Secular Alliance works with charities, community groups

The Secular Alliance of IU, a student group of atheists, agnostics and humanists, will begin participating in biweekly service projects for Pages to Prisoners and Hoosier Hills Food Bank.

“I like to have opportunities, knowing I’m doing good for others,” sophomore Ingrid Feustel said. “I think that’s pretty universal.”

Those participating in the Pages to Prisoners event send letters and books to inmates who request the written materials.

“It felt really good, helping someone have something to read,” senior Aaron Ulbricht said.

The inmate he wrote to is in segregation and doesn’t often talk to other inmates, Ulbricht said.

At Bloomington’s Hoosiers Hills, volunteers package food from food service establishments and donate it to those who are in need.

“We want to show you can be good without God,” junior and President Carly Jane Casper said. “We want to help people because it’s the right thing to do.”   

Casper said there will be fundraisers to help raise money for Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organization which provides medical assistance in more than 60 countries. During the week of Feb. 6, the group will have an event where they set out a table with cups labeled with local church names. People can then put money into the cups.

The Alliance will visit the church with the most money in its cup to learn about the congregation. A large part of the money will be given to Doctors Without Borders.   
Ulbricht said the community service aspect of the Alliance also attracted him to the program.

“Everyone has some desire to make the world a better place,” he said.

The group has Thursday movie nights and Sunday discussions.

“I really enjoy having philosophical discussions,” Casper said.

The Alliance has about 15 to 20 members who come to at least one meeting a week and 20 more who come to one or two meetings every other week.
Feustel got involved at the beginning of this school year.

“It was the friendliest call-out meeting I had ever been to,” Feustel said.

She said she likes knowing she can to talk to people who understand where she’s coming from. Feustel grew up on the East Coast and said she feels people are more likely to judge her here because of her views.

“It’s a great opportunity to share ideas at a place where you know they will be welcome,” Feustel said. “We try to foster a sense of community.”
Casper said she thinks people think poorly of atheists.

“We think we’re pretty nice,” Casper said. “We like to have a positive presence in the community.”

The group members help others understand their points of view by setting up a booth on campus where students can ask them questions.

“We’re always happy to talk to anyone, whether it’s related to faith or not,” Feustel said. “You meet really interesting people.”