Students at the University of Kentucky just formed an atheist group on campus back in August, but they’re already getting media coverage just for existing:
The group has gained more members than it expected, and feedback has been mostly positive, said Ben Augustine, the alliance’s president. About 25 students attended its most recent meeting, and more than 100 people have “liked” its Facebook page.
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Family science senior Bridgett Lyall said the group is a good support group for her. Lyall grew up in Hodgenville, Ky., and in a nondenominational household.
While she began to identify as an atheist more than two years ago, she waited to tell her family until she was absolutely certain of her beliefs. Her parents cried after she told them seven months ago she was not a Christian, she said.
“My dad said he blamed himself for talking about philosophical things with me,” Lyall said. “I assured him it was all me, and I just wanted to discover different things.”
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Augustine and other members said the group isn’t recruiting or trying to convert students to atheism. Instead, they are focused on inviting and accommodating those who are already nonreligious into the organization.
“As soon as someone finds out you are atheist or agnostic, you’re automatically a heathen,” Lyall said. “It’s not true. We’re still good people.”
That’s what it takes to get coverage in a lot of cities and campuses these days — let people know you’re atheists and you’re not bad people.
I’m not complaining. Just saying the bar is pretty low, so we might as well take advantage of it by being “out” in as many places as possible.
If you’re on or near the campus, check out their Facebook page!
