TFS proudly presents J. Anderson Thomson Jr., M.D.

The Triangle Freethought Society

proudly presents

Why We Believe In God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith

with

J. Anderson Thomson Jr., M.D.

Dr. Thomson provided a fascinating session as he introduced us to the growing scientific understanding of religion and the evolutionary drivers of religiosity.

Dr. Andy Thomson discusses "Why We Believe in God(s)" from Triangle Freethought Society on Vimeo.

More about J. Anderson Thomson Jr., M.D.:
His book “Why We Believe In God(s)” provides a brief and accessible guide to the exciting new discoveries that allow us to finally understand why and how the human mind generates, accepts, and spreads religious beliefs.

J. Anderson (Andy) Thomson Jr., M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. His current research interest is evolutionary psychology and using its principles to understand depression, suicide terrorism, and religious belief. He has publications on narcissistic personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, the psychology of racism, religion, psychobiographical essays on Robert E. Lee and Lee Harvey Oswald, depression, bipolar disorder, and forensic psychiatry.

Andy received his B.A. from Duke University (1970), his M.D. from the University of Virginia (1974) and did his adult psychiatry training at the University of Virginia (1974-77). His private practice is oriented toward individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy, forensic psychiatry, and medication consultation.

He served as the Assistant Director of the Center for the Study of Mind and Human Interaction at the University of Virginia, which involved interdisciplinary intervention and research in large-group ethnic and political conflict.

Since 2008, he has had the privilege of serving as a trustee for the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science.

The Triangle Freethought Society (TFS) is a membership-based, nonprofit education and advocacy organization dedicated to issues surrounding nontheism. Our membership is made up of nontheists, post-theists, atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, skeptics and humanists living and working in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. We are the local chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a national member-organization based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Our main purpose is to stand up for the separation of church and state as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Additionally, we work to:

  • Ensure that non-religious people enjoy the same rights as religious citizens.
  • Raise awareness and educate the general population about the concerns and issues facing the nontheist community.
  • Protect reason-based and scientific education within our school systems.
  • Engage in organized charitable and community improvement projects.
  • Create a sense of community for the nontheist population in our geographical area and beyond.

TFS is also an affiliate organization of the American Humanist Association (AHA).

The Freethoughts Blog is an outlet for the membership and guests of TFS. The opinions expressed here are the views of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of TFS. (View posting policy.)  (How to submit an article.)