Freethought Association of West Michigan
Meeting Minutes for November 25, 1997; #11.
Kim & Rob Adamczyk, Howard Foster, Vicki & Don Hansen, Charles LaRue, Charley Moore, Bob Moore (son of Charley), Jeff Seaver.
Don mentioned that he had talked to Lanette Grate and she is interested in our group and hopes to attend the next meeting.
Charles read a letter-to-the-editor he had sent to the G.R. Press which suggests that a more rational view be taken regarding the recent multiple births of the McCaughey family.
The remainder of the meeting was a discussion with Duncan Littlefair, former minister of Fountain Street Church, who had been invited by Charley Moore. Some of the items that were covered were as follows:
From a question Charley asked of the group, a majority indicated they were atheist, a minority said they were agnostic. Duncan said those terms were out of date, out of fashion and were not definitive.
In 1859, according to Duncan, for the first time, the scientific method of inquiry was applied to religion. John H. Randall, minister at Fountain in 1895, started the tradition of naturalism, at Fountain, as opposed to supernaturalism.
Howard mentioned how much he appreciated Duncan's ministry, which helped him to resolve a number of troubling questions he had over religion at that time in his life.
In answering the question of how he defines God, Duncan used the term Creative Interaction. He described how civilization came into being, the result of millions and millions of years of changes from the simplest form in both plants and animals, to the sophisticated forms that are evident today.
Regarding spirit, he stressed that it is awareness a combination of thinking and feeling that enables a person to understand people and things in relationship. Spirituality deals only with relatedness. It can be enhanced through art: music, poetry, painting, sculpture.
He expressed fear and doubt that our country can maintain its style of democracy because too many disregard its value. He has always promoted the paying of taxes; it is a duty to help assure the continuance of our system.
Regarding the matter of right and wrong, it is not necessary that religion define it or be the sole arbiter. He said the church has been one of the malignant forces in the world.
He shared his affinity for women. He would rather go to a meeting with women than with men; they listen and are compassionate. His wife raised his children, and he did not see them for days on end. He feels that it is preferable for women to stay at home with their children. None of his children are church attenders.
He does not believe there is an afterlife.
When he was 12 years old, he discontinued believing in the supernatural as it pertains to religion.
Much of Jesus life was a myth. This led Charles to discuss the book, My Name is Asher Lev, the author being an artist.
Duncan became annoyed with the discussion when Jeff pursued answers and definitions to religious terms, including how the Holocaust might be contrasted with the shortcomings of Christianity. Unwilling to pursue these types of questions, Duncan said that his secretary was correct in advising him against attending our meeting, and the discussion ended when he indicated he wanted to leave.
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Next meeting will be on Wednesday, 12-10-97, 7 p.m.
There is no truth to the rumor that the Skeptics are taking up a collection to buy the newly produced film, "The Littlefair Years", to present to Jeff for Christmas.
New Holland United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania explains in its invitational folder that the church's mission "is rotted in our faith in God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ."
