Saturday, August 18, 2012

March for the Separation of Church and State



On July 29th, 2012 we organized our first public display of real action.  Around 50 people gathered together in downtown Wilmington, NC to march for the Separation of Church and State.  This event was in part a reactionary movement to Amendment 1, we decided that it was time to make out voices heard on the matter.  Whether the audience wanted to listen or not, we made our stance clear. Although this was important and done in an effective manner, we also managed to have quite a bit of fun along the way!  This event was sponsored by the Cape Fear Humanists and Freethinkers group, and it's success is ultimately what led to this project and blog!  



Below are some links to the resulting news coverage and photographs from the march:












534 Words for Humanity
Samuel J. West

I am of the seemingly unpopular opinion that a group of people from all different walks of life banding together for one cause is a good thing.  This is precisely what happened on July 29th during the Wilmington march for the separation of church and state.  This event could not have gone any better and I am more than pleased with the turn out, general message, and dedication of all of the participants.  However, we are receiving some flak from of our ideological adversaries for being “annoying,” or “intolerant”.   I believe that this is a clear indication that we have accomplished the goal set for this event, which was to raise awareness and to open a dialog.

                So what now?  What now indeed.  What we need now in this country, more than ever, are people who are willing to stand up for humanity.  In many cases this means upsetting those close to you, and even maybe risking some type of personal damage.  This fear is natural and totally justifiable, but we must not allow fear of social repercussions to deter us from remaining actively progressive.  If we as humans are ever going to clean up this massive mess that we have ALL helped to make, then the time for silence is over.  I hope that this message will resound in the hearts of those who accept it, we must continue to act openly and aggressively.

                Now, some of you may be curious about my language here, I am using the term “aggressive,” in an ideological sense.  As such, that we must continue to carry our torch where others can see it, we must no longer be ashamed of our belief structure.  This is essential to not only the happiness and fulfillment of our individual lives, but it is also necessary to the happiness of future generations.  Although we risk becoming politically incorrect, or being seen as intolerant, we must ignore this type of pathos charged rhetoric and realize that it is nothing other than a diversion intended to derail progress.  Ultimately, what I am suggesting here is that human happiness should forgo any political, religious, or moral hang ups that anyone may have.

                In short, will it offend your very religious friend when you explain to them that you think their entire belief system is a lie?  Yes, it will.  Every damn time.  But for every 10 friends you offend, one will see reason to your argument, and the task of fixing this world must occur in such a manner, one mind at a time.  Otherwise, we will be working against one another for the rest of our time on this planet.  So to those of you waiting for the “right time” to come out of that closet, the time is now.  Atheists are one of the fastest growing minorities of this country; it is time that we were no longer a minority at all.  If this means pissing off the rest of humanity to save it, so be it.

              I don’t want to change the world by outlawing religion and labeling it a monster.  I want to change the world by changing minds and labeling religion a cultural misstep.  Won’t you join me?

Truthorconsequences120@gmail.com

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