Why There Is An Atheist Movement

[rug]

November 11, 2013
Posted by Jack Vance at 5:33 AM

Throughout the life of this blog, I have heard from several of you on a similar theme: atheism is not a movement and is an insufficient concept around which to build a movement. I have heard the arguments, and while I may not agree with every point made in support of this position, I think you have raised some good ones. My own views on this topic have changed a bit over the last several years; however, I continue to believe that there can be (and should be) something that it makes sense to call an atheist movement. And that thing I want to call the atheist movement is not the same thing as the secular movement we all recognize. It is much smaller than the secular movement, not terribly influential, and not everything I wish it was. And yet, I am still glad it exists.

But how can there be a movement around not believing in gods? Easily. It happens when people who do not believe in gods face discrimination and bigotry because they do not believe in gods. The atheist movement is about promoting atheism and celebrating the atheist part of one's identity. It is about protecting atheist civil rights. It is about combating anti-atheist bigotry.

Secularism vs. Atheism

Atheism and secularism are not synonymous. While most atheists support secularism, some religious believers support it too. Atheism refers to one's lack of god belief while secularism deals with one's position on the relationship between government and religion (i.e., wanting the government to remain neutral on matters of religion). Secularism does not entail any sort of opposition to religion, and so one can find religious secularists as well as atheist secularists.

It is also important to note that there is nothing inherently atheistic about the secular movement. Religious believers can be and are part of this movement, a movement which seeks to preserve the separation of church and state. Some religious believers recognize that church-state separation is good for them too. We do not hear much about religious secularists in the atheist blogosphere, but that is not because they do not exist. They do exist, and they can be important allies.

http://www.atheistrev.com/2013/11/why-there-is-atheist-movement.html

[cbayer]

1. Very well said.

I don't really understand why some object to the idea that there is an atheist movement and that it has a purpose.

He explains it very well. If some people chose not to participate, that's fine. But I don't understand the demonization of those that do.

Like he says, movements often form around groups that are experiencing discrimination. That's a worthy cause, imo.

[jeaps]

2. Atheists need a sense of community too

I belong to a group here in Houston called Houston Oasis. It is not an atheist church, although we do meet on Sunday mornings just because it is the easiest time to get together. Our gatherings consist of some great music supplied by local artists, a Community Moment, delivered by member and can be based on anything and a main talk usually delivered by another member of the community. We are fortunate to have some really great people in our group who share their knowledge of art, history and science. We get together to perform community service projects such as blood drives, working with Rebuild Houston, volunteering at the Houston Food Bank, etc. We also get together for social events like bi-monthly potlucks or group outings.

Basically we believe:

◾People are more important than beliefs.
◾Only human hands can solve human problems.
◾Reality is known through reason, not revelation.
◾Meaning comes from making a difference.
◾Labels are unimportant.
◾Everyone should be accepted wherever they are as long as they are accepting in turn


www.houstonoasis.org

[rug]

3. Harley had an interesting perspective.

It is what happens when you take the very skeletal structure of community from the church and rebuild it with reason, logic, and a true love and passion to make the world we live in better. Next you paint it with a group of people who want to know more about you and your journey into reason to get the friendship and joy that cements the feeling of family. It is a place that we take care of Houston; our home, and each other. It welcomes me every time I walk through the doors. It is an Oasis for mind and well-being.

Thanks for the insights.

[dimbear]

4. We do not hear much about religious secularists............

Agreed. Where important action is being taken to forward the separation of church and state, it is consistently the secularists who are in the lead. One might surmise timidity or reluctance from our religious allies, but likely it's more that the nonbelievers have more at stake. We see the outrages clearly, not as missteps or over-indulgences but as affronts and sometimes crimes.

[cbayer]

5. I don't think this is entirely accurate.

There are a great many religious people who are also strong secularists. They see the separation issue as critical to preserving their right to religion.

Those that are religious on this site generally come down on the side of separation.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has both religious and non-religious members, including members of the clergy. It was founded by protestants and it's current president is a rabbi.

[dimbear]

6. All I know is what I read in the papers, as the wag said.

Time after time when push comes to shove, it's the nonbeliever seculars who act. If not they, then it's members of a minority religion.

[cbayer]

7. Well, I think AU is one of the biggest and most active groups functioning in the US.

When I read about this, I don't see much mention of who and who is not religious. They are identified as secularists.

Perhaps you are assuming they are non-believers when they are not?

Or maybe you have read mostly about FFRF? They are definitely an organization of non-believers and are pretty active, but they are certainly not the only group.

[dimbear]

8. Let's keep a tally for the next couple of years, mentally, and compare after that.

I suspect I can guess the outcome. I'll probably be right here pointing out the effect.
I'm not saying this reluctance to speak up is not perfectly understandable. It's professional courtesy or 'eleventh commandment,' more or less.

[cbayer]

9. No deal. I don't think this is or should be a competition.

But I still think your premise is erroneous and a symptom of bias.

Again, many secularists who are also religious see separation as a critical issue in preserving religious freedom and assuring that we not move into a theocracy.

You assume there is a reluctance, but I'm not sure what you base that on.

[dimbear]

10. Again, what I base this belief upon is anecdotal, I don't know of any statistics that show

it's the non-believing seculars who are most active and insistent about separation issues, but I'm completely convinced and willing to put that belief to the test.

The reluctance of the religious folk to act against other religious folk stems from the commonalities they share. Ford doesn't sue Chevrolet for causing global warming. A bicycle manufacturer might.

That phenomenon has recently been illustrated in the gathering of the wagons to protect Scientology. There's an interesting case coming up on snake-handlers. I don't know right now who is for and who is against, but it would be a possible test arena. We can just have a look at the amicus briefs.

[cbayer]

11. Well, you could always do some research and get back to me.

I don't really see the evidence for religious folk not acting agains other religious folk. The religious left is pushing back and pushing back hard. Many feel that the religious right have caused serious damage and need to be pushed back. They don't see that many commonalities.

Who has gathered the wagons to protect scientology from the religious left? I've seen no evidence of this at all.

The issue of snake handlers is not a very good area to investigate, as most on the religious left don't really care what others do in their own churches, as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

Why don't you just do a little research on organizations that support separation issues. Among them you will find baptist, jewish and other religious organizations.

[dimbear]

12. I expect it to work out that way. There'll be more posts right here that start out "Look who's

stepping up!"
(Pet phrase.)
We'll see in the fullness of time to which group that most often refers.