Curiosity, free of dogma.
Questions belong to everyone. We should be able to ask why, examine a belief, and change our minds without being threatened or told that some ideas are beyond discussion.
Many of us identify as religious nonbelievers. Our conversations also reach into science, ethics, politics, and daily life. We bring different experiences, and we do not expect everyone to reach the same conclusions. We ask for reasons, listen carefully, and leave room to learn.
Thomas Paine and independent thought
Thomas Paine, a writer of the American founding era, published Common Sense in 1776. He challenged hereditary monarchy and argued for American independence, inviting ordinary readers to question an established authority. Read the Library of Congress account.
In The Age of Reason, Paine applied that questioning spirit to religion. He criticized claims of revelation and organized religious authority while expressing his own belief in a creator. Paine was a deist; his views do not stand for every founder, or for everyone in our group. Read an excerpt from Paine’s own writing.
Room to think for ourselves
For Reno Freethinkers, that history offers a starting point for conversation. A respected name, a familiar tradition, or a strongly held conviction can still be questioned. We can examine the evidence and decide what holds up.
Bring your curiosity, a willingness to learn and listen, and respect for people who see things differently. You do not need to arrive with all the answers.