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.
***
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.
***
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
Review & Discuss "Understanding Fundamentalism: Christian, Islamic, and Jewish"
·OnlineOnlineUnderstanding Fundamentalism: Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Movements,
Second Edition
2008
by Richard T. Antoun
Bloomsbury Academic
172 pages plus endnotes
https://a.co/d/aFLUXpl"The second edition of Understanding Fundamentalism provides a compelling and up-to-date picture of religious reactions against the modern secular world. Comparing Christian, Islamic, and Jewish fundamentalist movements, anthropologist Richard Antoun shows how all three share common characteristics.
In each tradition, fundamentalists seek purity in an impure world, attempt to make the ancient past relevant to their contemporary situation, look to move religion out of the worship center and into every aspect of life, and actively struggle against the aspects of the modern world they regard as evil.
The new edition addresses fundamentalism in the post-9/11 world, transnational religion, and the impact of religious migration on Afghanistan and Western Europe. A glossary and Antoun's readable style make the concepts readily accessible for beginning students. For classes in religious studies, anthropology, or sociology of religion, Understanding Fundamentalism brings a balanced introduction to these often-misunderstood religious activists."
-- from the Publisher
***
NOTE:
In fairness to everyone attending who expects a meaningful discussion and a productive learning experience, you must have read this entire book 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://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/introducing-microsoft-teams-free-bba89850-d946-43f8-a9ea-e742cdc0128c***
About the Author
Richard T. Antoun (1932–2009) was a distinguished professor emeritus of anthropology at State University of New York and a renowned sociocultural anthropologist specializing in Muslim cultures. He was the author of several books, including Arab Village, Low-Key Politics, and Muslim Preacher in the Modern World. He was tragically stabbed to death in his campus office on December 4, 2009, by a graduate student he was advising,
Book Review
“Richard Antoun dynamically explains the complexities of religious fundamentalism. Antoun integrates research and theory from diverse disciplines and constructs a critically insightful analysis. It is the best comprehensive treatment of the subject available, and one of the few to seriously consider the emotional hold that fundamentalism exerts on people in many different religions.
In my course, the Sociology of Religion, I use a focused text for each of four substantive areas, and Antoun's Understanding Fundamentalism is easily the best in its area. Students read it willingly, and it covers all the major issues with full academic rigor and still maintains accessibility.”
―George Lundskow
Grand Valley State University2 attendees
Past events
162
Group links
Organizers
Members
78
