{"id":107,"date":"2020-06-19T03:22:44","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T03:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesecularcommunity.org\/blog\/?p=107"},"modified":"2020-06-19T03:22:44","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T03:22:44","slug":"nows-the-time-to-convert-our-secular-values-into-effective-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesecularcommunity.org\/blog\/2020\/06\/19\/nows-the-time-to-convert-our-secular-values-into-effective-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Now\u2019s the Time to Convert Our Secular Values into Effective Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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by Gary M. Linscott<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I doubt you need to be reminded: We are living through extremely troubling times. Threats to the very survival of humankind abound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unless quarreling nations\ncan work in harmony to rapidly bring global warming under control, it seems\ninevitable that catastrophic climate change will occur in our lifetimes. Now a\npandemic threatens to kill hundreds of thousands \u2013 perhaps even millions \u2013 of\nour fellow human beings. Authoritarianism, too, is once again raising its ugly\nhead in multiple locations around the world. Hyper-capitalism has exacerbated\ntensions between the haves and the have-nots. And uncontrolled population\ngrowth not only endangers our food supplies and sources of drinking water, but\nimperils the survival of the planet\u2019s flora and fauna. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secular progressives place\ntheir trust in science and reason to come up with solutions to these formidable\nchallenges. Yet many of our peers prefer to depend upon their beliefs in\ninvisible gods, prayer, karma, positive thinking, or lucky charms to save them.\nIf ever there was a need for the acceptance of a secular ideology and the\nimplementation of progressive policies, these are the times. Yet most political\nleaders to whom we look for guidance seem ensnared in a tangle of outdated\ntraditional beliefs and behaviors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We ask ourselves: What can\nwe do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As secular progressives we\nneed to wake up<\/strong>, read up<\/strong>, stand up<\/strong>, and, where we can, put\nour money where our heart is<\/strong>. That is, live up to our values and put them\ninto practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By \u201cwake up<\/strong>\u201d I mean we need to realize that there are still ways we can change the course of human history for the better. We must overcome what often tends to be our complacency and our sometimes fatalistic conviction that there is nothing we can do that will really matter. People \u2013 especially in democracies \u2013 do<\/em> matter. And change can happen from the ground up. So we need to familiarize ourselves with other like-minded folk who are endeavoring to effect secular and progressive change. The Secular Progressive Outreach<\/strong> (www.spoutlink.org<\/a>) \u201cCharities & Advocacy Groups<\/strong>\u201d page is a good source to discover potential contacts and opportunities to participate in progressive causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then \u201cread up<\/strong>.\u201d Bone up. Many believe they already have all the answers\nthey need, even when they have not expended the effort to properly study the\npertinent issues. It\u2019s a manifestation of the Dunning-Kruger Effect, the\npsychological discovery that one\u2019s ignorance often results in over-confidence.\nI recommend we take the time to read thought-provoking articles and books.\nBecome familiar with secular and progressive authors. It may change your own\nthinking on crucial points, and even help address the doubts of friends,\nrelatives, and associates. People CAN change their minds. I know. I was an\nevangelical preacher for 32 years, but eventually \u201csaw the light\u201d of reason. By\nvisiting the Secular Progressive Outreach website and clicking on the \u201cBooks and Articles<\/strong>\u201d page, you\u2019ll find a\nwealth of reading material worth your while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By \u201cstand up<\/strong>\u201d I mean become an active political participant \u2013 at least,\nto the degree that your circumstances will allow. For some secular\nprogressives, that may mean writing to your elected officials or local\nnewspapers; for others it may mean marching or demonstrating in public. And for\neveryone, it means making sure to vote and encouraging others to vote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPutting your money where your heart is<\/strong>\u201d (or where your mouth is)\nmeans realizing that small contributions can turn political tides. Of course,\nwe can expect wealthy and corporate donors to fund political campaigns to try\nand guarantee their own privileges. Besides being willing to contribute to\npolitical candidates to thwart them, however, we need to recognize that there\nare scores of worthy progressive charities and advocacy groups who depend on\nour financial support as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re concerned about\nsocial justice, climate change, women\u2019s reproductive rights, nature\nconservation, healthcare or immigration reform; if you want to oppose the religious\nzealots  who are determined to impose\ntheir views on all of humanity; or if you\u2019re interested in any<\/em> other secular or progressive issue \u2013 there are deserving and\ntrustworthy groups striving to address them – https:\/\/www.spoutlink.org\/charities-worthy-of-support<\/a>.   Donate what\nyou can. Together we can resist the forces allayed against us and make a\nsignificant difference. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Gary M. Linscott I doubt you need to be reminded: We are living through extremely troubling times. Threats to the very survival of humankind abound. Unless quarreling nations can work in harmony to rapidly bring global warming under control, it seems inevitable that catastrophic climate change will occur in our lifetimes. Now a pandemic … <\/p>\n

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