Mississippi State University’s Freethinkers, Agnostics and Atheists Organization (FAAMSU) strives to bridge the gap between believers and non-believers. At the same time, the group endeavors to educate others in the area of science and reason. 
This organization was created in 2005 under the name Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers Student Organization. Between that time and 2008, the group crumbled under unsuccessful leadership transitions. In 2009, the current president, Chris Dees, reopened it for business. FAAMSU, an affiliate of the Secular Student Organization, constantly encourages those of all beliefs to exchange ideas in order to gain a wider perspective. 
Jonathan Edelmann, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, said one critical purpose of a university is to introduce students to the diverse beliefs and practices. He said he feels organizations like FAAMSU provide a neutral environment in which students can express their religious views and differences. 
“It is absolutely important to have neutral spaces to discuss religion. If we, as university educators, fail to give students the ability to discuss religion in an informed, systematic, dispassionate and respectful manner, then there is a real sense in which we have failed as educators,” he said. “More often than not, we see that situations where education about the diversity of religions is low, discrimination is high.”
Ian Dettwiller, FAAMSU secretary, said the most he has gained from the group is its sense of community. Through his involvement, he said he has become more comfortable in his lack of belief, as well as more understanding of people in all walks of faith. 
“A smaller group setting allows for people to get to know each other beyond their ideals, which in turn, provides for a less volatile, more constructive setting for conversation,” he said.
The club says it welcomes new members.
 “I will point out that, although FAAMSU is open to anyone who wants to come and have a civil discussion about religion, we do not provide a platform for individuals to witness or proselytize to a non-believer. Any person who attempts to do so will be removed from the meeting. It’s rude, calloused, offensive and not something we tolerate,” Dettwiller said. 
Chris Dees, FAAMSU president and social media ambassador, said the group aims to foster a “secular safe haven” for those who are without faith or questioning their faith. At the same time, he said his organization strives to create an environment that embraces skepticism on the search for truth. 
“Being skeptical is essential in the search for truth. That is to say, no truth claim should be protected from critique. None of us live in a vacuum, meaning our actions have effects on ourselves and others. By forming a neutral space for discussion, we are creating a forum to evaluate these ideas and beliefs, and we can then promote the ideal views that we discover,” he said. 
Dees said one person or one small group does not represent a community as a whole. 
“Misunderstanding others can easily occur whenever you have someone such as a firebrand ‘angry atheist’ in the spotlight or if you have a group such as Westboro Baptist Church that gets the attention of the media which can cause people to make a sweeping generalization of their communities,” he said. “FAAMSU encourages people from all walks of faith to learn more about us and we will also learn about them as well through an exchange of ideas. ”