Freethought Group Proves That Columbia Has a Thriving Secular Community

On a rain-soaked night in Lexington, SC, the Freethought Society of the Midlands came together for their monthly meet up at the Old Mill Brewpub. The night was filled with conversation, debate, and laughter as members, old and new, discussed local and national Secular topics.

The Historic Old Mill in Lexington, SC is home to the Freethought Society's monthly meetings (Photo by Robert Perrell)

The Freethought Society of the Midlands (FSM) was founded in 2003 by Dean Smith, who could not be at the meeting, and has over four hundred members on their Facebook group page. The group that came to the Pub tonight was much smaller, but according to event organizer Elaine Apple, bigger events can draw much more members.

“Our Science and Religion talks, like the one this Thursday, usually have around 10-15 people in attendance,” said Apple.

Despite the more intimate setting for this meeting, the conversation was vigorous and did not lack for a multitude of opinions on various topics. One of the more talkative members of the group was Roger Gram, who has represented the group at interfaith meetings in Columbia and works with individuals suffering from addiction. Gram used to be in Army Intelligence and brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion.

Roger Gram, flanked by Elaine Apple and Steve Weston, listens intently as the group discusses topics affecting the secular community. (Photo by Robert Perrell)

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Another veteran, Michael Maness, also had a unique perspective on issues due to his time in the military and his current job in security. Maness also operates a local non-believer podcast on YouTube called, “Palmetto Atheus”, which aims to help educate and support the Secular Community in South Carolina.

“It is important for people to know that they are not alone, that we are here,” said Maness.

Even members of other local secular groups attended the meeting. Steven Weston, the founder of the Columbia chapter of Atheist Alliance Helping the Homeless AAHH, talked about his group’s work with the homeless community, which occurs every third Sunday of the month. The AAHH seeks to “do good without a god” and works to normalize atheism.

The monthly meeting went on for several hours while members took the opportunity to socialize with one another. (Photo by Robert Perrell)

The meeting went on for hours as members slowly filtered out and eventually the group decided to wrap up the meeting as the pub began closing for the night. They found themselves entering the parking lot in the rain, but that did not stop the conversation for some. Members stood by the cars with midnight approaching still discussing issues and learning more about each other.

A few things became clear as the last of the members drove away from the Old Mill Brewpub, the Secular Community is impressively active, and they love to talk.

To learn more about the Freethought Society of the Midlands visit their Facebook page here. And for more news and information about the Secular Community follow on Twitter @SecularShepherd.

#Freethought, #FSM, #AAHH, #SecularCommunity, #ColumbiaSC