PT | Phish | Atheists to hold HUGE rally on national mall

» AnEerieFeelin • Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:18 AM

What this is actually about:

"Why are we doing this?

Across America, in every city, every town, and every school, secularism is on the rise. Whether people call themselves atheists, agnostics, secular Humanists, or any of the other terms used to describe their god-free lifestyle, secularism is coming out of the closet. According to the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey (PDF), the percentage of people with no religious affiliation grew in all fifty states.
The purpose of this particular rally will be to advance secularism (in the broadest sense of the word) in society.

Are we just going to use this opportunity to trash religion?

No. This will be a positive experience, focusing on all non-theists have achieved in the past several years (and beyond) and motivating those in attendance to become more active. While speakers have the right to say what they wish, the event is indeed a celebration of secular values.

What do you hope to achieve from this Rally?

We have three main goals:
To encourage attendees (and those who can’t make it) to come out of the closet as secular Americans, or supporters of secular equality.
To dispel stereotypes – there is no one “True Atheist”. We will have non-theists from all political persuasions, ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds. We will show that there are secular Americans in every American demographic.
Legislative equality. Secular Americans can run for office and adequately represent theists, just as theists in office can represent their secular constituents proudly and openly. We deserve a seat at the table just like theists, and we hope this rally can put our values in the radar of American voters."

» AnEerieFeelin • Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedybrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnEerieFeelin

advance secularism in society.

motivating those in attendance to become more active. While speakers have the right to say what they wish, the event is indeed a celebration of secular values.

sounds like they are trying to push an agenda of indoctrinating new members to me

also the "while the speakers have the right to say what they wish" is funny....i think it's pretty clear what that means (anti-religious ranting)

motivating those in attendance, which means people who are already non-theists. how are you going to convert someone who already agrees with you? why would a theist show up to this?

you think it's pretty clear? that's called assumption, my friend. and we all know what they say when you assume...

» AnEerieFeelin • Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:25 AM

it is pretty funny how you left the "No. This will be a positive experience, focusing on all non-theists have achieved in the past several years (and beyond)" out of your quote, though. wouldn't want to be objective now, would we?

» AnEerieFeelin • Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedybrick

"motivating" them for what?
"to become more active" is the answer.....but what does that mean exactly?
what does "advance secularism" exactly mean?

also...how do YOU interpret the "while the speakers have the right to say what they wish" DISCLAIMER??

motivating them to come out of the closet and be heard... maybe to run for office when they previously thought it'd be impossible, i don't fucking know.

i interpret it as exactly what it says, people can say whatever they want and they've specifically said the rally is to focus on the positives on secularism, not to rail against religion. i'm sure some of the more vocal, asshole-ish people like headysandwich will rail on religion but that's not the focus of the rally, to shit on religion. it's all spelled out there for you, you just want to find faults in it.

» AnEerieFeelin • Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedybrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnEerieFeelin

it is pretty funny how you left the "No. This will be a positive experience, focusing on all non-theists have achieved in the past several years (and beyond)" out of your quote, though. wouldn't want to be objective now, would we?

but that's exactly what i'm saying

they START by saying this.....but then go on to say "but that said....these speakers can say what they want"

imo it sounds like a disclaimer...."we are stating this rally is pro-atheist and not anti-religion.....but just know that there's a good chance there will be some anti-religious ranting regardless"

sure, but the minority doesn't negate the majority. honestly, we're arguing a hypothetical. if it comes down to it and the majority are just there to shit on religion then i'll be the first to say i was wrong and agree with you. but, until then, i don't see why their explanation of what they want the rally to be is being twisted into something negative when it's clearly not meant to be that. it very well might turn into that but neither of us know if it will

i guess i'm just more optimistic about their intentions

» AnEerieFeelin • Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedybrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnEerieFeelin

and we all know what they say when you assume...

FTR i'm not looking to make an azz outta you ;)

lol, fair enough

» AnEerieFeelin • Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedybrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnEerieFeelin

i'm sure some of the more vocal, asshole-ish people like headysandwich will rail on religion but that's not the focus of the rally, to shit on religion. it's all spelled out there for you, you just want to find faults in it.

i hear ya man......just pointing out one aspect of it I surely agree there will be "positivity" as well

i like when we can find middle ground

Phish

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