Atheist Freethinkers

Stuart Bechman
Message from the President of
Atheist Alliance International

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Stuart Bechman

This year’s AAI North American convention is focused on the international aspects of atheism and freethought, as underscored in this year’s theme: Athées sans frontières (Atheists Without Borders).

This is the most international convention we have ever held! 23 speakers coming from 6 different countries on 4 different continents. You will hear about the struggle for freethought not just in the USA and Canada, but in the European Union; in Africa; and on the Indian subcontinent. And being held in the beautiful city of Montréal, we will have French as well as English speakers. The speakers have backgrounds in economics; political science; philosophy; law; communications; history; anthropology; biblical criticism; linguistics; cognitive science; and ethics. Several are movement leaders. Some have come from conservative religious backgrounds and offer a unique “inside” perspective on how religion continues to ensnare and hold huge swaths of our population. Others have been long-time observers and offer perspectives on the trends and evolution of religion within our societies.

Our conferences represent the high point of the year for many in our community. They bring together the best and latest of information and experience on the nexus between freethought and religion in our modern world. They provide opportunities to connect to our history and heritage, and they are events where plans and ideas for the future are voiced and developed. They are where new friendships are forged and distant friends can reconnect. They are places of celebration, of exploration, of discovery and even of revelation.

The evolution of humankind has reached the point where it is more important than ever that we set aside wrong and limiting superstitious beliefs, and seek instead our best understandings of the world and of ourselves. With a global population quickly approaching 7 billion people and having a serious impact on the planet, it is vital that humankind dedicate itself to understanding and taking responsibility for ensuring that our planet remains habitable and flourishing. It’s also past time to move past the tribalism of religion and take our growing knowledge of psychology and sociology to recognize our common genetic and cultural heritage and to provide economic and social foundations and structures that optimize human flourishing and diversity.

These are immense, yet urgent and important goals. We cannot hope to have success in confronting our current challenges without using the best tools and information we have to seek the truths of our world. Religion may have been the best tool at one time when our species was in its youth, but as Saint Paul said, now that we are growing up, it is time to put aside childish things.

Our conference is one of the markers and mechanisms for putting aside the childish things of religion and grasping the tools and knowledge needed to build a brighter and more solid future. Thank you for joining us and being a part of it.

Stuart Bechman
President, Atheist Alliance International
Co-Host of the 2010 AAI-HC Convention
Montreal, Quebec, Canada


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