Progressive Atheists Purpose Statement
Progressive Atheists Incorporated (PA Inc) is an organisation of like-minded individuals who want to affect a progressive social transformation within their local community.
We seek to fulfill the following purposes:
- To foster functional democracy within PA Inc, its processes, procedures and activities;
- To provide effective accountability of those entrusted with PA Inc leadership;
- To act in solidarity with other progressive movements, organisations and groups that share our commitment to voicing issues affecting atheists, women, minorities, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTI, seniors,
youth, other species and the environment; - To improve communication among progressive groups and organisations in our community in order to galvanise a united front for promoting secularism;
- To strive for a secular society that grants personal and political freedom from religion, whilst retaining personal freedom of religion and personal freedom of conscience;
- To create a safe and inclusive environment within which people are encouraged to discuss their ideas honestly, debate social and cultural values, develop ethics, promote social justice and contribute to universal human rights;
- To go beyond divisive racial, religious, tribal, and sectarian constructs, and instead, contribute to a universal humanity.
History of Progressive Atheists
After a series of workshops and discussions, the Progressive Atheists was founded on the 10th January 2010 by four Atheists to unite like-minded individuals who wanted to effect a progressive social transformation in Australia, into an organization capable of carrying this agenda.
The Constitution was drafted and after consultations, the Constitution was adopted with the Mission Statement stating that:
Our goal is the transformation of our society through the unity of its peoples in active opposition to: Religion, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Economic Class Exploitation, Age discrimination and all other forms of oppression and discrimination.
We are committed to the involvement of minorities, women, workers, seniors and young people in bringing about this independent progressive revolution in our communities.
On the 16th February, 2010 the Progressive Atheists became Incorporated at Consumer Affairs Victoria.
On the 31st of August 2011, the Progressive Atheists Inc. became an affiliated Member of the Atheist Alliance International.
Progressive Atheists Purpose Statement has since evolved into the statement at the start of this section.
Today
The Progressive Atheists Inc. now has members all around Australia, in Victoria, Queensland, NSW, WA, ACT as well as overseas in America and Bangladesh.
Progressive Atheists Inc. has close links with many atheist and secular groups around the world including Atheist Alliance International and ‘Argenta’ an Atheist organization in Argentina.
In Australia we have participated in many campaigns such as the Chaplaincy challenge at the High Court, the right to same gender marriage and the campaign against religious instruction in public schools.
The Progressive Atheists presence at both Melbourne Atheist Conventions is part of many activities in which Progressive Atheists is involved.
The Progressive Atheists Inc. has a monthly open meetings for members and prospective members on the fourth Saturday of each month.
The future
The biggest asset of the Progressive Atheists Inc. is the diversity and quality of its members.
The future of the PA lays on the involvement of these like-minded individuals working together for the transformation of the community into a just society for all.
The Progressive Atheists Inc. aims will be secured by the delivery of special lectures, by the holding of debates, by the publication of literature, by the general diffusion of scientific knowledge and by the campaign against the backward and parasitic nature of religion.
With the input of our current and future members, the close links to the Atheist Network of organisations in Australia and abroad and the commitment of the Committee of Management the future of the Progressive Atheists Inc. is strong and bright.
Section 116 of the Australian Constitution
Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion
The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.
