The Central Oregon Atheists

The Central Oregon Atheists is a social group that was created to bring together atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers in Central Oregon. Founded in 2008; we wanted to create a group of like-minded people, where we could do good in the community, tell our de-conversion stories, and make lasting friendships. It is a support group for those of us that have left religion but might not have family or friends to talk with about that transition.

Religious “nones” (people who self-identify as atheists or agnostics, as well as those who say their religion is “nothing in particular”) make up roughly 23% of the U.S. adult population (2014). This is a stark increase from 2007, the last time a similar Pew Research study was conducted, when 16% of Americans were “nones.”

Remember that "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" (Carl Sagan). Any claims to be taken seriously in this group require PEARL (Physical Evidence And Reasoned Logic). Occasional visits by curious people who declare a religious belief are acceptable. However, this is an atheist group by design and as such, the leadership of this group has the right to "dis-invite" anyone whose purpose seems to be to subvert the goals of friendship, camaraderie, open exchange and non-proselytizing among the members.

Anyone willfully violating the spirit of this by-law may be banned from the group either based on a polling of the entire membership or at the discretion of the leadership of the Central Oregon Atheists Meet-up group.

"Atheism may be defined as the mental attitude which unreservedly accepts the supremacy of reason and aims at establishing a life-style and ethical outlook verifiable by experience and scientific method, independent of all arbitrary assumptions of authority and creeds." - American Atheists Inc

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen Roberts

"What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof." – Christopher Hitchens

"When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion." – Robert Pirsig

"Atheism is a non-prophet organization." – George Carlin