This story originally ran in The State Hornet on 2/27/08.  It is reprinted here with permission.

To believe or not to believe, that is the question.

Steve Owen, a graduate English major, is spearheading the Atheist Student Organization, a new student club at Sacramento State which will pose the question to the campus community.

"I think it's very important to give a voice to atheists on campus considering the fact that theism is the default, normal position," Owen said.

"(One goal) is to debate and challenge theistic assumptions," Owen said.

Matthew McCormick, associate philosophy professor, said that the group of Sac State students are currently recruiting other individuals to join their atheist group. McCormick will be the faculty sponsor or adviser for the organization.

There was once another atheist club on campus, however, the students eventually graduated and others became involved in other things, McCormick said.

Robin Martin, Angelique Lopez approximately 20 other Sac State students like have already shown interest in the group.

"It is important for atheists to be represented on campus and in the larger society. Often atheists don't make their feelings known for fear of abuse or attack" said graduate English student Robin Martin.

"It's essential to inspire people to think and question the historical and present inconsistencies, violence, and exclusivity of theism and to educate through public speaking, printed materials, and creative events," said Rebekah Hall, a prospective graduate English student.

Lopez, a senior English major, said she wants "to talk to people about being an atheist and to get them to see that an atheist isn't something bad or something that has a negative connotation."

Junior computer engineering major Bikrum Singh Jolly, the vice-president of the Sikh Student Association on campus, said he would not hold any bias towards the atheist group.

"We have freedom of speech and freedom of religion. We have to be open, accepting, and willing to learn about different religions, about different cultures, and about different beliefs," Jolly said.

Sikhism is a religion practiced in India, Pakistan, and the United States. The Sikhs' purpose is not to convert people to its religion.

Senior ethnic studies major Marc Sorensen said he's having a hard time understanding the purpose of the group, however. Sorensen is a member of the on-campus International Student Christian Fellowship.

"What are the reasons for creating an atheist organization? To discuss someone you don't believe in?" Sorensen said.

Sorensen said his mission is to show the love of God to other people. Others developing a relationship with God is not in his control and he doesn't have that ability or power to create that relationship, he said.

The university does not get into the philosophical reasoning to prohibit a group from being recognized, said Louis Camera, director of student activities and assistant to the vice-president of student affairs.

"If the group discriminates against one of the protected classes of race, minority, gender, etc., then there's a problem," Camera said. "If a person is wearing a crucifix and not allowed to join, then there's a problem."

According to Camera, for a group to start an organization, there needs to be at least eight students taking six credits each.

80 percent of the group must be Sac State students, the rest may be faculty, staff or community college students. Only students can hold office or vote and two officers must attend the "nuts and bolts" workshop to learn about the university regulations for clubs.

"Belonging to an organization is a learning opportunity," Camera said.

Students interested in belonging to the group can send email to aso_csus@yahoo.com for more information. Any atheists, agnostics or others interested in the topic may join.

Leonard Low can be reached at llow@statehornet.com.