About us
Serious Learning for Serious Atheists
Atheist Scholars Meetup is a monthly book club for Atheists who are serious about learning from a free-thinking, post-religious, and atheistic perspective, while building long-term friendships.
We don't admit people who don't self-identify as Atheists. Our group is for those who have already completed their journey to atheism and are building upon it as an intellectual foundation.
If you self-identify as an Atheist, you are invited to apply for membership by clicking on the link below. Meetings are now held online on the 4th Tuesday of every month, from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. The required membership dues are $25 every six months to cover the Meetup.com subscription cost.
Our meeting format consists of a review and discussion of a selected book that has a strong appeal to Atheists in a rich context of science, philosophy, sociology, history, and/or psychology. All books will have a distinct atheistic or free-thinking perspective, i.e., they were written by and for Atheists or “Nones”. This is not a science or philosophy book club. A book based solely on a scientific or philosophical topic might be very interesting but does not serve the purpose of our Atheist Scholar Meetup.
In fairness to everyone attending who expects to have a meaningful discussion and productive learning experience, you must have read the chosen book prior to attending each meeting. We want active participants who can add to our discussion. Most books chosen are also available as audiobooks.
The next book we read is chosen by consensus among those members attending the prior meeting.
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Calling oneself an Atheist is just the beginning, not the end, of a life-long journey of learning, dialog, and discovery. The Atheist Scholars Meetup group raises the standard among local Atheist groups by building a private membership focused on serious learning in a harmonious environment. By “Scholars”, we mean serious students of Atheism. Maybe you have been reluctant to join an Atheist group in the past or maybe you are just not interested in what the other groups in our area have to offer.
Atheist Scholars is for those who appreciate the value of exchanging ideas with a like-minded group and who enjoy asking “why” more than claiming to know “because.” It’s for committed lifelong learners looking for an impressive group of smart friends to share in intellectual discussions in a supportive atmosphere.
If you call yourself an Atheist, are a lifelong learner who is not gullible enough to believe in conspiracy theories, and you see the benefits of a Meetup group that offers serious book discussions with order and civility, please apply for membership in Atheist Scholars.
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If you wish to apply to join the Atheist Scholars Meetup group, click on the button below or click here. If you have questions about our group, please visit our FAQ page.
Norm Cohen
Founder and Organizer
If you are interested in learning more about the many topics related to Atheism, ***[www.AtheistScholar.org ](http://www.atheistscholar.org/)***is an excellent resource for you!
Upcoming events
1
Read & Discuss "Positive Atheism: Bayle, Meslier, d’Holbach, Diderot"
·OnlineOnlinePositive Atheism: Bayle, Meslier, d’Holbach, Diderot
2021
by Charles Devellennes
Edinburgh University Press
209 pages plus endnotes
https://a.co/d/09jNpVVg***
NOTE:
Amazon ships this book only from the UK. To receive it in time to read, order it from a bookseller that has it in stock in the US.These US booksellers show the book in stock as of 10/2/2026:
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"Charles Devellennes looks at the the religious, social and political thought of the first four thinkers of the French Enlightenment: Pierre Bayle, Jean Meslier, Paul-Henri Thiry d’Holbach and Denis Diderot to explicitly argue for atheism as a positive philosophy. He shows how atheism evolved considerably over the century that spans the works of these four authors: from the possibility of the virtuous atheist in the late 17th century, to a deeply rooted materialist philosophy with radical social and political consequences by the eve of the French revolution.
The metamorphosis of atheism from a purely negative phenomenon to one that became self-aware had profound consequences for establishing an ethics without God and the rise of republicanism as a political philosophy."
source: Publisher
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NOTE:
In fairness to everyone attending who expects a meaningful discussion and a productive learning experience, you must have read this entire book (209 pages) in order to attend this meeting.NOTE:
For this video conference, you must have a computer with a camera, microphone, and speakers, or a headset. We are using Microsoft Teams to host this meeting.Download and install Microsoft Teams here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app
A free Microsoft account is required if you don't already have one:
https://signup.live.com/signupYOU MUST RSVP TO SEE THE LINK that is required to join our online meeting.
Find answers about Microsoft Teams here:
https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/On9LEAAAQBAJ***
About the Author
Charles Devellennes is Senior Lecturer in Political and Social Thought at the University of Kent. He has written extensively on the history of political thought, including on d'Holbach and Meslier, as well as on atheism both in its historical context and contemporary expressions. His recent works include critiques of the new materialism, as well as a rethinking of the social contract for the Gilets Jaunes movement in France.
Book Review
"Devellennes has written an important contribution to our understanding of Enlightenment religion and the history of atheism.
-- Parker Cotton, Wycliffe College, University of TorontoThis study represents a surprisingly yet unwritten history of atheism focusing on the point of view of atheists themselves – a fresh and much needed take that moves beyond narratives written by adversaries of atheism. By examining four key thinkers of the French Enlightenment, Devellenes’ outstanding book offers a nuanced and contextualised view of atheism that is carefully attuned to politics.
― Rosario López, Assistant Professor, University of Málaga2 attendees
Past events
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