When we organize atheism to benefit atheists only, when we promote atheism among atheists and for the good of atheists, when atheist groups defend only the interests of atheists, we make the world poorer and rob humanity of an inestimable good. This is often the way I feel when I try to reflect on how atheism is being organised today. I come from a part of the world where atheism is not something many people will openly identify with. I come from a part of the world where many people are suffering and dying due to theism’s stranglehold on their lives. I come from a part of the world where there is so much need for atheism. I think it is the rest of the world, not only atheists, that needs atheism most. So atheists have the moral obligation to put this liberating and enlightening outlook at the world’s disposal, at humanity’s disposal. Atheists should strive to ensure that other humans enjoy the atheistic good, because there are many out there yearning for it. Many people are longing to experience the atheistic good or live in an atheistic space in their life time, particularly those languishing and suffocating due to religious exploitation and theistic tyranny.

They are so many of them out there. Women, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, minority groups, victims of religious persecution and inquisition, you name them, who are longing to experience and enjoy the atheist land of promise even without being atheists themselves.

No question, over the years, decades and centuries, atheists have been demonized and denounced. Atheists have been persecuted, executed and discriminated against. In fact atheists have been equated to fools. One of the authors of the bible says it is only the fool that says in his heart that there is no God. This verse is often quoted by christians to discredit atheism, and to make the atheistic outlook seem so terrible, so unfitting for human beings. But in spite of that, atheism has been growing from strength to strength. Atheistic groups and activists are emerging in different parts of the world including Africa.

The enduring value and vitality of atheism has been vindicated, thereby making a fool of the biblical author.

In many parts of the world atheists have managed to organised themselves. Organized atheism is waxing strong. Atheism is gradually being mainstreamed. Many christian believers are beginning to think that the author of the biblical psalm might have fooled them. Some believers in other sacred writers are beginning to question the so called revealed wisdom. In many societies, people are beginning to wake up from their theistic slumber. Many are rethinking their faith and voicing their doubts. Many people are beginning to realize the necessity of atheism. Many people are beginning to experience and embrace the liberating and enlightening promises of the atheistic outlook.

Still there is a lot of work to be done. Many parts of the world are still in the dark, under religious darkness. Many parts of the world are still in the woods – the theistic woods. Humanity still has a long way to go before it can be said to be truly free from religious, superstitious and theistic bondage. So many parts of the world are still yearning for the freedom, hope, light and happiness that come with atheism, with an atheistic awakening. So the world and the rest of humanity are looking up to atheists to deliver this important good. Yes, many human beings around the world are looking up to atheists for support, salvation and solidarity, because they think it is only atheists who have the cognitive and moral courage to challenge and unmask the theistic tyrants, exploiters, enslavers and oppressors.

They believe that it is only atheists that can deliver this secular good unadulterated. That is why I am appealing to our atheist friends to realize this fundamental need and take steps to fufill it. The time has come for us to change the way we do and organize atheism so that we can address this need, and render this service to humanity. Atheism is a global good and requires a global approach.

Atheism should not just be organized for atheists alone. Atheism should be organized for the world. Atheists should look less inward and more outward so that we can extend atheistic moral excellence to others. We should devote more time and energy to reaching out and getting more people out there to experience and have a taste of atheistic solidarity.

We, atheists, do not need atheism, do we? No, we don’t. We are already atheists. We embody the values, principles and sentiments of atheism.

Atheists do not need atheism. The world needs it. Humanity needs it to grow develop and flourish. Humanity needs atheism for emancipation and enlightenment. So let’s strive to organize atheism and put the atheistic goods at the world’s disposal, at humanity’s disposal.