SHAFT sparks debate about atheism
In a community that is predominantly Christian, some Aggies have chosen to be a part of a group that provides an alternative to religion.
USU Secular Humanists, Atheists and Free Thinkers, SHAFT, is an organization that encourages critical thinking, scientific inquiry, secularism and human based ethics, according to the USU clubs and organizations Web page.
Jon Adams, junior double majoring in political science and sociology, is a co–founder of SHAFT and said SHAFT’s main purposes are to create dialogue on campus as well as function as a refuge for anyone, especially those who are atheist and may feel unwelcome.
Jordan Daines, sophomore majoring in history and philosophy, is also a co-founder of SHAFT and is in charge of public relations for the group.
Daines said that, as an atheist, he believes in a “natural explanation” for all phenomenons, and he described his and SHAFT’s willingness to adapt beliefs based on whatever evidence is presented. Both Daines and Adams said there is not any set of common beliefs for atheists, besides a common disbelief in God.
“Atheism is defined by what you don’t believe,” Adams said. “It’s better to just admit ignorance than pretend you know.”
The majority of members of SHAFT hold a common disbelief in God, said Adams. However, according to Adams and Daines, the group accepts anyone.
“We even have some returned Mormon missionaries as part of SHAFT,” said Daines.
There is a diverse crowd that attends bimonthly meetings, where group members hold discussions, participate in presentations prepared by other group members or sometimes just hangout and chill, Daines said.
There are currently more than 70 members of SHAFT, which is an organization specific to Utah State. However, this group is affiliated with other similar nationwide organizations.
Daines said while the organization has been around for awhile unofficially, SHAFT officially was organized this past spring.
Since their organization, SHAFT has achieved much growth and helped spur conversation and thought provoking questions on campus, such as the debate about God’s existence that caught the attention of about 150 people two weeks ago.
In this debate on Sept. 25, two professors of philosophy disputed atheism vs. theism. Professors Charlie Huenemann and Harrison Kleiner argued for the positions they were personally against to promote the idea of looking at different views.
Adams and Daines both said they feel the college atmosphere is the perfect time to raise questions and question one’s own beliefs.
“Doubt everything,” Adams said.
In their everyday lives, Adams and Daines both said they feel the student body is generally pretty accepting of atheists.
There may be some who subconsciously do not trust atheists, said Daines, because there is a little bit of a stigma that people who do not believe in God are not moral.
Adams said there is a common misunderstanding about atheism and agnosticism.
“Atheism doesn’t mean you claim there is no God. We don’t claim certainty,” he said, “whereas agnosticism deals more with knowledge.”
Agnostics are more likely to claim it is impossible to know whether or not there is God, he said.
Both Adams and Daines claimed agnosticism before deciding to be atheist in their beliefs. From what they say, that is a pretty common route to take for most atheists.
Anyone interested in freethinking, learning more about atheism or the SHAFT organization should check out the Facebook group USU SHAFT.
SHAFT may not offer “an atheist equivalent to a CTR ring,” said Adams. “We may not wear atheism on our sleeves, you really can’t.”
Everyone, however, is welcome to be part of SHAFT, he said.
–courtney.schoen@aggiemail.usu.edu