Positive Experience: Atheist/Secular Humanist Meetup Group

[delilah]

I recently began attending a local meetup group in my city for Atheists/Agnostics & Freethinkers. Although I identify as such, I was strangely reluctant to go to the group. I'm happy to report that I found it an entirely positive experience. I live in a small fairly progressive city in the Western US. The group was mostly white, professional, retired people, but had a handful of us "younger" folks under 50 and a little racial diversity. The group has regular Sunday brunches and potlucks as well as interesting scientific and philosophical discussions. They also meet for good works, like serving the homeless or fundraising for social justice causes.

Very few of our conversations were explicitly about atheism or religion. Mostly it's just a way to hang out with people you have something in common with. Not really that different from a church potluck, only minus the "church". I did meet some people about my age with similar issues of religions from childhood, and it was great to be able to compare notes and not feel alone with my religious baggage. Also, the group is very flexible and not just for hardcore atheists, but for agnostics, wishy-washy semi-theists, and those of us who just generally identify as "nonbelievers".

For anyone in the atheist/humanist/agnostic/nonbeliever category, if you're feeling like you'd like some of the camaraderie of church without the "church" part, I'd highly recommend checking out such groups in your own area (if they exist). These were hosted through meetup.com but there might be other venues as well.

Cheers!

[KLP]

Good for you. Very interesting.

[Tsathoggua]

Fascinating! I may have to do this myself, one day.

[delilah]

What I found odd and interesting about the experience (in a good way!) was how it was kind of like the good stuff I associate with church (camaraderie, food, hanging out, friendly people), only without the "church" part. In a weird sort of way it was like a church potluck just minus the religion. I do miss the social part of church so I hope more groups like this can help atheists/semi-theists/non-theists enjoy the good stuff about religion but without the negative part.