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.