Fellowship of Reason
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fellowship of Reason is a moral community based in Atlanta, in the United States. Its founder, Martin L. Cowen III, calls himself a "non-theist", and says that although he does not believe in God or other things supernatural, he nonetheless thinks that churches serve a useful function by providing "moral communities." Wishing to have a moral community that is not theistic (although not officially opposed to theism) he founded that organization.
Fellowship of Reason is also the title of Cowen's book.
The purpose of the organization is to provide a social context in which participants may find it easier to achieve personal flourishing, meaning in life, and happiness. This is done through adult education, philosophical discussion, the recognition of personal accomplishments, the promotion of purposeful living and personal reflection, and the celebration of cherished values and important life events.
Their philosophical stance, a form of eudaimonism, has a number of influences, notably: Ayn Rand's tenet that "Reason, Purpose, [and] Self-esteem" should be the three highest values guiding human life, Abraham Maslow's writings on self-actualization, Joseph Campbell's study of myth, as well as Aristotle's and the Stoics' ideas regarding eudaimonia as the ultimate aim of life. They advocate human relations based on reason and goodwill.
[edit] Six essential activities of the organization
Participants in the Fellowship of Reason practice FROLEC:
- Fellowship: They gain greater awareness of themselves through friendships with others of similar values.
- Reflection: They take time to quietly reflect on the challenges of their lives in order to improve their ability to meet them.
- Orientation: They remind themselves of their chosen values and principles regularly.
- Learning: They discuss philosophy and literature to learn to live more wisely.
- Enjoyment of Art: They enjoy art as a means of gaining emotional fuel.
- Celebration: They participate in ceremonies that symbolically mark significant life events or uphold important values.
