WELCOME TO THE BELTWAY ATHEISTS ON MYSPACE! IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE FORUM, IT'S TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE, THANK YOU AND PLEASE POST RESPONSIBLY.
Thanks for coming out, glad you could be here. We all have our groups of friends which are made up of different people of different backgrounds, ideals, and beliefs... but wouldn't it be nice to get together with people of like minds and like ideas. This group was founded by Jeff Wismer and Rick Wingrove. Jeff had been going to local atheist meetings for 3 years and basically noticed there were little to no people in their 20's or 30's. Along with his friend, Rick Wingrove, Virginia State Director of American Atheists & Newly Elected Capitol Hill Representative for American Atheists, Jeff decided to start an atheist group more appealing to young professionals. Bottom line we want to meet for happy hours, brunches, & parties and we hope that you'll want to be there.
links for Beltway Atheists:
Our Home on Meetup!
Get Beltway Atheist Gear Here!
Our main website run by Rick Wingrove
Rick Wingrove speaks at American Atheists demonstration during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the white house
Who we are:
The VA-MD-DC area is home to one of the largest populations of Atheists in the U.S. Unfortunately, we are scattered among over 20 diverse organizations with little interaction or coordination. Many individual Atheists are unaffiliated with any group and feel isolated. Given the current political climate and the rising tide of rabid christianism, there is a strong need for the non-religious to stand together as a visible community, with a combined voice and a common focus.
Society and Activism
We will serve as a home for everyone who has risen above religion. We will be a social framework for those who wish to be part of a larger community, providing social events, a support network, reinforcement, and friends.
We will also provide opportunities for engagement for those who desire activism. We will originate and participate in public events to raise visibility and awareness of our presence and our Constitutional protections.
The First Amendment
For over 2 centuries, the First Amendment has insulated this country from sectarian violence. The First Amendment stands as a Firewall Against Theocracy. However, in the current political climate, with a court-appointed Believer in Chief dispensing tax dollars to churches for the purpose of advancing Christianity with the aid and endorsement of the Federal government, the Wall of Separation has been breached. It has never been more important to band together and make our voices heard.
humorous links:
Abusive Jesus
Landover Baptist
Links to Other Sites & Organizations:
Rational Response Squad
Atheist Handbook
Virginia Freethought Renaissance
Theocracy Watch
The Assertive Atheist (Rick Wingrove)
Secular Coalition of America
Center for Inquiry - Washington DC
Secular Student Alliance
Atheist Alliance International
The Secular Web Library
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
About Atheism - Austin Cline
Freethought Multimedia
Atheist Network
Positive Atheism
Dangerous Talk
Internet Infidels Discussion Board
Daniel C. Dennett