• OPEN DISCUSSION - For the first 30 minutes of the Thursday night forums we will have informal open discussion. This will allow for late arrivals, food & drink ordering, and new attendees to become acclimated.
• ANNOUNCEMENTS - Any events, news, or other items that you feel are of interest to the group can be announced at the start of Free Inquiry Forum.

TOPICS for Thursday (9/9/04) & Monday (9/13/04):

1. Discuss the Republican National Convention. Was the RNC effective in getting a message out about Bush's efforts on terrorism and in denouncing Kerry's ability to be an effective president? What does the "bounce" Bush shows in the post-convention polls mean for John Kerry? What changes, if any, should be made to Kerry's campaign strategy?
2. In churches throughout areas not directly hit by Hurricane Frances, worshippers expressed thanks for being spared the brunt of the hurricane. Do some theists actually believe that their prayers can divert a hurricane or control any other natural phenomenon? Even if a god could answer a prayer for protection by diverting a hurricane, what about those in the direct path of the storm that prayed as well? Is believing in this type of "protection prayer" harmless and/or beneficial? Or is it more selfish and ignorant?
3. Anticipated losses from Hurricane Frances could make it the fifth-costliest storm in U.S. history. With hurricanes causing billions of dollars in damage and threatening numerous lives, should there be an increased scientific commitment to try to control the weather? Is controlling the weather -- especially on such a large scale -- even possible? What benefits and/or problems do you anticipate we would face if the technology to control the weather was available?
4. Open Discussion.

Quote of the week: "The New York Times reports that evangelist Pat Robertson, who will announce in two weeks whether he will run for the presidency, claims he can pray away bad weather. ... Robertson said in a recent interview that his prayers to keep Hurricane Gloria away from Virginia Beach last June had been successful, which was 'extremely important because I felt, interestingly enough, that if I couldn't move a hurricane, I could hardly move a nation.' ... Robertson said that if the hurricane had come ashore, he would have seen it as a sign from above to abandon his presidential ambitions." [Leah Garchik, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 September 1986]

Bonus Quote: "[on Gay Day at Disney World] "I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you, This is not a message of hate; this is a message of redemption. But a condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation. It'll bring about terrorist bombs; it'll bring earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor." [Pat Robertson, "The 700 Club" June 6, 1998]

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