Illini Secular Student Alliance: National Ask An Atheist Day

Last month, ISSA decided to organize our very own Ask An Atheist Day after hearing of Purdue University's success with a similar endeavor. The event was intended as an opportunity for the general public -- particularly people of faith -- to approach us and ask questions about secular life. We solicited volunteers from our membership to man a booth at which we prominently displayed an FAQ sheet clearing up some of the most common misconceptions about nonbelievers. We outfitted these members with stickers reading, "Atheist... Ask Away!" and distributed flyers with information about our group. The experience was generally rewarding, but perhaps the greatest gauge of its success came when one of our own found himself answering questions from campus cafeteria workers while standing in line for pizza later that evening. Encouraged by the experience, we were inspired to create National Ask An Atheist Day 2011 on Wednesday, April 13th -- a day on which secular student groups across the country can work together to defeat stereotypes about atheism and encourage courteous dialogue between believers and nonbelievers alike.

We're hoping that, by asking secular groups nationwide to join us in celebration, we can draw more attention to the event as a whole and increase awareness -- maybe even help Ask An Atheist catch on within the larger secular community!

Are you an officer or member of a secular group? Here's how you can get involved!

1. Table during the day and hand out flyers, FAQ sheets, etc. Gather volunteers to answer questions for passersby.
2. Print (or contact the SSA for) some of these snazzy "Atheist... Ask Away!" stickers and distribute them to your membership (and/or any willing members of the secular community) before the event. Ask them to wear the stickers Wednesday, April 13th as they go about daily routines.

You can download a PDF of the sticker design HERE.

The stickers are aligned for printing on Avery 5395 Name Badge Label Paper (or any label paper which explicitly states that it's equivalent to Avery 5395). We suggest Matte White. Please note that normal printing will offset the alignment -- you must select BORDERLESS printing. You can usually find this setting under [Print Properties].


RSVP via our Facebook event page, and help spread the word!

Together, we can work towards a more peaceful world, free of the prejudice that so often plagues nonbelievers. Join us in celebration, and there's a distinct possibility you'll be able to look back on this and say you participated in the first ever National Ask An Atheist Day -- the event that started it all!