Tyler Croxall í11, Philip Wagner í11, Emily ëEmmaí Popovich í11 and Michelle Mate í11 are all founders of a new and upcoming club: The Free Thinkers Club.
ìWe started the group for two reasons ó for equal representation and to deter the taboo of atheism and agnosticism,” said Popovich. In an attempt to change the way the world thinks, all four founders decided to start right here at the The College of Wooster.
ìI think there is a very bad representation of atheists and agnostics on campus. Also, people think that if you are not associated with a religion, then you have no religious moral codes to adhere to,” said Popovich, ìand this is not right.”
Atheism and agnosticism are not widely represented in politics and are not a popular topic nowadays. The Free Thinkers Club wants to acknowledge even more diversity ó an active component in upholding the campus community characterization.
The club does not limit its members to just agnosticism or atheism. ìThis would raise a question of which one has a higher power,” said Popovich. The club leaves it open to those who are questioning religion in general or another alternative to agnosticism and atheism ó those who are ìin between,” as it said on their first poster.
Their preliminary meeting was on Oct 26 at 9 p.m. About 30 people were in attendance, including the four founding officers. ìOur first meeting was just to see how many people were interested and wanted to be involved. We talked about what the group was about, mission statements, possible advisor suggestions, fueling a better image by doing community service and about going to church services and discussing them at meetings,” said Popovich.
It was a concern of the club founders that there would be a very negative response to the Free Thinkers Club. ìIt has been more or less neutral to the people in the club. Itís been more or less a success getting people to come to the first meeting,” said Popovich.
The founders were aware that they might make people uncomfortable on campus; however, it is a reality that there are people on campus who can be unsure of their religious ethics and beliefs.
ìThe point of group is to get an equal representation on campus. I donít think it is unfair to ask for that. People donít have to be prejudice towards other people who are unsure of their religion,” said Popovich ìThe group is not trying to force an idea on people. People often claim ideals that arenít their own. Those who are unsure should be able to be like normal people who can still do daily things in society like other people who are sure.”
ìThere is a prejudice there. It is like politics ó when it comes up, people donít want to talk about it. It goes ignored,” said Popovich.
Croxall, Wagner, Popovich and Mate treat everyone as if they are agnostic because they believe it is the safer and better way.
The Free Thinkers Club is an unofficial club. Their meeting time will be at 8 p.m. in Babcock every other Monday. This time is subject to change. Without an advisor, the club cannot make a listserve. If you are a professor and would like to be an advisor for the club, or a student who is interested in the meetings, Popovich can be contacted at epopovich11@wooster.edu. Look out for the Free Thinkers Club posters in Lowry!