About Atheists United
Atheists
United is a positive atheist community that fosters a supportive
environment for its members and a welcoming attitude toward its guests.
This community works to improve the status of atheists in the larger society and of atheism in the public discourse by:
This community works to improve the status of atheists in the larger society and of atheism in the public discourse by:
- Promoting separation of government and religion.
- Educating the public about our philosophy and practices.
- Serving the public good in ways that are exemplary of our values.
Established
in 1982 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, tax deductible educational
organization, AU is one of the largest freethought organizations in the
nation and the largest in the Southern California area. As an affiliate
of Atheists Alliance International and the Los Angeles Freethought
Federation, AU is committed to consolidating the collective efforts of
its members to affect change on a local, national and international
level to advance the cause of an atheist community, secular government
and religious tolerance.
By providing regularly planned events and the opportunity for fellowship, AU hopes to inspire a vibrant and active atheist community. For far too many non-believers, isolation is a common experience as religious belief tends to be an assumed default, discouraging those who might abide by their freedom of conscience to admit their doubt or non-belief. AU provides a welcoming environment where atheists can meet and are encouraged to connect with other non-believers.
AU defends the separation of government from religion by encouraging civic engagement and activism among its members to elevate the awareness of secular issues to the general public and consolidate the political will of non-believers. Through education campaigns and public displays, AU seeks to reaffirm the freethought heritage of our secular nation and validate the patriotism of freethinkers who are just as entitled to our nation’s legacy as religious citizens.
Through public outreach and education, AU strives to advance the acceptance of atheism as a worldview consistent with morality and ethics. In order to promote positive humanistic ethics and religious tolerance, AU fosters respect for non-believers through opportunities for members to engage in service, charitable endeavors and public demonstrations. AU builds partnerships with organizations whose missions complement AU's goals by promoting their events to our members and by providing material support such as donations and volunteers to their endeavors to increase our member’s collective power to affect positive change in our world.
By providing regularly planned events and the opportunity for fellowship, AU hopes to inspire a vibrant and active atheist community. For far too many non-believers, isolation is a common experience as religious belief tends to be an assumed default, discouraging those who might abide by their freedom of conscience to admit their doubt or non-belief. AU provides a welcoming environment where atheists can meet and are encouraged to connect with other non-believers.
AU defends the separation of government from religion by encouraging civic engagement and activism among its members to elevate the awareness of secular issues to the general public and consolidate the political will of non-believers. Through education campaigns and public displays, AU seeks to reaffirm the freethought heritage of our secular nation and validate the patriotism of freethinkers who are just as entitled to our nation’s legacy as religious citizens.
Through public outreach and education, AU strives to advance the acceptance of atheism as a worldview consistent with morality and ethics. In order to promote positive humanistic ethics and religious tolerance, AU fosters respect for non-believers through opportunities for members to engage in service, charitable endeavors and public demonstrations. AU builds partnerships with organizations whose missions complement AU's goals by promoting their events to our members and by providing material support such as donations and volunteers to their endeavors to increase our member’s collective power to affect positive change in our world.
Atheists United is a positive atheist community. As such, we believe in equal treatment and opportunity among all people, regardless of race, world view, sex or sexual preference. Another feature of positive atheism is the absence of dogma. Its founder Gora said, "The only imperative is honesty." Because of this distrust for catechisms and similar "moral laws," we tolerate members and friends who may not share the tenets of positive atheism. So long as they do not pretend to speak for Atheists United or misrepresent our belief, they are welcome.