Happy Atheist Solidarity Day!
I think we had a great first year. Each year this day will get bigger and bigger. I am actually quite surprised by how well the day has grown in popularity just by word of mouth. I hope that one day June 21 will be a global phenomenon noticeable to a majority of the world. It’s a movement that belongs to us all. It has no single founder or organization. I will also be participating but wanted the idea to be unattached to any person or group. You are all its founders. It will grow because of the power of the idea and not who started it. It’s my dream that eventually, everywhere in the world, atheists will not have to hide the fact they are an atheist.
We all have many different values, personalities, and goals. Atheism has no creed or set of beliefs. We are a diverse group with nothing in common other than the one fact that we all lack the belief in god. That is all we have in common. A large segment of society however doesn’t see it that way. They have a stereotyped and caricatured view of who we are. They are told lies and myths about us. The only way to fight these misconceptions is by being visible. How else can they see that the stereotypes are wrong? Silence and being invisible is the worst thing we can do. Ideally we shouldn't have to be so visible but it is because of the current situation that we must.
An atheist solidarity ribbon, Scarlet A, or any symbol for atheism popular in your region can be used to fight for change and raise awareness. That is the main purpose of this day. Raising awareness about the atheists who can not identify themselves as atheist because of how it would negatively change their life. Some atheists that publicly identify as atheist could be socially outcast, lose their job, threatened, or even in some parts of the world killed. It is those who can be visible without any serious consequence who can pave the way for others. By having as many as possible identify to the world they are an atheist they are helping more and more to be able to do likewise. Eventually we can create a world where being an atheist is inconsequential to how others treat us. It’s a minor thing about who we are. There are so many other things that define who we are.
Solidarity is something we can show all year long but especially on June 21. Wearing a ribbon or atheist symbol all year can not only change the stereotypes but can also help other atheists feel not so alone in their community. Atheist solidarity is what it is all about. I truly believe:
"Only in solidarity can atheists create a world in which atheists everywhere can be open about their lack of belief in god and not fear any harmful consequence."
This day will only succeed with continued hard work from everyone. Remember there is no official organizer. The first Facebook Group and this website are just starting points. I encourage you to create groups and websites for your local region. Each region is going to have different needs and methods by which change can happen. By distributing our effort we can be stronger. Solidarity all year will unite us. Show it all year long. Celebrate it June 21. The current situation throughout the world is unacceptable. Only we can change it. It must be done.
Anonymous
Be sure to sign up for next year on Facebook.
Great Facebook profile image for the day here.
First Annual Atheist Solidarity Day
By adding the Atheist Ribbon to your profile or gravatar picture until the 21st you will help get more people to hear about this day! Imagine if we could get it to go viral!!
It's an atheist holiday and awareness campaign. It's a global and annual day to stand up together as one and provide support for those who struggle to be non-religious in their communities. It's a day of celebration for those who have the freedom to be open about their beliefs while at the same time raising awareness about those who don't have that freedom. There are many around the world who have to hide their lack of beliefs because of social pressures, taboos, threat of violence, and even death. Everywhere there are people who have to hide out of necessity. It ultimately is a day of protest, celebration, and awareness raising.
Only in solidarity can atheists create a world in which atheists everywhere can be open about their lack of belief in god and not fear any harmful consequence.
This day will be a day where atheists around the world wear the atheist ribbon (half scarlet red half black) pinned to their shirt or anything that identifies themselves as an atheist such as the "Scarlet A". As we get more and more publicity every year it will be easier and easier for others to stand out and express themselves.
On June 21 people will be paying more attention to the repercussions that some may suffer identifying themselves as an atheist. It will be a day that when repercussions happen atheists around the globe will stand up and demand it end. On this day we'll write letters to the media, we'll protest, we'll make it more well known, we'll cast an eye on those who oppress. To be successful publicity is important. It's a day to party and be responsible. Create awareness in clever ways. Have a party in a public place and invite the public. Run a fundraiser in the community. Do anything to get more people to see that atheists are just like everyone else. Do things to break the stereotypes people may have. Be fun and show your community what you think is important.
Ideas on ways to identity yourself on this day: wear the Atheist Ribbon, a half scarlet red, half black ribbon, get something from Richard Dawkins’ Store (proceeds to go to a non-profit foundation), or from cafepress.ca/atheistday, or from Sir Lee Tees (regular and plain), wear a goofy costume and makeup, make signs, or anything to identify yourself as atheist.
This day belongs to everyone. No one controls it or its agenda. It will take it's own path. Hopefully every year more and more people will celebrate this day. Feel free to use the Facebook Group to organize local events. Just post your location as a topic in discussions. Offer ideas. Join the group. Encourage others to join. Write about it in your blog. Promote this day everywhere.
Eventually this day could be a day were all atheists stand up in solidarity worldwide in order to help more come out to those around them. Together we can help change the world where eventually atheists everywhere can stand up fearless and celebrate our freedom every June 21. This event nicely compliments World Humanist Day (The main reason for the date). See outcampaign.org for related information.
Solidarity can be shown all year long!! June 21 is the day we celebrate and focus our solidarity for yearly events and projects.
REMEMBER that this day will only be successful if many groups participate. If you see an atheist/humanist group that isn't participating, write a quick email encouraging them to do something that day. It only takes 5 minutes and can make a big difference!!! Contact information for groups in your area can be found at Richard Dawkins’ site here.
Also at:
AtheistSolidarity.com
youtube.com/group/solidarityday
twitter.com/SolidarityDay use #atheistsolidarityday
ADD THE RIBBON TO YOUR FACEBOOK PROFILE IMAGE TO SHOW SOLIDARITY ALL YEAR LONG.
Twibbon will do it automatically for you.
Partner Group:
Atheist Solidarity Ribbon Campaign For Facebook
Because facebook allows rectangles to used as profile images after adding a ribbon it may not show up everywhere else on Facebook as parts will be cropped off. If you want it to be visible everywhere click "Change Picture" on top of your profile image. Then select "Edit Thumbnail". Now drag the image around till the ribbon is also visible.
Atheist Solidarity Day Groups in other languages:
Espanol
The black and red colors were mostly chosen as a homage to one of the first "Scarlet A" pictures on outcampaign.org. It was a red A on black background.
To get atheist ribbon pictures with transparent backgrounds so you can easily add it on top of profile pictures go to this Picasa Album.
If putting the ribbon on an image with black or red underneath it you could use this one as it has a really thin white outline and makes it easier to see.
For Facebook: This one is the correct size and works well with profile pictures.
One Month Till Atheist Solidarity Day
Atheist Solidarity Day is coming. So far we have almost 2,000 people as part of the Facebook group! If you haven't invited anyone yet please consider doing so. The more we get people to do something this year the quicker it will become a bigger and bigger event. Hopefully every year it gets bigger.
Ways to also help:
- join a local atheist group and get them to do something!
- blog about the day
- visit the YouTube page and make a video for the group talking about the day
- join SolidarityDay on Twitter and do some tweeting
- for those who like the ribbon get it on your Facebook and Twitter profile
- Get a vinyl decal of the ribbon
- or anything else you can think of!
Thanks. Let's make 2010 the year atheists started a day for solidarity.
Comment with your activities and we'll list them.
The Ribbons, T-shirts and More
Click the Atheist Ribbons for larger versions:
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So far, there is no source for getting an actual half and half Atheist Ribbon. You can always create them yourself.
For t-shirts, hats and more, you can visit the following sites:
- Sir Lee Tees for a wide range of atheist products. I've created two Atheist Solidarity Day shirts, hats, mugs, aprons and more:
- T-shirts here too, from Atheist Day
- Richard Dawkins' store
Atheist Solidarity Day June 21: An Atheist Holiday
Founded anonymously, popularized by hard working atheists.
June 21 will be an atheist holiday and awareness campaign. It’s a global and annual day to stand up together as one and provide support for those who struggle to be non-religious in their communities. It’s a day of celebration for those who have the freedom to be open about their beliefs while at the same time raising awareness about those who don’t have that freedom. There are many around the world who have to hide their lack of beliefs because of social pressures, taboos, threat of violence, and even death. Everywhere there are people who have to hide out of necessity. It is ultimately a day of protest, celebration, and awareness raising.
This day will be a day where atheists around the world wear the Atheist Ribbon, a half scarlet red, half black ribbon pinned to their shirt or anything that identifies themselves as an atheist such as the “Scarlet A”. As we get more and more publicity every year it will be easier and easier for others to stand out and express themselves.
On June 21 people will be paying more attention to the repercussions that some may suffer by identifying themselves as an atheist. It will be a day that when repercussions happen, atheists around the globe will stand up and demand it end. On this day we’ll write letters to the media, we’ll protest, we’ll make it more well known, we’ll cast an eye on those who oppress. To be successful, publicity is important. It’s a day to party and be responsible. Create awareness in clever ways. Have a party in a public place and invite the public. Run a fundraiser in the community. Do anything to get more people to see that atheists are just like everyone else. Do things to break the stereotypes people may have. Be fun and show your community what you think is important.
Ideas on ways to identity yourself on this day: wear the Atheist Ribbon, a half scarlet red, half black ribbon, get something from Richard Dawkins’ Store (proceeds to go to a non-profit foundation), or from cafepress.ca/atheistday, or from Sir Lee Tees (regular and plain), wear a goofy costume and makeup, make signs, or anything to identify yourself as atheist.
This day belongs to everyone. No one controls it or its agenda. It will take it’s own path. Hopefully every year more and more people will celebrate this day. Feel free to use the Facebook Group and/or this site to organize local events. Just post your location as a topic in discussions, or post your local event here. Offer ideas. Join the group. Encourage others to join. Write about it in your blog. Promote this day everywhere.
Eventually this day could be a day where all atheists stand up in solidarity worldwide in order to help more come out to those around them. Together we can help change the world where eventually atheists everywhere can stand up fearless and celebrate our freedom every June 21. This event nicely compliments World Humanist Day. See outcampaign.org for related information.
REMEMBER that this day will only be successful if many groups participate. If you see an atheist/humanist group that isn’t participating, write a quick email encouraging them to do something that day. It only takes 5 minutes and can make a big difference!!! Contact information for groups in your area can be found at Richard Dawkins’ site here.
Also at:
youtube.com/group/solidarityday
twitter.com/SolidarityDay use #atheistsolidarityday
MAKE SURE TO INVITE OTHERS TO THIS GROUP, AND TO YOUR EVENTS!
Atheist Solidarity Day Groups in other languages:
Espanol
The black and red colors were mostly chosen as an homage to one of the first “Scarlet A” pictures on outcampaign.org. It was a red A on a black background.