CFI NYC - Events

LGBTQ Humanists - Open House Picnic

Starts: May 25^th at 2:00 pm
Ends: May 25^th at 5:00 pm

LGBTQ Humanists is a CFI-NYC social group for local secular humanists, atheists, agnostics, and skeptics who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, or trans*. An opportunity to meet and make friends with people of like minds and experiences. If you have an idea for an activity, let us know at nyc@centerforinquiry.net.

This month we're having an open picnic! Bring a sweet or savory dish to share, a drink for yourself, and a blanket to sit on. All friends and allies welcome!

We'll be by the big tree in the northwest corner of Sheep Meadow.

Metacognitive Brunch: a discussion group

Starts: May 26^th at 11:00 am
Ends: May 26^th at 1:00 pm

Fancy a midday helping of open-ended intellectual exchange? Join a small group of aspiring critical thinkers for great, inexpensive food and lively discussion of topics relating to skepticism, secularism, science, philosophy, psychology, and other matters of the mind. Get there early for a good spot! This event is tentatively scheduled for the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

CFI-NYC Harlem Discussion Group

Starts: May 26^th at 1:00 pm
Ends: May 26^th at 4:00 pm

The CFI-NYC Harlem discussion group provides opportunities for lively, knowledgeable conversations about many topics, mostly related tosecular issues and the local community. Meetings are held the last Sunday of each month in Harlem.

To learn more, visit CFI-Harlem's web calendar or CFI-NYC's Meetup page.

Nerd TV

Starts: May 28^th at 8:00 pm
Ends: May 28^th at 11:00 pm

Nerd TV brings the CFI community together for an evening of drinks and - well - nerdy television. A la "Science Fiction Theater," come ready to watch, critique, debate, shout at the screen and generally nerd-out over your favorite episodes of Tw______ Zo__, Do____ Wh_, Fi____y, and many more.

Drinking Skeptically

Starts: May 29^th at 8:00 pm
Ends: May 29^th at 11:00 pm

Drinking Skeptically, organized by the New York City Skeptics, is an informal event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical thinkers, and other like-minded individuals. Drinking Skeptically provides an opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality.

For more information, click here.

Freethinkers Rockin’ Out - The Apple Stomp (Ska/Hardcore)

Starts: May 31^st at 6:00 pm
Ends: May 31^st at 11:00 pm

Do you love music yet can't sing or play an instrument to save your soul? Let's repent by going out and enjoying great company, awesome music, and a rockin' great time! This is open to everyone (yes, even if you ARE a musician. It's not like we're bitter), and all genres will be considered for future outings. Just send an email to the FRO organizer, Tiffany Crespi at tpcrespi@hotmail.com or send her a friend request, or message via Facebook if you have any questions or suggestions for what you'd like to see.

Freethinkers Rockin' Out presents our second of many outings as rockstars... A two night event! Ska/Hardcore bands: The Suicide Machines, The Slackers, Spring Heeled Jack USA, Pilfers, Mephiskapheles, Murphy's Law, Mu330, Thumper, Metro Stylee, What's Your Problem, Brian, Westbound Train, and Bigger Thomas.

6pm Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st at Irving Plaza... Please buy your tickets in advance by clicking here ($29.50). This will be sold out with such an awesome lineup

Freethinkers Rockin’ Out - The Apple Stomp (Ska/Hardcore)

Starts: June 1^st at 6:00 pm
Ends: June 1^st at 11:00 pm

6pm Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st at Irving Plaza... Please buy your tickets in advance by clicking here ($29.50). This will be sold out with such an awesome lineup

Beyond Faith: An Ex-Christian Student Support Group

Starts: June 3^rd at 7:00 pm
Ends: June 3^rd at 8:30 pm

Beyond Faith is a support group for young people who are currently, or have in the past, gone through the often difficult process of leaving Christianity. Beyond Faith is for the person who doesn't quite fit in with the pack, a person whose ideals and beliefs do not jive with their peers, family members, or loved ones. This can be a tough journey, especially for those whose family and friends are unsupportive of their doubts and lack of belief. Our group aims to create a safe space of support, community, inclusiveness, and encouragement on this journey away from Christianity and towards a reason-based worldview. For some, just the idea of entertaining serious doubts about faith can be dangerous and overwhelming, and Beyond Faith seeks to ease the process and create a warm, welcoming and optimistic environment for like-minded folks on the same path.

Beyond Faith is open to any young people who identify as atheist, agnostic, Humanist, or who have serious doubts about Christianity. We are open to any and all denominations of Christianity. Beyond Faith is a safe space for women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and those who are differently-abled. Because of this, the facilitators and participants of this group will be expected to keep member identities, meeting locations, and content confidential to protect everyone involved.

To receive location details, please fill out the following questionnaire and email it to nyc@centerforinquiry.net:

New Member Questionnaire (please email to nyc@centerforinquiry.net before attending):
In an effort to ensure all members of this group are respectful and open to others, we ask that you fill out this short questionnaire so the organizers can tailor the group to its members. We have a zero-tolerance policy for evangelism at our meetings; people attending for the sake of evangelizing will be asked to leave. We do this in an effort to protect our members and ensure that our group is a safe space for all attendees.

This is NOT an application, all serious members will be invited regardless of answers to the questions below.

1. Why are you interested in Beyond Faith?

2. As much as you are comfortable sharing, can you tell us a little about yourself (including name/age/where you're from), and how your experiences have brought you the point you're at now?

3. Do you define yourself as any/all of the following: atheist, agnostic, humanist, nontheist, or any other term?

4. Where would you consider yourself on your journey out of Christianity and into atheism/agnosticism/nontheism/etc?

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. You are welcome and encouraged to bring friends and family members that you think may benefit from this group as well. We look forward to having you!

As there is limited space, we ask that you only attend if you are under the age of 30. If, however, you are older than 30 and are very interested in attending, or have attended our discussions in the past, please send us a private message and we may be able to work something out.

Muslim-ish: searching for truth, rejecting false idols, and fighting for freedom

Starts: June 5^th at 7:00 pm
Ends: June 5^th at 9:00 pm

Who are we?

We are muslims of varying degrees of religiousness:
Some of us are practicing Muslims who simply want to take a more objective look at out teachings.
Some of us want to discuss certain tenets of our faith that don’t sit well with us.
Some of us have come to the realization that organized religion isn’t for us and want to discuss why.

What do we want?

We want to find the truth, no matter what it is, and fight for our right to follow it.
We want to create a safe place for people to exchange thoughts and ideas that we were taught not to talk about.We want to support each other and help each other deal with family questions and formulate answers.
We want to give others the chance to choose what they want for themselves, without fear of death, imprisonment, or persecution.

Is it safe to attend?

We will invite people to our meetings publicly but the meeting location will only be known to people who have attended a meeting in the past. So there are only two ways for a new member, or observer, to attend the meeting.
1- By coming with an existing member.
2- By replying to one of the ads and the volunteer group leader, Ibrahim, will personally talk to them to make sure they are either Muslim-ish or moderate enough Muslims that they would not harm members or reveal their identity. Please send inquiries to muslimishnyc@gmail.com

And as this group is still in its infancy, we would like to keep it limited to people from Muslim backgrounds, as this will help us talk freely and comfortably knowing that we all come from the same place.

We will be meeting every two weeks, on Wednesdays, at 7PM, somewhere in Manhattan.

Humanist Culture Open Mic

Starts: June 5^th at 7:15 pm
Ends: June 5^th at 9:00 pm

The Humanist Culture Open Mic is a venue for people to share performance art inspired by science, the natural world, human progress and secular ethics. Bring a song, poem, comedy act, or story, whether original work or a cover of an existing piece that inspires you. Experienced and beginner artists encouraged to perform. All encouraged to listen.

The Humanist Culture Open Mic is co-sponsored by Center for Inquiry - New York City and New York Society for Ethical Culture. It takes place on the first Wednesday of each month.