Humanism in 2002

In December of 2001, results from a survey commissioned by the Pew Research Center measured attitudes toward: Hollywood and the entertainment industry; minority faiths; secularism; and those who don't believe in god. 66% of respondents reported having an unfavorable opinion of nonbelievers. Minority faiths fared better with the next highest scores for Muslim Americans at 65%, and American Buddhists at 60%. Thirteen percent of respondents said that they were concerned by the rise in the number of non-Christian religions, while 23% expressed concerns about the rise of non-belief.

This is why it is so important that we promote tolerance and acceptance of Humanists and other freethinkers as people. We need to reach the general population who are mostly mainstream and liberal Christians, and not just potential Humanists or freethinkers. We need to get those who disagree with us to see that we aren't Humanists or atheists or agnostics out of stubbornness or a "desire to sin" or any of those reasons their preachers told them, but because after thoughtful reflection it seemed the most reasonable choice to us.

So let your loved ones know that side of you, write letters to the editor on Humanist issues, and speak out against instances of prejudice against nonbelievers. If you've experienced discrimination or prejudice as a result of your unbelief you can send a report to the Anti-Discrimination Support Network, or email the National Atheist Ombuds at ombuds@atheism.org. The ADSN makes reports to the United Nations, and the NAO (which I'm involved in) sends email news alerts to national and local nontheist organizations that in turn send out their own press releases or letters to the editor.

A particularly relevant project I'm working on is the creation of radio ads for the promotion of tolerance and acceptance of all freethinkers. For more information on the ads and how you can help, please visit the Nontheist Radio Ads page of my home site.

If we can make our voices heard, perhaps 2002 will be the best year yet.

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