Ball State University Now Has an Atheist Group

Hooray for my Alma Mater doing something awesome! and by the looks of that picture, I used to play in the university’s wind ensemble with one of them.

I’ve got to say, that is an awesome logo!

I just joined the group last week after the school newspaper did a piece on their Darwin day activity. I’m excited to finally have a group like this on campus.

“It’s a statement about whether or not there is a god,” he said. “It’s just one thing. It’s not a way of life. It’s not a world view. It’s just this one question.”

Actually, this ends up coming across as being a rather naive statement. If the statement in question was simply an isolated one of “there is no God” vs the more commonly accepted “there is a God”, it would simply be one question rather than a worldview. But a world view ends up being implicitly involved because the theist standpoint (“there is a God”) is a worldview (even if it is one that is all too often nebulously defined).

Thus, every area of thought touched on by the theistic worldview will need a corresponding question and answer from atheists regarding that same area of thought. (Where do we all come from, what happens after death, how do we cope with tragedy, why do things happen in our lives, what moral values should be followed, what does the future hold for us, etc.)

Atheists don’t have an involved “non-creed” or a specific list of requirements to follow, but a worldview is definitely involved, it’s simply one where materialism/naturalism defines answers (or causes related questions to be asked) regarding the areas of thought that the theistic worldview seems to have answers in place for.

Like it or not, a worldview is involved and simply saying that atheists (as a group) don’t have a formal one is just begging the question IMO.

Thanks for posting Hemant! We are so excited about our group.  That awesome logo is due to the amazing graphic art skills of member Nathan Capaccio. 

 With all due respect, if you had considered what I was saying, you would realize that you don’t have to have a pre-existing, built-in response to any and everyone’s worldviews. But by saying that atheism is simply a response to one question and one question only, anyone who has any worldview questions will ask what you think about the life issues that their particular worldview already covers to whatever degree. (In other words, if only one life question and answer has been put forth by the atheists, what about all the other life questions and answers that have not?)

If you had read the article being cited, you would have noted that the booth staffers had to answer many questions of that nature and most of the questions would have come from believers. And unless the staffers were interested in blowing off such questions with rude responses, they would have had to consider what their answers to those questions would be. And since those questions would center around life issues (which is what a worldview is all about), the answers would be worldview answers.

So like it or not, a worldview (and the thoughtful self examination required to produce it) is going to come forth. And the answers may not apply to all atheists as a group. But that, as I said, is simply begging the question.

GO BALL STATE! 
I’m such a proud alum!  The Cards don’t often get recognition, so it’s always super exciting to see the school featured.  I’ll have to contact you guys next time I’m visiting Muncie.
Thanks for posting this, Hemant!!

If anyone from the group is reading this, I’m curious who your faculty sponsor is? 

Thanks! also, I believe that was me you played with lol. 

As as proud Ball Sate alum I say BRAVO.  The bible belt needs WAY more groups like this.  Bravo!