What would you do?

33 posts / 0 new
Last post
Daniel's picture
What would you do?

It is my belief that the world would be a better place if the majority of people were not religious and used critical thinking, scepticism, science, and reason as their main way to make sense of the universe and their own lives.

Believing this, I have often wondered what could be done to promote this vision. Here's my question: if you had a nearly unlimited supply of funds meant for making this vision a reality, what would you do?

Subscription Note: 

Choosing to subscribe to this topic will automatically register you for email notifications for comments and updates on this thread.

Email notifications will be sent out daily by default unless specified otherwise on your account which you can edit by going to your userpage here and clicking on the subscriptions tab.

Daniel's picture
One more thing. Some of you

One more thing. Some of you may believe that there is nothing we can do to speed up the process of making such a vision a reality. If that's you, just imagine that you are the head of a charity based on realizing this vision. You have, say, $25 billion and must spend it on this vision. What would you do?

Nyarlathotep's picture
That is an interesting

That is an interesting question.

LogicFTW's picture
Hmm. 25 billion.

Hmm. 25 billion.

Here in the US? If so:

My first thought is: to set up well funded nearly free k-12 schools in rural america that teaches critical thinking skills starting at a young age, and emphasizing evidence based backing of any idea that is in controversy. Stable, violence free schools that provide lunch, (and breakfast and a take home dinner if needed.) After class activities are provided for those students that have parents still at work.

When earth sciences and evolution subjects are taught, fieldtrips to real world examples occur. If they live near the grand canyon a day trip to the grand canyon is done. Many areas of the US has real world geological evidence that points to the evolution theory, age of the earth, etc, kids could see and touch with their own senses. The scientific method is also taught at an early age, as well as many other tools of logic and reasoning that allows kids starting at a young age filter poorly supported arguments from well backed by evidence arguments. Kids by the age of 10 or so will know not to fear the "monster" in their closet by applying the skills of logic and reasoning via evidence.

Teachers can be theist, but any teaching in the school of theistic ideals will be strictly forbidden. There can be grade 11/12 classes that look into theist history, origins and discussion utilizing the critical thinking skills students would have well developed by that point.

Oh, there also will not be any daily "pledge of allegiance" stuff, especially with the "under god part." Patriotism and country pride will be developed via highlighting the many accomplishments of the nation, and a good understanding of the freedoms we enjoy and us working together to improve our country.

Daniel's picture
I agree that education would

I agree that education would be the number one tool. What about forming stronger lobby groups to strengthen separation of church and state and to keep religous interests out of law making and politics. I also wonder if creating television and internet ads promoting the soundness of science and reason while also promoting scepticism would be helpful.

LogicFTW's picture
I agree, funding lobby and

I agree, funding lobby and political would also be a good use of money, however I am sure theist groups could more easily attack that method as an attack against them. (Of course we all know theist groups spend enormous amounts on lobby groups and influencing politics already.)

chimp3's picture
CyberLyn once mentioned a

CyberLyn once mentioned a goal of normalizing atheism. How about a TV series with the only normal person as an atheist? A comedy, of course.

Daniel's picture
Chimp3, are you alluding to

Chimp3, are you alluding to The Big Bang Theory? Only problem with that is that Sheldon Cooper might not qualify as "normal".

chimp3's picture
The only normal person on The

The only normal person on The Big Bang Theory is Penny.

CyberLN's picture
Maybe we need a show like

Maybe we need a show like Leah Remini's about Scientology done about every religion.

LogicFTW's picture
I like that :) Every major

I like that :) Every major religion anyways. Obviously certain places theist power is so absolute that such a documentary would be easily completely censored it would be ineffectual, some islamic countries come to mind.

Daniel's picture
Maybe a campaign that

Maybe a campaign that promotes the successes of the scientific method while highlighting the drawbacks of relying on the supernatural to describe reality. Demon possession was once believed to be the cause be of epilepsy and exorcism was the prescribed cure. How successful was that compared to discovering it is a neurological condition that can be helped with medication? Stuff like that.

Daniel's picture
I think relying on your faith

I think relying on your faith to describe reality is similar to a public health issue like smoking or even drug addiction. There should be commercials directing views to watch YouTube videos that show the triumphs of science and debunking popular religious beliefs.

Why don't we have an organization doing this?

LogicFTW's picture
"Why don't we have an

"Why don't we have an organization doing this?"

There are theist organizations sort of doing it to each other.
Atheist/agnostics do not really organize much, partly because they tend to also reject religions organization, its not a belief in something, just a lack of belief.

Many atheist/agnostic can be described as believers in science/scientific method. So scientist and science believers should get together to promote science. Very few science politicians or practitioners of law they tend to be preoccupied with science. Lots of theist politicians and law practitioners.

To bad L Ron Hubbard and current acolytes already completely destroyed the word "scientology." And probably any other word with science in it as related to people organizing into a "belief" system.

We need a new science believers group/organization with a catchy name :) I would join/participate in it if the values were similar to my own.

I strongly believe we need more heavy science background people in politics. STEM educated people. (Although it could exacerbate the shortage of stem educated workers we already have.)

Alembé's picture
Hi Logic for TW,

Hi Logic for TW,

“I strongly believe we need more heavy science background people in politics. STEM educated people. (Although it could exacerbate the shortage of stem educated workers we already have.)”

There may be a problem doing this. Most of us who become scientists are left-brain analytical types. It suits us well for that career. However, politics is a much more emotional, people to people, let’s make a deal-type of thing. Not only are we unprepared for that type of interaction, we tend to abhor it. Now, there are a few Carl Sagan types, but they are rare.

LogicFTW's picture
I agree, a large issue. By

I agree, a large issue. By default the science types are exactly that, science types, not political types. So science tends to lose out in that arena big time. Not sure how to change that w/o a major culture change where people decide emotions have no place in politics.

chimp3's picture
We have Penn and Teller's

We have Penn and Teller's "Bullshit!", Dawkins documentaries, James Randi's debunking docs, etc. The Four Horsemen debates. I like the idea of commercials directing folks to those.

Daniel's picture
What about the humanists?

What about the humanists? They are organized but do very little to promote science and scepticism. I would love to see a more organized effort. Our society, and others, really needs it.

Daniel's picture
In Britain some schools have

In Britain some schools have a weekly philosophy class where they learn critical thinking skills , and they have debates where they have to support their ideas with emprical evidence. Studies show that over time the students retained their critical thinking skills.

LogicforTW, I looked into what STEM is, and it looked great. Hopefully it will become more common in schools.

Isaac Anderle's picture
Well there is street

Well there is street epistemology but I don't know that it would be more effective than revamping education systems. It just requires volunteers. Anthony Magnabosco on YouTube does it with admittedly wide array of results. But it could help set a new image for atheists and normalize them.

Daniel's picture
I like your idea,, Nevadead,

I like your idea,, Nevadead, but to make a real difference it sounds like that would take a lot of volunteers and a lot of education for those volunteers. I don't think we have an organization large enough for that yet. When we do, epistemology sounds great.

Pitar's picture
I have learned you can't

I have learned you can't defeat stupid so that would need to be resolved.

How?

Exactly.

The utopian drive to educate everyone would meet resistance from stupid.

People want to be stupid.

Really? How's that, you ask? They have a perspective that was given to them by people they know, trust, love and generally find no fault with. This is known as indoctrination and it resides in the mist where no facts can abide. These people are comfortable there and find no reason to change a thing. This means you can't defeat stupid.

George Carlin once remarked that you can tell people there's a deity that lives in the sky who loves them and is waiting to receive them in heaven when they die, and they will believe you. You can tell these same people the wall paint is wet and they need to touch it and see for themselves if you're telling the truth. This is the stupid you cannot defeat.

So, how much money would it take to defeat stupid? I'm thinking all of it cannot educate a person who wants to be stupid.

Daniel's picture
Pitar,

Pitar,
I think people can be influenced to look into science. There's a reason why companies spend millions on advertising. It works! Think of the stop smoking campaign. It had great results. Today smokers are marganalized.people can be influenced, we just need to get organized.

Sky Pilot's picture
Freefromgod,

Freefromgod,

The King Asa method works the fastest.

http://www.thebricktestament.com/king_solomon/executing_unbelievers_brin... 6 pictures

Daniel's picture
Diotrrphes, what a great idea

Diotrrphes, what a great idea. Let's round up the masses! :) No, but I think a little education would be very helpful. Educate the kids in school and the adults with ads on TV and the internet. Also, maybe a strong lobby group. For those who value the scientific method, reason, critical thinking, and scepticism as well as see the harm in religion, why not promote that?

Sky Pilot's picture
Freefromgod,

Freefromgod,

Depending on the society you could be charged with religious hate speech and imprisoned. Your best course of action as an individual is to simply mind your own business and refrain from getting involved in religious issues. Otherwise you could have some very bad experiences.

Daniel's picture
Luckily not all of histories

Luckily not all of histories great thinkers thought that way. Of course, we don't need any martyrs. In such countries it might be best to keep quiet, but in Western democrocies we should be doing more.

SecularSonOfABiscuitEater's picture
I'd found the Athiest State!

I'd found the Athiest State! Yall remember that thread? ;D lol

But seriously yeah this way of life is for the people that want and value it. So The Athiest State is where I'd put my Elon Musk money to use. Pitar wasn't a big fan of it, but to each his own I guess. If you wanna check it out I'll post the link.

Randomhero1982's picture
Unlimited funds? terraform

Unlimited funds? terraform And colonise mars and get as far away as possible from them all.

TheVegetarianHumanist1996's picture
If we had majority non

If we had majority non-religious people, things would be better. We'd already have a Medicare for all healthcare system and clean energy. We'd also have more peace, altruism, freedom, and equality.

Pages

Donating = Loving

Heart Icon

Bringing you atheist articles and building active godless communities takes hundreds of hours and resources each month. If you find any joy or stimulation at Atheist Republic, please consider becoming a Supporting Member with a recurring monthly donation of your choosing, between a cup of tea and a good dinner.

Or make a one-time donation in any amount.