by Jesse Galef -
In less than three hours, I’ll be part of a delegation of 60+ atheists who are meeting with Obama administration officials for a policy briefing to discuss some of our concerns. Although administrations regularly engage with religious groups for such meetings, this will be the first ever with the American nontheist community. Suffice to say, this would not have happened in previous years. It’s the latest signal in a growing relationship between our community and the administration.
I’ll write more after the event, but if you’re looking for more information, you can check out this McClatchy news article about us (we already got some coverage!) or the press release issued by the Secular Coalition f0r America. Two fun quotes:
“We cannot accept religious interference in government – whether it’s loopholes in child abuse laws for ‘faith healing,’ or preaching to enlisted members of the military,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Stark. “I commend the Secular Coalition for briefing the Obama Administration about these matters of religious freedom.”
…
Daniel Dennett, celebrated philosopher, author of the influential book Breaking the Spell, and member of the SCA Advisory Board, highlighted the significance of the meeting, noting, “The category ‘no religion’ is the fastest growing category in America, and it is high time political leaders begin to take us seriously as a voting group whose approval they should hope to deserve.”
I’m excited!
I’m surprised their actually meeting. With health care still up in the air, I would have figured that the Obama Administration would try to keep the religious right from getting a reason to attack him. It’s just going to up in a lot of bad press for him in the end.
I am glad that he’s meeting with Atheist though, It’s about time we get something that’s a little more politically catered to us.
In regards to the last part of the text concerning nontheists as a voting group, I would have to agree and disagree. Yes, if politicians notice a group of like minded individuals coming together, it would behoove them to address their needs. However, I am not sure that the athiest (and religious) community should have like minded views.
Sure, the default for the Christian community would be anti-abortion. But many simply assume this as the norm without thinking much into it. Would the opposite be true of the athiest community, that they would support abortion almost by default, as a reaction Christians? If so, then I think both groups would be guilty of a bit of ignorance. The issues of this day aren’t black & white.
Looking forward to hearing about what happens. Wish I could be there!
Tell him the people want Canadian style health insurance! And stop listening to republicans and beltway pundits!
This is interesting. I had no idea this was going on.
How did you get chosen for this?
While I think its great that an American administration is willing to officially acknowledge the existence of atheists I don’t see any significant change coming out of it. Over the last year Obama has shown time and again that he is more then willing to sell his voters and the ideas that got him elected for some fantasy of bi-partisan cooperation from republicans and if he folded so quickly on thing he theoretically cared about, such as the public option, how much do you think he will wait before trowing some godless heathens to the wolves.
Very true.
However, it means that for the first time atheists are officially recognized.
It is a start.
Good luck!
Oh wow! I hope it goes well and wish I could be a fly on the wall! (well, maybe not, given how Obama goes after flies… heh)
Wow, wonder if Faux news will be reporting on this……
don’t even want to think where they would go with this
that said, I think it’s great that our opinions and thoughts are being aired for what little it may or may not do.
ooh, I put in the wrong email addy…..my color changed :-o
I was wondering the same thing. 60 is a pretty big group; Fox may not want to reveal any statistics on how many Americans are nonbelievers.
Go Jesse!
The times they are a changing, this time for the better. I certainly hope so any way.
Wow. This is historic and quite profound as the first of such an event. May many more follow.