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PEOPLE
QUIET DISSENT
Andrew Stangl, right, SOMA president, with fellow group members.
The separation of church and student
by Sam Carlson
Andrew Stangl sits silently at the front of the room, listening intently to the 25 people who have gathered for the bi-weekly meeting of the Athletes and Agathists (SOMA) Stangl. Wichita state is the president of the club. Besides a brief introduction and a review of upcoming events, Stangl rarely speaks. His reserved temperament matches his conservative clothes and ability. But don't be fooled
"Hes a radical in chio boy's clothing," says Paul Scott, assistant professor of French and director of the 2005 study about the effect that participated in Scott described. Stang as a lighthearted wintersky.
serious person who is never afraid to voice his opinion. Scott says he and Stangi disagree on such issues as abortion but that he respectful of other people simply by standing firmly behind his rear.
"His chief weapon is definitely his tongue," Scott says.
Stangl joined the group his freshman year when SEM held its meetings in a small alcove in the Kansas Union. The group outgrew the area and now meets in the International Room in the Union and at most meetings every seat is taken. The evening is light and the laughter is the epic that the Ten Commandments tells us; so same members call them, the Clicks of the Bible.
Besides planning events and scheduling lectures for SOMA Stangl must make time for school. This time can be hard if it is not a public day. The three majors: political science international studies and Frenchy
and one minor history
It's really just my way of saying I don't know what to do with my life," Stang said.
Although he comes from a religious background. Stargell began to lean toward secular beliefs before he arrived at the University. He attended an Episcopal church until he was 6 years old and began to think critically about his beliefs in high school. His study of Christianity led to an interest in it and Stargell said he became an attentive during his senior year of high school.
" I got through about 450 pages of the Bible that I had and stopped." he says. "I discovered what I was doing was basically creating a religion based upon what I wanted to believe."
SOMA name alone intrigued Staniq at first and the group soon provided him with a circle of friends that he remains close with today. He even met his fiancé through the group. He
says these close bonds help he and the group remain steadfast in their mission to serve the students of secular studies on campus.
According to the University Student Organizations Web site there are 44 registered religious groups on campus, SOMA, however, is the only secular group.
Stangl says his group non-only serves as a network for secular students but also as an outreach team that benefits the community.
SOMA major funder, 'Soul Auction', benefits the Douglas County AIDS Project. After an audience bids on the 'souls' of participants, the participants must pre-determine activities for the highest bidders. These activities include anything from manual labor to going on a date of half the profits go to the AIDS project while the other half goes to SOMA.
Another event, "Ask an
Atheist* is scheduled for early May. A panel of three atheistic students will answer questions from the audience in an attempt to educate people about atheism and agnostism.
Stangl also worked to bring Michael Newdow, a lawyer who challenged the use of "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance court, to campus. Newdow spoke at the University on March 13.
Efforts such as this show Stang's devotion to the group says Laney Allinton, president and SOMA secretary.
"He's overall just a really encouraging, motivational organized leader," she says "Since organization of KOMA has only gotten stronger."
Stangl will step down as president when SOMA holds its election offices in April. He will return to the University for a fifth year and says he plans to stay involved with the group.
ATHEISTIC AMENDMENTS:
SOMA'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. Think for yourself
2. Don't bind yourself to one ideology.
3. Do not invoke a god's name in war
4. Honor the Community and the Earth.
5. Do no harm. People are not possessions.
6. Find your own sexuality.
Do not be afraid to love
7. Don't abuse the notion of personal property to people or people's poverty Go.
9. Tell the truth to be trusted
10. Recognize the shades of gray
03. 15.2007 JAYPLAY <13