Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society
Encyclopedia
Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society, or PATAS, is a social organization for the public understanding of atheism
and agnosticism
in the Philippines
. It serves to educate society, and eliminate myths and misconceptions about atheism and agnosticism. 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.
, where they prepare audio and video presentations, as well as inform people about atheism and agnosticism. They do this in major parks and other key areas throughout the Philippines.
groups, the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society accepts the IHEU
Minimum Statement on Humanism:
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.
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
and agnosticism
Agnosticism
Agnosticism is the view that the truth value of certain claims—especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims—is unknown or unknowable....
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It serves to educate society, and eliminate myths and misconceptions about atheism and agnosticism. It speaks against discrimination of the non-religious, and for equal opportunities as Filipino
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
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.
Activities
The Philippine Atheist and Agnostics Society is a legitimate atheist organization in the Philippines, and is privileged to function in public.Atheism/Agnosticism 101
Members meet in major parks in the Philippines to discuss about atheism and agnosticism, and how to approach discussions and debates.Coming OUT Campaign
One of the activities of the society is a monthly Coming OUT CampaignOut Campaign
The Out Campaign is a public awareness initiative for freethought and atheism. It was initiated by Dr. R. Elisabeth Cornwell, Executive Director of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, and is endorsed by Richard Dawkins, who is a prominent atheist...
, where they prepare audio and video presentations, as well as inform people about atheism and agnosticism. They do this in major parks and other key areas throughout the Philippines.
Know your Religion
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
The pioneering members, ever since before PATAS was founded, already organized outreach programs for marginalized communities, called Good without Religion feeding and education programs.Secular Humanism
As an affiliate and associate of various humanistHumanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
groups, the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society accepts the IHEU
International Humanist and Ethical Union
The International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
Minimum Statement on Humanism:
- "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
Secular humanism
Secular Humanism, alternatively known as Humanism , is a secular philosophy that embraces human reason, ethics, justice, and the search for human fulfillment...
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.