First of a new series promoting methods
for social change . . . without bloodletting!

If this series achieves my objective, Atheists will have a better life experience than available to them for more than 2,500 years.
     Accomplishing a successful and sustainable change – a bloodless revolution – requires weapons that work. The weapons I have discovered, work. In some cases, they have been used successfully for hundreds of years but why these weapons – or strategies – achieved their successes eludes most observers. I will share them with you.
    Up until now, it has been difficult, almost impossible, to employ these methods. Our rank and file has been so obsessed with personal battles employing their own perceived strengths that they have not been capable – or willing – to see if there could be a better way.

Nobody wins the skirmishes
    Individually, we may feel we have won some battles by engaging in debates or arguments and because those points made by the other guys have not convinced us we are wrong, we conclude we are winners. Of course, the other guys haven't conceded they could be wrong, so these battles have resulted in standoffs with neither side winning.
    Don't ask for conclusions from the combatants, however, because both sides think they have won the skirmish. In effect, though, both sides have lost, but since this loss doesn't result in blood letting, losses are not acknowledged.
    Here are some reasons why we have been unsuccessful:

     Atheists are too disorganized for a struggle.

     Atheists tend to avoid structure.

     Atheists don't like rules.

     Atheists have no generals, no armies, no battle
         hymns, and no symbols – nothing that would bind
         them together in battles against their enemies.

    We have only one fact that unites us – we are not believers! That is not enough!
    Because we don't believe, we are denied rights, privileges and acceptance. It wouldn't be so bad if the believers did not control our world, our education, our politics, our laws, our societies, and any concepts of morality. For many of us, they also control our employment.

Believers allowed devastating failures
     Anybody analysing the situation should conclude that believers have allowed these areas to experience devastating failures. It has been more important for the believers to continue to believe than to face the realities – the truths – that are required for these areas to keep pace with demands of a rapidly changing world. Hitler, Lenin, Bush and Bernie Madoff knew how to use believers to accomplish their goals. They were successful because people had been conditioned to believe – and these guys knew it!
     Unfortunately, being right does not win wars of change. Great scientists, authors, educators and philosophers have proclaimed our rightness. More is needed.

We need to apply winning formulae
     So, why haven't we brought about significant changes? If we would only employ similar analysis formulas used by some political parties in winning elections; some countries when planning a war; some corporations when launching a new product; and some charities in raising money, we could affect changes. If you will notice – I said “some” because many, many do not go through a comprehensive analysis process. This is why there are winners and losers. Winners tend to know what they are doing. Most Atheists have not been to war. I have. Over the centuries, others have. Have you?

Here is the crux of our problem.
     We have become so obsessed with the rightness and righteousness of our cause that we have conceitedly concluded that we did not need to learn how to wage a war. After all, we are right and we know it! Big deal! Being right is not enough.
    Vocal Atheist sensationalists get a lot of attention. Most Atheists couldn't compete with these guys with the bullhorns, nor do they feel competent or inclined to pick up a bullhorn themselves. Consequently, the stage is filled with the guys from both sides – the guys with the bullhorns. You see, the religious have the same problem. Their pulpits are also equipped with bullhorns and they aren't about to disagree with the guy who has the bullhorn – or the microphone – even when what they say may be an assault to their common sense.
     How many religious people really give a damn about gay marriages? Most of them wouldn't be able to recognize that a gay couple has lived next to them for twenty years. I recently conducted a small survey that proved this point. Most of their neighbours didn't think they were gay. But the guy with the bullhorn has convinced them of the righteousness of his claims, so they join him.
    I managed to tailor these strategies so that Atheists, acting by themselves or in very small groups, can implement them. A co-ordinated effort is not required.

Bus Ad Campaign well conceived, but . . .
A good example of inroads which have been accomplished by Atheists is the Bus Ad Campaign. Unfortunately, it has not been able to attain its success potential because individual Atheist groups have contaminated the original, well-conceived message by creating their own "messages".
    It is like every Pizza Hut franchisee creating his own signage and slogans. The fact that these groups do not see anything wrong with what they are doing is why most Atheist efforts end in failure. Failure to accept this criticism demonstrates another Atheist failing — apathy!
    They fail to recognize the benefit of a cohesive effort. Several of these Bus Ads have not been successful. In fact, they have created the kind of backlash that was never expected. The Atheist Bus Ad Campaign has enough obstacles without some Atheists creating more of their own because they are ignorant of what it takes to win a war.
    In future issues, I will outline individual projects that you can undertake on your own. You will make a difference. We can all make a difference.
    I ask this of you.
    (1) If the formula consists of a recipe for making choclate cake, don't fool with the recipe — just make the cake!
    (2) Double check that your ingredients match what the recipe specifies.
    (3) Share details with other readers.
    When you do, you are helping all of us to survive and thrive . . . without gods!                   -- Anton Kozlik

P.S. If you mouse over the hedge, you may find 4 atheists.