Freethinkers are people who decide what to believe
based on reason (facts and logic) - not authority or dogma.
There are two Free Thinkers Club meetings in most months. We host speakers on a variety of topics and encourage debate, discussions and questions after an initial presentation. There are Freethinkers Club meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month at Bridgeport Recreation Center at 2:30. We also meet on the 4th Thursday of each month at Aviary Recreation Center, at 3:30. We were asked to give meetings at this location a separate name for administrative purposes, so Freethinkers Club meetings at Aviary Rec. Center will be referred to as "Freethinkers Club South" meetings. For more information, or to get on our email distribution, email us at freethinkingvillager@gmail.com. Villages Resident or Guest ID are required to attend.
The Freethinkers Club collaborates administratively with The Humanists Club. We share the same email distribution list and management. Emails with information concerning future presentations for both clubs will be sent to the joint email distribution. The list below shows upcoming Freethinkers Club meeting topics.
Upcoming scheduled topics
Jan 9 Mark Welton Bridgeport 2:30 The Rule of Law: Principles and Challenges
What do we mean by "the rule of law"? Why is it so crucially important to a functioning democracy and economic prosperity? What are the challenges that the U.S. and other democracies are facing in maintaining the rule of law? How might these challenges impact our future?
Col Welton is a retired Army JAG officer who spent most of his active duty career in Europe dealing with legal issues with his EU and NATO counterparts. Dr. Welton is also retired from a second career as a professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mark is a prolific and very popular speaker at many venues around The Villages. Areas of expertise include Iran, the Middle East, Constitutional & International law
Jan 23 Mark Welton Aviary 3:30 The Rule of Law: Principles and Challenges (repeat of Jan 9 presentation)
Feb 13 Robert Altobello Bridgeport 2:30 Philosophers Who Really Matter and Their Enduring Contributions to Western Philosophy
Who are the Philosophers who shaped Western Civilization and thought? What were their ideas, and how did these ideas have such a profound impact?
Dr. Robert Altobello is a retired Philosophy professor. He is a frequent and popular speaker at discussion clubs throughout The Villages.
Feb 27 Jim Laurent Aviary 3:30 Can We Mine Asteroids?
On asteroids, there are nearly unlimited quantities of rare (and therefore very expensive) mineral resources. Is it practical to mine these asteroids for their mineral resources? How would we do that, what is being done now, and what is the future of asteroid mining?
After several years as a science teacher Jim's career was training corporate clients on new IT systems. He is a very active and popular speaker at various discussion clubs in The Villages, and is an active Board member for the Humanists and Freethinkers Clubs.
Mar 13 Jim Laurent Bridgeport 2:30 Can We Mine Asteroids? (repeat of Feb 13 presentation)
Mar 27 Robert Altobello Aviary 3:30 Philosophers Who Really Mattered and Their Enduring Contributions to Western Philosophy (repeat of Feb 13 presentation)
April 10 Robert Wickman Bridgeport 2:30 Stars: Their Birth, Life, and Death
How do stars (and planets) form? Why are some dramatically larger than others? How does their size determine the amount and color of light emitted, how long the star lasts - and what happens when the star runs out of fuel?
April 24 Dr Mark Welton Aviary 3:30 2025 - A New Middle East
Huge changes have occurred with Iran's proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. In addition, the Houthies in Yemen are under attack. How do these changes impact the interests of the U.S., Israel, Iran, and prospects for peace?
Col Welton is a retired Army JAG officer who spent most of his active duty career in Europe dealing with legal issues with his EU and NATO counterparts. He is also retired from his second career as a Professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Areas of expertise include Iran, the Middle East, Constitutional and International Law. Mark is also a very prolific and popular speaker in and around The Villages.
May 8 Dr Mark Welton Bridgeport 2:30 2025 - A New Middle East (repeat of April 24 presentation)