What we’re about
What is SCSC?
If you are currently a leader or a member of a secular group (humanist, agnostic/atheist, freethinker etc.) in Southern Cal, this is a great group to join. Our goals include:
1. Networking to build group cohesion and effectiveness within and between our various secular groups throughout SoCal.
2. Helping our groups to grow by broadening their offerings per the "CASE model":
- building Community
- increasing Advocacy and Political Action
- creating programs for Service and Social Causes
- providing Education for our groups as well as collective mobilization.
3. Sharing best practices with each other.
Our first Annual SCSC Virtual Conference was in 2021; link to videos are HERE.
We had our Second Annual SCSC Virtual Conference on Nov. 12th, 2022. You can catch recordings of some of the fantastic speakers we had HERE.
SCSC currently has weekly planning meetings every other Friday at noon. If you'd like to join one and become engaged, please message Dave (Organizer) or Rhett (Co-Organizer) or Judy (Co-Organizer) on Meetup. This Meetup page can help steer anyone looking for secular connections to great events happening throughout SoCal, and also be an excellent place for group leaders to share ideas of general interest and help provide greater connection. Looking forward to hearing from you. Let us know if you have questions.
Also, visit us here for more info:
SCSC Website
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- [Partner Event] Red Blue Debunking Myths and StereotypesLink visible for attendees
Let's join our friends at OC-Thinkers.
In a time of deep political polarization, it's easy to fall into the trap of assuming the worst about "the other side." This event invites people from across the political spectrum to come together for an honest, respectful conversation that aims to challenge common stereotypes, uncover shared values, and promote understanding—not conversion.
Zoom Reg HERE
Hosted in the spirit of curiosity over combat, the discussion will explore the myths we carry about people with opposing political views and offer space for participants to listen, reflect, and speak openly without fear of judgment.
Whether you lean red, blue, or somewhere in between, you're welcome.
Come with curiosity. Leave with perspective.Questions? PM me on Meetup or find me on LinkedIn
- [Partner Event] Braver Reflections on Church-State SeparationLink visible for attendees
The Orange County Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State welcomes you for a special event introducing Braver Angels, a national organization dedicated to bridging political and ideological divides through respectful, structured dialogue.
Zoom Reg HERE
After introducing Braver Angels, we will highlight a recent Braver Angels event that explored the complex and often deeply personal topic of church-state separation. Participants engaged in a thoughtful, cross-partisan discussion.
This event will showcase how civic dialogue can build understanding across differences, even on issues that strike at the heart of personal identity and constitutional principles. Attendees will learn more about the Braver Angels model and how it can complement Americans United’s mission by promoting civil engagement and respectful disagreement.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of church-state separation, someone of deep faith, or simply curious about how we can better talk across divides—this event offers a hopeful look at how we can bridge our differences without compromising our convictions.
Meet our guest speakers.
Nick Straub was born in Fallbrook, CA, and has lived in San Diego county his whole life. He got his bachelor's degree in philosophy at the University of California San Diego, and, after some serious soul searching, he decided to pursue a career in ministry. He has worked at the San Diego Rescue Mission (a non-profit that runs homeless shelters and oversees a program that helps people rehabilitate their lives), chaplained at Scripps Mercy Hospital, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity at the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego. His faith is the foundation of his life, and he believes God speaks through all people and all cultures – we just need the courage to seek. As such, he is passionate about bridging divides and helping people see their common humanity which is why he joined Braver Angels and helps to organize his local inter-faith dialogues.
Alden Moss was born and raised Catholic in Portland, Oregon by two parents who converted to the faith before he was born. He studied bioengineering and obtained a Bachelors Degree from Oregon State University followed by a PhD from the UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering. Throughout his studies, he has been involved in Catholic campus ministry, having grown deeper in his faith during his college years. After moving to San Diego for work over two years ago, he began to grapple with how his faith and politics fit together in an increasingly polarized America after seeing that a majority of young adult Catholics in San Diego endorsed political views starkly different than his own. Since then, he feels like he has been a person living in two different worlds and has had a strong desire to unify those two worlds. He has come to believe that political polarization is the number one problem in America and that we can’t solve any other problems until we make progress on this issue. He also believes it is a moral issue when people are hating their neighbors. This is what inspired him to spearhead the Interfaith Dialogues with Braver Angels and the And Campaign.
Come ready to listen, learn, and engage.
Questions? PM me on Meetup or find me on LinkedIn
![[Partner Event] Red Blue Debunking Myths and Stereotypes cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/3/f/2/event_528869682.webp "[Partner Event] Red Blue Debunking Myths and Stereotypes")
![[Partner Event] Braver Reflections on Church-State Separation cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/e/8/3/event_528876483.webp "[Partner Event] Braver Reflections on Church-State Separation")
