FOR Talking Points

1)  Social Opportunities, Fellowship, Friendship, Community

FOR provides a variety of social events and a social support system for our members and nonmember friends, who identify themselves as ‘non-theist’ - those who do not carry a faith-based belief or belong to a faith-based community. In two words, FOR provides “secular fellowship.” Aristotle viewed mankind as social by nature and friendship as essential to happiness or flourishing. FOR offers a benevolent environment in which the individual can experience meaningful relationships with others, who share a common perspective, as well as common values such as personal fulfillment, a reason-based approach to life, and a desire to learn and share ideas.

2)  A Reason-Based Approach to Life

FOR regards reason as the best method for understanding the universe, human nature (including emotional needs), and our individual lives. FOR asserts that mankind can sufficiently know the world to advance our own flourishing in it, that humans have the capacity to choose what is good for themselves. FOR does not rely on the claims of faith or mysticism as a guide to individual action or well-being, but rather relies on a reason-based approach to life (study, analytical thinking, logic, evidence, one’s own good judgment). FOR focuses on the flourishing of our members and friends in this life. FOR offers learning activities that promote the use and development of reason. FOR combines our philosophy of reason with a program of social and educational opportunities to give the experience of living by reason.

3)  Support of Personal Mission or Goals, Purposeful Living, Individual Flourishing (pick your term) FOR supports our members and friends in purposeful living, encouraging individuals to select their own purpose(s) and/or goals and to systematically pursue them, keeping in mind that the means of ‘getting there’ is as important as the goal. In educational parlance, finding fulfillment in the process is as important as the product. Members and friends are encouraged in their pursuits of activities about which they are passionate, career paths, and various other personal endeavors.

4)  An Ethical Community (Eudaimonism)

FOR subscribes to a philosophy called Eudaimonism (from the ancient Greek “eudaimonia”, meaning roughly “well- being”) that emphasizes the use of reason and virtue. Eudaimonism asserts that an action is right (good) if it leads to individual well-being, and that individual well-being is at the core of any valid ethical system. Eudaimonism should not be confused with the view that pleasure is the highest good; that view is called hedonism. Well-being or flourishing is an individual matter and multidimensional, but in each case requires ethical behavior. FOR studies ethical questions and seeks to sponsor a moral community based on reason.

5)  Lifelong Learning

FOR provides a variety of learning activities such as FORum presentations, adult education, taped lectures, and fiction and nonfiction book clubs. FOR regards knowledge and understanding as necessary for flourishing. Learning is further promoted through opportunities for voluntary speaking and writing and the exchange and discussion of ideas. FOR includes the enjoyment and study of the arts in our regular activities.

6)  Living Reflectively or Consciously

FOR encourages our members and friends to be reflective about their lives and personal progress. FOR encourages each individual to take him/herself seriously, exercising self awareness, and considering how individual actions/choices promote or hinder one’s own flourishing or that of others. FOR provides opportunities to reflect on the good things in life and on the people most important to us.

7)  Recognition of Life Events and Human Excellence

FOR celebrates or marks the significant life events of our members and friends, such as births, marriages or deaths. FOR also engages in an active admiration of human creativity, excellence and/or achievement, recognizing the accomplishments of our members and friends, and honoring those of the great men and women of the ages. In examining the achievements of others, we gain inspiration and learn better how to flourish.