Atheist group likely to get $67,000 in UW-Madison student fees

[rug]

Nov. 14, 2012 6:12 p.m.
By Annysa Johnson of the Journal Sentinel

An atheist group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison seems on track to receive nearly $70,000 in student fees for staffing and programming next year, in what appears to be a first for the university and student atheist groups nationally.

The Atheists, Humanists, and Agnostics, or AHA as it's called, said it will provide support services for students struggling with doubts about their faiths and offer a safe place where they can discuss religious issues without fear of recrimination.

"Religious groups have been receiving this type of funding for years," said Chris Calvey, president of the organization, which helped stage a three-day Freethought Festival that drew hundreds of nonbelievers and skeptics from around the country to Madison this year.

"It's about time that secular students got the support we deserve," Calvey said.

http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/atheist-group-likely-to-get-67000-in-uwmadison-student-fees-n27koob-179388121.html

[David__77]

1. Atheist group "struggling with doubts?"

Atheists aren't generally described as "struggling with doubts" over their worldview. That strikes me as either a misunderstanding, or an oddity if true.

[Goblinmonger]

3. Why not?

and it actually says

it will provide support services for students struggling with doubts about their faiths and offer a safe place where they can discuss religious issues without fear of recrimination.

Which means they will try and be there for people that are having doubts and let them know that they are OK for having those thoughts. Why is that a bad thing?

[rurallib]

2. wow - think I just heard some heads pop.

[Goblinmonger]

4. My daughter belongs to that group.

They are a good bunch of kids from all I've seen/heard.

[rug]

5. It looks like an active and vibrant group.

http://wiscatheists.blogspot.com/

The breakdown of the funds is at that link, dated November 8.

[cbayer]

6. Makes sense to me. Suspect there will be more and more of this kind of recognition.

[cleanhippie]

7. Chapters of the Secular Student Alliance (SSA) are opening on campuses across the country!

https://www.secularstudents.org/


They, in turn, are supported by the AHA, the FFRF, American Atheists...

The tide is turning toward a more secular country. And it is making the country a better place.