Faith/No Faith

In an exchange with a reporter from American Atheist magazine in 1987, former President George H.W. Bush said, "I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."Not to dump on Bush, but his comments illustrate some surprisingly widespread misconceptions about people who happen not to be gifted with faith. Rockhurst theology and philosophy student Nick Wagner, in an attempt to dispel some misunderstandings, is forming a Kansas City Secular Humanism Meetup group, which has its first meeting at 6 p.m. today at a south Kansas City Starbucks (13121 State Line Road, 816-941-2873). "Basically, I read a lot about secularism outside of school. I'm really interested in it, and I wanted to be active in it outside of school," Wagner says. "Usually, I describe myself as an atheist. But secular humanist is a more friendly term. There are a handful of groups in the city, and not many people actually use the term atheist." Wagner is looking to connect people on all sides of faith issues. "I even want people of faith to come and meet and talk. But nothing too formal — just get some coffee and have a conversation." For more information, see secularhumanism.meetup.com/12/cal endar/6726773. Secular Humanism Meetup
Sat., Dec. 27, 2008