















WELCOME!



Being an atheist in this country can be difficult. Our group's mission to to make things easier for local atheists, agnostics, or anyone questioning religion. We offer a safe haven for those who feel surrounded by religion, and provide a place where you can socialize and make new friends.



Our Mission



Founded in June 2008, Tacoma Atheists is a loosely-organized group of individuals working to providing a safe community for atheists in the Puget Sound. We provide several different forums in which atheists and freethinkers can gather to share ideas and opinions, network with like-minded individuals, and make new friends.



Become a member of the Tacoma Atheists and help support other atheists in the Puget Sound. Atheists are the least-trusted group in the US, and we face discrimination in employment, military service, child custody, and when running for government office. By providing a safe place for nonbelievers to socialize and be themselves, we help combat that social stigma as people grow more confident to be themselves in other areas of their lives.



We are a safe place for you to express yourself and express your beliefs without harassment or pre-judgment. We provide an outlet for atheists to be themselves. If you can be yourself in a group of like-minded individuals, then we believe you are more likely to be yourself in the rest of the world. We encourage people to come out as atheists at their own pace, because there is strength in numbers.



We offer the following opportunities:



First Sunday Brunch



Weekly Social Night



Gig Harbor Social Night



Book Group (We maintain a Reading List (http://www.meetup.com/tacomaatheists/pages/A_Basic_Atheism_Reading_List%2C_by_Neil/), which lists a number of books that you may find interesting.)



Annual events, such as our Potluck and Tacoma AIDS Walk



We're trying to achieve a balance of serious and social, so if you don't see what you're looking for, you don't have to be an organizer to create an event. Anyone can do it. Just suggest an event here: http://www.meetup.com (http://www.meetup.com/)... (http://www.meetup.com/tacomaatheists/#making) and convince two more people to go, it will show up on our calendar. Don't worry about being in the group and not attending every Meetup, but we are a social group, so we strongly encourage members to attend events. There's a great variety of people in this group, young and old, serious and not-so-serious, so you’re bound to find an event or group that will be to your liking.



All events are FREE of charge. To cover costs associated with Meetup, we ask that 25 members donate $25 each year. This helps us pay for picnic grounds, a tent at the farmer's market, t-shirts, and other costs.



Code of Conduct



As a member of the Tacoma Atheists Meetup group we have expectations of your behavior. Use common sense, and don't be an asshole. We want to keep a friendly atmosphere here.



Here are issues which have come up and are now explicitly expected of members:



• Disagreements will happen, but insults are not acceptable.

• Keep your email signatures short when posting to the mailing list.

• Don’t spam. If you want to promote your product, do it elsewhere.

• Don’t accidentally “out” someone. Be sure they’re comfortable with it first.

• Dating within the group can happen, however, this is not your personal ‘hook up’ forum. There is a fine, but distinct line between being appropriate -vs- inappropriate. If you don’t know the difference, you probably don’t belong in this group.

• Harassment is a deal-breaker. If there has been a complaint, it will be taken seriously.



If you have, or see a problem, ask to speak with a moderator in private.



We reserve the right to kick anybody out of the group at our discretion.