UPDATED: The Godless Rise As A Political Force

"Secularist, humanist, freethinking nontheists and atheists are coalescing into a movement with a real agenda"

The title and subtitle of this blog entry are borrowed from the cover story of the March 7 issue of the National Journal (see The Godless Rise As A Political Force (PDF)). In it, Paul Starobin reports on the growing number of religiously unaffiliated Americans and the political movement that grows with them. Center stage is the Secular Coalition for America, of which the American Ethical Union (Ethical Culture's national organization) is a member. Regulars will recall that the SCA's former Director, Lori Lipman Brown, who is prominently mentioned, addressed the Bergen Society last September.

There is an opportunity for religious humanism, the Ethical Culture movement in particular, to rise with this political tide. Ours is perhaps the largest family-friendly organization of nontheists in America today. As adult "questioners" hear more about the larger national movement, it seems inevitable that some will seek a sympathetic setting for their children. Who they gonna call?

If they are lucky enough to live near one, they'll call the Ethical Culture Society (see local Societies). Here their children will be taught critical thinking and ethical behavior without the burden of dogmatic belief. We better be ready!

THIS JUST IN: See Paul Starobin discuss his article (click) with callers on C-Span (was broadcast on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at 9:30am ET). Fast forward to 1:31:30.