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South Park deemed educational

Source: The Spectrum (SUNY at Buffalo)
Date: September 26, 2007
Author:  Stephanie Sciandra

When John Kapitany, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major, and Kevin Smith, a graduate student studying psychology, met at a meeting the Center for Inquiry held on student leadership, it was the start of a brand new way of thinking at UB.

Kapitany and Smith, creators of the UB Freethought SA, had one goal in mind: to create a forum within which different voices can be heard and discussion can freely flow.

"We were both interested in getting a free thinking group started on campus," said Kapitany, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major. "The point is to voice an opinion in public that isn't heard as often as it should be- a secular voice."

Kapitany and Smith intend for the group to work in conjunction with the Center for Inquiry, in Amherst, New York.

In addition to holding discussion forums, the group plans on hosting volunteer opportunities for students, as well as activities for students.

"We've talked about holding a Superstition Bash," Kapitany said. "People would have a chance to do things like walking under ladders and breaking mirrors. It's something to get people involved that would be really exciting."

Within the discussion round-table of the Freethought SA, topics can range anywhere from religion, ethics, morality, philosophy, and any other topics students may want to branch into.

"These are areas where science is usually excluded from," said Kapitany. "This leaves a lot of room open for discussion."

To students like Justin Hubert, a freshman pre-pharmacy major, this was the type of group that inspired him to be more active in campus life.

"I just wanted to get involved," said Hubert. "It sounds great, just talking with people who share the same kind of interest in deeper things."

The Freethought SA is also concerned in changing things on a national level. While current faith-based initiatives are attempting to be enacted, Kapitany and his group look to have a more secular outlook on current legislation.

"For example, instead of a Ten Commandments Day, there could be a Ten Amendments Day," Kapitany said.

Above all, the group is open to students of all political, religious and philosophical backgrounds.

"It's a place where people can debate and discuss anything they want, and propose questions," said Kapitany. "That's the point of a debate- having everyone be able to get their opinion to be heard. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, there isn't just one answer for everything."

To join the Freethought SA, contact John Kapitany at jjk27@buffalo.edu


This article was retrieved from http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=33337
 

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