Figures from the annual Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, run by ScotCen social researchers, have shown the highest ever proportion of non-religious people.
The new findings from Scotland’s most authoritative survey of public attitudes show that nearly six in ten (58%) now say that they have no religion, up 18 points on 1999 when the figure stood at four in ten (40%).
Young people are least likely to be religious; three quarters of young people (74% of 18-34s) say they have no religion compared with 34% of those over 65.
Commenting on the new figures, Gordon MacRae, Chief Executive of Humanist Society Scotland said:
Gordon MacRae, HSS Chief Executive
“This change is part of a long term trend that has seen more and more people in Scotland live happy and fulfilled lives without a religious belief.
“Humanist weddings for example are now more numerous in Scotland than any religious service.
“Today’s figures help support Humanist Society Scotland’s long held view that we should end privileges that some faith groups unfairly enjoy. A modern Scotland should ensure individuals of all faiths and none are equally respected.”
While Exodus is a film still in its funding stage, this promising project hopes to become a feature-length documentary about the growing number of African-Americans leaving religion and the prejudice and social problems they face as part of the most religious demographic in America.
Many people are surprised to learn that there are Black non-believers and while the numbers identifying as atheists are small, only 1 or 2 percent by the lowest estimates, the proportion of African-Americans who are not affiliated with a particular religion is about the same as it is for the general population of the United States, amounting to several million.
For Americans who are only slightly aware of the growing trend of African-Americans leaving religion the question is: who are the Black non-believers and where are they?
This important film will challenge stereotypes, promote dialogue, and provide a true insight into the lives of Black non-believers. Yet Black non-believers remain practically invisible in their communities and may be the most closeted group in America.
Project narrative
The church is a focal point of the African American community but many former adherents are declaring themselves non-believers and leaving the faith of their ancestors. They identify themselves as nonreligious, non-believers, Humanist, agnostic, or atheist but they all disassociate with the religion that is the focal point of their communities.
In this film, African American non-believers will tell us in interviews and conversation what caused them to leave the church, the social and personal problems that resulted, the ways their lives have been changed, and why identification as a non-believer is important to them. Pastors and theologians commenting on this trend provide a counterpoint revealing how the African American church and community are responding to this growing exodus.
The “sizzle reel” for Exodus features Alix Jules, Bridgett Bria Crutchfield and Pastor Lorenzo Neal.
Alix Jules
Alix Jules: Jules is a secular activist in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area commonly involved in issues and topics regarding the role of diversity in the atheist community as well as atheism in diverse communities. He’s the chair of the Dallas/Fort Worth Coalition of Reason’s Diversity Council, Organizer for Black Nonbelievers of Dallas, and is a founding member of the largest family-based secular humanist organization in Texas, the Fellowship of Freethought. Jules is a regular co-host on Dogma Debate.
Bridgett Bria Crutchfield
Bridgett Bria Crutchfield: Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bridgett (known as ‘Bria’) was raised, baptized and dis-fellowshipped from Jehovah’s Witness faith. She segued to Pentecostal Christianity and assumed leadership roles as Prophetess, Intercessory Prayer Warrior and Evangelist. After careful consideration, Bria realized she was an Atheist. In 2011, she Founded Minority Atheists of MI, and founded the Detroit affiliate of Black Nonbelievers in 2013.
Pastor Lorenzo Neal
Pastor Lorenzo Neal: Neal is pastor of the New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jackson, MS. He is also a licensed pastoral counselor and writes about Black Evangelical Christian issues and socio-political issues.
The Filmmakers
Producer/Director David Person is an accomplished professional journalist and consultant with more than 25 years of experience as a broadcaster, producer, and reporter. David Person has hosted and produced two nationally distributed public radio documentaries: Uncommon Courage: The Viola Liuzzo Story and The Afro: Personal Reflections. In addition, he has done feature reporting for National Public Radio. His most recent documentary project is The Biblical Prophets of the Qu’ran, an examination of the commonalities of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Executive Producer Charles R. “Chuck” Miller is a secular activist and consultant. He was a founding director of the Secular Coalition for Alabama and served as that organization’s Executive Director. He is American Atheists Regional Director and a Life Member of that organization. His writing has appeared in American Atheist Magazine.
Advisory Board
Dr. Dedrick Blue is Dean of the Department of Religion and Theology of Oakwood University. He also serves as a board member at that institution and was Senior Pastor of the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in New York, NY.
Mandisa Lateefah Thomas is the co-founder and current President of Black Nonbelievers, Inc. a national social and activist organization founded in 2011.
Mandisa Thomas
How to support the film
Filmmakers are actively seeking financial support to fully examine this trend through a combination of crowdfunding, grant writing, and foundation support.
Follow @ExodusTheDoc on Twitter and retweet to your followers.
Contributions can be made by sending funds via PayPal.me/Exodoc.
Underwriters should contact the producers by email at exodusproducers@gmail.com or DM @ExodusTheDoc on Twitter.
Donors who provide $1,000 or more will receive recognition in the credits and institutions making larger grants will be recognized in the opening credits.
Currently, the North Alabama Freethought Association is acting as fiscal sponsor.
This latest ad of Meat & Livestock Australia in the “You’ll Never Lamb Alone” series, it is very insensitive, irresponsible and total nonsense.
Not only it is defaming the religion, it is also highly inappropriate for, Hindu’s, Muslim’s and Buddhist’s as well. So to say all the religions.
Soon this 30-second ad, will be a part of a broader marketing strategy that will also include in-store promotions, billboards and social media posts.
This should be stopped immediately, it can not be accepted whatsoever. We urge to the PM of Australia to please look into this matter at the earliest before it catches eye of foreign media and embrace the racist image of the country world wide.
Here are a few of the comments left at the petition site Change.org in the past week (no corrections have been made for spelling or punctuation):
OMG! How can they make this ad it’s so high highly offensive to Hindu beliefs please stop this ad immediately! lord Ganesh is sacred & we worship him without meat!.Its like tabu to some Hindu’s Please be respectful to what others believe in or worship it’s sac religious ❤JAI SRI GANESH ❤
Disgusting and racist act to show Indian god (Ganesha) having a drink and eat meat. This is a communal attack by few individuals which needs to be ceased immediately.
Very insensitive towards worlds ancient religions. Heads of these organisations should be held responsible and severely punished
Promoting the slaughter of any baby animal is disgusting. I don’t like any marketing of this nature but this
Anything in the public domain must take people’s sensitivities into account . This ad is very hurtful to my Hindu sentiments
This advertisement demonstrates a complete lack of cultural sensitivity and should be banned immediately.
All Indian Gods are vegitarian and showibg them eating meat is pure ignorance and insulting.
There wasnt any mohhamed in the Gods which also shouts partiality
This is against Hindu religion ideolgy
Its an insult to GODS OF HINDU by an Australian Company – Disgusting – Shame for Us we all Australians who are known for Non-Discriminating and Equal Opportunities among all who reside in Australia
It’s defaming. Why bring Gods image in ad.
I believe that Hinduism and Hindu Gods are being targeted by negative forces who are afraid that Hindustan might take over the world one day.
This is a very muted response. This only asks to stop this from going ahead any further. There is not even an apology demanded for the damage already done and emotions hurt.
Incorrect to have shows on different cultures with zero understanding.
This ad is offensive not just to Hindus but every religion. This has no place in civil society.
I believe in respecting the sentiments of people belonging to other religions and expect the same from them for my religion.
these rascals should be booked
I’m signing because it is offensive to make fun of any religion
This is totally unacceptable. Straight attack on a religious belief. Those who created this add are not suitable for their role
Never defame religions in your ads .
Its hurts.
This advertisement doesn’t have any meaning.
The did not get permission from other religions.
The bad thing is hurting the religious people who believe in God…
Not only it is defaming the religion, it is also highly inappropriate for, Hindu’s, Muslim’s and Buddhist’s as well. So to say all the religions
Those responsible should be awarded capital punishment.
It is highly inappropriate . It is against my religion & religious views. It depicts my deities in inappropriate way
Hindus should take a stand against the religious intolerance ad designed to mock u
I abhor this ad and this is racist too.
Don’t make fun of our gods
Violating and provoking the religious beliefs and culture.
Australia has developed into a wonderful country integrating people from so many countries, all living peacefully together
It is a pity when advertising can upset people’s beliefs, this should NOT be encouraged.
It is highly humiliating
Insensitive and Condemnable
Lord Ganesha flanked by an alien and Jesus.
This pure insult to Hindus , why not have the porpht of ismile not included … afraid of Peacefool ?
Its against my Sanatan Dharma ,value system ,strictly objectionable n I condemn this ad
Shamefull ac. Request pm australia to take strict action against these people and the organisation
Because it is ridiculous. Get some knowledge of Santana dharma before doing such a sin….
This advert offends all Hindus by depicting one of our demigods eating meat which is completely against Hindu beliefs.
It is offensive and denies my rights to worship whomever I want
stop making fun of our god’s . And beg Lord Ganesha for pardon.
It is hurting the religious belief and values of over a billion Hindus as Lord/God Ganesha like all other Hindu Gods are considered pious and it is derogatory to associate him promoting lamb
Total shit!!! It needs to be stopped at any cost and the concerned people should apologise unconditionally for this.
Why you people don’t have respect of Hindu Gods…You are a demon.
stop using hindu gods to make marketing stunts,
Not appropriate to belief of millions of people.
Please don’t heart other religions aethist
This is ridiculous. The actor must have been in dire need of money to have even agreed to play the part.
Absolutely digusting!
It’s should been an Ad for good. Please do not hurt feelings of Hindus we believe in God.
I think seriously hurts Hindus.
This is offensive on so many levels. The terrible terrible terrible acting and rediculous script should be mentioned. In this time if global sensitivity it misses the mark and feels like a deliberate stunt to gain publicity.
This is unacceptable and disgraceful. Whoever had made this rubbish obviously has no sense of how to assimilate. There is more to inclusion other than just sharing a meal.
Hindus have always been submissive and social and hurting feelings with videos like this can cause a stir Kindly delete this video ! Would be obliged!!
The ad is offensive to many religious group
Do not use Hindu Gods to promote meat eating. This is downright offensive to the Hindu community.
I’m signing because firstly it is a big infringement of our religion and secondly, your making it look as if lord Ganesh is a novelty character
Hindus have great respect for Lord Ganesha and it is selfish to show it into a character form for advertising and humiliating . Very cheap media
Respect Every religion
Grossly insensitive to the religious sentiments of many people. Religious dieties, prophets, acclaimed messiah like figures should not be used as cheap advertising subject material.
This is extremely disrespectful and a clear violation of another person beliefs and respect.
Offensive at every level.
I strongly condem the act of this advert as it only has this hurt the Hindu community, but also because the advert has not understood the culture of Hinduism having to have Lord Ganesh. Not only will you receive more petitions but this will become a disgrace to your company and agenda for future !
It’s hateful. Against the Hindu religion
Depicting Lord Ganesha in meat eating environment is gross insult to Hiduism. It is a cheap way of advertising and insulting in my opinion.
This is termedousely disrespectful and a clear violation of another person beliefs and respect.
I’m signing because it’s against my relegion and my culture. It hurts the sentiment of Indian people. Ban it or else livestock will never be peace full In India.
This is totally disrespectful to Hindu God Ganesh and Hinduism as a whole. No Hindu sect allows consumption of Meat! This ad should be banned immediately…
It’s not acceptable to make fun of someone’s religious faith
The ad also includes Jesus, Scientology founder L. Rob Hubbard, Thor and Zeus. Titled “You Never Lamb Alone”, the ad was launched by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) on September 4, 2017.
Press Release:
High Commission of India
Canberra
The High Commission of India, Canberra, taking note of the protests of Indian community in Australia, have made a demarche to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Communication and Arts and Department of Agriculture bringing to their notice an offensive advertisement by Meat and Livestock Australia that hurt the religious sentiments of the Indian community.
In a video advertisement released by Meat and Livestock Australia recently, Lord Ganesha along with other religious figures is found to be ‘toasting lamb’, which the Indian community consider to be offensive and hurting their religious sentiments.
The Consulate General of India in Sydney has taken up the matter directly with Meat and Livestock Australia and urged them to withdraw the advertisement.
A number of Community Associations have also registered their protest with Government of Australia and Meat and Livestock Australia.
****
Canberra
September 08, 2017
Shot across North America and the UK over two years, Losing Our Religion provides a first look inside The Clergy Project, a safe, anonymous online space for preachers who no longer believe in god. The site has grown from sixty to over six hundred members in just two years. Now, for the first time, a documentary crew has been allowed access to the members of The Clergy Project. Many members find themselves trapped, facing the dilemma of either living a lie, or losing their job, community and even home and family.
Filmmaker Leslea Mair interviewed clergy across North America, including the Deep South, who are still undercover and know they would lose their jobs and their friends should anyone find out. Leslea also talked to former clergy, Clergy Project members who are “out,” who give open and personal explanations of why they became preachers, what happened, the cost of being honest, and why they are still working to help others trapped in the pulpit.
Commissioned by Bruce Cowley, senior director of documentary Channel, Losing Our Religion will have its world broadcast premiere on documentary Channel in the fall of 2017. Public screenings are also scheduled in select locations and the film will be available for purchase in 2018.
Contributors include Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Dan Barker, and many more.
Daniel Dennett, Philosopher, Author
Richard Dawkins. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason provided funding to create the Clergy Project.
Spirit photography, or photos claiming to document ghosts of loved ones, became popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as hope rose that photography could finally provide scientific proof of the afterlife.
The impetus behind the proliferation of these highly sought after photos was three-fold:
The photographer mastering this technique could get rich quick, often hanging out with some of the upper echelon of society.
Subjects were anxious to believe their dearly departed loved ones were now heavenly spirits. Too often, subjects photographed were in the throes of a recent loss and were easily exploited. Post-war eras were particularly fruitful.
Cameras were viewed as documenting truth; public knowledge about photographic manipulation was limited.
As early as 1869, American William Mumler, spirit photographer to the stars–not the least of whom was Mary Todd Lincoln–was tried for fraud, but was ultimately acquitted because the prosecutor simply couldn’t quite figure out how the photographs were fraudulently made.
Mary Todd Lincoln and the ghost of Abraham Lincoln as photographed by William Mumler, ca.1869.
Enter English spirit photographer William Hope (1863-1933) who garnered a prestigious clientele including an enthusiastic endorsement from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Below is a mere sampling of spirit photos produced by William Hope courtesy National Science and Media Museum:
Despite being labeled a “common cheat” by Scientific American, support for Hope persisted. William Hope was also the subject of a sting operation conducted by “paranormal investigator” Harry Price (Harry Price merits his own story, to be discussed in a separate article coming soon).
Price’s investigation prompted Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to publish The Case for Spirit Photography in 1922 “to show the overpowering weight of evidence which exists as to the reality of Mr. Hope’s most remarkable gift.”
Anthony Magnabosco is a Street Epistemologist who converses with and interviews random strangers on the street to ask about their beliefs, such as faith, superstitions, and so much more.
According to Magnabosco, “I initiate friendly conversations with people to see how they arrived at their deeply-held beliefs (e.g., Gods, karma, ghosts, politics, etc.), and then ask respectful questions to help them discover if the method(s) used are unreliable so that more reliable methods can be employed to maintain the belief and/or the level of confidence in the belief can be adjusted to be more in line with reality.”
Of particular interest are these playlists:
My Top Ten Talks
Street Epistemology Presentations
Relativism (“It’s true for me.”)
Street Epistemology Tutorials
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Press Release:
