Making the atheist/skeptic communities more welcoming

1« Previous thread | Next thread »
- cosmicdancer
- Pub Regular
- offline
Making the atheist/skeptic communities more welcoming
OP - August 13, 2011, 08:34 PM

Could anyone help me with ideas on this?

I’m chairperson of Atheist Ireland. We hosted the recent World Atheist Convention in Dublin along with Atheist Alliance International.

I am preparing an online discussion document about how we can make the atheist / skeptical / freethinking / humanist communities equally welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable for all people who broadly share our self-identifications and goals. This is not about converting people to our points of view. It is about helping to get more people, who already share our points of view, actively involved in our groups and activities and discussions.

I would like to include some of your thoughts on the questions below. You don’t have to answer each question specifically: they are just triggers for whatever feedback that you feel might be most useful, to help shape an online discussion document for wider debate.

(a) Our groups and activities: How can we make these equally welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable for every interested person, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, disabilities, and civil, family or social status? How can we identify and tackle any prejudices we might have, or any discriminations we might enable? How can we respect each person as an individual rather than as a stereotype of either a minority or majority category? How can we empower each person to overcome fears and to participate confidently?

(b) Our internal discussions: How can we make these welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable, while also encouraging robust, objective, evidence-based debate? How can we critically address ideas using evidence, reason, skepticism, humor and even ridicule, while also showing empathy and respect for the people proposing the ideas? How can we work together to objectively examine our subjective opinions? How can we agree, or agree to differ, about how best to pursue broadly the same goals? How do online discussions differ from real life discussions?

I’d welcome general feedback and/or specific suggestions for actions. I hope this process will be constructive and forward-looking, and that it will help our communities to evolve in a positive way. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
- Hallakuf
- Pastafarian
- Pub Regular
- offline
Re: Making the atheist/skeptic communities more welcoming
Reply #1 - August 13, 2011, 08:52 PM

Generally speaking I think the rules of the CEMB forum could be a guidance. Openness, free discussions, freedom of speech, a good welcome to anybody, no matter what indeas he/she has. Do not discriminate yourself! Dogmaticals will show themselves when you give them room. Only one goal: give a platform to all who don't need religion for their life.
My toppence......

Religion is organized superstition
- MoeAlharbi
- Ex-Muslim
- offline
Re: Making the atheist/skeptic communities more welcoming
Reply #2 - August 13, 2011, 09:34 PM

I don't know about you but these questions sound a little stupid. I mean for question 1 it's like he's saying "how do we not be racist?" just don't be! And no matter how inclusive you try to make all your activities, it's still gonna leave some people out. Family activities is gonna leave singles or childless couples out. Adult activities is going to leave families out. For any activities that involve couples, how about making a poster of genderless couples. But then that would leave the polygamists out.

But on a serious side, here's what I have. I remember going to the Royal Ontario Museum once to see the exhibition of science in the medieval Islamic world. Maybe they could make an exhibition of famous atheist around the world old and new (they could learn about al ma'arri for example)

How do our online discussions differ from real life discussions? When you're online you don't have to be afraid of what people think of you when you share your ideas, especially when people don't know your real identity. Online discussions also means that it's useless to be an asshole, all what matters is whether or not you made a good point. I don't really know how this ties in with the convention. But there are two rules I find most essential when debating:
1. Don't tell your opponent he's stupid for making a argument that you think is stupid.
2. It's not enough to just say "your argument is stupid" but explain why you believe it's stupid.

I'm not into the whole atheist convention anyway, especially when it's in a place like Dublin. It's like having a Catholic convention in the Vatican, or a Muslim festival in Pakistan.

I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a star
In somebody else's sky, but why, why, why
Can't it be, can't it be mine

https://twitter.com/AlharbiMoe
- cosmicdancer
- Pub Regular
- offline
Re: Making the atheist/skeptic communities more welcoming
Reply #3 - August 13, 2011, 10:04 PM

Quote from: MoeAlharbi on August 13, 2011, 09:34 PM
I mean for question 1 it's like he's saying "how do we not be racist?" just don't be!

lol... true! You reminded me of this sketch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhQGzeiYS_Q
- David
- Pub Regular
- offline
Re: Making the atheist/skeptic communities more welcoming
Reply #4 - August 13, 2011, 10:14 PM

Quote from: Hassan on August 13, 2011, 08:34 PM
How can we make these equally welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable for every interested person, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, disabilities, and civil, family or social status? How can we identify and tackle any prejudices we might have, or any discriminations we might enable?

By relaxing a little?
1« Previous thread | Next thread »