Non-Theist "Unity Conference": Would You Go?

Back in 2008, a “Unity Conference” joining the major non-theist/freethought groups was floated as an idea. While the original concept was for a 2010 conference, it hasn’t really gained traction. Would you attend such a conference?

As reported by Hemant Mehta (the Friendly Atheist), Atheist Alliance International president Margaret Downey presented her concept at the 2008 gathering of non-theist and humanist organizations:

I asked for your attention at this meeting because I am requesting that we target the year 2010 as a year to do what some think is impossible—a Unity Convention.

In 2002, American Atheists president Ellen Johnson organized and implemented the greatest event in the history of the atheist movement. The 2002 Godless American March on Washington made it clear that there is a strong and active community of atheists who want to be recognized, respected and appreciated.

I devote this presentation about the possibility of a 2010 Unity Convention to Ellen Johnson. She is my inspiration in broaching this subject today.

…

The very fact that we are gathered here today shows how far we have come. I propose that now is the time to show the world that the non-theist community has congealed into a cooperative powerful force. We are no longer a silent complacent minority.

Non-theists will not be recognized by the media or politicians until we conduct something similar to the 2002 Godless American’s March on Washington.

It is my intent today, to open a dialog about how we might do something spectacular such as a Unity Convention in 2010.

…

If a convention center is used, a public area can be set up with booths, literature and presentations that highlight the different non-theist groups in America. Those interested in learning about non-theistic thinking would have an opportunity to visit with representatives from all groups—just like the public is invited to visit with exhibitors who set up booths at Expos and trade shows.

A Unity Convention can re-engage the non-theist community and can give hope to the notion that, very soon, non-theists will no longer be considered a minority and that atheism is as American as apple pie.

The idea hasn’t apparently gotten a lot of traction. Outspoken atheist PZ Meyers brought it up today on his Pharyngula blog, saying in part:

An annoying but intrinsic property of atheists is that we are all horribly fractured — this is a disparate group with no central leadership, and that’s the way we like it — but it also means our presence is fragmented and easier to ignore. We have all these different godless organizations with different national meetings that overlap and often share members, but no coherence. Margaret Downey has been pushing an idea for a little while that you can read about in a post on the Friendly Atheist from last year: we should all at least once get together in one giant massive united meeting and make a show of our numbers and our common goals.

It’s been a struggle to get this together. The initial plan was to do it in 2010, but that’s not going to happen; the proposal now is to stage a Unity Convention in 2013 in Washington, DC. All the national non-theist organizations would coordinate for this event and bring their memberships together in one gathering, one grand mega-meeting in which we’d let the leaders of the country know that we’re here and we’re watching them and we vote.

I think it’s a fabulous idea. I’d go. How many of you would join us?

Australians, please note that 2010 will bring the Global Atheist Conference to Melbourne. Titled “The Rise of Atheism”, this event will take place March 12-14 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre:

Presenters will include: Richard Dawkins, Catherine Deveny, Phillip Adams, Taslima Nasrin, Peter Singer, PZ Myers, Dan Barker, Stuart Bechman, Sue-Ann Post, Kylie Sturgess, John Perkins, Tamas Pataki, Max Wallace, Russell Blackford, Ian Robinson, AC Grayling, Robyn Williams, Simon Taylor, NonStampCollector and Craig Reucassel and Julian Morrow (The Chaser). In addition, a panel of women chaired by Maggie Millar will feature Lyn Allison, Tanya Levin, Leslie Cannold and Jane Caro.

Unfortunately, I’ve not found any information anywhere beyond PZ Myers’ blog referencing a 2013 United States conference proposal . .. even on AAI’s website (remember, their president first floated the idea of a US national conference). If you have knowledge on a US conference proposal, please post in the comments and I’ll update this article!

But for now . . . Poll time!

Related articles:

1. A non-theist feast down under!
2. Northwest Freethought Conference – March 26-28
3. Rand Paul To Address Ralph Reed’s Religious Right Conference
4. Conference brings together humanists from across Europe
5. Humanists, skeptics and scientists come to Manchester to discuss the meaning of life: BHA Annual Conference begins!

Jenny Donati is webmistress and co-editor of Secular News Daily. Jenny is an outspoken secularist who believes firmly in the separation of church and state. She demands evidence to support arguments, and holds herself to the same standard. She doesn't write about herself in the third person . . . but there's a first time for everything.

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