Delays

Due to a really messed-up series of events at my school this past Thursday and Friday, I was not able to ask any teachers to sponsor. On Monday I will try to, but because of an unfair detention being scheduled on that very date, it might be impossible to get the chance.

Secular Club, Part 1

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

So, today I began to try and establish a Nontheism or similar club at my school. It began right after school, when I got ahold of my school principal, whom I choose, out of an unreturned respect, not to name.

When I asked him if I could find out how to start a new club, he replied that it was really quite simple. He asked what sort of club I wanted to form. After I said that it was to be a Secular, or Humanist, or Freethought club, he showed clear signs of protest in his facial expression. He, in a confused tone, told me "I don't understand."

Slowly, I restarted. I said that, similar to what the Christian Impact Club does for Christian students, the as-yet unnamed club would facilitate students who don't specifically have a religion. So he replied "I still don't understand. What would you do?"

I said that we would try to "help the community, without doing so in the name of a religion", to "dispel myths and rumors about irreligious people", and to "read works from philosph--

At that point I was rudely cut off by my principal. He stated something to the effect of "I just don't understand what you mean by that. And, besides...", he trailed off, "...you need to have a teacher sponsor file a written request for the club. Then we'll talk."

I tried to continue talking, and to acknowledge that I would find a sponsor, but he was insistint on dodging any further conversation with a delightful lecture about disinfecting chairs and tables, which he had been doing for most of our talk.

I thanked him for his time after he asked me to leave the room.



So far, its going okay.

Hobos

So yesterday I got to feed the homeless. At a church, no less. But that is beside the point, I did it to help out some people who are down on their luck. Generally I'm wary of people will no roof of their own, but they are actually actively searching for a job and house. That's one of the requirements, you have to be a temporary hobo in order to receive help.

Anyhow, that's what I did. I voluntold my friend Nicki into it, so I wasn't stuck completely bored the whole night. Probably the best spent Sunday of my life

Cogito, ergo atheos svm

So I've been thinking about this since around October, but I've finally made up my mind to start a Nontheism or Atheism or Free-thought group at THS. I know at least a handful of people that would be somewhat interested in joining, which is a major plus.

One thing that's been bugging me lately is my parents. I asked them for a subscription to Freethought Today, a newspaper printed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Their rationales for not agreeing include; my non-belief being just a "phase", which they thoroughly hold as fact; the possibility of jobs and schools refusing my admission because of my atheism, which holds no ground because of non-discrimination laws; their own faith, as they don't want any heretical or blasphemous texts in the house.

Ugh. Whatever.