Student receives atheism scholarship

When second-year political science student Andrew Cederdahl first informed his friends that he was receiving a scholarship for being an atheist, they laughed and thought it was funny. But Cederdahl spoke the truth.

"They just laughed and couldn't believe it. Most people don't realize that you can receive a scholarship for being an atheist," Cederdahl said. "It's kind of a double-way sword. People are proud that you received a scholarship, but a little taken back on what it is for."

Cederdahl received the $2,000 American Atheist Founder's Scholarship despite not always being an atheist.

"I chose to be an atheist right around my sophomore year in high school. It just seemed to me to be the most reasonable position at the time. I'm still reading and learning though," Cederdahl said.

Years later, after filling out an application, sending recommendations and writing essays on being active in the community, Cederdahl finally received major recognition. The qualifications for the scholarship were being an atheist in college with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and an active involvement.

"I had joined the American Atheist Society about a year ago. I found the scholarship and thought why not take a stab at it, especially with my involvement with the Pastafarian club at USC. They really liked hearing that I was very active," Cederdahl said.

Cederdahl is president and founder of the Pastafarian club at USC. The Pastafarian club is a group for atheists, agnostics, skeptics and deists. Its members want to have like-minded discussions as well as support and serve the community. He started the club as a freshman and it continues to grow.

"We want to serve the community as well as have debates. We just recently had a debate and will soon be having another one where I will be one of the debaters," Cederdahl said.

The Pastafarians' last debate, "The Darwin Day Debate: Does God Exist?", attracted 550 people. The increasing interest in this club just recently caught the attention of the New York Times.

"We just had a reporter from the New York Times come down and interview us and sit in one of our meetings. The article is supposed to come out soon," Cederdahl said.

With his passion to expand and raise influence about being an atheist, Cederdahl hopes to continue his passion all the way to Washington, D.C.

"I hope that I will one day work with religion and politics. I hope to work for the lobbying group of American Atheists and educate leaders," Cederdahl said.