PA Nonbelievers -- a group of atheists, agnostics and humanists in Central Pennsylvania – has reserved time on the main steps of the Harrisburg state capitol in order to hold a “September 11 10th Anniversary Remembrance” event starting at 8:30 a.m. on September 11, 2011. The event, featuring various invited speakers, is open to the public and is scheduled to last between an hour and a half to two hours. In the event of rain and if not canceled because of inclement weather, the event will take place in the main rotunda of the capitol.
According to PA Nonbelievers' press release, “The service will remember and examine the events of the morning of September 11, 2001 from the perspective of atheists, agnostics and humanists […] to provide an alternative for those who are not comfortable attending any of the faith-based services to be offered that day. […] [G]uest speakers will talk generally about 9/11 from a rational and atheistic viewpoint.”
Amongst the invited speakers – and this is not an exhaustive list -- are American Atheists' president David Silverman (mainly addressing the actions of the passengers of Flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville), the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers' president Jason Torpy (mainly speaking about the ethical dilemma of the wars resulting from 9/11) and the NEPA Freethought Society's co-organizer Justin Vacula [he will not be there in-person, but his speech will be read].
Silverman commented specifically for this article. Silverman notes that the actions of Americans, especially those who combated the hijackers of Flight 93, rather than their prayers, made all the difference on 9/11 and, incidentally, it was religion in the first place, Silverman says, that was “the conduit for 9/11.” Silverman, when reflecting on Islam in the wake of 9/11, says that this 9/11 remembrance event will be a great chance for atheists to speak to 'moderate Muslims' and also notes that "people have to own what their religions do."
Silverman notes that while 'moderate Muslims' obviously are not flying planes into buildings, are interpreting their religious texts differently than the 'extremists' and were not directly involved with the terrorists, one cannot deny that faith and the authority of a so-called holy book – the same premise that both the 'moderates' and the 'extremists' work from – led to destruction. It is, unfortunately, typically atheists, instead of 'religious moderates,' rebuking the actions of the 'extremists.'
Silverman says that this remembrance event is very important because 9/11 is an event for all types of people to commemorate. He hopes that this peaceful event of mutual respect – not one of 'bashing religion' or 'bashing religious people,' like some critics may think -- is one that the citizens of Harrisburg will welcome and appreciate. Further responding to critics, Silverman notes this event should not be considered as one of 'pushing atheism.' Silverman comments, “If stating our opinions is pushing atheism, we're going to be pushing atheism for a long time.”
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