Michael Nugent has a draft manifesto to promote ethical atheism. I see this as a companion to atheism+ – as the same kind of thing, and compatible, and equally reasonable and unthreatening. I also see both as companions to other related campaigns and organizations and platforms and statements. I’ve seen a good deal of panic and hair-clutching about atheism+, which seems bizarre. There are no gulags.
The ideas in this draft manifesto are not new. Many atheist activists already promote many or all of them. This manifesto tries to combine the best of our existing ideas into a set of principles and aims that all ethical atheists can promote, regardless of our policy differences on how best to implement them.
See? Not new. No need to panic.
You know, the idea that sexism and racism and homophobia are really bad things and should be socially discouraged has been around for quite awhile. Atheism+ is much more of a reminder than it is a Giant Wall. Are all your friends sexist homophobic racists? Well then you’re already kind of restricted in your pool of friends, aren’t you. If you’re a frank unabashed vocal sexist or racist, the chances are very good that you’ve already alienated a lot of thoughtful clever interesting people, because people like that mostly aren’t fond of unabashed racism and sexism. If you’re a secret sexist or racist – well then what’s the problem? We don’t have magic radar to disclose your secret views.
So relax. Nobody’s coming to gitcha.