An NIU student group drew controversy earlier this month when they referenced a religious ritual during a fundraiser and demonstration.

NIU Atheists, Agnostics and Free Thinkers (AAFT) staged “de-baptisms” in the MLK Commons in mid-November.

During a de-baptism, students who had been traditionally baptized had the baptism water symbolically removed with a hair drier, said Kathryn Panger, senior sociology and psychology major.

“I saw it as a way of denouncing childhood indoctrination,” she said.

Panger is a former president of AAFT and joined the group when it was founded in 2006.

Before students were de-baptized, they were asked if they believed the “magical potency” of the de-baptism is equal to other religious ceremonies and that both are nonexistent, said AAFT member Thomas Hodges.

Hodges is a former NIU student and still works with the group.

“I de-baptized [students] in the name of reason, empiricism and ‘boolah-boolah-boolah,'” he said.

The use of a nonsense word added to the jocular manner of the ceremony.

“I thought it would be a fun idea,” Panger said.

Hodges said AAFT treasurer Bryan Halco came up with the idea to hand out certificates to the de-baptized commemorating the event.

In total, twelve people were de-baptized, Hodges said. Some were members of AAFT, but “most were passerbyers,” he said.

Some people were not pleased with AAFT’s demonstration.

“I don’t have a problem with atheism, but I think [de-baptisms] are a little offensive,” said freshman psychology major Leanna Rosinski. “It’s fine to be positive about atheism, but I think they’re being negative towards faith.”

AAFT said they realize their actions might offend some.

“Any special interest group is going to say or do something that is offensive to another special interest group,” Hodges said.

Despite the potential offense, Panger said there was none intended.

“I understand where people are coming from, but we did it in a lighthearted manner,” Panger said.

Even though the religious ritual of baptism is a Christian tradition, AAFT is open to referencing other religions like Judaism and Islam in future demonstrations.

“We would [be open to it] in principal,” Panger said. “We would if we could come up with a good idea.”

AAFT was founded with three goals in mind, Panger said.

“One is to promote critical thinking over religious dogma,” she said. “[Another is] to build a community for everyone to talk about their beliefs.”

Panger said the group also seeks to reduce the negative stigma attached to the word “atheist.”

AAFT meets every at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Neptune Central Smart Classroom, and interested students are welcome to attend.