Atheist groups look to boost, diversify membership

[rug]

Originally published September 01, 2012
By Nicholas C. Stern
News-Post Staff

Heatherly Hodges is the coordinator of Frederick Secular Humanists, a local chapter of the Washington Area Secular Humanists.

Though it may seem like atheists, secular humanists and self-described freethinkers are flying under the radar in the Frederick area, Heatherly Hodges is working to change that.
In May, Hodges became coordinator of the Frederick Secular Humanists, a group of nonbelievers that has been in operation for nearly 20 years.

The roughly 50 to 75 local residents who consider themselves members have traditionally met once a month, with varying levels of attendance, she said. A majority of members have been men. Gatherings have focused on educational themes and typically included an invited speaker.

But Hodges has begun a push to broaden membership and bring the organization more into the public eye.

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_features.htm?StoryID=140143

[cbayer]

1. Seems like it would make sense to begin to meld some of these organizations

for the sake of efficiency and consistency.

I understand that there are some differences that will require different organizations to focus on their particular interests, but they do seem to have some over-riding interests that bind them.

There also seems to be a recurring theme about increasing diversity within these organizations, and that's generally a good thing, imo.

I also think the yearning for community is playing an important role in this. Sometimes when people give up previously held beliefs, they lose a lot of other things, including community.

Good article, overall. Touches a lot of bases.

[rug]

2. If and when this becomes organized, atheism will need an adjective or two.

[cbayer]

3. It already does, imo.