The recent Gods and Politics conference in Copenhagen adopted the following Declaration on Religion in Public Life. The conference was the first European event of Atheist Alliance International, and was co-hosted by AAI and the Danish Atheist Society.
We, at the World Atheist Conference: “Gods and Politics”, held in Copenhagen from 18 to 20 June 2010, hereby declare as follows:
- We recognize the unlimited right to freedom of conscience, religion and belief, and that freedom to practice one’s religion should be limited only by the need to respect the rights of others.
- We submit that public policy should be informed by evidence and reason, not by dogma.
- We assert the need for a society based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. History has shown that the most successful societies are the most secular.
- We assert that the only equitable system of government in a democratic society is based on secularism: state neutrality in matters of religion or belief, favoring none and discriminating against none.
- We assert that private conduct, which respects the rights of others should not be the subject of legal sanction or government concern.
- We affirm the right of believers and non-believers alike to participate in public life and their right to equality of treatment in the democratic process.
- We affirm the right to freedom of expression for all, subject to limitations only as prescribed in international law – laws which all governments should respect and enforce. We reject all blasphemy laws and restrictions on the right to criticize religion or nonreligious life stances.
- We assert the principle of one law for all, with no special treatment for minority communities, and no jurisdiction for religious courts for the settlement of civil matters or family disputes.
- We reject all discrimination in employment (other than for religious leaders) and the provision of social services on the grounds of race, religion or belief, gender, class, caste or sexual orientation.
- We reject any special consideration for religion in politics and public life, and oppose charitable, tax-free status and state grants for the promotion of any religion as inimical to the interests of non-believers and those of other faiths. We oppose state funding for faith schools.
- We support the right to secular education, and assert the need for education in critical thinking and the distinction between faith and reason as a guide to knowledge, and in the diversity of religious beliefs. We support the spirit of free inquiry and the teaching of science free from religious interference, and are opposed to indoctrination, religious or otherwise.
Adopted by the conference, Copenhagen, 20 June 2010.
Please circulate this as widely as you can among people and groups who advocate a secular society.
Atheist Ireland AGM and public meeting, Davenport Hotel Dublin, Sat July 17
Atheist Ireland Public Meeting and AGM, Davenport Hotel Dublin, Sat July 17
Theme: A Secular State for a Pluralist People
Special Guest Speaker: Dr Darrel Ray, author of The God Virus
It’s now less than two weeks to our second AGM, which will be held in the Davenport Hotel in Dublin on Saturday July 17. The theme will be “A Secular State for a Pluralist People”. We hope that you can attend, and please bring along any friends who may be interested in joining us in our campaign for an ethical and secular Ireland.
Public Meeting 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm
We will have a special guest speaker, Darrel W Ray, Ed.D., the American author of The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture. His book asks why are people so clear about the faults and failures of other religions and so blind to those of their own? You can get more details, including links to YouTube conversations with Darrel Ray, at http://www.thegodvirus.net.
We will discuss our campaigns for a secular constitution and a secular education system. In less than a year of campaigning, we have succeeded in getting a commitment to a referendum to remove the blasphemy clause from the constitution. We need to plan our approach to ensuring this referendum is passed. We will also be discussing the need for a secular education system based on human rights law.
Senator Ivana Bacik will open the discussion and we will also have a guest speaker from the Humanist Association of Ireland.
AGM 11.30 am to 1 pm
The morning session will be for members only, though you can join on the day if you wish. We will decide on policy and organisational priorities for the coming year, and will elect officers. If you are a member, our constitution allows us to create committee positions to suit any area of interest or expertise that you would like to help with. We’re particularly looking for people to start local groups around the country.
Drinks Friday July 16
We’ll be meeting for drinks the evening before, Friday July 16, in MacTurcaills on Tara Street. Take it easy on the gargle, as we have a big day the next day!