Letter to the editor: Open Minds supplies solace for freethinkers

Fellow Vikings,

On  Sept. 11, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s inaugural meeting of Augustana Open Minds.

I had heard of the organization through a few friends, and the concept piqued my interest.

I am not religious and have not been for a long period of time.

The demographics of both my hometown and Augie are not conducive to irreligious thought, and as a result, I have had to couch my true feelings regarding many manners of faith from my more religious peers.

At a school like Augustana where religion is so pervasive (see the school’s core values), I often find myself in situations where I cannot bring myself to speak freely as it may harm my reputation.

This made it easy to feel alone in a school with 1,900 students.

Augustana Open Minds, however, offers students of varying religiosity an opportunity to meet and discuss relevant social, political and philosophical topics in a judgement-limited space.

While the words of many religious folks contain messages of damnation for unbelievers, Augustana Open Minds offers students a place to experience community without any associated faith.

Augustana Open Minds is a place for open discussion and community, regardless of faith (or lack thereof).

Check it out, if you get a chance.

Sincerely,

Robert Haggar