If you live your life without a god or gods, thousands of your neighbors in the Washington DC metro area live the same way.
The Washington DC Area Coalition of Reason (Washington CoR) is a network of local groups that have joined together to increase the sense of community among like-minded people and to enhance the growth, visibility, and acceptance of nontheists throughout the metro area.
However, though all of the organizations in Washington CoR share common ground, each has its own unique emphasis and atmosphere. Some are focused on scientific inquiry and education, others on challenging religious beliefs and breaches in the wall of separation between religion and government, and still others on ethical living and community. But all seek to create an environment of rationality where people can socialize in a climate of tolerance, dignity, acceptance, and support. And each group is committed to promoting wider acceptance of a more rational view of the universe and a more compassionate view of those who live in it.
WashingtonCoR.org serves to inform people in the DC area that there are groups to join, activities to enjoy, events to attend, and friends to make. In sum, we in Washington CoR seek to help those without traditional religious belief to find their philosophical homes.
And those who aren't ready, or are unable, to "come out" about their freethinking on matters of religion can take comfort in knowing that they aren't alone in accepting a natural universe and a human grounding for ethics.
As for those in the traditional religious community, we want them to realize that, although we in the community of reason doubt or reject the supernatural, we share many of the same compassionate human values that most religious believers embrace. Thus, in most ways, believers and nonbelievers are alike: being hard-working, tax-paying, ethical citizens who care deeply about family, community, state, nation, and the world.
And we nontheistic people make up a large minority-larger than many minorities that have significant political and cultural influence. Washington CoR has thus been formed to increase our influence in the marketplace of ideas and allow us to take our rightful place at the table of acceptance and equal rights. We invite all who share this vision to support our efforts.
Shelley Mountjoy
Coordinator, Washington CoR
202-285-3298
ShelleyMountjoy@yahoo.com
www.WashingtonCoR.org
