***Due to low attendance, we're taking a bit of a hiatus.  Stay tuned for future meetings.*** We meet monthly for casual, open-minded conversation about spirituality, religion, God, and related topics. Grab a beverage of your choice and join in the discussion at the Van Dyck Restaurant and Lounge in Schenectady on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7pm.

We have have two alternating meetups every Thursday for people who have left or are leaving Christianity, as well as occasional fun get-togethers. In everything, we mostly do two things: Provide a kind and thoughtful community for people who are leaving or who have left Christianity. You may find that this is the one place where people not only understand your struggles and isolation, but also get your communion wafer jokes. Engage in serious but OPEN conversation about theological, philosophic …

We gather to explore the relevance of spirituality in our daily lives. Using topics inspired from real life situations (work, family, friends, dating, communication) we see what insight can be brought to bear from the perspective of Christian faith. Then we allow the discussion to go where it needs. All agree to respect the thoughts of others and no one is there to convince another of a particular perspective. One goal of the meeting is to create a community where people can meet others who wish …

Had enough of astrologers, psychics, homeopaths, and spirit channelers? Yearning to talk with someone rational for awhile? Meetup with other local skeptics for some refreshing and sane conversation. Drinking Skeptically does not take "official" positions on political, religious, academic, or other matters. For example, Drinking Skeptically is not an "atheist" organization; nor is it a "non-atheist" organization. All we are interested in is providing a social venue for rationalists, critical-th …

This aim of this group is to raise awareness and stir action among the humanists, atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, and other like-minded citizens in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties.

The Boston Atheists are a local affiliate of American Atheists, http://atheists.org. You can find the BA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=92494277107. Our Google Group, for members who'd like to participate in email discussion, is http://groups.google.com/group/boston-atheists.

Meet other local atheists, agnostics, humanists, skeptics, and other freethinkers. Gather to discuss beliefs, philosophies, current events--and make new friends.

Welcome to the Long Island branch of the Center for Inquiry (CFI), a nonprofit organization advancing science, reason, and secular values. The Center for Inquiry-Long Island sponsors public educational programs, philosophy discussions, book clubs, and social events. Come meet people in your neighborhood, exercise your brain, and get involved. For more information, please e-mail akelly@centerforinquiry.net.

Have you ever thought there might be a higher power out there....more to life then just going through your normal routine day after day?? Or maybe you already believe in God but aren't quite sure how to communicate with him and want to take the next steps to getting to know him. Or maybe you're a believer looking for other believers to grow with. No matter which one fits you -- you can have a place at the Woo. The Woo is a Vineyard church dedicated to showing others and the community love. Every …

The Pioneer Valley Secularists are a community of non-theists in the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas. We are committed to promoting the separation of the church and state, secular education, and a positive perception of non-theists among the general public. We hope to contribute to society by providing social, philanthropic, and educational opportunities in an open and welcoming secular environment.

Join the Facebook Group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_198473996849996! See a map of Secular Massachusetts -- sites of interest, local community groups, and venues suitable for group gatherings -- at http://bit.ly/secularmassmap. The purpose of this group is to bring together the many kinds of Massachusetts freethinkers -- Atheists, Humanists, Ethical Culturists, Brights, agnostics, and so on -- for common social, educational, and civic purposes. Any person interested in particip …

Ethical Culture is a Humanist and Ethical movement inspired by the ideal that the supreme aim of our lives is to create a more just and humane society. We believe that acting morally does not require belief in a god. We place our faith in the demonstrated capacity of people to do wonderful things. We believe in the worth and dignity of all living beings. We offer a full schedule of events and activities for everyone including Sunday meetings, social gatherings, lectures, discussion groups, chari …

What is a bright? * A bright is a person who has a naturalistic worldview * A bright's worldview is free of supernatural and mystical elements * The ethics and actions of a bright are based on a naturalistic worldview Is Your Worldview Naturalistic? Think about your own worldview to decide if it is free of supernatural or mystical deities, forces, and entities. If you decide that you fit the description above, then you are, by definition, a bright! Join with other brights from all over the wor …

Are you the person that you always wanted to be? Do you feel safe, happy, confident and in full control of your life? Do you love your work and are you achieving your goals? Are you loving others and being loved in turn? If so, don’t read on. This is not for you. But if your life isn’t the way you want it to be, if you're stressed or struggling, dealing with loss or grief, I'd like to suggest that you take a look at the Sedona Method.® The Method works through a process of tuning into and direct …

Let the beer and conversation flow. This group is for anybody who enjoys lively discussion about things that matter with people who respect each other (and try to like each other too!). I'll come prepared with a recent news article, quotation, poem, or passage of scripture to prompt conversation about themes like "Angels and Demons," "What's the Difference Between Justice and Vengeance?", "Racism," "The Afterlife," "Animal Rights," etc., to prompt conversation from a theological perspective. I'm …

During the eight Sundays of October and November 2012, Reformation Presbyterian Church (refpres.com) will be preaching, teaching, studying, and praying through the book of Revelation. We welcome you to join us!

The Zeitgeist Movement is an explicitly non-violent, global sustainability advocacy group currently working in over 1000 Regional Chapters across 70 countries. The basic structure of The Movement consists of Chapters, Teams, Projects & Events. Overall, the Chapters are essentially what define the Movement and each Chapter works to not only spread awareness about the roots of our social problems today but also to express the logical, scientific solutions and methods we have at our disposal to upd …

We are an open, friendly, non-sectarian, non-stuffy group of people who meditate together -- and support one another. When it comes to moving along on the spiritual path, it's not easy to go it alone. We all need support. And our warm group energy gives lots of that support. Our teachers, Merrill and Mataji, are there to encourage and assist us. They also offer instruction to beginners, so they can comfortably explore the field for themselves, to see if meditation enhances their lives as much as …

Do you wish you could have deep and meaningful conversation that is still fun? Then this is the group for you! The group will explore the hows and whys of life, our fears, hopes and dreams. The focus is about real feelings and meaning. Example discussion topics include "The Purpose to Life", “Living in the Moment“, “The Missing Piece“ and “Sleep, Dreams and Insomnia” and “Love and Relationships”. We have explored life's deepest questions with a Catholic priest and a Buddhist monk and plan on mee …

This Meetup is about learning how you can get meaningful answers for yourself through direct spiritual experience. It’s about exploring tools that can help you gain more understanding of your life and help you live it better, calmer, and happier as a more aware Soul. It’s also about those special experiences so many people have that can’t seem to be explained and have so much to teach us, such as: • Hearing a sound no one else hears • Seeing light that isn’t of this world • Visions • Dreams seem …

Join others asking the big questions in a small pub. We’ll discuss belief, faith, and theology over a few beverages with featured speakers each month. No particular belief required, please be over 21.

"It seems to me what is called for is an exquisite balance between two conflicting needs: the most skeptical scrutiny of all hypotheses that are served up to us and at the same time a great openness to new ideas." -Carl Sagan We are a collection of open minded thinkers interested in ideas about truth and existence. We are interested in examining the human experience through science, religion, philosophy, and story telling to address the big questions in life. We respect all points of view and …

To properly describe the Grove of the Ancient Willow, imagine the Druids sailing from Europe in exploration or to get away from the execution of the Romans and they find North America by chance or by divination and prophecy. The druids meet the native American Tribes and not just befriend them but learn and grow along with them. Here the druids build new monuments as they move around north America and make themselves a new sanctuary alongside new friends. As part of the Grove we follow exactly t …

This is a group for anyone interested in the big questions of life...not just the "what" questions, but also the "why" questions. The goal is good conversation around good food and drink. While some of us approach the world from a Christian worldview, we welcome people of all faiths and people with no particular religious commitments. The only requirement is a willingness to respect other people, even when they hold a different view than your own. We look forward to thinking, laughing, and learn …

Have you always asked yourself: What is this thing called life? Why am I here? Where do we come from? Is this all there is, or is there more? When your loved ones die do you break your heart wondering: How is it that one day, my father, mother, brother, sister, child is here, the next, they are gone, and it is as if they never where here. What happens to them after life. And is this life truly worth living in the end?THE ESSENES HAVE THE ANSWER!!!Here, you will find answers to these questions an …

During weekly meetings on Friday evenings in East Meadow, Long Island, Atma-Nivedana dasa ("Atma") and Subhangada devi dasi ("Subhie") teach how to hear and chant sanskrit names for God in kirtan and a systematic study of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Kirtan meditation consists of hearing and chanting sanksrit names for God to the accompaniment of melodious and rhythmic music in order to invoke God's divine mercy and presence. Bhagavad Gita As It Is is studied according to the ancient, yet unbroke …

1) What we stand for: Equal rights for nonbelievers and believers We think everyone deserves the same rights and privileges regardless of whether or not they have religious beliefs Separation of government and religion At present there is way too much religion in politics and government to the detriment of both – we support their separation as prescribed in the US Constitution A sharing of the tax burden by all Tax exemptions and special privileges for religion cost US taxpayers as much as …

The purpose of Eckankar is to make God an everyday reality in your life. Have you had: * An out-of-body experience? * An inner nudge or intuition of what to do? * A sense that you have lived before? * An inner experience with light or sound? These are some of the spiritual experiences people have in their lives. You are welcome to join us as we share experiences with like-minded souls. Shine a bright light on your spiritual journey. We live in a time of unprecedented interest in spiritualit …