I was sent the following press release from a combined group of various atheist or secular groups operating in Oklahoma. I wonder if it will provoke as much vitrol and protest as the recent Muslim Day at the Capitol?
—————————–
For Immediate Release
Monday, March 23, 2015
OKLAHOMA GROUPS TO HOLD FIRST-EVER ATHEIST AND SECULAR OKLAHOMANS DAY AT CAPITOL
On April 6, 2015, atheist and secular Oklahomans from across the state will gather at the state Capitol for the first-ever Atheist and Secular Oklahomans Day. We will have displays setup and representatives from our groups present on the second floor of the capitol rotunda from 8:30am until 5pm.
As Oklahomans, we and our allies seek to make our presence known and to encourage our state leaders to base all legislation and policy on rational and strictly secular grounds. We believe that government should not use any particular set of religious beliefs (or lack thereof) as a means to divide and discriminate.
The groups participating in this event include Oklahoma Atheists; Atheist Community of Tulsa; Norman Naturalism Group; Tulsa Interfaith Alliance; Atheist Community of Bartlesville; Lawton Area Secular Society; Agnostics, Atheists, and Freethinkers at OCCC (Oklahoma City Community College); and American Atheists.
About Oklahoma Atheists
Oklahoma Atheists mission is to develop a community of individuals and families who value and promote critical thinking, freethought, reason and a scientific worldview – as opposed to the acceptance of faith and dogma – and who seek to have a positive effect on the community at large through fellowship, ethical and rational discussion, community service, and education.
About the Atheist Community of Tulsa
Founded in 2003, the Atheist Community of Tulsa is the second-largest organization of its kind in the state of Oklahoma. We seek to promote positive atheism, develop and support the atheist community of Tulsa, provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, promote secular viewpoints, encourage positive atheist culture, defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, oppose discrimination against atheists, and work with other organizations in pursuit of our common goals.
About Norman Naturalism Group
Naturalism is the assertion that we live in one natural world and that supposed supernatural forces or events actually have natural explanations. The Norman Naturalism Group serves as a source of community and support for those content with or interested in the Naturalistic worldview – those who are happy with the scientific understanding of the world around us.
About the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance
The Tulsa Interfaith Alliance is a non-partisan, faith-based advocacy group that works diligently to maintain the separation of church and state, to address issues of unconstitutional religious expression, and to raise awareness of the greater good that people of all faiths, and no faith, bring to society. Our work is directed toward the public square, not individual faith communities. We are a recognized affiliate of the national Interfaith Alliance, and an approved Partner of the international Charter for Compassion Campaign. We identify with these core values: religious liberty, diversity and tolerance, and the absolute separation of church and state.
About the Atheist Community of Bartlesville
The Atheist Community of Bartlesville is organized to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals and is open to all who describe themselves as atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, freethinkers, et cetera, or atheist-friendly individuals.
About Lawton Area Secular Society
Lawton Area Secular Society (LASS) is dedicated to creating a supportive community of rational thinkers. We endeavor to promote skeptical thinking, reject dogma, and hope to present a positive public image of disbelief and freethought to counter the prejudices commonly associated with atheism. LASS is also committed to creating enjoyable social opportunities for those who wish for fellowship with other atheists, agnostics, freethinkers and skeptics.
About Agnostics, Atheists, and Freethinkers at OCCC
Agnostics, Atheists, and Freethinkers at OCCC brings together and supports non-believing and religiously questioning members of the OCCC and local community. We provide a safe and welcoming environment to engage in open dialogue, skepticism, and critical thinking about secular issues.
About American Atheists
Since 1963, American Atheists has been the premier organization fighting for the civil liberties of atheists and the total, absolute separation of government and religion. American Atheists was born out of a court case begun in 1959 by the Murray family which challenged prayer recitation in the public schools. Now in its 51st year, American Atheists is dedicated to working for the civil rights of atheists, promoting separation of state and church, and providing information about atheism.
For more information, contact William Poire: 918-894-0907 wpoire@atheists.org
