In this issue:
Without fanfare, Governor Engler signed the following bill into law just before the end of 2001:
Joint Resolution 5091:
" A bill to strongly encourage state agencies and units of local government to exercise their constitutional ability to place the national motto in or on public buildings or land in this state.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. As used in this act:
(a)'State agency' means a department, board, commission, office, agency, authority, or other unit of state government. State agency includes a state institution of higher ecucation.
(b) 'Unit of local government' means a political subdivision of this state, including school districts, public school academies, cities, villages, townships, counties, and authorities, if the political subdivision has as its primary purpose the providing of local governmental service for the citizens in a geographically limited area of the state and has the power to act primarily on behalf of that area.
Sec. 2. This state strongly encourages each state agency and unit of local government to exercise their constitutional ability to place the national motto 'In God We Trust' in or on public buildings or land ownded or occupied by that state agency or unit of local government."
This legislation is one of several that should concern us as Atheists and First Amendment activists. Others include:
The Michigan legislature recently passed a law that allowed half of the fees on special license plates to go to the Salvation Army, an openly religious organization. We have been encouraged to start a lawsuit on this.
The Political Planning Session will be at the China Star Palace at 270 S. Wayne Rd in Westland, MI. Please park in the rear of the restaurant. Please let Arlene-Marie know if you plan to attend this important event no later than January 13th. Make reservations at amarie@atheists.org or call Arlene at 313-388-9594.
TopA survey concerning the opinions of the American public on religion appeared in a recent edition of the electronic American Atheists Newsletter. The bad news for Atheists is that 66% of the American public has an unfavorable opinion of us. The positive side is that we can use the information contained in this survey to influence future results. The fact that the 34% of Americans who held neutral or favorable opinions of Atheists had a tendency to have higher education levels demonstrates that education is the key to improving our image.
One strategy we can use to educate the American people about Atheists is coming out of the closet completely. This strategy works on the assumption that very few individuals out of the group with unfavorable opinions of Atheists actually know that one in seven individuals--including their family members, friends, and co-workers--have no belief in gods or the supernatural. It also works on the asumption that most Atheists have chosen to remain in the closet; that is, they do not talk about their non-belief with others. Both assumptions fit my personal experience and my inquiries into the issue of closet Atheism. There may even be some on the distribution list of this newsletter who refuse to tell their family members, friends, and/or co-workers that they are Atheists.
What does it mean to be "out of the closet"? To me, to be out of the closet means that you would tell anyone, without fear or hesitation, that you are an Atheist. This does not mean that you have to get into the faces of everyone you know and say, "Hey, I'm an Atheist. Deal with it!" You could do that, and you would be out of the closet, but there are more subtle ways to come out. For me, it was a gradual process that began with my friends and fellow college students, progressed to co-workers, and ended with family members.
At 20 years old, I began to identify myself as an Atheist. I am not sure whether or not I ever truly believed in Christianity, having questioned it (silently; religious questions were not allowed in my family) from an early age. However, I had read the bible about 23 times through, attended bible study groups, explored various Christian sects, and looked into several other religions before I finally shook my unreasonable fear of eternal damnation (instilled by my intimate involvement with the Catholic church during my childhood) and saw gods as the myths that they are. I explored the problems with various beliefs and found faith to be a useless mental appendage that helped no human being through life in any practical way.
I had no problem being open about my Atheism with my fellow college students. College was a reasonably safe haven for diverse schools of thought. I did have a few conflicts with my former bible study group and the Campus Crusade for Christ, but it was all civil. One friend of mine was a member of the CCC, and his concern for my "soul" (whatever that means) led him on a constant crusade to "save" me. This effort became somewhat annoying, but we drifted apart over time.
I rarely spoke with co-workers about religion. I simply didn't see the workplace as the proper forum for discussions about religion. However, when the subject came up, I had no problem maintaining my position as an Atheist. At most jobs (I held several throughout my college years), I met little resistance. After the initial shock ( "Oh my gosh, you don't believe in Gaawwd?!?"), most people dropped the subject. I had rather stimulating converstations with those who remained curious.
When I began work at my present company, the wife of a family friend was one of my co-workers. She learned that I was an Atheist, but it did not become an issue until we became members of the same development team. I happened to gain a position that she wanted, and all hell--so to speak--broke loose. She did everything she could to try to bring me down, including telling everyone that I was an Atheist. This particular ploy backfired, however: half of the group's members revealed themselves as Atheists. Another member was a Buddhist. Disappointed at the results, she had her husband call my parents to tell them. They didn't know at that point, but my mother's reaction was priceless. She told the husband that it was really none of his business!
Being a devout Catholic, my mother was concerned for my spiritual well-being, so she called me right away. I held the truth from her at that point, I'm sorry to say. However, I could not hold it back after my wife and I were married in a courthouse. My parents, upset that they were not present at the wedding and insisting (at first) that we weren't really married, offered to arrange a large Catholic wedding and reception. That is when I had to tell the truth and put a stop to the madness. It shocked both my mother and my father, but after I told them that I do not believe in a religion or gods (and neither does my wife), they stopped insisting on the Catholic wedding. They did arrange and pay for a reception, but there was nothing religious about it.
All of my family members that I have any contact with now know that my wife and I are Atheists. Occasionally, my mom or my dad will try to tell me that I need religion in my life, but the discussions never escalate into arguments. It is a relief that I do not feel obligated to lie to protect their feelings.
I understand the fear of alienation from family and friends, the ostracism from peers, and all of the possible negative consequences of coming out under various circumstances, but the positive aspects of proudly declaring, "I am an Atheist" far outweigh any possible negatives. First of all, the stress of lying is gone. Staying silent or lying openly only caused a constant build-up of mental pressure for me.
Secondly, my family, friends, and co-workers have become sensitive to the fact that my wife and I are Atheists, and they act accordingly. For example, there are no more prayers before meals at family get-togethers (we didn't even discuss it). Another example is the nature of seasonal cards: we rarely receive ones of a religious nature.
Finally, and most importantly, I am doing my part to educate the portion of the American public that I know about Atheism and the nature of Atheists. They are now aware of at least one Atheist who isn't the hideous, hedonistic, unethical, baby-eating monster that preachers make us out to be. Furthermore, my coming out has led to my brother-in-law and my wife's uncle gaining the courage to declare that they are Atheists. It is my hope that I can help other closet Atheists to realize how positive coming out can be.
REQUEST FOR COMING OUT STORIES
In addition to contributions of news stories and commentary, Michigan Atheist News welcomes your stories about coming out as Atheists. If you have not yet come out of the closet, you are welcome to tell us your situation. If you would like some help and support in this regard, please visit www.atheists.org, come to one of our events, or contact Arlene-Marie at amarie@atheists.org.
Topfrom American Atheists
Join us at the luxurious Hyatt Harborside Hotel in Boston Massachusetts for the 28th National Convention of American Atheists. This year's event includes the usual blockbuster roster of speakers, along with workshops, social events, a memorable luxury cruise of Boston Harbor, a trip to historic Salem, and much more!
The 2002 National Convention will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the historic BAIRD v. EISENSTADT (1972) case which reversed the conviction of pro-choice activist Bill Baird, who was tried, convicted and jailed for violating a repressive law criminalizing the mere act of providing birth control information to women. After five years of legal battling, 21 judges and six courts, Bill Baird finally prevailed. We honor him and this historic case which laid the groundwork for another historic decision in ROE v. WADE. Mr. Baird is one of our featured speakers at this year's Convention.
Other speakers (confirmed) include:
(Visit the Convention web site at http://www.atheists.org/convention as more outstanding speakers are confirmed!)
We also include a "Jump-start" event on Thursday, March 28, 2002 -- a trip to historic Salem. This fascinating tourist attraction includes the famous Salem Witch Museum, House of the Seven Gables, Maritime National Historic Site, along with a bevy of eateries and other destination activities.
WHAT: The 28th National Convention of American Atheists WHEN: March 29-31, 2001 (Jump-start Thursday, March 28) WHERE: Boston, Massachusetts MORE INFORMATION: http://www.atheists.org/conventionTop
The Michigan Atheists Newsletter is an electronic publication containing news about separation of state and church, the events of Michigan Atheists, and the civil rights of Michigan's godless citizens. All content of the newsletter is the intellectual property of Greg Reich and Michigan Atheists, unless otherwise credited.
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