Group takes different perspective on religion

jamie.hoehn

Atheists and Agnostics on Northern’s campus come together and meet because of a student organization — the Campus Freethought Alliance.

The group, which formed in the fall of 2007, has set out to bring Atheists and other free-thinkers together to promote a positive image and to have a place to gather and call their own, said Alliance President Stephanie Kuhlman.

“People can breathe a sigh of relief, now they have people to talk to who believe in the same thing they do,” she said.

Kuhlman added that people would be surprised at how many others are out there who share the same views as the students in the group, and she said she wants them to know they are not alone in that respect.

The group holds weekly meetings on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Pioneer B room of the University Center. While there are about 60 or 70 members on the mailing list, only about 15 people attend meetings regularly. The Alliance is always looking for new members and they welcome those who have an open mind and are willing to bring a positive addition to the group.

At the meetings, members discuss religion and plan volunteer events like the Haunted Bog Walk Fundraiser, an event they recently participated in. The group also discusses speakers they would like to bring to Northern’s campus.

The group will host an upcoming event called the Superstition Bash. The evening will address superstitions and will be a night to have fun and laugh in the face of many popular superstitions, Kuhlman said. Participants will walk under ladders, smash mirrors and perform other superstitious acts.

Students who would like more information on schedules and events from the Campus Freethought Alliance should contact Stephanie Kuhlman at [email protected], or their group adviser Marcus Robyns at [email protected]