2008 Woodie Awards
Seeking a debate on role of God and science
Matthew Kuka
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: News
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One such opportunity is the debate in March on the existence of God.
"I don't think we are going to solve the issue," Efthimiou said. "That's an issue that has been open for hundreds of years if not thousands, if not millions, since the first humans walked on earth. But it will be a debate to force them [students] to think about scientific interpretations and what is really happening in the world."
Efthimiou said that depending on the success of the debate, the CFA will most likely sponsor future discussions and debates on other crucial issues of society.
Students have mixed emotions on the role of the CFA on campus.
Dave Miller, an economics major, doesn't view himself as religious but as spiritual. Miller says there are a lot of different people and religions; he likes to see a group that doesn't fight but discusses these differences.
However, some students believe the CFA goes a bit too far with the way they act on campus. Joseph Allison, a 20-year-old engineering student, said that he feels it is their right to be on campus, but their methods outside the Student Union are sometimes more argumentative than helpful.
"If they were really serious about discussing religion," Allison said, "they wouldn't try their best to bash it every chance they get."
Swan says the CFA is a positive counterbalance to the religious organizations and movements on campus. The CFA says it promotes the freedom for inquiry and a release from dogmas and doctrines.
Swan said it's not that religious movements suppress peoples' thoughts as some may think, but that some people are taking things on blind faith. The CFA, however, demands the evidence.
The CFA is foremost a non-religious secular movement primarily for the students of UCF. The group is beginning anew after a nearly disastrous disbanding in spring 2006, and is once again reaching out to all UCF students.
Kyle Fasanella, a 20-year-old film student, stands above the crowd around the Student Union, wearing clothing reminiscent of Catholic priests and speaks to students and others around the Union. Fasanella and the CFA can be found almost weekly, braving the elements to share their belief of inquiry with passerbys.
CFA is nationally affiliated with the Center for Inquiry and has between 20 to 30 members. Although the membership is primarily atheist, it's not necessary to be an atheist or even someone who questions their faith, Swan said.
"We have many theists who come, and are members, active members, who come to all the meetings," Swan said. "Not just people who come once to yell at us, but people who come to, you know, hang out."
"I don't think we are going to solve the issue," Efthimiou said. "That's an issue that has been open for hundreds of years if not thousands, if not millions, since the first humans walked on earth. But it will be a debate to force them [students] to think about scientific interpretations and what is really happening in the world."
Efthimiou said that depending on the success of the debate, the CFA will most likely sponsor future discussions and debates on other crucial issues of society.
Students have mixed emotions on the role of the CFA on campus.
Dave Miller, an economics major, doesn't view himself as religious but as spiritual. Miller says there are a lot of different people and religions; he likes to see a group that doesn't fight but discusses these differences.
However, some students believe the CFA goes a bit too far with the way they act on campus. Joseph Allison, a 20-year-old engineering student, said that he feels it is their right to be on campus, but their methods outside the Student Union are sometimes more argumentative than helpful.
"If they were really serious about discussing religion," Allison said, "they wouldn't try their best to bash it every chance they get."
Swan says the CFA is a positive counterbalance to the religious organizations and movements on campus. The CFA says it promotes the freedom for inquiry and a release from dogmas and doctrines.
Swan said it's not that religious movements suppress peoples' thoughts as some may think, but that some people are taking things on blind faith. The CFA, however, demands the evidence.
The CFA is foremost a non-religious secular movement primarily for the students of UCF. The group is beginning anew after a nearly disastrous disbanding in spring 2006, and is once again reaching out to all UCF students.
Kyle Fasanella, a 20-year-old film student, stands above the crowd around the Student Union, wearing clothing reminiscent of Catholic priests and speaks to students and others around the Union. Fasanella and the CFA can be found almost weekly, braving the elements to share their belief of inquiry with passerbys.
CFA is nationally affiliated with the Center for Inquiry and has between 20 to 30 members. Although the membership is primarily atheist, it's not necessary to be an atheist or even someone who questions their faith, Swan said.
"We have many theists who come, and are members, active members, who come to all the meetings," Swan said. "Not just people who come once to yell at us, but people who come to, you know, hang out."