How To Bring Out The Atheism In People

How You and Your Local Freethought Organization Can Help Make the United States a Secular Nation.

The local scene is where atheists can be most effective by making atheism visible. Latent atheists will blossom and closet atheists will gain courage to admit their unbelief as they find they are not alone. Here are a few ways to do it. If all the freethought organizations around the country took on these projects, the status of atheists in our society would improve dramatically.

TELEVISION
This is the easiest thing you can do. If you have public access cable TV in your area, call the station and find out the requirements for submitting tapes and let us know. The Atheist Alliance is building a network of videotape distribution points around the country. This brings the atheist message to the public. The public will never come to us. Most people don't know we exist! Very few will look for our books and magazines in libraries. They don't even know they are there! Everyone watches TV. They channel-surf and come upon our programs. The religious fanatics are outraged, of course, but the latent atheists and the closet atheists are usually surprised and pleased. The open-minded religious viewers learn that we atheists are not the despicable, immoral perverts the religious institutions have for centuries made us out to be... and often still do. With enough exposure, the public perception of atheism will improve.

An even better idea: If your public access station allows you to produce shows, get your group together and do it! This is an extremely unifying project because you are doing something truly effective. And it's fun. The Alliance can help and will distribute your programs nationwide as part of our Atheist TV Outreach Project.

POLITICAL LOBBYING
Lobbying at the national level is a waste of time for atheist organizations. None are big enough, and certainly not popular enough, to get attention (although a unified lobbying effort involving all freethought organizations would probably have significant impact). But doing it at the local level is easy. This is a great project for the politically minded in your organization. Even if you have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, you can still lobby as long as it doesn't take more than about 5% of your organization's income. (Minnesota Atheists has considerable experience in this area and has two registered lobbyists. They will be happy to give advice.)

You need to be free during the day so you can just hang around the capitol and introduce yourself to your state legislators. Make an appointment with legislators or just walk around, stop in at their offices or greet them in the hallways. Get acquainted. Identify yourself and your organization and tell them your position on state-church issues in a friendly way. Distribute informational literature, such as the arguments against school vouchers or school prayer. Never be pushy or hostile. Your own legislator is sure to listen. They always have time for their constituents. If you are of the same political party, work on their campaigns. That is the best way to become personally acquainted. Legislators will do almost anything to keep a campaign worker happy. If you help a candidate get into office or survive a tough election, their gratitude will be expressed in an enthusiastic willingness to listen to your concerns.

The way to lobby at the national level is to talk to your senator and congressmember when they are back home. Make an appointment for a personal visit or write or call about state-church issues. If they hold public forums for citizen input, go to them and ask polite questions. Talk with them afterward if you can. Work on their campaigns. This is the surest way to get them to listen to you.

ATHEIST ANTI-DISCRIMINATION SUPPORT NETWORK (ADSN)
Margaret Downey of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia started this. The ADSN will provide national support for local efforts. Get your members to write letters to the editor every time a state-church issue is at stake. Hammer away especially when atheism is bashed by some clergyman or Christian Coalition politician. Be polite but outraged! It's time we defended ourselves from the slanderous attacks of self-appointed "moral leaders." Defend the good name of other oppressed groups too, such as gays and lesbians. We need to stick together.