FTO - Past, Present, Future

We have been a very loosely organized group over the last year and are slowly and methodically forming into a cohesive organization.

Mission Statement:

Our Mission is to let other freethinkers in our geographical area know that they are not alone in their beliefs or more importantly, their lack of belief. How we accomplish this mission: hosting a Meet-up.com site; holding regular weekly meetings; volunteering with ASPCA and High Plains Food Bank; hosting a freethoughtoasis.org web site. There are other types of events planned in the future for example: Jr. Freethinkers Club; hosting guest speakers; joining the Texas Adopt a Highway program; volunteering with other local charities.

Date of Birth:

Our first meet-up, as the Panhandle Pastafarians, was at Red Robin Restaurant May 9th, 2009. It was awkward at first but very invigorating by the end of our first meeting. We have held a weekly meeting ever since that time and have plans to do the same far into the future.

Our Future:

We have filed for and are now recognized in the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation as of June 28th, 2010. We are currently in the process of filling out form 1023 with the IRS to receive tax-exempt status and hope to have this in place by the end of 2010 at which time we will be considered a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

WHY are we forming this group and going to all this trouble -the best way to explain that is to reread the mission statement. For me personally, I have never felt freer in my entire life as I do right now knowing that I am working with a great group of extremely intelligent and courageous people. I readily call these freethinkers my friends and an even more profound statement would be –“my best friends are atheists”.

In my opinion, our mission was accomplished at our first meeting as we stepped out into the open and found that we were not alone.

We welcome all freethinkers to join our group in our mission to let others know “they are not alone”.

- Rodney Hinds