Benefits of atheistic "evangelism"

[Whitney]

We need to make Atheism cool. We ought to have a symbol, synonymous with a sense of belonging to this group. The symbol needs to be cool, not too scientific, not anti, but positive and bright. We need pendants, shirts, whatever, with some great art.

Fund some community events, e.g. family day, cultural day,... something that can embrace and showcase diversity and help to unite and glorify us in our diversity.

That's basically what we are trying to do with Fellowship of Freethought (and I'll humbly mention that I think the logo I came up with after a group idea session fits pretty well with what you are suggesting)....but for some reason the more an atheist/freethought group focuses on community building the more likely atheists are to think it feels churchy and not want to participate (I assume that is due to some kind of emotional damage from their past church experience and not having had any kind of community outside of church life).  Personally, I'm fine as long as we don't have to repeat after the 'leader' or any other ritualistic type things that actually are churchy.

[Ildiko]

We need to make Atheism cool. We ought to have a symbol, synonymous with a sense of belonging to this group. The symbol needs to be cool, not too scientific, not anti, but positive and bright. We need pendants, shirts, whatever, with some great art.

<snip>
The worst thing you can do is turn atheism into a brand, it needs stay individual and personal. As soon as you start trying to turn it into a something that reflects more than a disbelief in a god by making into some sort of organization it is practically creating a religion out of it, I don't know if I am alone in this but is something I certainly wouldn't want to be associated with.

You are not alone in this. I reject the idea that atheists are a group.

[Attila]

Gathering atheists together is like herding cats. It runs against the laws of nature. Ignostics are even worse.

[Asmodean]

You are not alone in this. I reject the idea that atheists are a group.

Well, we do have one defining characteristic in going one god further (Well... A few million gods further when ompared to like India) than everyone else when it comes to lack of belief.

I think that gives us cause to unite in order to procure me world domination. Because... Because... That's what going one god further is all about.

There. How is that for a group ideology, should we decide to get one? 

[Sandra Craft]

We need to emphasise what Atheism really means. The ability to think for ones' self, to be selfless, non judgmental, supportive, compassionate, inclusive, value diversity, value the individual, value progress, value culture.

The problem here is that I don't think think atheism automatically has anything to do with any of that.  Some individual atheists may well have these qualities but that would probably also be true of them if they were theists. 

[bandit4god]

Atheism needs positive promotion.

This rubbish about "Good without God" just provokes people, and makes us out to be the bad people.

We need to emphasise what Atheism really means. The ability to think for ones' self, to be selfless, non judgmental, supportive, compassionate, inclusive, value diversity, value the individual, value progress, value culture.

We need to make Atheism cool. We ought to have a symbol, synonymous with a sense of belonging to this group. The symbol needs to be cool, not too scientific, not anti, but positive and bright. We need pendants, shirts, whatever, with some great art.

Fund some community events, e.g. family day, cultural day,... something that can embrace and showcase diversity and help to unite and glorify us in our diversity.

We don't need to compete with religions in their charity events, we all know that is a double edged sword, they will never provide charity without evangalising.

We just need to be much more positive and smarter with regards to promoting Atheism. Most people don't even know what an Atheist is? The majority of Atheists claim to be Agnostic, because they think Atheism is something negative, when really these people are Atheists, they are just scared to associate with the term Atheist, because their perceptions are grossly incorrect.
We need brand recognition, how hard can it be to let people know that an Atheist simply meant a person who does not have a belief in gods?

What is the difference between atheism's promotion, which Stevil advocates, and atheistic evangelism?

[Attila]

What is the difference between atheism's promotion, which Stevil advocates, and atheistic evangelism?

I'm sure he'll answer if he can be arsed. My atheism (ignosticism, actually) is merely derivative. I don't attribute much importance to it per se. It's simply a consequence of something much more fundamental and important (at least to me.)

[Xjeepguy]

I see what stevil is getting at here. It is not as much about organizing into a group as it is to get people to understand that we aren't horrible people who are going to break into your house in the night and eat your children. Ever notice the reactions of people when you tell them you are an atheist? It is because they (thanks to the churches) associate atheism with satan worship. I think it would be a good thing to change this perception, not necessarily to de-convert anyone, but so people understand that we are not bad evil people.

Just for the sake of argument, and to see what the replies are, What exactly is wrong with atheistic evangelism? What would be wrong with trying to de-convert people?

[Crow]

I see what stevil is getting at here. It is not as much about organizing into a group as it is to get people to understand that we aren't horrible people who are going to break into your house in the night and eat your children. Ever notice the reactions of people when you tell them you are an atheist? It is because they (thanks to the churches) associate atheism with satan worship. I think it would be a good thing to change this perception, not necessarily to de-convert anyone, but so people understand that we are not bad evil people.

I'm just interested in why do you care what church folk think about your atheism? I personally don't care but then again I have never come across any persecution due to my atheism.

[Sandra Craft]

I see what stevil is getting at here. It is not as much about organizing into a group as it is to get people to understand that we aren't horrible people who are going to break into your house in the night and eat your children. Ever notice the reactions of people when you tell them you are an atheist? It is because they (thanks to the churches) associate atheism with satan worship. I think it would be a good thing to change this perception, not necessarily to de-convert anyone, but so people understand that we are not bad evil people.

Which is what makes it not evangelism.

Just for the sake of argument, and to see what the replies are, What exactly is wrong with atheistic evangelism? What would be wrong with trying to de-convert people?

Not wrong, just annoying and presumptuous.  Also probably a waste of time since I think people are far more likely to deconvert on their own than because they're nagged or insulted into it.

[bandit4god]

pro·mote  (pr-mt)
tr.v. pro·mot·ed, pro·mot·ing, pro·motes
1.
a. To raise to a more important or responsible job or rank.
b. To advance (a student) to the next higher grade.
2. To contribute to the progress or growth of; further. See Synonyms at advance.
3. To urge the adoption of; advocate: promote a constitutional amendment.
4. To attempt to sell or popularize by advertising or publicity: commercials promoting a new product.
5. To help establish or organize (a new enterprise), as by securing financial backing: promote a Broadway show.

[Sandra Craft]

Still lacks the "and you should too" of evangelizing.

[Stevil]

We need to emphasise what Atheism really means. The ability to think for ones' self, to be selfless, non judgmental, supportive, compassionate, inclusive, value diversity, value the individual, value progress, value culture.

The problem here is that I don't think think atheism automatically has anything to do with any of that.  Some individual atheists may well have these qualities but that would probably also be true of them if they were theists. 

Emphasis on the phrase "The ability to... "
Why promote Atheism, because people by and large don't know what it is and often have negative perception of it.
There are people out there that would be willing to try it out but may be afraid of what it is.
I think Atheism is powerful and naturally leads to a more tolerant, accepting and peaceful society.
We also need more surveys, to highlight this, e.g. like the low proportion of Atheists in prison.
The extremely low proportion of Atheists that are anti-homosexuality...

[Ildiko]

Just for the sake of argument, and to see what the replies are, What exactly is wrong with atheistic evangelism? What would be wrong with trying to de-convert people?

Exactly the same thing that is wrong with religious evangelism. If I don't want evangelicals knocking on my door or stopping me in the street, trying to convert me to their point of view, then I should offer them the same courtesy.

Of course, the moment they DO knock on my door, they're fair game! 

[Stevil]

That's basically what we are trying to do with Fellowship of Freethought (and I'll humbly mention that I think the logo I came up with after a group idea session fits pretty well with what you are suggesting)

Whitney, for what little I know about you, I really admire you and what you are actively doing.

Have you posted your logo anywhere?