National Atheism Awareness Day

There are millions of atheists that find it difficult to publicly express their desire for rational thought in a country filled with credulous believers. The Christian majority definitely doesn’t provide an environment conducive to doubt, but it is time for freethinkers to create a community of support for other like minded people. How do we ever hope to see change in this country if we don’t unite? There have been many great organizations that have stepped up and fought to enact legislation that will guarantee the Separation of Church and State that our forefathers desired for this country, but it is time to make this a grassroots movement.

I have come up with an idea to increase the American consciousness concerning atheism and to show that we do exist. Once a year we will have a day when atheists from all over the country wear an “A” shirt for a day. This will show the country that there are more atheists than they think. Many religious people have no idea that they are surrounded by atheists on a daily basis. Most people have been indoctrinated to believe that atheists are evil sinners that only choose atheism as a means to commit unethical acts or rebel against god. They don’t realize how many atheists are around them because most atheists want to live their life in peace; they don’t want religion forced on them so they provide the same respect to religious practitioners. A lot of closet atheists simply don’t see the harm in allowing people to live in their delusion; I thought the same way for years until I realized that religious people were targeting our children with their beliefs and even worse they are influencing our government to make pro-Christian legislation that blurs the division of Church and State.

If we want to see change, we must be that change. These issues affect everyone of us and one person will not be listened to. It is critical that we join our voices and make a statement. This will be a day when everyone comes out and says “We are atheists, we are Americans, and we will be heard.” This can be done in our local community with little effort. Most people don’t have the ability to travel to a national convention, but they want to see a Separation between Church and State. Many don’t know how they can help make it a reality, but this is a simple way to inform America WE DO EXIST. Showing your support will only require a blank shirt and a red marker. We won’t have to go out and force our beliefs on others, we will simply wear a shirt. The atheist community isn’t as small as people think and many people walk in silence because they feel they are alone, many more feel that one person can’t make a difference. This will be an opportunity to show people they aren’t alone and encourage them to join the fight to keep church and state separate. It will show people that many in their community are atheists and help remove some of the stigmas related to atheism. Hopefully, it will also give us the chance to increase our ranks. We know many religious people have their doubts and only hold on to this convention due to the indoctrination of our society. Once they see that atheism provides rational explanations for natural phenomena they might desire to abandon their mystical beliefs as well.

“WEAR YOUR ‘A’ FOR A DAY AND LET AMERICA KNOW THAT WE DO EXIST”

SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

11 members like this

Comment by Jeremy Wells on June 8, 2011 at 12:01pm: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=151284738276324

Here is the link to the Facebook event page if anyone is interesting in joining it.

Comment by Merlin Mercer on June 8, 2011 at 2:26pm: Fantastic idea! I'm in!

Comment by Jeremy Wells on June 8, 2011 at 4:37pm: I was advised that September 6 might be too close to September 11 which might cause it to receive an even more negative response. Out of respect for the people that lost their lives on that day we are going to change the date. I will update everyone once we come up with a date.

Comment by Telliyah Kennedy on June 8, 2011 at 7:04pm: I think that this is an absolutely amazing idea!! I will tell as many people as I can, I am involved with an atheist blog website so I will defiantly help spred the word...again amazing idea!!!

Comment by AntiChristianLeague on June 8, 2011 at 8:29pm: Sweet! Count me in as well!

Comment by Jack Frost on June 9, 2011 at 1:25am: Best idea iv ever heard. Right up there with riding in the front of the bus.

Comment by Brian Forsythe on June 9, 2011 at 10:01pm: Not sure I like the name. Pretty sure the fundies have a very different connotation for "atheism awareness" ("They're coming for you, Barbara!")

Comment by MikeLong on June 9, 2011 at 10:28pm: I don't agree that the date is too close to 9/11. Religious extremism was the root of this tragedy. It would be entirely appropriate to hold atheist awareness day on 9/11.

Comment by MikeLong on June 9, 2011 at 10:40pm: A shirt with a "A" might be too limiting. There are lots of people who wouldn't wear a tee-shirt under any circumstances. Also this doesn't take account of those in business attire. Just "wear the 'A'" should be enough. An "A" button, for instance, or an "A" sticker for you briefcase or handbag.

Also I think the style of the logo might be important. MANY people equate an "A" - especially with a circle around it, to stand for "Anarchy". I don't have a solution, but I think the problem should be considered.

Comment by MikeLong on June 9, 2011 at 10:46pm: It should be INTERnational Atheism Awareness Day. As usual these damned yanks think they're the only ones who count. :-)

Perhaps in any press release that ensues, the movement should call for a gathering at your local town hall. People seeing a handful of people wearing "A" wouldn't have the impact as something more press-worthy.

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