Last Sunday, the same day thousands of people in Norman attended
religious gatherings, a group of 13 people met in Oklahoma Memorial
Union to discuss their own set of beliefs.

The Atheists and Agnostics of OU congregated to talk about
problems that pertain to them, like the issue of being a
non-religious person in the Bible Belt. The consensus was that it
is a challenge.

Andrew Wukman, president of Atheists and Agnostics of OU and
international studies junior, just transferred to OU from the
University of Houston. He said he has noticed that more religious
people at OU are “in your face.”

“You kind of get looked down upon,” he said.
“People say, ‘Oh my God I’m so sorry for
you.’ I ask why, and they say, ‘Because you’re
going to hell.’”

Wukman said he thinks organizations like Atheists and Agnostics
are important so these students don’t feel alone.

“We can band together,” Wukman said. “We can
have a place to discuss.”

Jenifer Henslee, treasurer of Atheists and Agnostics and
meteorology junior, said a lot of people in the Bible Belt only
relate to others through their religion.

“People will ask you what church you go to or will try to
relate to you based on their religion,” Henslee said.
“Things like that that don’t really apply to
me.”

Henslee said that at OU, a non-religious person has to seek out
those who agree with them or else they are going to constantly butt
heads with people.

Joseph Corbett, University College freshman, said it’s
easier being an atheist on the OU campus than in his hometown of
Duncan, but it’s still a challenge.

“It’s irritating when people won’t let you be
what you are,” Corbett said. “I’ve had a few
people come up to me and tell me I’m going to hell because I
don’t believe in hell. It’s entertaining occasionally,
but you get really tired of it.”

Corbett also said atheists have an unfair negative image in the
Bible Belt.

“I think a lot of people have given in to the stereotype
that atheists are people who hate Christians and other religious
people and really, that’s just not the case,” Corbett
said. “Most atheists just want to let people believe whatever
they want and be left alone.”

James Sykes, University College freshman, said he thinks
it’s easier for non-religious people at OU than other places
in the Bible Belt.

“It’s not as close-minded and there are more people
who are willing to listen,” Sykes said. “There are a
lot of people who are religious, but most aren’t pushing it
down your throat.”
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