As I drove today through the snow and ice-ridden streets of highland park, NJ, I came upon a group of protesters from Move On. I remembered as I passed, that these protesters have been there for the entire war. Every Saturday, same spot.They each carried manufactured signs reading “US out of Iraq” and “No More War”, but what caught my eye was an older fellow sitting down. He looked truly weathered and tired. His sign, clearly hand-made, read “I Can’t Believe I Still Have to Protest this Crap”.I feel for this activist. This man has done a lot for what he sees as his patriotic duty, and he know it, and he does it anyway.There’s a parallel here. The Atheist movement, like the Anti-war movement, has now firmly taken hold and will likely see substantial success over the next few years. We are also tired and weathered, in our own way, and we are all about to see payoff. So I would like to say thank you to all the activists who have fought with us in the past, and to those who are considering activism, well, now would be a pretty good time to start!.There’s a lot of crap in our fight too, but together we can make progress.Lastly, I’d like to add a nod to those who protest every Saturday, rain or shine, to promote their ideals. Just to be clear, American Atheists has taken no official position on the war, but weekly protest is real dedication, and I respect that.
test
I share your appreciation for the people who struggle so hard to try to keep our great nation on the right path, well, try to get it back on the right path might be more accurate at the present.
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It’s not the same as standing in the snow holding a sign every Saturday, but one hopes it makes some small contribution.
Just by rejecting the Imaginary Bearded Sky Daddy used by so many misguided people to justify their crimes, American Atheists is definitely helping too.
It seems to me that atheism is naturally aligned with anti-militarism, since religion and militarism overlap in so many areas, at least in our culture and in Islam too.
Happy Solstice to all! Peace be with you.
Mr. Silverman has this extremely intelectually insightful remark to post:
“test”
I was unsure what to say in the light of new insight into the old questions.
War is hell, and if you haven’t stared your death in the face while you executed the same upon another human being, you have no idea the hell you must return from to come home and love your wife and children and believe in peace. Could you do it? Hell, I’ve never been to war, and I can’t do it.
NeoWolfe
Snarky Snark Neo.
Dave,
America is the only first-world democracy left that coddles theocratic comfort to a substantial degree. But you’re right. Secularism is truly showing significant signs of progress here in the USA. Yet, we must always remain vigilant as history shows how redundant and irresistible irrationality can be: especially in times of socioeconomic disarray.
I, too, applaud the protesters and all critical thinkers willing to do more than merely watch the world go by.
It should not go without mention that this very forum that you provide and administer, is a most worthy part of that activism.
Thank you
Dave
You could easily correct that unconscionable oversight.
Do you really think an atheist movement “has now firmly taken hold?” I desperately want to agree, but I see the movement as just beginning and being in a fairly fragile state at the moment. I do agree that things are progressing nicely, but I’m not sure we’re quite there yet. In contrast, I would say that the gay rights movement has firmly taken hold.
Regarding the neutrality of AA on the Iraq war, What said:
“You could easily correct that unconscionable oversight.”
While I understand that AA has a directive, and are trying to stay focused on it, avoiding getting the message diluted by weighing in on peripheral issues, I have to side with What on this one. Our movement is not just about keeping religion out of government, though that issue is hugely important, it is also about rising above the insanity of the religious mindset that sits in the dark stirring up shit on every level of modern civilization, especially war and the hatred and prejudice that percipitate it. It’s about free thought. This is not a barb to shove you toward something you never set out to accomplish, it is simply my view of a larger picture that a lot of these atheists seem to miss.
NeoWolfe
Why doesn’t AA take a position on the Iraq war? Are there any other issues AA doesn’t take a position on?
Are positions of neutrality warranted to alleviate further contentious burdens? Is this neutrality a form of compromise or a haven for “those who say nothing are never wrongâ€�
Or are the powers that be truly neutral on the Iraq war issue?
Tuen,
We target our activism to the Separation of Church and State in America, and to a much lesser degree abroad. We’re not an anti-war or pro-war group.
Dave,
I think I understand why AA has to be specific about its agenda. Considering your position and within this blog, are you expected to reframe from stating your personal opinion on certain issues?
Isn’t it hard sometimes to know where to draw the line regarding semi-related issues relevent to AA?
(relevant)
I think Tuen and I both share a realization. He stated:
“I think I understand why AA has to be specific about its agenda.”
We all carve out our own niche. The smaller the niche the easier to be the best at it, to be effective. But, to free thinkers, you must understand as we watch the world, we see the eroding influence of religion, and wish we could open the eyes of the planet. Lofty goal, but obviously unrealistic.
As long as you are winning at what you do, who can fault you? Keep up the good work.
NeoWolfe