Non-Theist groups in Schools?

**Warprosper** · 02-28-11, 08:52 AM

"High school non-theist groups are getting dedicated support from a national organization but their schools are flipping out. What does this mean for the future of atheism?"

Link to article

High School Atheists Are Organizing -- Why Are Schools Pushing Back? | Belief | AlterNet

I can understand the need for some after/durring school groups, but what does a group like this meet to discuss?

Hey whats up Tim, you don't believe in god? Oh thats cool.... What did you do today....

What could a group like this possibly accomplish?

I am more along the lines of an empiricist, and i think this is a dumb idea.

**triggerhappy2005** · 02-28-11, 08:58 AM

How about we keep the topic of religion, whether for or against, out of school all together.

**WickedTribe** · 02-28-11, 09:05 AM

I agree with Trigger's statement and with War's question. Most atheists would have as little to say about God as most Christians would about Zeus. I guess that, if you're from a very religious family or part of the country, you might need some support structure, but a public school shouldn't be involved in it.

**Warprosper** · 02-28-11, 09:16 AM

Ultimately what I see happening here is this:

You either support all the religious groups or none at all.. but it seems as though these School Boards are letting their beliefs carry a lot of weight in their decisions.

**Beige Lantern** · 02-28-11, 09:21 AM

If the groups are hosted by students with a faculty advisor, the public schools aren't "getting involved in it" any more than they're legally obligated to. Equal rights legislation has established that a school that allows clubs to meet after school is required to also allow religious groups to meet.

As for what an atheist group discusses? How about:

1. What to say to all the students and adults with open contempt for us
2. What DO we believe in?
3. How can we show the community our commitment to morality and justice despite our lack of religious basis?
4. Invite expert guests from various fields such as sociology and evolutionary science

And that's just off the top of my head.

The only thing that bothers me with this is the whole "non-theist" crap. That's what the prefix "a" means: without. People love to change terms to avoid stigmas (which is why we stopped saying pro-abortion and anti-abortion decades ago) but thinking that "non-theist" is going to avert the stigma is assuming the reason people don't like atheists is because of the name. Um, no, people don't like atheists because they challenge the base of their whole story of reality.

**Alundil** · 02-28-11, 09:24 AM

First, I think that Wicked is correct on this. Religion and education have no need to be attached at the hip. Different purposes requiring different venues. Additionally, with the complete cluster fuck that is American Public Education....stop the madness and just teach the basics FFS...no tricks....no standardized test prep....just simply teach them as much as you can in the time you've got them. Some/most will absorb most/all of it. There will always be those who do not or cannot. Do not hold the future of the country hostage in order to make your quota of passing student.... /rant

Originally Posted by Warprosper

....but it seems as though these School Boards are letting their beliefs carry a lot of weight in their decisions.

On this note: Shocking that there are groups of people doing......what people do (championing their pet cause)

**triggerhappy2005** · 02-28-11, 09:25 AM

By virtue of the fact that a faculty advisor is present, I would say that the public school is getting involved.

**WickedTribe** · 02-28-11, 09:26 AM

I agree with the idea of a support group if necessary, but as for shared beliefs, atheism / non-theism isn't a belief, it's a lack of beliefs. I don't necessarily have any beliefs in common with other atheists, any more than I do with people who also don't believe in Zeus, or the tooth fairy.

**Warprosper** · 02-28-11, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Non Sequitur Persona

If the groups are hosted by students with a faculty advisor, the public schools aren't "getting involved in it" any more than they're legally obligated to. Equal rights legislation has established that a school that allows clubs to meet after school is required to also allow religious groups to meet.

As for what an atheist group discusses? How about:

1. What to say to all the students and adults with open contempt for us
2. What DO we believe in?
3. How can we show the community our commitment to morality and justice despite our lack of religious basis?
4. Invite expert guests from various fields such as sociology and evolutionary science

And that's just off the top of my head.

The only thing that bothers me with this is the whole "non-theist" crap. That's what the prefix "a" means: without. People love to change terms to avoid stigmas (which is why we stopped saying pro-abortion and anti-abortion decades ago) but thinking that "non-theist" is going to avert the stigma is assuming the reason people don't like atheists is because of the name. Um, no, people don't like atheists because they challenge the base of their whole story of reality.

It is my opinion that groups like this are formed with a hidden agenda to promote your beliefs and show what you stand for. This goes for all religious groups. There is a difference between habitat for humanity and religious mission groups, they may accomplish the same goals, but one of them is happy to have yet another helping hand, while the later will frown on your beliefs.

as far as the "non-theist groups in schools" goes .... it was just a quote from the topic. not a substantial pro blah blah or anti blah blah...