• 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 (5/5/05) & Monday (5/9/05):

1. May 5th has been declared a National Day of Reason as a countermeasure to the federally supported National Day of Prayer. Those opposing the National Day of Prayer claim that it violates the First Amendment, is not inclusive, and is improper for philosophical reasons. Do you think there should be a National Day of Prayer? One of the goals of National Day of Reason is "to raise public awareness about the persistent threat to religious liberty posed by government intrusion into the private sphere of worship." Do you think the National Day of Reason is a good idea?
2. On January 1st of this year the Michigan-based company WEYCO, implemented a policy prohibiting employees from smoking, even during non-work hours. The company's founder argues that Michigan businesses have the right to protect themselves from the enormous financial harm that smokers inflict upon society. However, legislation was proposed last month that would protect, under penalty of law, any citizen from being discriminated against in hiring or firing by an employer on the basis of off-the-job activities that are lawful. Should employers have the right to fire employees for smoking or other off-the-job activities?
3. The recent “Runaway Bride” fiasco reportedly cost Georgia taxpayers between $60,000-$75,000.  Should she be made to pay back this amount to the state?  Should she be prosecuted for lying to the police?  Was this an understandable act of wedding jitters or an act of incredible selfishness? (Submitted by Fiona)
4. OPEN DISCUSSION.

Quote of the week: "I believe in the separation of church and state... We all have our own religious beliefs. There are people out there who are atheists, who don't believe at all. ... They are all citizens of Minnesota and I have to respect that.'' [Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, explaining why he refused to sign a National Day of Prayer proclamation, 5/6/1999]

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