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How do we get atheism/nonreligion to influence politics

We all know religion can/does influence political viewpoints and religion plays an influential - if not dominant - role in US politics.

We know there is prejudice towards atheist candidates - thanks religion.

We know we have separation of church and state.

These are just some points relevant to us atheists/agnositcs.

Relevant research statistics:

[pewresearch.org]

Naturally atheists have a diversity of political and personal beliefs. This is ok for various reasons.

What can we do on a practical, political and policy level to influence politics as a group?

RunnerMiler424 4 Dec 21
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16 comments

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0

Bernie has wonderful ideas. He's intelligent enough not to speak of religion. We need more people like him. Run for office if you dare.

0

Theist have the advantage of meeting with like minded people in there communities on a weekly basis. This gives their leaders ample opportunity to rile them up by preaching about all the bad stuff going on in the world and then tell them what they must do to fix. So they get onto the same page and work together.

Perhaps we need to dedicate 1 day a week to meeting at some sort of secularist church. Or just put time and energy into groups like these to accomplish the same ends.

0

I throw my support and dollars behind secular groups like AHA, FFRF, and Americans United that are already well organized to represent us by helping maintain that wall of separation. Those groups all have teams of lawyers well versed in the constitution and law.

0

We can do nothing as the US is a majority rules type of country. We don't have a separation of church and state as non-religious people always have to remind government officials of their constant violations.

0

First of all, I would say that it already is, but probably not in ways that are necessarily visible to the rest of us.

That being said, we are currently trying to extricate ourselves from the influence of a radical extremist group: Evangelicals. These people are doing everything in their power to destroy anything that is sacred or beautiful. And right now, they pretty much run our government.

The solution is to get those who aren't insane to also vote. The current President lost the Popular Vote, and was only elected by a very small majority... because nearly a third of the country didn't vote.

I also think it's time for non-theists to start running for local offices, to get involved in their local politics. It's a ground-up proposition, but we need to do it.

0

I think we need to emphasize the separation of church and state, we are not a christian nation, and not having a god or different gods will bring us allcloser together-less division and hate.

0

money, plain and simple

0

I am not sure how it will be done in the USA. Here in Canada, we are much more secular - that is not to say idiots with there "war on Religion" don't piss me off here.
In general - people have to stand against religion. It is never easy to make change.
EVEN HERE WE HAD TO HAVE A HUGE FIGHT to get the lords prayer out of the early morning school day. SOme people have been verbally attacked and ignored because of their non religious stance but when we are silent, we are unable to make change.

Every once in a while I wish Atheists / Agnostic had a monthly meeting in my area, just so we could vent and get to know people who share our vies, but in Canada, it is not like the USA - some of our politicians are openly atheist/gay/christian/muslim/transgender.

I guess like black separation and discrimination in USA - someone has to refuse to sit in the back of the bus.

0

...A Second post here.. if I may. It’s beyond disappointing to find my ‘fellow atheists’ convinced of the ‘crookedness of politicians.’ There’s a party that’s promoted that for decades here in the usa (they currently run all 4 of our ‘branches&rsquo😉, there are fewer of them - so if they can turn you off to ‘politicians or the process,’ while motivating their own to march lock-step from church to the polls -- WTF do you think yur gonna end up with? Answer: crooked religion-drenched politicians!

OK - One of us runs, on honesty & ethics. We squeak past the far-left primary candidate ...then win (likely due to scandal by our opponent) the general election. How do we govern, strictly by our personal feelings … or attempt to represent the bulk of our district..? If we go personal, we’ll no doubt eventually alienate most; if we seek a consensus - we’d be accused of pandering, or caving, or lying… It’s a very fine line.

As an Atheist, I’ve not felt a political attempt was feasible. But I’ve given a lot to the campaigns of solid, honest, good people! Yes, they became ‘politicians’ - because that’s what it took to protect their families, community, and selves. Not for profit, ego or the hell of it. By disparaging ‘all politicians,’ you’re undercutting our ability to make change ~

Varn Level 8 Dec 21, 2017
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Politicians are very near preachers with their ability to motivate. It appears that ability comes first - then you build on it. Few people have it, and even fewer are capable of channeling or focusing it. As disparaged as politicians are, they’re by necessity, bright.

If we (here in the usa) had a parliamentary system, where numerous factions could create parties, such as ‘the atheist party,’ capture our 12% of the national vote, then create a coalition toward a majority ..eventually choosing a ‘prime minister’ … things might happen. Our views could become known, our sincerity tested, and acquire political legitimacy.

As is, within our ‘winner-take-all’ system … organize to the point we’ve something to offer a candidate or party, then attempt to influence them as we help them become elected. If we live within an educated realm, have ‘what it takes’ ... we may be viable candidates ourselves. But we’d remain a ‘movement,’ and not ‘a party.’

Varn Level 8 Dec 21, 2017
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Won't happen unless atheism becomes th e majority in this country, which unfortunately is unlikely do to lack of intelligence

Actually, people are turning away from religion at an, well, to the church, alarming rate. I just read an article on that the other day. Millennials are trending towards socialism outside of religion. NOW, if we can get all these people into the same party we might get this country back. Peace People Planet

0

so, we have a 10% or so representation in our population. I would bet that of that 10%, 8% will vote, which is pretty high, but that is me just guessing. Now the problem is where are these 8% localized? Rural U.S., I would bet, is dominated by xstains. Bible belt is called the bible belt for a reason. Southern states are notoriously religious. So. I would bet that Atheists already influence politics about as much as they can. The other way to influence politics would be atheist super-pacs or just lobbyists....but, what politician is gonna talk to or use an atheist super-pac or lobbyist? The separation of church and state just means that you aren't supposed to make laws that are religious in nature, it doesn't mean that they can't be influenced by someones faith system. The truth is: we live in a overwhelmingly xstain society, and that is going to be reflected in our government, by voters and candidates.

@NASTYNEIL I doubt it. But if it makes you feel better, believe it. That is how religion works, right?

0

They’re all crooks for the most part so... Plus you have to keep in mind that they, too are infected with the Christ psychosis T-virus to the brain.

They’re not ‘all crooks.’ They’re products of a flawed system, weeded out by a religion-soaked populous deserving of what it gets - the shits ~

1

Educate.

I once thought the same, and to a degree, education’s a must. But who wants to learn? Followers want a charismatic leader telling them what to think.. We need to motivate!

1

I think politicians and the church are forever entwined with the same goals and just as bent and crooked as each other.

2

I don't know... I don't like political stuff. They're all crooks. Some are just a little more secretive about it.

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