Changes

== Reason Rally 2102 ==

== Reason Rally 2102 ==

== Reason Rally 2012 was not the largest secular event in world history ==  

=== Reason Rally 2012 was not the largest secular event in world history ===

[[File:Ncvjgfu.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|[[Mao Zedong]] ]]

[[File:Ncvjgfu.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|[[Mao Zedong]] ]]

Although the Reason Rally was billed as the largest secular event in world history, strictly speaking that is not accurate. [[Communism|Communist]] countries have embraced [[state atheism]]. And [[Marxism|Marxist]]-[[Vladimir Lenin|Leninism]] along with [[Maoism]] explicitly adhered to the [[atheist worldview]] and communist countries have engaged in [[militant atheism]] and religious persecution (see: [[Atheism and communism]]).<ref>[http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism]</ref>  China [[Atheism and communism|still engages]] in religious persecution. Communist countries had large/massive rallies. For example, at [[Tiananmen Square]] during the [[Cultural Revolution]], the atheist [[Mao Zedong]] greeted 1,500 [[Red Guards|Red Guards]] and waved to 800,000 Red Guards and spectators below.

Although the Reason Rally was billed as the largest secular event in world history, strictly speaking that is not accurate. [[Communism|Communist]] countries have embraced [[state atheism]]. And [[Marxism|Marxist]]-[[Vladimir Lenin|Leninism]] along with [[Maoism]] explicitly adhered to the [[atheist worldview]] and communist countries have engaged in [[militant atheism]] and religious persecution (see: [[Atheism and communism]]).<ref>[http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism]</ref>  China [[Atheism and communism|still engages]] in religious persecution. Communist countries had large/massive rallies. For example, at [[Tiananmen Square]] during the [[Cultural Revolution]], the atheist [[Mao Zedong]] greeted 1,500 [[Red Guards|Red Guards]] and waved to 800,000 Red Guards and spectators below.

Historically, the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] has tended to lean leftward in their politics (See: [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Secular left]]).  According to the [[University of Cambridge]], the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninsim">{{cite web|url = http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title =Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate = 2011–03–15}}</ref>

Historically, the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] has tended to lean leftward in their politics (See: [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Secular left]]).  According to the [[University of Cambridge]], the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninsim">{{cite web|url = http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title =Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate = 2011–03–15}}</ref>

== Reason Rally 2012 and the mocking of religious beliefs ==

=== Reason Rally 2012 and the mocking of religious beliefs ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and mockery]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and mockery]]

{{cquote|Right from the start, the 2012 Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., set the tone that was to dominate the rest of the day. As the crowd was filtering in to the National Mall, a band fired up the crowd with a rousing song that lampooned the belief in “[[Jesus]] coming again,” mixing it with sexual innuendo. As the assembled crowd clapped and sang along to other songs satirizing religion, a large costumed puppet figure of Jesus danced among spectators. “We’re not here to bash anyone’s faith, but if it happens, it happens,” comedian and master of ceremonies Paul Provenza announced to laughter and applause at the outset of the event. The bashing and attacks on religion, mainly Christianity (in its evangelical and Catholic forms), happened as much if not more than positive portrayals of secularism and were in sync with [[New Atheism|new atheist]] leader and scientist [[Richard Dawkins]]’s advice to “mock and ridicule” people’s beliefs. When one of the authors asked an official from the Secular Students Alliance, a group prominent in organizing the event, about whether the ridiculing of religion was productive, he answered, “This is what we do.”<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/12/06/is_mocking_religion_enough_harris_dawkins_and_the_future_of_atheistsecular_politics/ Is mocking religion enough? Harris, Dawkins and the future of atheist/secular politics] by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith, Salon magazine</ref>}}

{{cquote|Right from the start, the 2012 Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., set the tone that was to dominate the rest of the day. As the crowd was filtering in to the National Mall, a band fired up the crowd with a rousing song that lampooned the belief in “[[Jesus]] coming again,” mixing it with sexual innuendo. As the assembled crowd clapped and sang along to other songs satirizing religion, a large costumed puppet figure of Jesus danced among spectators. “We’re not here to bash anyone’s faith, but if it happens, it happens,” comedian and master of ceremonies Paul Provenza announced to laughter and applause at the outset of the event. The bashing and attacks on religion, mainly Christianity (in its evangelical and Catholic forms), happened as much if not more than positive portrayals of secularism and were in sync with [[New Atheism|new atheist]] leader and scientist [[Richard Dawkins]]’s advice to “mock and ridicule” people’s beliefs. When one of the authors asked an official from the Secular Students Alliance, a group prominent in organizing the event, about whether the ridiculing of religion was productive, he answered, “This is what we do.”<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/12/06/is_mocking_religion_enough_harris_dawkins_and_the_future_of_atheistsecular_politics/ Is mocking religion enough? Harris, Dawkins and the future of atheist/secular politics] by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith, Salon magazine</ref>}}

== Reason Rally 2012 related incident involving David Silverman and Richard Dawkins ==

=== Reason Rally 2012 related incident involving David Silverman and Richard Dawkins ===

[[File:David Silverman Reason Rally.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[David Silverman]] ]]

[[File:David Silverman Reason Rally.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[David Silverman]] ]]

For more information, please see: [[Elevatorgate]]

For more information, please see: [[Elevatorgate]]

== Rain and the Reason Rally 2012 ==

=== Rain and the Reason Rally 2012 ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and the suppression of science]] and [[List of atheist and agnostic pseudosciences]] and [[Christianity and science]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and the suppression of science]] and [[List of atheist and agnostic pseudosciences]] and [[Christianity and science]]

According to CNN, the Reason Rally experienced rain due to thunderstorms moving through the area at the time of the event.<ref>[http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/24/atheist-rally-continues-in-spite-of-rain-students-highlighted-throughout/ Atheist rally continues in spite of rain; students highlighted throughout] by By Dan Merica, CNN</ref> Despite the wide availability of weather forecasts provided by [[meteorology|meteorological scientists]], pictures from the rally show that a large percentage of the crowd was rain soaked due to a great many of the attendees not having umbrellas and/or rain gear for the event.<ref>[http://www.digitaljournal.com/image/109842 Rain soaked crowd at the Reason Rally], Digital Journal, photographer: Sean Fraser, date: 3/24/2012</ref><ref>[http://www.examiner.com/article/reason-rally-30k-godless-undeterred-by-rain Reason Rally: 30k godless undeterred by rain], ''Examiner'', March 25, 2012</ref>

According to CNN, the Reason Rally experienced rain due to thunderstorms moving through the area at the time of the event.<ref>[http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/24/atheist-rally-continues-in-spite-of-rain-students-highlighted-throughout/ Atheist rally continues in spite of rain; students highlighted throughout] by By Dan Merica, CNN</ref> Despite the wide availability of weather forecasts provided by [[meteorology|meteorological scientists]], pictures from the rally show that a large percentage of the crowd was rain soaked due to a great many of the attendees not having umbrellas and/or rain gear for the event.<ref>[http://www.digitaljournal.com/image/109842 Rain soaked crowd at the Reason Rally], Digital Journal, photographer: Sean Fraser, date: 3/24/2012</ref><ref>[http://www.examiner.com/article/reason-rally-30k-godless-undeterred-by-rain Reason Rally: 30k godless undeterred by rain], ''Examiner'', March 25, 2012</ref>

== Reason Rally 2012 attendees weight management practices compared to African gospel crusade attendees ==

=== Reason Rally 2012 attendees weight management practices compared to African gospel crusade attendees ===

[[File:African open air Christian meeting.jpg|thumbnail|right|320px|[[Africa]]n Christians clapping at an open air meeting.  

[[File:African open air Christian meeting.jpg|thumbnail|right|320px|[[Africa]]n Christians clapping at an open air meeting.  

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</ref> See also: [[Atheism and health]]

</ref> See also: [[Atheism and health]]

== Reason Rally 2012 crowd size ==

=== Reason Rally 2012 crowd size ===

''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Atheist movement]]  

''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Atheist movement]]  

Although the rally was billed as "the largest gathering of the secular movement in world history" and many [[American atheism|American atheists]] claiming that they are an oppressed minority (See [[Atheist whining]]), atheists/agnostics appear not to have been able to generate the crowd at the Reason Rally that [[Glenn Beck]] was able to gather for his [[Restoring Honor Rally]].<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/03/24/reason-rally-is-coming-out-party-for-secular-movement.html]</ref> KCCI8 News reported concerning the Restoring Honor Rally,  "A scientific estimate placed the crowd size around 87,000, while media reports varied dramatically from tens of thousands to 500,000."<ref>[http://www.kcci.com/national/on-this-day-august-28/16279278 KCCI8 News - On this day: August 28,  UPDATED 1:00 AM CDT Aug 28, 2014</ref>

Although the rally was billed as "the largest gathering of the secular movement in world history" and many [[American atheism|American atheists]] claiming that they are an oppressed minority (See [[Atheist whining]]), atheists/agnostics appear not to have been able to generate the crowd at the Reason Rally that [[Glenn Beck]] was able to gather for his [[Restoring Honor Rally]].<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/03/24/reason-rally-is-coming-out-party-for-secular-movement.html]</ref> KCCI8 News reported concerning the Restoring Honor Rally,  "A scientific estimate placed the crowd size around 87,000, while media reports varied dramatically from tens of thousands to 500,000."<ref>[http://www.kcci.com/national/on-this-day-august-28/16279278 KCCI8 News - On this day: August 28,  UPDATED 1:00 AM CDT Aug 28, 2014</ref>

=== Atheist activists exaggerating the number of atheists in America ===

==== Atheist activists exaggerating the number of atheists in America ====

In 2012, the organization PolitiFact Rhode Island accused American Atheists president David Silverman of wildly exaggerating the number of atheists in America by attempting to included the Unaffiliated (also called [[Nones]]) who made up about 15% of the United States population at the time (despite the fact that only 15 percent of "nones" identify as atheists) and by also attempting to lump agnostics with the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]].<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/feb/26/david-silverman/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-says-t/ American Atheists President David Silverman says there are twice as many atheists in U.S. as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined] By C. Eugene Emery Jr. on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.</ref><ref>[http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2501462&sid=555&fid=181 Meet the 'Nones:' Spiritual but not religious]</ref>   

In 2012, the organization PolitiFact Rhode Island accused American Atheists president David Silverman of wildly exaggerating the number of atheists in America by attempting to included the Unaffiliated (also called [[Nones]]) who made up about 15% of the United States population at the time (despite the fact that only 15 percent of "nones" identify as atheists) and by also attempting to lump agnostics with the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]].<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/feb/26/david-silverman/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-says-t/ American Atheists President David Silverman says there are twice as many atheists in U.S. as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined] By C. Eugene Emery Jr. on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.</ref><ref>[http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2501462&sid=555&fid=181 Meet the 'Nones:' Spiritual but not religious]</ref>