Losing our religion: Agnosticism on the rise around CMU

Not everyone believes in God.

One registered student organization on campus wants people like this to feel welcome at its meetings.

The Nonreligious, Atheist, Free Thinker and Agnostic Alliance is an RSO that started earlier this semester and meets at 9 p.m. every Tuesday in Brooks Hall Room 148.

Last month the group achieved official RSO status and has been holding weekly meetings since.

Farmington Hills senior Aaron Lesniak, president of the group, said the point of the organization is to dispel negative stereotypes about non-religious people.

“We want to support those who are afraid to mention that they are agnostic, atheist or non-religious,” he said, “and want to talk to others about their views,” he said.

Lesniak said he does not need God to make moral or ethical decisions and believes that there is not enough evidence to support belief in a higher power.

The RSO holds open forum discussions on a wide range of topics, Lesniak said, including moral and ethical values.

Last week the group showed a screening of Bill Maher’s “Religulous,” a comedic documentary that satirizes organize religion.

Royal Oak senior Kirk Wilcox co-founded the group with Lesniak, and said the group is a good outlet for people who don’t feel accepted for their beliefs.

Wilcox, like Lesniak, is an atheist and said the group is open to people of any religious affiliation.

“A Catholic buddy of mine came and said it was interesting,” he said. “If you’re wondering how an atheist or agnostic thinks, this would be a good group to go to.”

The group works with the Open Grove Society and has gotten mostly positive feedback so far, Lesniak said.

Clinton Township sophomore Brad O’Donnell has been a group member since the first meeting and said he believes atheists are not trusted in today’s society.

“Religion is faith and I don’t believe in things based on faith,” he said. “I believe in facts and science and rational discourse. Religion doesn’t allow for that.”

O’Donnell said he has dabbled in religion, but his faith never really took hold.

Saginaw freshman Katie Leach, an agnostic, said it’s good to have a sense of community among people who are non-religious.

“It’s nice to be where people understand,” Leach said.

For more information on NAFAA, e-mail the RSO at nafaacmu@gmail.com.

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