No, this isn't a post about online dating. I am referring to the sort of "finding each other" that happens when an atheist living in an oppressively religious environment discovers that there are others who understand what he or she is going through. This is happening now all over Atheist Nexus, a relatively new social networking site similar to Facebook in many ways. If you are an atheist, especially if you happen to reside in the American bible belt, you owe it to yourself to check out Atheist Nexus. You just might discover that there are more like-minded people around than you previously realized.When I first registered on Atheist Nexus, there were fewer than 100 members. Now there are over 2,000, and new members are joining daily. Thanks to posts by many high-profile bloggers, atheists from all over the world are discovering Atheist Nexus and joining to participate in the forums, groups, chat, and all sorts of social interaction.
Some initial concerns over the possibility that the site could be a tool for Christians to collect information on atheists have been addressed to my satisfaction. The original administrator was replaced, and I have no hesitation in recommending the site.
The neatest thing about my experience so far on Atheist Nexus has been meeting atheists from all over the Southern U.S., including some right here in Mississippi. There are more atheists around than I had realized. They know what it is like to live around here. They have dealt - and continue to deal - with many of the same challenges I experience. Consider yourself invited.
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