A while back a family member asked why I joined American Atheists, a national organization. His question went along the lines of "Why join a group who's only purpose is NOT to be something? Isn't that like joining a club who's only purpose is not to be in the garden club?" I thought the question especially odd, because I suspect that the family member is also, like me, an atheist.
The answer to this question also answers why FUNY needs to exist: Unlike garden clubs, most churches actively promote the idea that non-members are evil, depraved beings that are doomed unless they join. Further, churches are actively involved in politics to get themselves government grants that no garden club could ever dream of. Finally, garden clubs aren't trying to get this nation declared a "garden club" nation, where members of the club get special rights while non-members are second class citizens. Religious groups do all of these things and more.
Many of us non-believers resist telling friends, relatives and co-workers that we are not religious, simply because we fear being misunderstood, shunned, loathed or feared. There is also a wide spread sentiment that non-believers should not a voice in government, or even, as former President Bush once said, should not be considered citizens (!) Its difficult to believe that this level of bigotry would be openly tolerated against ethnic or religious groups. But apparently, it is acceptable to hate the non religious openly, and with little to no opposition. I believe this is wrong and needs to be corrected. The solution is for us to stand up and be counted. We don't believe! It's that simple.
I think it's also the case that non-believers realize that while religion has done some good in society, it has also done great harm. Non-believers have a right to say that religious positions on public issues are often useless or even harmful. Non-believers have a right to say "I do not accept that there is a God who wants us to do X. I think X is harmful on strictly rational grounds." Non-believers need a voice in public policy debates. Think about it: There's the Christian Coalition to promote the fundamentalist Christian position, but who is promoting the positions of non-believers?
Non-believers also have a right to exist, and to disseminate reasons why they don't believe. If Christians or other religions have a right to proselytize, then clearly non-believers can have can do likewise. It's in our best interest to do so, because history shows the excesses to which religions have always gone when they became too powerful, and when they don't face resistance.
I look forward to the day when politicians will court professed atheists as they do now with various religious groups. I want to hear the candidates for public office say "Yes, I wholeheartedly support the strict separation of church and state". Or "Of course, I support the teaching of Evolution in every biology class". Or even, "I consider myself an atheist."