After some discussion (and a number of digressions), we’ve managed to work out a number of additional details for the upcoming FFFF:
1.) The theme of the forum will be something along the lines of “Practical Freethinking – Expressing and promoting Freethought in our modern Filipino society.”
2.) There will be 4 speakers or so, taken from within our little fellowship.
3.) The format for each open forum, after the registration and the opening ceremony, will be:
- Moderator introduces the speaker
- Speaker presents his/her ideas for 5 to 10 minutes
- Audience discussion
- Moderator summarizes the discussion on the topic
4.) Red has volunteered to be the moderator, though some have expressed he would be better off as a speaker.
5.) Speakers have not yet been determined, but we’re looking for a diverse group of speakers (regarding their approach to the theme), strong personalities, some competence for public speaking, and of course willingness.
6.) Speakers are encouraged to use slides. Red has volunteered to help create the slides.
7.) Audience members are encouraged to write down their questions and pass them to someone assigned to read them. We may allow a microphone to be passed to audience members for participation.
8.) Although we encourage free speech, speakers and the audience are asked to avoid profanity.
9.) While the FFFF is intended to be a forum for freethinkers, believers are welcome to join, provided that they keep an open mind, do not react violently and carry no deadly weapons.
10.) We are also accepting volunteers for Bouncers.
As always, comments and suggestions are welcome. And join the group chats whenever possible, to share what you would like to see in the FFFF.
Sorry Ted, being a freeloader is not my agenda, but thanks for the gesture.
Anyway, I still believe that freethought is not just a rich-man's temporary flicks. It just a matter of how we, as a collective group will reach them. I think that Mr. Redtani have already created a good group. It's just a matter of every one's cooperation to make this prosper.
In the issue of freethough and the grassroot…well I think it's my duty. I think every one in in the group has his/her own thing in his/her mind to accomplish and in our individual journey, we may all meet in the cross road.
I think some of you rich yuppies ought to read John's Blog on http://atheistangpinoy.blogspot.com/ and the importance he attaches to gatherings like this. Really pulled the strings in my heart. This is what its all about. I mean, the guy walked four hours from Novaliches to Edsa just to attend the first meeting. The guy admits to living a not so financially-endowed life. Would it have hurt if everyone chipped in to buy him a latte or something? Dont worry John, next time I'll buy you one from my meagre pension. 🙂 On the same note, perhaps speakers (or those with ideas) should address the very real question of 'relevance of freethought' to an impoverished populus that are attracted more from the hollow promises of religion than they are to real solutions. How can they be reached?
NO PROFANITY????? Hell! We're freethinkers and we still have to act like we're inside a church. Oh well…..
On the other hand, Ive got a problem with the acronym. FFFF as "First Filipino Freethinkers Forum". It is just so formal. So 'un-chic'.
What about "Filipino Freethinkers For Fellatio". I bet that we'll get a lot more members that way!!!
Freethinkers dont need to carry weapons to assault and intimidate others. Their BRAINS can do all that with much more ease. It is as deadly as it gets!!
So the prohibition against carrying "deadly weapons" is only for believers? That's good to hear. :p