We Are Atheism - Greta's Video

Y'all know about the It Gets Better project, right? Where people make YouTube videos telling gay teenagers that life gets better after high school, and that living as a gay person can be okay... and indeed, much better than okay?

A similar project has just started for atheists: We Are Atheism. It's not specifically targeted at atheist teenagers (although "What would you say to your teenage self?" is a common thread in many of the videos). It was created to provide an outlet for all atheists, of any age, to come out of the closet; to help people find other atheists in their area; to empower people to start their own atheist organizations in areas that don't currently have one; and to let other people -- atheists and otherwise -- simply see the faces of atheism, and to see that atheists can be good people with happy, meaningful lives.

I've done a video for the project myself, if you want to check it out! Six minutes and eight seconds of pure Greta awesomeness! (Video below the jump, since putting it above the jump mucks up my archives.)

And you can make your own "We Are Atheism" video! This isn't about a handful of semi- high- profile atheists: this is about all of us, our entire community. We want to make this project as big as possible, and give as wide a variety of faces to atheism as we can. So take part. Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Comments

[Rieux]

Cool idea.

[LaughPurgatory]

You represented yourself well.

[iota]

This is a terrific project!

[Dan Kulkosky]

I'm wondering why anyone thinks it's necessary to "come out" as atheist. I've been an atheist since I understood what the word meant. I'm 52 and have never experienced any discrimination because of my atheism. In fact, I've rarely even been asked about my religious beliefs.

Perhaps it's a matter of perspective: maybe I live in an oasis. I grew up on Manhattan's Upper West Side, went to a small liberal arts college in upstate New York, and still live and work in Manhattan. New York is a very tolerant city, where people leave you alone if you leave them alone. That's also my philosophy.

So, if I don't want others to get in my face about their religion, why should I broadcast mine? Isn't the country in a bad situation now because we've become a bunch of warring camps, each tribe shouting at the others, every group dwelling on differences? Isn't it time to turn down the volume?

[Gamer]

@Dan -- You might easily say the same thing about coming out as gay. Unlike skin color, religious belief and sexual desires are not usually something obvious at a glance, so unlike racist color-based discrimination, you could theoretically avoid religion-based or sexuality-based discrimination by staying quiet.

The downside is that if you and everyone else continue to stay quiet, society goes on being designed only for people in the visible group, because you don't exist. If the only people who don't hide their religion and sexual identity are straight and Christian, there's no reason not to praise Jesus to open every meeting, and no point to acknowledging any relationship but "husband and wife".

And the people society doesn't acknowledge or recognize then have to continue to stay quiet in a society designed for not-them, as their groups are painted as evil and used as insults and cautionary tales. Kids or politicians calling each other "gay" or "godless", as if it's the worst thing you could be, assuring that anyone who actually is one of these things has to hide their true beliefs/desires in shame and feel like a second-class citizen.

[Kenneth Polit]

@Dan-I see your point and agree with you. I'd much rather just live my life and be left alone. Unfortunately, we must speak out and make our presence known. It is the only way to keep society secular. The theocrats and IDiots could run rampant over our rights if they think there is no one to oppose them. I honestly don't give a rat's posterior what nonsense people want to believe. It is when they attempt to impose those beliefs on others that I take offense.

[Greta Christina]

Dan: How is "coming out" the same thing as "broadcasting," "shouting," or "turning up the volume"?

There are about eighty zillion reasons for atheists to come out. It makes it easier for other atheists to come out -- especially ones who don't live in atheist- tolerant places like New York. It helps people who are questioning their beliefs know that atheism is okay, and that the things they're being taught about atheists (that we're amoral, joyless, etc.) aren't true. It makes it possible to form a community, which again makes it easier for people who are leaving religion, since it can replace some or all of the social functions religion provides. It counters myths about us, by letting believers know that atheists can be good, happy people. It makes it possible for us to be a political force/ voting bloc on issues most of us have in common (like separation of church and state). And just being open about who we are is, in my experience, a better way to live than hiding and secrecy.

The LGBT movement learned early on that coming out was the single most powerful act we could take to improve our lives and the lives of other queers. Polls consistently show that simply knowing people who are LGBT makes people more accepting and less bigoted about us. The same is true for atheists. Simply letting people know that we exist is the best tool we have in overturning bigoted myths about us. Why would you be opposed to that?

[herve leger dresses]

I am grateful that I have identified this blog. As a final point one thing not a crap, which we examine incredibly usually. The weblog is lovingly operated and updated. So it need to be, thank you for this welcome transform.

[geciktirici spreyler]

geciktirici spreyler

[Mical Hussy]

You guys make it really easy for all the folks out there.
Vrsocial Bookmarking