death Transitions" -- Winnie Downes (April 1, 2016)
"Daughters of Susan B. Anthony: A History and Legacy of Women's Suffrage" -- Gayle Williams (March 4, 2016)
"An Act of Civil Disobedience" -- Douglas Hughes (January 22, 2016)
"Should the Death Penalty in FL Be Reformed or Abolished?" -- Adam Tebrugge, ACLU Staff Attorney (January 8, 2016)
"Climate Change: Urgency and Action" -- John Darovec and Coty Keller, Citizens' Climate Lobby of Florida Veterans for Common Sense (May 1, 2015)
"My Gender Transition: An Uncomfortable Showdown with Fortune" -- Jean-David Parlier, consults with veterinarians, is an artist, underwater photographer and avid marine conservationist (April 10, 2015)
"How to Defeat Religion in Ten Easy Steps" -- Dr. Ryan T. Cragun, sociologist of religion at The University of Tampa (March 13, 2015)
"Basics of Neuroscience for Physical and Mental Health" -- Dr. Allen E. Ivey, Distinguished University Professor (Emeritus) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and founder and former president of Microtraining Associates (February 27, 2015)
"Leaving a Legacy Through Lasting Words" -- Claire Willis, author, clinical social worker, a yoga teacher and an ordained lay chaplain with a concentration in end-of-life work (February 13, 2015)
Westar Institute (February 6 and February 7, 2015)
"The Case for Atheistic Religion" (And here is the Text of David's briefing: Text)-- David Ryan, an ordained American Baptist Minister, enabler for the Advocates for Religious Literacy at UUCS, and is the current Coordinator of UUCS Freethinkers (January 9, 2015)
"Chronic Inflammation: Controlling the Chaos Within" (And here are her excellent handouts: Outline of Talk and FunctionalMedicineProviders) -- Louise Diana, physiologist and former research faculty member at University of Kentucky Medical Center (December 5, 2014)
"Does the National Debt Really Matter?" -- Bill Denison, educator, real estate licensing law, and professional tax preparer (November 7, 2014)
"The Forbidden Religion of the Tarot" -- Barbara G. Walker, author, and artist of the Barbara Walker Tarot Deck (October 3, 2014)
"What Is a Good Death?" -- Kathy Black, Ph.D., Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar and Professor at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (September 5, 2014)
"Why Does a Non-theist Want to Lead a Religious Congregation?" -- Randy Spaulding, Chaplain in Residence of New Haven Hospital (August 13, 2014)
"Health and Medicine in the Bible" -- Marden Paru, dean and co-founder of the Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva (August 8, 2014)
"Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Mormonism but Didn't Know Whom to Ask" -- Ryan T. Cragun (June 6, 2014)
"Love Challenges Law: Defrocked Minister Tells His Story" -- Rev. Frank Schaefer (May 9, 2014)
"Roman Catholic Women Priests" (Q & A after the film) -- Rev. Bridget Mary Meehan (May 2, 2014)
"Can You Really Be a Free Thinker?" -- Page Brown in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Academy (Apr 11, 2014)
"Meditation: Is it really as helpful as it is hyped to be?" -- Stephen Gillum, in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Academy (Mar 28, 2014)
"Communication That Heals" -- Barry Bub, in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Academy (Mar 14, 2014)
"Eat to Heal: Chronic Disease and a Plant-based Diet" -- Jill Edwards, Nutrition Educator (Feb 7, 2014)
"Secular Spirituality: Oxymoron or Emotional Meaning?" -- Rabbi Adam Chalom (Jan 24, 2014)
"What You Don't Know about Religion (but should)" -- Ryan T. Cragun, Assoc. Prof. of Sociology at the University of Tampa (Jan 3, 2014)
"The Electric Vehicle Revolution" -- Chris Sharek and Britten Cleveland (Dec. 6, 2013)
"Population and Habitat: What's the Connection?" -- DeeAnna Dowdle (Nov 1, 2013)
"Obamacare - Transforming the Health Care Industry" -- Dale P. Anderson, MD (Oct 4, 2013)
"The Significance and Importance of Zen Training" -- Zen Priest Rev. Daito Zenei Thompson, Sarasota Zen Center (May 3, 2013)
"Candidate Without A Prayer" -- Herb Silverman, president emeritus and founder, Secular Coalition of America (Mar. 25, 2013)
"Grassroots leadership" -- Sarasota attorney and local activist Susan Chapman (Feb. 22, 2013)
" Top legal issues affecting the US" -- Paul Rosen, professor, Lifelong Learning Academy (Jan. 4, 2013)
" Cuba: Myths and Realities" -- Johannes Werner, editor, Cuba Standard newspaper; Carolina Cositore, Havana resident (Dec. 7, 2012)
" The Global CRisis in Our Water Supplies" -- Mike Pheneeger, president, ACLU-Fla. (Nov. 2, 2012)
" The Role of Religion in the 2012 Election Cycle " -- Frank Alcock, New College professor of political science (Oct. 5, 2012)
"What's Missing in Politics Today" -- Keith Fitzgerald, New College professor of political science (Sept. 15, 2012)
"Buddhism for Everyday Life'" -- Michael Greogry, ordained monk in the Thai forest tradition (July 6, 2012)
"Florida's 'Stand Your Ground Law'" -- Adam Tebrugge, board certified criminal trial attorney (June 4, 2012)
"Freeing the Innocent on Florida's Death Row" -- Seth Miller, executive director, Innocence Project of Florida (May 11, 2012)
"The Occupy Wall St. movement's influences and impact" -- Dr. Richard Skinner, professor of political science, New College of Florida (April 6, 2012)
"Quakers and Their Philosophy" -- Prof. Jerry Frost, Quaker historian, Swarthmore College, Quaker Library Director (Mar. 16, 2012)
"The Bible and the Historical Jesus" -- Rev. David Ryan (Feb. 3, 2012)
"Evolution Mis-applied" -- Prof. Joseph Kerata, former Ohio Teacher of the Year (Jan. 13, 2012)
"Candidate without a prayer" -- Herb Silverman, president and founder, Secular Coalition of America (Dec. 2, 2011)
"Florida's immigrants fight for fair wages" -- Coalition for Immigrant Workers (Nov. 4, 2011)
"Changing Images of Aging in the Media" -- Maria Vesperi, anthropologist, New College of Florida (Oct. 7, 2011)
"Indian Buddhist Mysticism" -- John Newman, Religion Professor, New College of Florida (Sept. 9, 2011)
"Immigration in America and Florida: Crisis, Costs and Future" -- Former Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner (August 5, 2011)
"End-of-life issues among older adults in the Sarasota community" -- Dr. Kathy Black, associate professor at the University of South Florida (May 6, 2011)
"Fissures between Black Americans and Indian Nations" -- Willard Johnson, prof. emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Mar. 4, 2011)
"Disruptive Green Technologies" -- Arthur Kesten, president, Nanocap Technologies (Feb. 4, 2011)
"The Sugar Slave Trade" -- Robert Waite (Jan. 7, 2011)
" The Human Animal" -- Joseph Kerata (Dec. 4, 2010)
"Islam and Lesbianism" -- Prof. Heather White, New College of Florida (Nov. 19, 2010)
"When 'doing the right thing' is the wrong thing to do" -- Prof. April Flakne, New College of Florida (Nov. 5, 2010)
"Whatever happened to The Enlightenment? The Decline of Critical Thinking" -- Dr. Gordon E. "Mike" Michalson, president, New College of Florida (Oct. 1, 2010)
65 Years of Social Justice -- Social activist Thomas Hemphill, former ex dir, Heifer International (Sept. 3, 2010)
"Why the Catholic church is in such decline across the modern world" -- Prof. James W. Johnson (August 6, 2010)
"A Reform Rabbi Wrestles with God" -- Rabbi Harold Caminker, spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in Bradenton (June 3, 2010)
"Cuba at a Crossroad" -- Monte Hayes, retired AP bureau chief, and attorney Lou Altman (May 21, 2010)
"Evolution ... only a theory?" -- Joe Kerata, retired advanced biology teacher (May 7, 2010)
"The Tranformation of Quebec" -- Larry Birch, retired government of Canada official (April 16, 2010)
"Dispatches from the Front: The Battle to Separate Church and State in Florida" -- Glenn Katon, director, ACLU's Center for Religious Freedom (April 2, 2010)
"Achieving peace in the Middle East" -- Andy Blanch, director, Center for Religious Tolerance (March 19, 2010)
"Reconciling Economic development and Environmental Sustainabilty" -- Prof. Frank Alcock, director, Marine Policy Institute, Mote Marine Lab (March 5, 2010)
"The economic maelstrom in Washington and what it means to you" -- Syndicated financial columnist Lauren Rudd (Feb. 5, 2010)
"Buddhism 101" -- Paul Lewis (Jan. 8, 2010)
- Welcome -- Rev. Roger Fritts, UUCS minister (February 6, 2015)
Why God Doesn't Work Anymore -- Westar Scholar David Galston (February 6, 2015)
Why God Doesn't Make Sense Anymore -- Westar Scholar Jack Kelly (February 7, 2015)
Post Theism: Human Beings and Being Human -- Westar Scholar David Galston (February 7, 2015)
Options for Our Future -- Westar Scholar Jack Kelly (February 7, 2015)
Religion without God -- Panel Discussion (February 7, 2015)
Note: A list of our 2008/09 presentations
is on this page.
is on this page.