The newly created Secular Student Alliance at Sinclair (SSAS) had its first meeting this Winter Quarter.
The club was created to build a community for secular students, fight stigma against secularism, open a dialogue with religious students, and promote rational inquiry and science as legitimate ways to understand the world, according to its president, Cate Schoenharl.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a club like that at Sinclair Community College,” said Mohsen Khani, the clubs faculty advisor.
With more than 30 members signed up, the club is aiming to build membership before organizing any larger events, which may include public video screenings, speakers and debates.
“Since we’re still so young, we’re in the information gathering stage,” said Schoenharl. “[We’re] finding out what our members want the club to be for them.”
Curious students are welcome to come to SSAS meetings, although Schoenharl discourages people from coming “just for the sake of proselytizing to us.”
“Although it’s called the secular club, it doesn’t mean it’s confined to people who have secular ideas,” said Khani. “It’s just to have a dialogue among people of all different views and perspectives. Our mission is to bring a voice and enlighten people.”
“Mostly our meetings are just discussions. It’s just a nice place to talk to other people who aren’t going to attack your beliefs,” Schoenharl said. “We may attack each other for other things but in a friendly manner – it’s usually pretty lively.”
Although Schoenharl said that the existence of atheists can be upsetting to some people, the club exists to build community, not controversy.
“I want people to know we’re not here to stir up controversy, we’re here to provide a community for secular students,” Schoenharl said. “We don’t exist to attack anyone else’s beliefs, although we will certainly defend our beliefs.”
The club holds weekly meetings on alternating Mondays and Thursdays in Building 8 Room 036, with the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 15. Monday meetings start at 12:30 p.m. and Thursday meetings start at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, the club’s officers can be contacted by email at sinclairssa@gmail.com or through their Facebook page.