Its time we organize

[Az]

We are out there fighting our fights as individuals. Isolated and alone against organized institutions. We can use our community here to formulate our discussions if we pool our resources.

We can bring arguments that raging believers are throwing at individuals back to this little forum and bring multiple minds and views to the issue and help form effective responses.

We can find ways to better represent our position in the public. Its not enough to be right. We have to be convincing and accepted by those we present our cases to.

We have some very capable minds here. They have large institutional structures. The right is using the power of these institutions to evicerate our nation. The liberal theists don't seem to be able to deal with the turmoil coming from their camp. We need to do something. Alone we are not strong enough. Organized we can make a difference.

[onager]

1. Something like this, maybe...

"The problem lies not in evil personalities or traitorous acts, but rather in the political orientation which believes that an oppressed group gets what it needs by being careful not to offend the powerful.

The problem lies in the desire to protect the little we have gotten by not risking a fight for what we deserve.

The problem lies in believing that what we have gotten is somehow a favor given by politicians rather than the politicians' recognition of what we have the political power to demand and get."

Those are remarks by the late gay activist Bill Kraus after the 1980 Democratic convention. (There was a fight over including a gay rights platform.) I found it in Randy Shilts' And The Band Played On.

It struck me as applicable to just about any minority fighting for its rights.

Sheesh, I certainly don't want to start an Oppressed Atheists thread, though...:D

[Az]

2. Oppressed? feh

I am talking about making a difference in the society. I have no desire to have the nation with the largest nuclear arsenal being lead by individuals looking forward to the end of the world. There are people out there trying to change our laws to match their beliefs. Silence is what enables them. The media has gone silent. The left is stunned and unable to find direction. Someone has to stand up and do something. I like reason. Maybe we can use what reason we have to create something. We won't know if we don't try.

Oppression occurrs. But being opppressed comes about because the targets of oppression allow it to. I doubt any atheist I know is timid enough to allow themself to be oppressed. Despite the pressure from society to do so.

[PassingFair]

3. Count me in, Az...

A good place to start is the FFRF. LOVE their paper, and their organization fights very effectively in the courts.

[Caution]

4. Thanks for the pointer. Just signed on for a Household membership

Any other suggested links?

I frequent:

Internet Infidels
The Brights
The Skeptic Society

[PassingFair]

5. There's always ...

the American Atheists...

http://www.atheists.org/

This is a great site for keeping on top of movements, and I LOVE Ellen Johnson. She is a wonderful advocate for us.

[onager]

6. Yes, she is!

I guess organizing us is like herding cats, which is a shame. According to some polls, atheists and agnostics outnumber Jews and a few other religions in the U.S. We could really use the political clout!

It's a depressing topic, but I also want to get my will in order. I'm an old divorced misanthrope with no kids. If my Mom and favorite aunt pre-decease me, I want to leave anything I can to one of the non-believer groups. I'm leaning toward the Skeptics Society or CSICOP, but American Atheists wouldn't be a bad choice either.

[Az]

7. Keep in mind though

American Atheists is a legal action organization. Although their activities are vital to maintain our rights they are not structured for social promotion.

They can lend their voice to such groups and have in fact done so. The Godless March on DC comes to mind.

[Jamastiene]

8. I can't even convince the liberal religious people to

prosleytize less. I could sure use some pointers.