I wrote about Honduras yesterday (specifically the slowly growing number of free-thought groups and what appears to be the beginning of a community of atheists who are connected and work together to achieve common, desired goals). Evidently it was a popular post, according to my Google Analytics page. It got shared by quite a few different sources, including and especially the Honduran Association of atheists and freethinkers (AHAL). And I think the groups mentioned appreciated the shoutout.

I want to cover all of the Latin American free-thought groups. And in order for me to do that, I’ll be writing posts on here and on Patheos about Latin American groups who celebrate skepticism. I’m really happy that I have managed to get this opportunity. I can also tell that the skeptical community in Honduras really appreciates that a writer who writes in English talked about them and their needs. I’ve spoken to a decent number of Latin American skeptics and while how we feel varies from person to person more than a few of us (especially those of us that are vocal and enjoy talking about skepticism, atheism, and religion) feel that English speaking atheists don’t take us particularly seriously. I want to change that. I want to talk about a movement that has begun occurring throughout our part of the world which seriously talks about atheism, Catholicism, and other religions. I want atheists worldwide to turn their eyes towards Latin America, as nations like Honduras, and Mexico begin to produce serious and dedicated voices who are passionate about irreligion, and about organizing and speaking out against those who would demonize the men and women who are godless.

I feel that in the future Latin America will play an important role in global irreligion and especially a worldwide push towards secularism as the standard for governmental attitudes towards religion;  as the Church begins to look docile, with figureheads taking control like the Pope who specialize in trying to restore the faith the people once had in religion and ensure that the Church remains relevant in contemporary society. Given that Latin America supplies the Catholic Church with nearly half of its believers (Latin American Catholics are nearly 40% of Catholics worldwide according to a Pew article from 2014), Latin American atheism, skepticism, irreligion, and secularism will play a huge role in lessening the influence of the Catholic Church. If we want to see a world where politicized Catholicism cannot prevent people from getting married, or a woman from having access to all forms of medical operations (like abortions) and medicine (like emergency contraception) than we must turn our eyes towards Latin America.

I also just don’t want any other Latin American irreligious people to feel alone. And to me personally that’s the most important reason to be vocal. I don’t want others to have to feel like I did. Including communities like the ones in Honduras might have before they got this shoutout. So I’m going to be annoyingly vocal, so people far and wide can hear me. In a variety of languages. And I hope, along the way to gain some good friends, and to inspire others to write as well. We can do this, together. We can work to normalize skepticism. So that we and others throughout Latin America like us are treated with respect and dignity, and so that the relative beauty of “child like faith” is diminished. I don’t think that blind faith or that being uncritical towards your own views are traits that should be encouraged. In fact I think the opposite is true. So let’s work to question things. And to accept reality for how it seems to be, not make up ideas and concepts which make us feel better, with no observable evidence.

If you want to support my friends, check them out at Ateos de Honduras, and AHAL.

If you like my writing, feel free to check out the Patheos and learn about what’s going down in Honduras!