Lawmakers question $40 million in university system travel
A new club on campus was founded to fight misconceptions of athesists, agnostics and secular humanists.
Dacotah Melicher, the club’s found, appropriately called the organization “Atheists, Agnostics and Secular Humanists.”
Melicher wants the organization to be an alternative choice for NDSU students.
“People think we are evil,” Melicher said. “Since we don’t subscribe to a book that has rules of life, some people think (atheists) do not have morality.”
Melicher grew up as an atheist and said his life wasn’t that different.
“The only real difference was we got to sleep later on Sundays,” Melicher said. “It was kind of interesting when I did find out about a ‘god,’ I was kind of scared to know people worshiped it.”
Some people may not know what the different terms mean when thinking of people who believe there is no god or gods.
Melicher defined atheists as people who believe there is no god, gods or supernatural entity whatsoever. An agnostic is someone who does not affiliate with a religion and thinks it is a non-issue, and a secular humanist is someone who thinks all humans have an innate sense of morality.
“Secular humanists tend to focus on the importance of scientific research, progress and development,” Melicher said.
The new club is not looking to start any debates or cause trouble, Melicher said.
“The old atheist group had to deal with protesters and people who were close-minded, but if a group like Campus Crusaders for Christ (CRU) wants to have an exchange of speakers or a debate to talk about the difference, I think it would be a good idea,” Melicher said.
Tyson Muhs, a senior majoring in physical education, is a member of CRU and said he would attend a debate but not participate because he does not know enough about atheism.
“I respect them for the beliefs they have, but I don’t think it is right,” Muhs said. “If they want to form a group and talk about their issues, more power to them.”