FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paul Case
President of Seattle Atheists
P.O. Box 283, Seattle, WA 98111-0283
(206) 826-0770
president@seattleatheists.org
www.seattleatheists.org

SEATTLE ATHEISTS WINS 2010 AMERICAN ATHEISTS AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Seattle — Seattle Atheists is deeply honored to be the recipient of the 2010 American Atheists Affiliate of the Year Award.

Blair Scott, the National Affiliate Director of American Atheists said, “Over the past year Seattle Atheists have shown outstanding dedication to activism, community support, and the advancement of a positive view of atheism.

“The personal drive of the leadership and members of Seattle Atheists, their dedication to activism, community support, and a positive view of atheism, their unselfish application of time and talent, are a great credit to themselves, atheist groups across the United States, and atheists everywhere.

“Each year, American Atheists gives away the Affiliate of the Year award at the American Atheists Convention. Affiliate of the Year is not a random award: it actually means something. It means the Affiliate earned the award through hard work and dedication. The criteria looked at for consideration of Affiliate of the Year is:

• Activism for the separation of church and state and civil rights of non-theists (protests, demonstrations, letter-writing, action alerts, etc.).
• Events, activism, or programs that promote a positive image of atheists and atheism (public events, parades, editorials, etc.)
• Events, activism, or programs that advance science and reason (Darwin Day, etc.).
• Provides a social outlet for local atheists (in addition to regular monthly meetings – unless they are exclusively social).
• Charitable works, community outreach, or some other social programs or events (such as blood drives, feeding the homeless, donations, etc.). Please note that as a policy, American Atheists does not participate in charitable works or social programs. While American Atheists certainly does not discourage affiliates group from participating in charitable works and engaging in social programs, such activities are by no means required or expected of Affiliates.

“It is our hope that their activism and community outreach promotes the same in Affiliates across the nation and American Atheists encourage all Affiliates to increase activism and outreach!”

Seattle Atheists extends its congratulations and thanks to our volunteers, members, and board, whose tireless work in the community, and unflagging enthusiasm for charity, education, and outreach have made this award possible.

Seattle Atheists is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving the atheist community in the Seattle area. We strive to promote understanding and respect toward all freethinkers by providing information, creating a sense of fellowship, actively opposing discrimination, and above all, emphasizing reason, critical thinking over supernaturalism, and for the separation of church and state.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Paul Case, President of Seattle Atheists, (206) 826-0770, president@seattleatheists.org

SEATTLE ATHEISTS HOLIDAY SIGN ON CAPITOL GROUNDS

Seattle, WA, Dec. 5 2009 — Seattle Atheists has applied for a permit to display a sign on the state capitol grounds from Dec. 12 to Dec. 29, 2009. The sign will read:  “In this holiday season let us remember that kindness, charity and goodwill transcend belief, creed or religion. Happy Holidays, Seattle Atheists”

Last year, the Wisconsin organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), displayed a sign in the capitol rotunda which read, “Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” Seattle Atheists shares many opinions with the FFRF regarding the separation of church and state, and about the harm that can be done in the cause of religious belief. However, we feel that the message was needlessly provocative and inappropriate for the context of the capitol rotunda.

We feel that it is appropriate for a local organization, rather than a national organization, to have a voice in this matter in the form of our own display. We place a high value on the separation of church and state, and supported the removal of all private displays from the capitol rotunda, religious or not. We feel that the approval of religious displays gives the appearance of state sponsorship. Additionally, the state decides which displays are appropriate and which are not, which can be interpreted as an infringement on the free exercise of religion.

Seattle Atheists felt that a seasonal gesture of goodwill and equality would be more appropriate, while serving as a reminder that the wall of separation between church and state is a critical doctrine which serves to protect the rights of citizens to practice any religion they choose, or none at all.

Seattle Atheists is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving the atheist community in the Seattle area. We strive to promote understanding and respect toward all freethinkers by providing information, creating a sense of fellowship, actively opposing discrimination, and above all, emphasizing reason, critical thinking over supernaturalism, and the separation of church and state.

CONTACT:
Jerry Schiffelbein, Seattle Atheists, (206) 826-0770,
treasurer@seattleatheists.org

# # #

I just read how you guys are asking for a display at the Washington Capital.  I live all the way in Illinois but I just wanted to say how you have my full support.  I do not want to see religion destroyed but want it out of our government.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, please know that you have my full support for your sign in Olympia – I appreciate it – and its message.

They said a Seattle Atheist group and a Jewish group have applied to put a sign and a menorah on the capital grounds for the holiday season. The Seattle Atheist signs says, “In this holiday season let us remember that kindness, charity and goodwill transcend belief, creed or religion.” He quoted our entire message which sounded awesome!!

They said that no Christian groups have yet requested displays.

Seattle’s Atheists Speak Out: A new public service campaign lets local nonbelievers come out of the closet

When I was growing up in Seattle in the 1970s, religion was still a mostly behind-closed-doors matter. Heated faith debates were as rare, and frowned upon, as indulging in political rants or gossiping about the divorced family in the neighborhood. It simply was not done. Not in polite company, anyway.

In those days, Seattle was famously regarded as one of the most unchurched cities in America. Today, much like any other major metropolitan area, megachurches are prominent here, and religion is overtly in our mix—from political figures (such as U.S. Representative Dave Reichert, who openly advertises his faith) to insomniac telecasts by local evangelist Casey Treat and town hall debates featuring charismatic Christian preacher Mark Driscoll of Seattle’s Mars Hill Church. This relatively new forthrightness of faith can be a social hazard for the uninitiated (like myself). For example, the time at a business lunch when a middle-aged companion suddenly became prostrate over his plate; fearing a cardiac episode, I worriedly inquired of his health only to learn he was in solemn pre-appetizer prayer. I couldn’t have been more startled.

I was even more surprised when Metro buses bearing overtly atheistic ads began touring the city in April, and this traditionally groundhog population suddenly popped into view. For eight weeks, some 80 ads in the form of pointed historical quotations were delivered up for public consumption. One ad quoted Susan B. Anthony: “I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.” (Imagine the bus-stop chatter that provoked.) The tagline by the ads’ sponsor, Seattle Atheists (seattleatheists.org), was “We Believe in You!” For polite, albeit progressive, Seattle, this mass-media atheism campaign was exotically in your face. (In keeping with the economic constraints of the day, however, it was exceptionally cost-conscious; the ads only cost about $400.)

It seems that our city has joined the nation’s growing atheism-empowerment movement. Although the number of avowed atheist Americans is small, according to a recent New York Times story on the trend, those admitting to a no faith base has almost doubled from 8 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2008, with an increase noted in all 50 states; during that same period, the tally of self-identifying Christians dropped from 86 percent to 77 percent. Also on the rise are local and national faith-free organizations, charitable donations to them and increasing public displays of disbelief, such as the bus ads, which began in London in January and quickly migrated to Canada and the United States. Widely credited for helping to bring the atheist message into the mainstream have been best-selling atheistic works by authors such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens.

“Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
- Thomas Jefferson

“I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.”
- Susan B. Anthony

“If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.”
- Albert Einstein

Our president, Paul Case, was interviewed about the bus campaign by KOMO News, and you can get the story here: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/41618287.html

Once again, Seattle Atheists members are planning to help answer phones during the KUOW pledge drive. In addition to raising money for public radio, Seattle Atheists gets an on-air mention. Thanks to everyone who signed up to volunteer!

Once again, Seattle Atheists members are planning to help answer phones during the KUOW pledge drive. In addition to raising money for public radio, if we send at least 6 volunteers, Seattle Atheists gets an on-air mention! If you’re available and interested in volunteering, contact seattleatheists@seattleatheists.org. There’s always a lot of fun (as well as good, free food) at the drive.