Getting More Women Involved in Freethought

Dear Secular Students,
Below are some forms you may find helpful in your pursuit of culling more freethinking women to your campus group!

Project and Meeting Ideas

 

• Women in the Freethought Movement.  There are many women who are extremely influential in freethought.  Lori Lipman Brown of the Secular Coalition for America (www.secular.org), Bobbie Kirkhart of Atheist Alliance International (www.atheistalliance.org), and Molleen Matsumura, writer of the ‘Sweet Reason’ column of the Humanist Network News (www.humaniststudies.org/enews) to name but a few…I could go on all day (see the attached sheet for more names!).  Please ask for more contacts if you’d like.  Bringing these women to speak at your school is a possibility, or obtaining copies of their media appearances (Lori did a number on Bill O’Reilly) is something I would love to help with.
 
• How Religious Dogma Influences Women’s Sexuality.  For instance, in Islam, Ali (the husband of Muhammad’s daughter Fatima and the founder of Shiite Islam) dictates that ‘Almighty God created sexual desire in ten parts; then he gave nine parts to women and one to men.’  In Catholicism, the opposite seems to be true, and women are less sexual than their male counterparts.  I would be happy to share some more info on this topic!  
 
• There is an interesting book titled Faith of the Fatherless by Paul Vitz.  Vitz claims that atheistic men replace God with other ‘concretes,’ i.e. science, reason, rationality and so on.  This is not enough for women.  Of course these are generalizations, but I think this warrants some discussion.  I myself am not impressed with the freethought movement’s fervent adherence to science, reason, and rationality (I have also done research in this area and have written an article on this topic to be published in our next ENews). 
 
• There is an indigenous community on Mt. Kilimanjaro called the Chagga.  The Chagga are being introduced to Christianity, and they are having trouble reconciling Christian doctrine with their held values and cultural ideas.  One could focus just on the effects on women.  For instance, Christianity denounced polygamy and the birthrate increased.  There was an emphasis on money, and the church wanted its part too!  So as women came to value money more they put themselves at risk through prostitution to obtain finances.  Christian doctrine prohibited women from working undercutting their traditionally egalitarian position.  This is one such negative example of missionary work, turn to your ‘Cultural Anthropology’ department professors for other such instances. 
 

The Problem with Language

According to an article titled Where are All the Skepchicks by Michael McRae in Skepchicks.org: “If skepticism is seen to be synonymous with scientific thinking, therefore, could this be a key reason why it appears to be male dominated?”  “Women are supposed to be emotional thinkers, while men are supposed to shun such ‘feminine’ approaches.” http://www.skepchick.org/3.15.06/sexes.htm                                                                      
Feminist Critique of Reason
   Reason

• Unemotional
• Resolute
• Unwavering
• ‘Objective’
  Woman (Stereotypes of)
• Emotional
• Fickle
• Indecisive
• Irrational
An article by Dr. Madigan originally published in the AHA ‘Humanist’ magazine states: “I want to say that as humanists, we don't need to invoke Reason or Science to justify our preferences for a democratic, tolerant, and caring society, within which individuals are free to pursue their private projects. Instead, we are better served by the realization that these preferences are all the foundation we could ever have, or need.”   Dr. Madigan goes on to state that: “Secular humanists often resort to rather simplistic appeals to reason, science, and human nature to buttress their case against religion. It's as if to counter the sectarian rallying cry of "God, Country, and the Immortal Soul!" the humanist felt obligated to retort "Reason, Science, and the Individual!" http://www.naturalism.org/Humanism.htm                                                                 

The Post-industrialist Influence Post-industrialism (roughly)—in a society where people must work and produce to live (industrial society) they are concerned with producing and surviving.  When we get past that via technology, people can turn to other pursuits, they’re no longer just trying to get by.    The included flyers are not meant to trigger a feminist regression.  Holding events such as ‘Beading and Discussion of the Existence of God’ are intended to appeal to smart women and get them involved in the movement.  This strategy has worked for other freethought groups, so please allow me to suggest it to you and your groups.               

Why women are less involved, what you can do.

 

·      They physically don’t see many other women at meetings

·      The discussions seem to be somewhat unwelcoming

·      Leadership positions are not being given to women as much

 

What Your Group Can Do

 

·       Invite your friends, simply having other women in the room may make newcomers feel more comfortable, and your friends will likely have a good time and spread the word

·       Appoint Women to Leadership Positions.  Having a woman Prez. will help your estrogen-friendly image!

·       Focus on Women’s issues—(see the attached list of interesting topics)

·       For discussions-appoint a moderator who will make sure that the regular members are not monopolizing the discussion, and that newcomers are invited to participate in the conversation.   


·       Team up with Campus NOW, or Amnesty International, host an event with the ‘Women and Gender Studies’ department.  Be creative, locate other women’s organizations at your school and collaborate.