“Trying to organize Atheists is like trying to herd butterflies.” It’s an old joke, but it’s getting less funny. Disorganization is getting dangerous.
San Francisco Atheists, like similar groups across America, just celebrated another year with dinner and awards in a local restaurant. While we are proud of our accomplishments, we are disappointed, too. We shouldn’t meet in restaurants -- we should meet in huge stadiums and civic auditoriums.
Surveys consistently show that 10% or more of Americans are Atheists. Then why aren’t there 10% as many Atheist groups as religious groups? Shouldn’t there be an Atheist hall for every 10 churches? Check the yellow pages -- it isn’t happening. While churches have telephones, computers, buildings, paid staff, big signs and big budgets, Atheist clubs are so hidden that many Atheists live their lives wondering if they are alone. It’s hard to live that way. Worse, if religionists have their way, we won’t be allowed to live that way.
The Religious Right elected George W. Bush to push their persecution programs. They can’t wait to restrict abortion, eliminate gay rights, prosecute unwed couples, post the 10C’s in schools, require prayer everywhere, increase our taxes to support churches, make it illegal to criticize religion, use the US military against countries that persecute Christians, and on and on into a frightening New Inquisition.
An inquisition is too late to joke about being disorganized. Make no mistake; they’re going to push us harder than ever this year. We must learn how to push back.
Religion has us out-numbered, out-spent and out-organized. We don’t have the members or the dollars to match them -- yet. But we have two big advantages. We have the US Constitution on our side, although it is under attack. We also have a great psychological advantage: they’re terrified of us. Every Atheist scares thousands of believers. They’re scared of us for reminding them that gods are imaginary. We can build on that -- a public Atheist is a powerful Atheist.
We can organize our public power. It takes some effort, but almost no money. We can use our organization skills to build members and dollars. We need to find those Atheist 10%, and get them actively involved with us.
We can speak up to friends and neighbors about Atheism. We can subscribe to Atheist publications. We can write letters to papers and magazines. We can call in to radio talk shows. We can watch Atheist television programs. We can join local and national Atheist organizations. If there isn’t an Atheist group nearby, we can start one. We can attend Atheist conventions. We can find new Atheist friends and groups with our computers. We can invent new activities for friendship, learning and activism. We can support each other in our struggles.
Or, we can quietly wait for the Radical Religious Right to arrest us for non-belief.
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