Mission Statement:
The mission of the Atheist Society of Calgary (ASC) is to be a safe and supportive secular community dedicated to serving society; to support those who have been marginalized or traumatized as a result of faith-based beliefs; and to provide and promote evidence-based learning opportunities.
Guiding Principles:
-
The Amsterdam Declaration 2002 of the fundamental principles of Humanism, which values and supports:
-
ethical behaviour
-
rational thought
-
democracy and human rights
-
personal liberty balanced with social responsibility
-
an alternative to dogmatic religion
-
creativity and imagination
-
-
Upholding of Human Rights, particularly those enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, which states:
-
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
-
-
Applying the scientific method, critical thinking, and evidence as tools to evaluate information.
Key activities:
-
To lead support groups for those who have experienced religious trauma
-
peer support
-
regular meetings
-
-
To provide a safe and welcoming circle for those who:
-
have lost their community through leaving religion
-
seek a non-religious community
-
-
To provide community service through:
-
blood drives
-
community clean-up events
-
international refugee sponsorship
-
Humanist chaplaincy
-
-
To promote evidence-based, scientific inquiry through the provision of learning opportunities for society, including:
-
public lectures (virtual and in-person)
-
conferences
-
audio and video materials
-
book studies
-
informed conversations.
-
-
To nurture opportunities for members to lead a life based on humanistic practices.