Peace, Reason & Humanity
Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity’s challenges. It is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives.
True peace also depends on our ability to live alongside people whose beliefs, identities, and perspectives differ from our own. Freedom of thought—including the freedom to believe, question, or not believe at all—is an essential part of a peaceful and inclusive society.
This International Day of Peace, we celebrate dialogue over division, reason over hostility, and our shared humanity over the differences that separate us. By promoting empathy, critical thinking, and mutual respect, each of us can contribute to a more peaceful world.
Building Peace Through Understanding
Peace begins with how we treat one another. In a world where differences in religion, politics, culture, and identity can easily become sources of division, choosing curiosity and understanding over hostility can make a meaningful difference. We do not need to agree on every issue to recognize each other’s dignity and right to live freely.
For secular and humanist communities, this also means defending freedom of conscience for everyone. The right to practice a religion and the right to live without religion are two sides of the same fundamental freedom. A peaceful society should never require someone to hide their beliefs—or their lack of belief—in order to feel accepted or safe.
Reason, Dialogue & a Path to Peace
Critical thinking also has an important role to play. Misinformation, prejudice, and fear can deepen divisions between communities. By questioning assumptions, seeking reliable information, and being willing to listen to perspectives different from our own, we can replace stereotypes with understanding and disagreement with constructive dialogue.
As we recognize the International Day of Peace this September, we encourage our community to consider the small ways we can contribute: listening before judging, challenging intolerance when we encounter it, supporting those whose freedoms are threatened, and remembering that our common humanity is greater than the labels that divide us.
Think Freely. Listen Openly. Live Peacefully.
Written with the help of ChatGPT
Pride Parade Street View Watch Party
Sunday, September 6
Come join us to watch and support the pride parade downtown outside the Canadian Blood Services on the corner of 9 Ave SW and 1st Street SW. Wear your RMA and Rainbow gear!
Go to our Meetup page to register and get more details.
Book Club
Thursday, September 10
Second Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
Join our monthly Book Club on the second Thursday of each month! Share your thoughts, enjoy the discussion, or simply come along—even if you haven’t read the book.
This month, the Book Club will be discussing the book Replaceable You : Adventures in Human Anatomy by Mary Roach
Head over to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
Thriving Without Religion:
A Public Gathering
Monday, September 14
Second Monday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
We are proud to present Thriving Without Religion, an in-person gathering designed to help you navigate life after faith and build a meaningful, joyful existence rooted in reason and community.
Congress Coffee Company, 215 36 Ave NE, 1A · Calgary, AB
Please note – we will not be screening attendees, so use caution if you are not “out” as a non-believer.
You can register on our Meetup Page to get updates.
Skeptics in the Pub
Friday, September 18
Third Friday of the month at 7:00 pm MST
Come to the pub, meet like-minded people and have thought-provoking discussions, along with a drink and some food.
This month’s topic is ?
Limericks Traditional Public House, 7304 Macleod Trail SE · Calgary, AB
Look for the RMA banner or ask the host where we are sitting!
You can register on our Meetup Page to get updates.
Coffee Chat Online
Monday, September 21
Third Monday of every month at 1:00 pm MDT
Our Coffee Chat is an enjoyable, unstructured afternoon conversation. Anyone can introduce an idea or ask a question, and the group will jump in and discuss it. You never know where the conversation will go, but it is always interesting and sometimes even educational. Join us and add your two cents’ worth.
Go to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
WeCanReason Webinar
Wednesday, September 23
Fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
Making America Hurt Again? The dark rise of medical disinformation with David Robert Grimes
David Robert Grimes is a scientist, broadcaster, and author whose work focuses on the public understanding of science, medical misinformation, research integrity, and critical thinking. A frequent contributor to major international media, he is a recipient of the John Maddox Prize for standing up for science and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is also the author of Good Thinking: How Flawed Logic Puts Us All at Risk and How Critical Thinking Can Save the World.
Head over to our Meetup Page to register and get the Zoom link.
Monthly Board Meeting
Thursday, September 24
Fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm MST
The Board of RMA meets on the 4th Thursday of each month. Meetings are open to all, but only Board members can vote.
Check out our Meetup page for the link and other details.
All details of our events can be found on our Meetup Page at https://www.meetup.com/rockymountainatheists/events/.