It’s an ideal the Dogma-Free Society is trying to live out. A registered student organization, the society aims to offer an environment where non-religious students, those questioning their beliefs and anyone interested in topics pertaining to non-religious students can come together to discuss current issues.

The society’s goal is to dispel the stigma of the non-religious as amoral or “bad people”.

“You shouldn’t judge a person by their religious affiliation,” said Dylan Clauson, president of the Dogma-Free Society, “You can be good without God.”

The Holt sophomore said he feels the non-religious are underrepresented at CMU, as there are many religious groups on campus which are not inclusive for those without a faith.

Port Huron freshman Lauren Kyllonen understands the feeling.

“There are a lot of posters in the cafeteria, right in your face, telling you to come to this or that religious event.” Kyllonen said.

She said he has found the experience of the meetings to be stimulating so far. She said she found the group’s relaxed atmosphere a good place to meet like-minded individuals.

The group was formerly known as the Non-religious Atheists, Free thinkers and Agnostics Alliance, but was changed to promote inclusion within the group. Klauson felt the name was too specific and wanted to be more welcoming to those interested in hearing the views of the group.

In addition to discussion, the Dogma-Free Society hopes to increase its involvement in philanthropy around the community while building a relationship with other religious groups.

The group co-sponsored an event with S.E.C.R.E.T and Open Grove, RSOs focusing on religious exploration and discussion. Dogma-Free hopes to become more involved in on campus religious events in the future to reach out and raise awareness of a non-religious option for students, Klauson said.

The group meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays in Anspach 150. Klauson encourages students to join in on the meetings and send a message to non-religious students on campus.

“Come to the meetings, you’re not alone,” he said. “If you feel discriminated against for your views come to us for support.”

According to Secular Student Alliance, a national umbrella organization for the secular student movement, there are 159 campus groups affiliated with the nationwide organization as of Labor Day, up from 100 in 2008 and 80 in 2007.

Kirk Wilcox, president of the Non-Religious, Atheist, Free Thinker and Agnostic Alliance, a registered student organization he helped start last semester, said he is not surprised campuses across the county are seeing increasing numbers of non-religious students.

“Over the years, it’s become more acceptable — people should be proud of who they are,” the Royal Oak senior said. “If you want to be a Christian and go to church, that’s fine, but there should be institutions for people who aren’t religious.”

Wilcox said Christians also are becoming more accepting of non-religious individuals.

The reasons

Macomb senior Jake Barnett, NAFAA vice president, said there are various reasons for the increasing numbers of non-religious students, including education and the economy.

“When people are ethically and financially stable, it prevents them from exploring religious options and they tend to focus on themselves and others,” he said.

Barnett said he believes every minority in the county deserves to be represented, including those non-religious, such as atheists and agnostics.

“If we can influence elections, then we can show we have a voice,” he said. “Once we are visible, hopefully we can stop the negative stereotypes.”

The results of the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey parallel similar results regarding broader secular demographics.

Last year, 76 percent of American adults identified themselves as Christian, down from 86 percent in 1990, according to the study.

The study reports increases among the religiously unaffiliated especially prominent in people younger than 30.

A ‘belief around nothing’

Jeremy Priest, a pastoral associate at St. Mary’s University Parish, 1405 S. Washington St., finds it interesting that non-religious individuals are forming groups together.

“They’re forming a common belief around nothing,” Priest said. “I’d like to ask them what they’re community is founded upon. Christians get together to celebrate the Lord’s creation and resurrection on the eighth day. Why do atheists get together?”

Priest said the increasing numbers of people unaffiliated with religion could be partly to blame on Christians failing to live with a true spirit of joy and conviction.

The Non-Religious, Atheist, Free Thinker, and Agnostic Alliance meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday in Moore Hall Room 116.