We are eager and excited to have our ally from the Secular community Sam McGuire (American Atheist) be our next Speaker of the 2026 Summer Speaker Series. She will be here at the Fayetteville library on September 26th. Get tickets now here!
Wait and it might be too late. We sold out our last event. So secure your tickets NOW!!!
Saturday, September 26th at 2pm – Sam McGuire (American Atheists) @ Fayetteville Library (Ziegler Reception Room).
Kicking off the Fall – Recent Activities
September has been a good month so far. The last day of astronomical summer 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere is Monday, September 21, 2026, as the season officially ends with the autumn equinox on Tuesday, September 22.
The fall is my favorite time of the year and we have a lot coming up. Before we discuss what is coming up let us discuss some recent activities. I recently celebrated my 46th birthday and we have already tabled at the Bentonville Farmers Market.
Our next event is a Secular Sunday meeting – I hope you will come out and join us for this business and social meeting on Sunday in Springdale.
September 20th (Sunday) – 10:00am to 11:00am
- Sunday Secular Meeting @ Onyx Coffee Springdale (100 E Emma Ave, Springdale, AR 72764 ) – Come join us for our monthly business and social meeting.
Farmer Market – Story Time – On Secular Morality
On Saturday September 12th (yesterday when I am writing this) we had a very good time at the Bentonville Framers Market. It was mostly a slower day with friends just chilling and chatting at the booth. A few sign ups, waves, and hellos from the farmer market crowd. As well a some delightful “USA!, USA!, USA!” chants by the kiddos. But at one point we had 2 young gentlemen engage us in some civil discourse. They wanted to “talk” about morality. They felt strongly that morality had to come from “god” or religion. We clearly disagreed.
In the end I did recommended if they were sincerely curious they can do some research online. I pointed them to the American Humanist as well as suggested a simple google search about molality without religion. So in the spirt of their curiosity I thought I might share a few this here for those who might also be interested in digging deeper and learning more on their own.
Secular Morality Frameworks
Humanism: Secular humanism teaches that humans can be ethical through reason and empathy without needing a divine command.
Evolutionary Roots: Cooperation and fairness developed in social mammals long before organized religion existed to help groups survive.
Philosophical Systems: Thinkers use logic, such as reducing harm or applying the golden rule, to build fair societies.
For those who wish to watch a few videos – here they are.
Goodness does not Need A God
Seth Andrews of the Thinking Atheist and James Hodgson of Humanism Now
Sara of @leavingfaith YouTube channel – on Objective Morality
Importance of voting – Make your voice heard
Let me speak of the important of voting. FFRF is non partisan organization which means we will not tell you how to vote. But no one can deny the importance of getting out and voting. Let your voice be heard through your vote and your daily actions. Vote like your rights depend on it!
https://ffrf.org/misc-for-landing-pages/vote-for-your-rights
Please check your Arkansas registration here, and if you are not actively registered please do so before Oct 05th the deadline in Arkanasas. I am sure there is a similar link for OK and Missouri, so if in doubt verify you can vote in the mid-term elections.
Local Candidates/Forums
I know it can be hard to find out about candidates and forums so locally here are a few sources you can use to find out more and educate yourself.
National Level
Our friend Hemant Mehta (The Friendly Atheist) made a recent post about non-religious candidates – With the help of the Center for Freethought Equality PAC (the political action arm of the American Humanist Association), I’ve compiled a list of all the openly non-religious candidates running for office at the state and federal level.
https://www.cfequality.org/find-candidates
This year, there are more “Nones” on the ballot than ever before: Nearly 200 candidates. They use a variety of labels to describe themselves, but they are all people who don’t subscribe to organized religion.
You can check out the full list here:
Our allies with the American Humanist highlight their Humanist Vote link.
Upcoming Events and Activities
September 20th (Sunday) – 10:00am to 11:00am
- Sunday Secular Meeting @ Onyx Coffee Springdale (100 E Emma Ave, Springdale, AR 72764 ) – Come join us for our monthly business and social meeting.
September 26th (Saturday) – 7:30am to 12:30pm
- Fayetteville Farmers Market – The Ozarks Chapter of FFRF will be at the Fayetteville Farmers Market! Come meet likeminded freethinkers and spend time chatting with fellow citizens of the Ozarks.
September 26th (Saturday) – 2:00pm to 3:00pm @ Fayetteville Public Library
- Secular Speaker Series with Sam McGuire (American Atheists) – Come join us for our third speaker series event of 2026 as we listen to Sam McGuire, Director of Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy, as she discusses the various violations of Church/State Separation that their organization gets involved. Get tickets here!
October 10th (Saturday) – 7:30am to 12:30pm
- Bentonville Farmers Market – Come join us for the final Bentonville Farmers market of the season as we engage the community on secular values. Look for us in the Free Speech area at 2nd Street and A Street Promenade.
October 16th to 18th (Friday to Sunday) – All Day
- FFRF National Convention (Milwaukee, WI)
October 22nd (Thursday) – 6:00pm to 7:00pm @ Bentonville Public Library
- Secular Speaker Series with Fish Stark (American Humanist Association) – Come join us for our final speaker series event of 2026 as we listen to Fish Stark, Executive Director for the American Humanist, and has been at the forefront of Church/State Separation issues. Get tickets here!
- https://www.kuaf.com/community-calendar/event/2026-secular-speaker-series-4-fish-stark-executive-director-with-the-american-humanist-association-01-06-2026-11-27-26
October 24th (Saturday) – 7:30am to 12:30pm
- Fayetteville Farmers Market – The Ozarks Chapter of FFRF will be at the Fayetteville Farmers Market for the final time in 2026! Come meet likeminded freethinkers and spend time chatting with fellow citizens of the Ozarks.
