Name Change: International Society of Secularists

Posted March 4, 2009 on Facebook:

Good Evening!
I hope you are doing well. I want to inform you that I have decided to rename the group I am founding the International Society of Secularists. I know many atheists will have concerns about this decision, so I would like to take a moment to explain it.
Atheists appear to be the most organized and active portion in the non-theist community, at least in English speaking countries. This activism and organization, especially over the last decade, has brought me hope for secularism. I do not take atheists for granted, and I hope they will continue to be interested in my organization.
I have found it very difficult to generate interest in my group from those who do not explicitly call themselves atheist but are nevertheless non-theists. I know many atheists might argue that other names for non-theist positions are all forms of atheism. However, I ultimately had to ask myself “What are the goals of the organization I want to form?” Although activism is certainly going to be a part of what we do, it will not be our main focus. Our purpose is to provide a source of cohesion for the secular community. We will do this by establishing social and support networks for non-theists, as well as providing services to both the public and to the secular community.
I know this decision will probably cause the organization to be viewed as a moderate group, and moderate theists and non-theists are sometimes criticized for their apparent lack of clarity and steadfastness. Let me be clear – the ISS stands for free thought and separation of church and state. It also embraces the use of reason and science over faith and tradition. I believe both moderate and more vocal groups are both important components of social movements.
You may have questions and concerns about my decision to change the name of the organization, and I welcome those. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to share your feedback and ideas. I hope that you will continue to show support and interest in the organization.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Clapper
Founder
International Society of Secularists

Response to Benedict XVI

The AFP reports that Pope Benedict XVI made several interesting statements about the modern world and materialism July 19 in Sydney.  He allegedly:

…urged worshippers to become “messengers of love” to counter a “spiritual desert” spreading in the modern world, saying their youthful energy had helped reinvigorate the church.

“The world needs this renewal,” he said. “In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert is spreading, an interior emptiness, an unnamed fear, a quiet sense of despair.”

The pontiff has repeatedly railed against consumerism and greed through the week and again warned young worshippers to avoid “the shallowness, apathy and self-absorption which deaden our souls and poison our relationships.”

If Pope Benedict is claiming that a growing lack of faith is equal to a lack of love or morality, I certainly disagree. If he means that faith and spirituality are giving way to reason, how is that a bad thing?  The only thing I have ever noticed about non-religious people as far as an “emptiness” is concerned is that they sometimes are suffering psychologically because of the social isolation they often endure.

The sense of despair and emptiness Pope Benedict describes may also be an indirect result of other factors that accompany development. For example, more people live in and near urban areas in developed countries, where population density is much higher than we are likely evolved to cope with.  Workforces are also much more mobile where infrastructure allows it.  Although this is good for the economy, it may cause additional stress on people as they are forced to rebuild their social networks.  In a nutshell, the negative emotions described by Pope Benedict may have more to do with our evolutionary hardwiring than the fact that we are less religious.

It is normal for humans to be consumers and to stockpile resources. Resources help men attract mates and help women raise healthy children.  We are therefore likely to seek to acquire them, along with status symbols that imply we have them.  To rally against consumerism and greed is to rally against human nature.

David Silverman’s Response

A couple posts back, I shared how I wrote this comment on the blog sponsored by American Atheists and administered over by David Silverman, which can be found at http://www.nogodblog.com:

Congratulations, David and Kathleen (on being appointed to the Board of Directors). David, I personally think your appointment to the Board is overdue by about 10 years, give or take. But better late than never. Is the board considering terms and term limits? One book on nonprofits that I’m reading says that in many organizations, once a board member serves the term limit, they have to leave the board for at least a year. Afterwards, they are able to rejoin it. Also, if you haven’t already, you might consider recruiting board members with a diverse range of abilities and experience. For example, one with experience in accounting, one with experience in web design, one with marketing experience, etc… Is the board considering hiring an executive director? It seems that most nonprofits that reach a certain size will hire an executive director who runs the day to day operations of the organization, and the board is there to provide oversight, knowledge, and fund raising contacts… Does AA have an up to date strategic plan? Up to date handbooks for board members, staff, volunteers, state and local leaders? Does AA regularly put out a call for volunteers, contact community colleges and universities for both volunteers and interims, and place ads for interims? -Andrew Clapper

Here is Silverman’s response:

(Andrew), Our board HAS broadened recently with the addition of Edwin (Attorney), Kathy (Military), Arlene (Local Groups) and myself (pretty face). You’re going like the changes over the next year.

Although Silverman addressed the question of the need for a larger board, the idea is to have a board of experts that are able to make sure that the organization is run efficiently and professionally. There is nothing wrong with having activist board members, but I can not help but wonder if certain areas of the organization’s management are being neglected.

The post on the expansion of the Board of Directors of American Atheists can be found here:

http://www.atheists.org/nogodblog/index.php/2008/06/09/news_dave_and_kathleen_join_the_board