Dropping a social meetup

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I started hanging out at a Monday discussion group at a bookstore. It was more interesting when it was just about life in general but has gradually shifted more toward heavy politics. After the 2012 election I'm kind of sick of politics.

Also, one person there in particular is really into progressive politics, economics, and monetary policy(follows Paul Krugman). I'm not sure his views make sense to me and since I don't read Krugman I'm not sure I can honestly raise counterpoints. I feel like I can only listen to his argument then read up on it after the fact. While that may be educational, it's not being very social.

The only reason I stuck around for a while is a small overlap in politics especially being Anti-War.

For a while another meetup started on Tuesdays that was supposed to be more about Spirituality/Philosophy. I was hoping to do a shift to that. Also, the spiritual group did a drumming circle thing that I enjoyed. Unfortunately, attendance was extremely low and often me and the person running it were the only people there. Eventually, the person running that meetup just quit.

I haven't felt very motivated to go back to Monday Politics and wondering if I should say anything or if it is weird to abruptly be absent from the group. Some of them have my email so I suppose they could contact me if they wonder what I'm up to now.

I think meetups are very informal but this is the protocol that I would follow.

I'd ask myself, "Does it matter to the others if I do not show up?"

If I RSVPd to an event and was not going to attend, I would un RSVP. People usually spend money on food, drinks, and supplies when an event has rsvp, so make sure to let them know if you can't make it.

Is someone you are close to (family, friends, coworkers or anyone you HAVE to continue seeing on a regular basis) expecting you to be there?
If so, then text them to let them know you won't be attending. However, do not say anything NEGATIVE about the group you are leaving, just say you wanted to try something new
on that day or you have other plans. The reason you don't want to be negative is that you may want to rejoin this group in the future and/or may run into the members around town/ in other meetups and do not want awkwardness.

Thanks for the reply.

I have no problem with them personally. I enjoyed the non-political discussions they used to have, but because it was an election year it shifted heavily to national and local politics and I feel I'm the lone dissenter.

There is no RSVP or food, just coffee. Maybe for now I'll just quietly not show up while figuring out another social activity. It's to bad the spirituality / drumming circle broke up.