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Grassroots Naturalism Gets Rolling for Darwin Day

Naturalism vs. Atheism - How to Herd Heathens - Dress Visibly for Darwin Day

Naturalism vs. Atheism. Awareness of naturalism, such as it exists, is mostly driven by attention to atheism, thanks to recent books by Dawkins, Dennett, Harris, Hitchens and Stenger, with others surely to follow (e.g., Ronald Aronson’s Living Without God). As Julian Baggini describes it in Atheism: A Very Short Introduction, atheism comes from taking a naturalistic view of things, so to declare yourself an atheist is to implicitly self-identify as a naturalist. But coming out as an atheist highlights only one aspect of naturalism, the denial of god, something supernatural supervising or perhaps immanent in the cosmos. That denial is just the beginning of naturalism, which challenges us to rethink not only the cosmos but our very selves as entirely natural, physically-based phenomena. This fundamental insight about us and our place in, not above, the natural world, opens up the possibility of naturalism as a worldview, an overarching cognitive context for life that can help us in many domains, personal, social, ethical, and existential. Although it isn’t a faith, worldview naturalism can play somewhat the same role that religions have traditionally played, providing a comprehensive backdrop against which we live our lives; atheism simply says that no one’s behind the curtain.

How to Herd Heathens. All this is a rather serious preliminary to pointing out that Darwin Day, Tuesday, February 12, 2008, is coming up, and that naturalists should make the most of it to celebrate, if they wish, their worldview. It’s amazing what a good party will do for morale. Famously unherdable freethinkers, atheists, skeptics, secular humanists, and brights - all basically naturalists - can ultimately constitute a formidable, although of course skeptical and rational, herd. One way to get a herd together is to hold a function in which we allow ourselves to become somewhat less rational. We just need to loosen up a bit, put aside our sectarian differences (which only come up when we argue – that is, always), and let it be known that we can party with the best of them. This will gain us respect in the wider community.
So this is to encourage you, wherever you are, to join up and get down with your nearby naturalists, whatever they call themselves. The 2007 gathering at Redline in Cambridge, one of many worldwide, was a hit. We had a cake, a selection of science-oriented songs of various genres, readings from Darwin, toasts and roasts of the good man himself, and plenty of spontaneous sharing over drinks. Fluorescent pipe cleaners were twisted into hopeful monsters, one of which was supposed to have been selected the winner, naturally, but that bit got forgot. No matter, next time we’ll stick to the program - perhaps. Darwin Day events tend to be serious lectures and such, which is fine, but don’t discount the virtues of serious revelry.

Dress Visibly for Darwin Day. Another way to self-identify as a naturalist, originally suggested by Will Davidson of Apex Naturalists in Worcester, MA (see his original proposal, "Invisible"), is to wear something sun-yellow on Darwin Day, a show of solidarity, so to speak (sorry). If the Irish have their green, so can we, just a different wavelength. So even if you can’t make it to a party, lecture on evolution, natural history museum, or other Darwin Day event (which would be a shame, so make sure you do), wear something yellow on February 12 to help build and consolidate (sorry) the naturalist consensus - a nice bright yellow, see here for an example.

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Invisible

by Will Davidson

Unlike other minority groups, naturalists (those people that do not believe in supernatural causes) are mainly invisible. As long as you keep your mouth shut, nobody need ever know that you are an atheist.

But imagine: if one morning every naturalist in the world woke up with the letter N stenciled permanently on their forehead. People would stare at you as you walked down the street knowing what you are and what you believe. Shopkeepers would follow you around their store because everyone knows that atheists can’t be trusted. Your parents might disown you; your spouse might leave you. You might not get that promotion or even be fired from your job. In some countries you might be imprisoned or lynched. It is for these reasons that we remain invisible.

But we pay a price for this invisibility.

First, misconceptions about us abound because of this invisibility. People don’t realize that we are their doctor, their teacher, their spouse or the nice guy that just held the door for them. The only face of naturalism a person is likely to see is a militant one. Is there any doubt that the image of naturalists would improve overnight if politicians, stars and athletes would come out?

Second, while we are thus engaged in being invisible to theists, we are also invisible to each other. Because of this, we do not enjoy the camaraderie, mutual support and social networking that other minorities enjoy and benefit from.

Third, most people learn by copying success. But because of the lack of Naturalism role models, many people with naturalistic leanings simply do not view naturalism as a viable lifestyle. By being invisible, we undermine the naturalistic movement and in doing so we may be undermining the future existence of humankind.

I understand the costs of fully coming out and so I am prepared to offer up a half-measure. What I propose is that on Darwin’s birthday Feb 12, all naturalists wear something yellow as a sign of solidarity. The amount of yellow you wear would be up to your own discretion. You could wear a yellow shirt, a broach or yellow underwear.

If widely adopted, this initiative would start a slow coming out of the Naturalist community with little risk to the individual.

So far, this initiative has been endorsed by American Atheists and World Pantheist Movement and has been featured on Freethought Radio.

Will hosts Apex Naturalism - developing a vibrant naturalistic culture and community.

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