The holidays are a traditional time to spread a message of good cheer by reuniting with family and friends. To many atheist and agnostic humanists, this time of year transcends religion and deities, which is why it is enjoyed not just by the most faithful, but by all who appreciate goodwill and community.
It's in this context of kindness that we endeavor to put aside disagreements we may have had with family and friends in order to celebrate our limited time together. Of course, slights don't go away forever, but at the end of the day our differences are less important than our common human bond. Fortunately most of us do our best during the holidays to emphasize that shared experience.
But unfortunately, these empathetic feelings are not always front and center during the rest of the calendar year. In towns all across America, individuals are called out by their very neighbors for their lack of belief, and are excluded from their community because of their nontheism. Stories of discrimination against atheists are increasingly commonplace in the media, as atheists are frequently and wrongly charged with being amoral troublemakers who seek to destroy the foundations of America.
This type of prejudice runs counter to the generosity that is supposed to be the hallmark of the holidays. That's why the American Humanist Association recently announced the launch of a holiday advertisement campaign aimed to raise awareness of discrimination against nonbelievers in America. The campaign consists of billboards and full-page newspaper ads that contain the message, "Bias Against Atheists is Naughty, Not Nice," and features Santa Claus making up his "naughty" list. The ads are placed in cities across the United States where atheists have experienced discrimination due to their lack of belief in a traditional god.
Some will probably be offended by this ad campaign and misread it as an attack on religion instead of a friendly defense of mutual respect. The point of this campaign isn't to offend, but to remind those guilty of discrimination that hatred and prejudice are never justified, even when someone disagrees with beliefs sincerely held.
Rather than part of a mythical "war on Christmas" annually touted by the conservative Christians, this campaign intends to extend the compassion and unity that characterizes the holiday season to the rest of the year. Imagine if we were all able to treat our neighbors with the same kind of patience and love that we show once a year. It shouldn't matter who you are and what you believe; what is important is that our shared humanity allows for us to relate to each other even if we come from different backgrounds.
When intolerance rules the day we are divided by our differences instead of uniting in the strength of our diversity. Atheists and agnostics, evangelicals and religious progressives should take advantage of this annual opportunity to be welcoming to all, whether or not they agree or disagree with us on every issue. So enjoy this holiday season and be merry. But when the guests leave and we begin the new year, be sure to keep up the holiday spirit by placing humanity over sect or creed. Goodwill is just as important year-round as it is between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
Follow Roy Speckhardt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/americnhumanist
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We all deserve an honest conversation about what people think about other people. We deserve to try to minimize/end discrimination. We deserve people choose to be truly tolerant rather choose to not appear as naughty.
I do NOT want tolerance for atheists.
I simply want to end bigotry, the sort of intolerance based on outright falsehoods, against atheists. Most atheists are good, moral people by most standards: they don't murder or steal, they help old ladies, etc. Atheists don't have tails or eat babies. That sort of intolerance I want gone.
I also want a healthy respect for atheists. An understanding of what our views and arguments actually are, not the straw men versions of how they supposedly are, where people even if they disagree with atheism or find atheism horrible at least understand and respect the intellectual basis for the atheist view and can have an intelligent conversation about atheism. Sadly what many understand of atheism is a straw man version of "atheism". And this sometimes is a form of fanatical dogma or bigotry.
However, for those, who believe in a religion, to share these emotions with an unbeliever during the holidays places them in a peculiar position mixed with rejection and reluctance. Especially, those who hold the holidays in reverence to its true meanings.
In other words, most believers feel that in essence they are still being mocked, ridiculed, and chastised, by their atheists friends or relatives. It is not an emotion which is readily available to an atheist due to the simple fact that they don't believe in anything.
Although, the atheist may share equal values and morals with their religious friends with the exception of belief...it is that one requirement which is lacking that puts them on unequal grounds.
However, believers should recognize that when an atheist wants to join in their fellowship that it is an opportunity to demonstrate to the atheist that something is lacking in their life without witnessing to him.
I, personally, like atheists because they are a new, empty sheepskin waiting to be filled with new wine. And, the best thing is...they are like people who claim they can't be hypnotized.
The most susceptible atheist will be the one who attacks this post first.
You just got hypnotized! Too funny. C'mon, you've got to be smarter than that. My last sentence was to draw you in...not prevent you from responding. All the other atheists who feel secure didn't even want to reply.
Besides, most atheists demonstrate a compassionate concern for those suffering the self-deception and delusion religious belief requires.
Happy Holidays!
Freedom of religion is a given, but no one has the right to be free from criticism. I can think of nothing more deserving of condemnation than a belief that subjects women to second class status.
- I might agree with the sentiment, but this message is just so foolish, it leaves me speechless.
A proper message should have focused on the fact that atheism results from Reason - not on the idea that opponents of atheism are merely "naughty."
To use the word "naughty" to describe the treatment of atheists by True Believers of various religions, past and present, trivializes and misrepresents what has actually occurred - and still occurs. If the group wants to confront this issue, great - but then don't try to make a Santa Claus joke and use the word "naughty."
We atheists are supposed to be the ones who "tell it like it is" - not ones who pretend that the only problem with religion is a bit of "naughty bias."
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism are all based on "holy" scriptures which are false, unreasonable, and inhumane in many ways. These scriptures do not merely encourage and condone "naughtiness." They encourage and cause great cruelty. The more closely a True Believer adheres to his "holy scripture," the more cruel he must be. We who oppose these ancient systems should expect something more and better than a Santa Claus joke.
What matters is not the day, or the holiday. What matters is that you spend time with family and friends, no matter what day it is. You don't need a specific day to spend time with family or a specific day to do nice things for others.