Hong Kong Liberal Religious Forum

I have been contemplating on creating an Atheist or Humanist group within "Unitarian Universalists Hong Kong" to unite and empower Atheists and Humanists of Hong Kong, and to promote Atheism and Humanism in Hong Kong. Existence of such a group in "Unitarian Universalists Hong Kong" can also answer the occasional criticism that Unitarian Universalism, due to its historical roots, is "too Christian".

However, naming the group is a bit tricky. This group should welcome Agnostics, Atheists, Brights, Humanists, Infidels, Naturalists, Secularists, Skeptics, Rationalists, etc. How to name it?

The term "Freethought" came to my mind. This term seems to be open-minded enough to include all the above groups and it carries an anti-faith or anti-religious connotation which the above groups should welcome.

So I propose calling the group "Freethought Group".

Links:
What is a Freethinker? (FAQ@FFRF)
Freedom From Religion Foundation



我一直考慮在「尋道會」內成立「無神論者」或「人文主義者」組，以聯合及加力於香港的無神論者及人文主義者，及在香港推廣無神論及人文主義。並且，「尋道會」內存在這樣一個組，可回答間中聽到的批評：「尋道會」（即 UU）「太基督教化」。

但為這個組命名頗費神。這個組的名字必須同時歡迎不可知論者、無神論者、「聰明人」、人文主義者、無信仰者、自然主義者、世俗主義者、懷疑論者、及理性主義者。叫甚麼名字好呢？

我想到「自由思想」一詞。這詞的開放性，能包容所有以上提及過的組別。而且，這詞蘊含反信仰及反宗教的意義，應該可受以上組別人士喜愛。

所以，我提出把該組命名為「自由思想組」。

We may consider buying and translating brochures and nontracts from Freedom From Religion Foundation:
www.ffrf.org/nontracts/

A UUHKer talked about PEARLism (Physical Evidence and Reasoned Logic), which is the essence of the scientific method, and said she is going toward a Pearlist.

I fully support Pearlism and I am a Pearlist too.

Freethought surely employs the method of PEARL.

The "Freethinkers Group" within UUHK shall fully endorse Pearlism and Pearlists too!

Another option is to form a

CFI Community

CFI = Center for Inquiry http://ssshk.freeforums.org/center-for- ... -t502.html

CFI is a well-established scholarly organization for humanism and naturalism. Its extensive programs include "CFI On Campus", the university and high-school students reach-out, "CFI Communities" of local grassroots secular humanist and skeptical movements, "CFI Institute" of undergraduate level summer school, seminars, and workshops, and "Camp Inquiry", an annual summer camp for children.



Or the Freethought Group of UUHK can become a CFI Community! There is a CFI China with which we can connect.

Our Freethought Group, if realized, may consider applying for Associate Membership (minimum annual contribution GBP26.4) of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) to strengthen our ties with world humanism.

This might help if you who are confused by the multiple terminologies of the non-theistic philosophical systems:

Comparing non-theistic belief systems including: Atheism, Agnosticism, "The Brights," Free-thinking, Humanism, etc.
www.religioustolerance.org/at_ag_hu.htm