Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society
 |
This article appears to be written like an advertisement. (July 2012) |
|
|
| Founder(s) | Marissa Torres-Langseth and John Paraiso |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Philippines |
| Mission | To promote public understanding of atheism and agnosticism; To eliminate myths and misconceptions about atheism and agnosticism; To promote social responsibility by replacing superstitious imperatives with rational secular solutions, grounded in lack of supernatural beliefs. |
| Method | Education, Outreach, Advocacy |
| Website | patas.co |
| Part of a series on |
| Irreligion |
|---|
 |
| Irreligion |
| Atheism |
| Agnosticism |
| Naturalism |
| People |
| Books |
| Organizations |
The Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society, or PATAS, is a social organization for the public understanding of atheism and agnosticism in the Philippines.[1] It serves to educate society, and eliminate myths and misconceptions about atheism and agnosticism.[2] It speaks against discrimination of the non-religious, and for equal opportunities as Filipino citizens. PATAS encourages harmonious information exchange among its atheist and agnostic members, and encourages its members to come out and speak for their lack of religious beliefs. The Society was founded in February 2011 by Ms. Marissa Torres-Langseth who became its Chairperson and Mr.John Paraiso who became its President. In July 22, 2012 Mr. Paraiso resigned as President and was replaced by Mr. Kristoffer Velasco.
Contents |
Activities [edit]
The Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society is a non-profit, non-religious organization and is SEC registered organization in the Philippines, and is privileged to function in public.
Atheism/Agnosticism 101 [edit]
Members meet in public parks in the Philippines to discuss about atheism and agnosticism, and how to approach discussions and debates.
Coming Out Campaign [edit]
One of the activities of the society is a monthly Coming Out Campaign, where they prepare audio and video presentations, as well as inform people about atheism and agnosticism. They do this in public parks and other key areas throughout the Philippines.
Know Your Religion [edit]
PATAS also organizes Know Your Religion (KYR) events which entail visits to various religious institutions in the Philippines. Among its objectives is to understand better the culture of religious faith for PATAS members to be able to give first hand reviews and critiques as to what they see, as well as engage in focused group discussions with religious devotees.
Good without Religion [edit]
An organized outreach programs for marginalized communities which include feeding, education, and medical/dental outreach programs.
Secular Humanism [edit]
As an affiliate and associate of various humanist groups, the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society accepts the IHEU Minimum Statement on Humanism:[3]
- "Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality."
The organization also endorses the Amsterdam Declaration 2002, whereby the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society promotes Secular Humanism as an alternative to religious-based ethics.
Marissa Torres-Langseth, Chairwoman of the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society, represents the organization in various Humanist associations to establish international relations and give the society its international recognition.
First Atheist and Agnostics Convention [edit]
On April 21, 2012 PATAS organized the First Atheists and Agnostics Convention in the Philippines. It was a one-day learning event and social gathering of Filipino nonbelievers.
The convention, with its theme: "Filipino non-belief--are you ready for this?", also served as a venue for the public exposure for socially-involved and organized community of Filipino non-believers.
For more details about the convention, you can refer to this article: [1]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "The Pope’s gonna have a cow. Catholic Philippines gains its first atheist society.". The Freethinker. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
- ^ "Pinoy atheists and agnostics to have 'coming out' event". ABS-CBN News. accessdate=2011-06-09.
- ^ "IHEU Minimum Statement on Humanism". International Humanist and Ethical Union. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
