Anonymous asked: Enjoyed this post: "Why don’t you participate in Atheist Activism?" In my very liberal city, I joined the local atheist group and quickly realized my mistake and never returned after two meetings. BUT-- I'm noodling with the idea of creating a local effort myself. So, what are the specific attributes of an atheist organization you'd consider joining? Thx.

First, Anon, I’m sorry for not responding. I took a few days off from everything to reboot.

As a feminist atheist progressive type, I think what is missing in many groups is intersectionality. Many people are not just atheists. They are women, glbt, and/or of color. Our atheism is secondary to the oppression that we feel by living in this patriarchal, racist system. Unlike someone’s belief in a deity, you can tell someone’s gender or race at a glance most of the time.

So, as far as I’m concerned, if you care about atheist activism, you also must care for the people that are oppressed by the systems that religions often perpetuate. Atheists need to partner with groups that try to shatter these systems or help those impacted by them.

A group I would consider joining would have the following attributes:

Zero Tolerance for racism, sexism, and homophobia.

A presence in feminist concerns (especially the ones that are perpetuated by the religious right) such as reproductive rights.

Partnering with groups that aid in spreading knowledge, not just research. So, book drives, fighting against book bans, tutoring students in everything.

Partnering with food banks and other food programs. After all, its hard to think when you’re hungry.

Offering to help in whatever way anti-racism organizations need, whether it is bodies at a city council meeting, or tutoring or coaching sports teams.

An acknowledgement that history has an impact on the way that we perceive the world, and that religion isn’t always the baddie (although sometimes it is), and sometimes it helped a great deal. After all, the European printing press probably wouldn’t exist if the reformation hadn’t happened.

Atheists who do not think they know all the answers and who will not swoop in and tell other groups how to run their shit or how they should behave. They know what they are doing. If they ask your opinion, give it, and then STFU.

Not doing one event and then disappearing from a cause. (This isn’t really an atheist issue, it’s just a pet peeve about most service/partnering, I find.)

Near me. (I’m more likely to show up)

Now, that’s a tall order, and you probably just want the basics, so here you go: