funydirector

I'm a member of American Atheists, along with a few other groups. Let me say that I believe AA is going to make an effort to reach out other organizations, to get as broad based a coalition as possible for this event. I heard Ellen Johnson say as much at the April AA annual meeting in Boston.

As a member of AA, I have to admit there is some merit to what you say. But I think in any movement there has to be "cutting edge" organizations that are quite frankly abrasive and aren't afraid to offend. But they also do get gobs of attention that way. That is what our religious extremist friends do on a regular basis. Then they also have the more moderate organizations that are slick and polished, who then look moderate and rational in comparison. Look at where it has gotten the Religious Right - they have their man in the White House.

So how do we go about twarting anyone from portraying this event in a bad light? What would you suggest that AA and other groups do NOW to get maximum mileage from this event? Should we be hiring a media consultant for example?

pug846

I think one thing that should be aimed at is to not turn the event into an anti-christian, anti-islam or anti-religion event. Hopefully it stays positive and is pro-secular and talks about "our" issues. Those religious right groups might make a lot of noise and get a lot of publicity, but most people don't take them seriously.

funydirector

*POOF* you have suddenly been magically granted complete control of the agenda of the meeting. What would you suggest for a list of what are issues are?

For myself, I would want to use it to promote the goals of absolute seperation of church and state, and to get the word out that Godless Americans are Good Americans.

(sounds like a Tee Shirt slogan)

Ragnarok

I will probably go. Ironically, when I was a fundy I lived in that area and used to go to the pro-life rallies all the time (only a short subway ride for me then). These rallies were basically showcases for the whole Christian reconstructionist right. I now live across the country but I might make the trip to "complete a circle" in some bizarre sense. It just gives me the total shits and giggles to think of riding the same old metro train and standing there again, looking at the monument, the mall, the museums, holding a sign and knowing that I'm now here representing what I would have thought the height of evil 10 years ago.

And knowing that if somebody shoots me or blows me up for marching it might even be one of my old associates.

Edited to change "might" to "probably".

[ June 08, 2002: Message edited by: Ragnarok ]</p>

The Other Michael

Hi funydirector,

"God-less, not good-less"?

cheers,
Michael

Dark Jedi

I kind of favor:
"Bite me, you fundy bigot"

But that might be counter-productive..

Toto

The churches are successful because they make full use of modern communications skills and technology. I don't know anyone on the freethought side who does that - they either think they don't have enough money, or they are intellectuals who look down on media consultants and spin doctors.

It is a big problem. The media think that atheists should be obnoxious, and will give coverage to obnoxious atheists while ignoring polite atheists. I think that publicity is worse than none at all.

katlynnhow

As of right now, I'm planning to go and I'm taking my oldest daughter with me. She's very excited about her march on Washington.

gilly54

One way to increase the number of participants, and get the media atention, is to have similar marches in key cities all over the country. I know you'd get a very high turn out in the Bay Area: SF/SJ/Oakland.

Fuct

As long as there is beer, I'll be there.