Secularism & Godlessness in Government, Politics, Science, Culture, and Life
By Austin Cline, About.com Guide to Agnosticism / Atheism
It's become popular for religious conservatives to use the label 'godless' as an attack, but there's nothing inherently negative about it. On the contrary, secularism and godlessness can be positive and important attributes not just for one's personal life, but for society, culture, and government. Because of a popular presumption about the need for religious theism not everyone recognizes this, so it's incumbent upon godless secular atheists to explain why godless secularism is good, why it's necessary for governing a modern liberal democracy, and why it benefits everyone in society -- even religious theists.
- In Defense of Godlessnes
- Can There Be a Godless Politics?
- Godless, Secular, and Atheist Activism
- Attacks on Godlessness & Secularism
- Godless & Secular Philosophy
In Defense of Godlessnes
It's common to hear laments about the absence of God in government, media, culture, or society. The truth is that a godless America is good for everyone: it's good for the government, it's good for employees, and it's good for all the citizens. A godless America is better than a theocratic America - this is especially true in an increasingly religiously pluralistic society like modern America.
- What is Godlessness?
- 'Godless Liberals' as an Ad Hominem Attack
- Godless & Secular Government
- America's Godless Constitution
- Godless Political Values
- Godless Intellectual Values
- Is Godless Liberalism a Religion?
- Is there a Godless Church of Liberalism? Responding to Ann Coulter
- Godless Public Schools & Education
Can There Be a Godless Politics?
Critics, primarily the Christian Right though some progressives have succumbed to the temptation to join, have been using 'godless liberals' and the 'secular left' as scapegoats for everything they don't like in contemporary American politics. Godless liberals and the secular left, insofar as they exist, have little to no influence and no real power. This is not a situation that has to continue, though. Godless liberals do exist and they could create a secular left, if they wanted.
- Do Atheists Hold the Same Political Philosophies?
- Can Godless Atheists be Patriotic?
- The Problem of Pride: Patriotism, Racism, and Flags
- Should Atheists Be Politically Active?
- Should Atheists Vote Republican?
- Godless Politics: A Political Manifesto for Godless Atheists
- Implications of Godlessness
- Afflicting the Comfortable: Importance of Undermining the Status Quo
- What do Atheists Believe about Political Issues?
Godless, Secular, and Atheist Activism
Godless atheists are the most despised and discriminated against minority in America. They face bigotry in a wide variety of ways and when it's known that they are godless or secular, their views on various political and social views may be immediately dismissed. Religion generally and Christianity in particular benefit from widespread privileges, but godless atheists can make a difference if they want. There are ways to fight and to promote justice for themselves as well as other secularists.
- Godless in Society: How Can a Godless Person Make a Difference?
- Atheist Activism: Reach Out to People in the Community
- How Can I Help? Ways Readers can Contribute to the Agnosticism / Atheism Site
- 10 Steps for Responding to Anti-Atheist Bigotry in the Media
Attacks on Godlessness & Secularism
Godless atheists are the most despised and discriminated against minority in America. They face bigotry in a wide variety of ways and when it's known that they are godless or secular, their views on various political and social views may be immediately dismissed. Religion generally and Christianity in particular benefit from widespread privileges, but godless atheists can make a difference if they want. There are ways to fight and to promote justice for themselves as well as other secularists.
- Religious Extremists Agree: America is too Secular
- American Prejudice & Bigotry Towards Atheism, Atheists
- Why Are Atheists Disliked, Distrusted, and Discriminated Against?
- How Are Atheists Discriminated Against?
- University of Minnesota Study on American Attitudes Towards Atheists
- Gallup Polls & Other Surveys on American Attitudes Towards Atheists
- Christian Right Attacks on Godless Liberalism
- Liberal & Progressive Attacks on Atheists, Atheism
- Godless Atheists as Scapegoats
- Adversaries of America's Godless & Skeptics
- Is There a Conspiracy of Godless Atheists Against America?
- How Are Atheists Discriminated Against?
- Anti-Atheist Bigotry & Anti-Communism in America
- Justifying & Excusing Anti-Atheist Bigotry
Godless & Secular Philosophy
Each branch of philosophy has some relevance to atheism, atheists, and the critiques which irreligious atheists use to challenge religion, religious beliefs, and theism. Some branches are more relevant than others and some are more relevant than most people realize, but all have something to offer. Although no one can be an expert in them all, there is thus some value in atheists trying to become familiar with the basics of each before focusing on learning more about one or two.
