Stand Up to Not Believe

I watched the movie Religulous this weekend, which was a hilarious documentary Bill Maher put together roasting religion.

At the end of the movie, Maher calls agnostics and atheists to organize. He says that gun owners and Jewish people are both smaller percentages of the population than those who don't affiliate with religions; yet, the NRA and AIPAC are two of the largest lobbies in the US. If only everyone who didn't believe in religion would stand up, they could have some real influence on government policy.

But let's be honest, it's difficult to stand up passionately for not believing in something - especially when there are people who feel strongly the other way.

The reason the NRA is so successful is not because of the size of its membership but the passion with which its members love their guns. AIPAC isn't powerful because there are just so many Jews around to support Israel, but because those who are in support of Israel are passionate about it. I think it's difficult for people to feel passionately about not believing in religion.

For Maher to make his movement work, he'll need a cause to which people can rally. A "pro-choice" to religion's "pro-life," if you will.