Why Be an Activist

by Nick Stancato

I have served for two years as secretary in Students for Freethought (SFF) at Ohio State University, and am currently working as an intern for the Secular Student Alliance (SSA). I feel very strongly about the causes of humanism and secularism, and believe the only way that humanity can continue to advance is through these philosophies. I have decided to work for this cause as best I can and to try to inspire others to do so also.

I have been asked before, sometimes even by friends or family, why I am involved in such organizations. Many people that I have talked to over the last few years feel that I should not voice my lack of belief or encourage it in others. They seem to feel that people are entitled to their belief systems and no one should be able to challenge them. While I agree that everyone is entitled to believe in something such as a deity, I also hold that no belief should be protected from open debate and critical thought. Though, if a given belief cannot hold up under any sort of questioning, then I would recommend throwing that belief away.

I only encourage critical thought. I do not encourage atheism with no reasoning behind it. Atheists and freethinkers are often demonized in the media for merely encouraging the use of critical thought towards religious beliefs, for merely posing the question. It is usually easy enough to turn on Fox News and find some comment or article on how atheists are destroying American society. This happened when members of the Obama administration met with a humanist delegation at the White House. Fox News anchors thought that we were trying to manipulate the president to our own ends.

As atheists or agnostics, or even just critical thinkers, we must combat this public image that some facets of the media portray to our society. What Students for Freethought at OSU has always promoted is open dialogue with Christian and other religious student groups on campus. SFF now has a yearly trip down to New Orleans over Spring Break to work on volunteer building projects. What is the twist? We go down with an OSU Christian group, the Thomas Society. This often gets us weird looks because many people would not think of atheists working hand in hand with Christians. I think this is a wonderful way to improve the public image of atheism and I highly encourage more like it. After all, we only have one planet and one life so we need to get along as best we can and help those who are unable help themselves.

I am also active in supporting groups like SFF and the SSA because it provides a place to make freethinkers in our society feel safe to talk about their beliefs, or lack thereof. When I became an atheist in high school, I felt alone because I could not believe in a god that society encourages us to believe in. When I got to college and found SFF, I felt at home. I was with people who I could talk to. This is a major reason of why I am proud to help the SSA, by encouraging campus freethinking groups across the country we are providing a place where atheists, agnostics, and humanists feel like they belong. Many atheists and agnostics are afraid to admit their lack of belief in a deity because of the prejudice ingrained in American society, and I am proud to be working to change that.

Nick Stancato is a student at The Ohio State University pursuing a major in history and a minor in religious studies and classics. He is currently serving his second term as secretary in Students for Freethought and is also serving as an intern at the Secular Student Alliance.