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Re: [atheists-27] Secular Rescue

From: Mark S.
Sent on: Sunday, February 11, 2018, 11:09 AM
I was at a Progressive Muslims meeting a few years back with a similar concern of persecution and deaths and a question was asked, "how can you tell if you're on the right side of the campaign and say that God is on your side if the stats show that non-muslims seem to have legal and social victories?  Because to them, their side is winning, and winning would indicate that God is on their side.

So I dare relay the same question for us.



Mark

I think God & Devil could be just as different as Democrats and Republicans.  If you want other "devils", then throw in Libertarians, the Green Party, Worker's Socialists and Communism.  Wouldn't God (in keeping his control) call these "false gods"? - MWS


On Sunday, February 11, 2018, 2:17:17 AM EST, Don Wharton <[address removed]> wrote:


Shauna,


Thank you for your post. I read something directly from CFI on this. It is most disturbing that there seems to be a substantial rise in the rate with which unbelievers are murdered or severely persecuted b the government. It seems supremely easy for governments to mindlessly support the fundamentalist clerics. Freedom of speech and belief are rights that can so easily be obliterated. These are rights for ourselves that can be obliterated by the wannabe tyranny of right wing authoritarianism. I have no good answer other than support those organizations that are pushing back against those who wish to obliterate church and state separation.


A regular at our Chevy Chase discussion group was recently fired for his atheism. Another is visiting because of death threats he received in Nigeria. Our members report many difficulties within family relationships just because we wish to remove superstition from our world views.


The news from Saudi Arabia is rather interesting, “19 percent of people in Saudi Arabia claimed not to be religious, with 5 percent identifying as convinced atheists—roughly the same proportion as in the U.S.” These are astonishing numbers given that these are capital crimes in that country. It is also a bit strange that they have this data since my recollection is that gathering such data was also illegal the last time I checked. It is highly likely that the Saudi government is unhappy that anyone got evidence for such numbers.


Don



From: [address removed] <[address removed]> on behalf of Shauna <[address removed]>
Sent: Monday, February 5,[masked]:11 PM
To: [address removed]
Subject: Re: [atheists-27] Atheist Advertising
 
On a related topic, check out this article on the "Underground Railroad" initiative to help atheists seek asylum from persecution:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/the-underground-railroad-to-save-atheists/550229/

On 02/01/[masked]:46 PM, Don Wharton wrote:

Hi Everyone,

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF.com) has financed several instances of marvelous atheist advertising in recent days. The ad itself, as seen on the Steven Colbert Show, can be seen on a FFRF web page here:
https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/31554-ffrf-reagan-ad-runs-on-colbert-in-10-cities-censored-in-others

The ad is narrated by the son of the late Republican President Ronald Reagan. The text of the ad is included below and please note emphasis on atheism in his first sentence:

“Hi, I'm Ron Reagan, an unabashed atheist, and I'm alarmed by the intrusion of religion into our secular government. That's why I'm asking you to support the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the nation's largest and most effective association of atheists and agnostics, working to keep state and church separate, just like our Founding Fathers intended. Please support the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Ron Reagan, lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in hell.”

It is rather hard to burn in a Hell that exists only in the imagination of a sadistic personality who thinks it could possibly be a good thing. Of course, there are a vast number of people who are not intrinsically sadistic but become more abusive because they accept a theology based on authoritarian dogma.

Another important issue with this ad is the censorship imposed by CBS. Similar censorship has been imposed by a number of national media organizations. It is critically important that this anti-atheist discrimination end by a push back against it by the secular community and our friends who understand that we deserve our first Amendment rights as much as any theist.

Continuing with some text from FFRF.org:
Sadly, spineless people who feel no obligation to allow free speech, let alone protect it, will not 'let freedom ring' over the airwaves," comments FFRF Co-President Dan Barker.

FFRF has been successfully running the spirited spot this month on the late-night broadcast of MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show." In February, the commercial will run periodically on "Anderson Cooper 360" on CNN (8-10 p.m. Eastern Time).

"Welcome to the many new supporters FFRF has reached through this commercial, who have responded to it so positively and with such enthusiasm," adds Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. Tax-deductible gifts to FFRF's advertising fund will ensure FFRF keeps this ad on the air despite some network black-outs. Funds permitting, FFRF hopes to air the ad in March on Maddow's show during primetime.
//End quoted FFRF text

I have supported this effort by joining them at the $100 level. Obviously they would be delighted to accept any amount in support. I think even very small contributions which are linked to their actions with this ad will strongly encourage them to make similar efforts. I encourage each of you to reach out to your friends and likewise give them the opportunity to consider this option to change the wider social landscape in a positive way.

Don Wharton
Organizer, DC Atheists Meetup





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