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MAGIS

Abstract

The renewed focus on the inner development of college students (Love & Talbot, 1999) has the potential to isolate and alienate non-religious students if we fail to approach spiritual development holistically and support all students as they search for purpose and meaning. Twenty five percent of traditional college age students (ages 18-29) identify as religiously unaffiliated, 3% of which identify as atheist (Pew Charitable Trusts, 2008). Atheists are the least trusted segment of the American population, largely attributed to the American connotation between religion and morality (Edgell et al., 2006). Atheophobia is present on college campuses, further marginalizing, isolating, and making atheist students invisible in their identity (Nash, 2003). Higher education must create a safe and welcoming environment for atheist students to fully be themselves and must include atheists in the holistic approach to education.

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