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About RET
Rationalists of East Tennessee is an organization created to benefit people by expanding understanding of the universe through the use of empirical and rational methods. Our purposes are as follows:

  • To foster an environment suitable to free speech and exchange of ideas.
  • To promote free inquiry into the nature of the universe and of human societies.
  • To encourage critical thinking on all aspects of human life.
  • To emphasize the importance of the scientific method.
  • To explore ethical and intellectual alternatives to supernatural beliefs.
  • To model humanistic ethics through service to the greater community.
  • To provide a fellowship for people who share these purposes.

Visitors are Welcome
Parents who bring children may choose to hear and see the speaker from an adjacent room.

How Do I Join RET?
We welcome you to attend our meetings to find out more about us. Find out what we're doing next by browsing the calendar at left or by sending email to info@rationalists.org. Once you've decided we're a group you'd like to associate with, either download our brochure and fill out the blank or print the HTML application found here.



Recent News and Events
Who is Mark Twain - Skeptic's Bookclub
We'll meet at the usual spot, Barnes and Nobel from 4-6pm on Sunday, February 14th. Bring your Valentine date! The book is by Mark Twain. Here's a description...


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Posted by dbuck
Feb. 08, 2010

Hi Friends of Darwin!
RETers have traditionally volunteered to help this wonderful local event. Here's your chance to get involved again!

Related Link: Darwin Day website

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Posted by dbuck
Feb. 03, 2010

Freedom of Information and Inquiry in K-12 Educati
RET is very fortunate to have the winner of the 2010 Tennessee Library Association Freedom of Information Award as our roundtable speaker this Sunday! Talk starts at 10:30 but come early for coffee and snacks. Title: Freedom of Information and Inquiry in K-12 Education. LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) issues and censorship. Presenter: Karyn Storts Brinks Location: Pelissippi State College, Goins Administration building. Annex off of the cafeteria.


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Posted by dbuck
Feb. 02, 2010

Reminder: Roundtable Sunday
The Practicality of Nonviolence: Thinking About Obama's Nobel Speech Jan. 17, 2010 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 pm at Pellissipi: Rev. Ralph Hutchison, Director of Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, discusses the President Obama's Oslo address. According to the President, evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism -- it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.

Posted by dbuck
Jan. 12, 2010

Reminder: Book Club on Sunday
Sunday, January 10th, Gerald Armel will lead a discussion of his book, "Encyclopedia of Discouraging News." If you have not already received a complimentary book from local author Gerald Armel and would like to read a copy before the January meeting, please contact him at service@sonomar.com and he will mail one to you. Location: Barnes and Nobel on Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN. 4-6pm.

Posted by dbuck
Jan. 04, 2010

Next Rountable - January 3rd
Florence Wilden will lead a rountable on "The Common Good and Individual Liberty" for our first event of 2010. The discussion is an exposition on the political ideologies of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an Enlightenment philosopher, and Ronald Dworkin, a Constitutional law professor. In their writings on "The Social Contract" and "Sovereign Virtue" each argues that the common good and individual liberty are not in conflict but rather flow naturally into one and other. The talk starts at 10:30 but come early to socialize and have some coffee/tea/snacks. This is also a good chance to renew your membership so bring your checkbooks if you haven't already paid your dues.

Posted by dbuck
Dec. 22, 2009

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