Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, has recently started “a new initiative aimed at atheists” titled “Adopt an Atheist.” Donohue asks “everyone to contact the American Atheist affiliate in his area, letting them know of your interest in “adopting” one of them.” He writes, “Let them know of your sincere interest in working with them to uncover their inner self. They may be resistant at first, but eventually they may come to understand that there were Christian all along.” If we hurry, [...] they will no longer be looked upon as people who believe in nothing, stand for nothing and are good for nothing.”
Donohue provides a link in his news release that lists a number of American Atheist state directors in addition to President David Silverman and Director of State Operations Ken Loukinen. Also included on this list is the former Texas state director, Joe Zamecki, who finds Donohue's campaign to be “bizarre on twelve different levels” mainly because “saying that state directors may by Christians is ridiculous because these are some of the most active atheists.” Zamecki says, “It sounds like The Onion wrote this.”
Saying that atheists pretend to be Christians or otherwise hide their identities is not a controversial claim by any means. Individual atheists fear 'outing themselves' because they may lose employment, be ostracized by family members, be bullied in schools, get kicked out of their parents' homes, and much more. Recent data reveals that atheists are the most hated group of persons in the United States and that religious persons distrust atheists as much as they distrust rapists. Atheists have many reasons to be 'in the closet,' but do Christians have reasons to masquerade as atheists?
Many atheists – some of which emerged from a religious upbringing – have rejected supernatural claims because they have found no merit in the arguments. Additionally, some active atheists often relish discussion with the religious and often have it. Zamecki, commenting on calls for persons to e-mail him, says, “I want e-mails. I welcome Christians asking me about my beliefs.”
While many atheists are 'in the closet,' attend Christian masses and pretend to be Christians, it is not at all clear that atheists, especially the active ones, are secretly Christians. Contrary to what Donohue writes, many atheists do not lack conviction, are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and are productive American citizens.
The Catholic League has been contacted to make comments for a follow-up article.
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The writer of this article, Justin Vacula, is more than happy to receive correspondence and/or 'be adopted.' He can be reached at justinvacula@kings.edu, but he is certainly not a 'secret Christian.' He is the co-organizer of the NEPA Freethought Society -- a proud affiliate of American Atheists -- and is no stranger to discussion.
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