The Brights Movement

[jmvizanko]

What do people think of the movement? I support a movement to do its stated goals. But the name brights, and the suggestion that atheists should be called brights or supers, is in my opinion, ridiculously pretentious and pompous.

 

[Revoltingest]

What do people think of the movement? I support a movement to do its stated goals. But the name brights, and the suggestion that atheists should be called brights or supers, is in my opinion, ridiculously pretentious and pompous.

That about sums it up for me too.

 

[Smoke]

I think the name is the reason it's never really got off the ground.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Anybody who would willingly refer to themselves as a "bright," doesn't strike me as someone who would be very bright. Lame and pathetic perhaps, but not bright.

 

[Revoltingest]

To be considered bright is something one cannot confer upon oneself.
Tis best to let one's audience make that judgment.....or not.

 

[Erebus]

What do people think of the movement? I support a movement to do its stated goals. But the name brights, and the suggestion that atheists should be called brights or supers, is in my opinion, ridiculously pretentious and pompous.

Pretty much my opinion too. I'll throw in the fact that in places where atheists aren't liked (Bible Belt etc) this kind of organisation probably does more harm than good.

 

[Midnight Pete]

What do people think of the movement? I support a movement to do its stated goals. But the name brights, and the suggestion that atheists should be called brights or supers, is in my opinion, ridiculously pretentious and pompous.

Oh wow, I agree! :yes:

 

[Skwim]

Came across this rather interesting piece.

What is a bright?
•A bright is a person who has a naturalistic worldview
•A bright's worldview is free of supernatural and mystical elements
•The ethics and actions of a bright are based on a naturalistic worldview
​

The Vision
Persons who have a naturalistic worldview should be accepted as fellow citizens and full participants in the cultural and political landscape, and not be culturally stifled or civically marginalized due to society’s extensive supernaturalism.
​

This egalitarian vision is not the reality today. Moving toward it requires that individuals who do hold a naturalistic worldview make manifest their existence within society. The idea of materializing as Brights at the Internet hub of The Brights’ Net is to acquire visibility, fortify one another in what is a worthwhile outlook on the world, and grow a constituency that can join forces broadly to work on broad aims of social and civic action. Those who register into this Internet constituency have worldviews free of the supernatural deities, forces, and entities in which so many others believe. They stand for “a level playing field” that provides the same foothold in society as citizens who believe in the supernatural. The time is here to garner visibility and work for full social acceptance and civic participation.

The Brights' Principles
The Brights’ Net has a set of guiding principles for association and action. While spreading the word about the constituency, the organization stands for these principles—as values, not dogma.
​

source

​

 

[jmvizanko]

Came across this rather interesting piece.

What is a bright?
•A bright is a person who has a naturalistic worldview
•A bright's worldview is free of supernatural and mystical elements
•The ethics and actions of a bright are based on a naturalistic worldview
​

The Vision
Persons who have a naturalistic worldview should be accepted as fellow citizens and full participants in the cultural and political landscape, and not be culturally stifled or civically marginalized due to society’s extensive supernaturalism.
​

This egalitarian vision is not the reality today. Moving toward it requires that individuals who do hold a naturalistic worldview make manifest their existence within society. The idea of materializing as Brights at the Internet hub of The Brights’ Net is to acquire visibility, fortify one another in what is a worthwhile outlook on the world, and grow a constituency that can join forces broadly to work on broad aims of social and civic action. Those who register into this Internet constituency have worldviews free of the supernatural deities, forces, and entities in which so many others believe. They stand for “a level playing field” that provides the same foothold in society as citizens who believe in the supernatural. The time is here to garner visibility and work for full social acceptance and civic participation.

The Brights' Principles
The Brights’ Net has a set of guiding principles for association and action. While spreading the word about the constituency, the organization stands for these principles—as values, not dogma.
​

source

​

Well I agree with the fact that atheists need to come out of the closet more. And atheists are the least respected subset of people, at least here in the US. However, this is absolutely the wrong way to try to gain recognition, and probably mainly because of its damn title.

 

[ChristineES]

I can be friends with anyone or just about anyone. One of my pet peeves, however, is that of the belief that someone is better/smarter/etc. than I am just because what they believe or don't believe. And I mean that about both theists and atheists (and agnostics, too).

 

[Midnight Pete]

I can be friends with anyone or just about anyone. One of my pet peeves, however, is that of the belief that someone is better/smarter/etc. than I am just because what they believe or don't believe. And I mean that about both theists and atheists (and agnostics, too).

I feel the same way, Christine!

 

[Midnight Pete]

Why didn't they just call themselves the "Smarter Than You" Movement?

More direct and to-the-point.

 

[yourhopeboundheart]

Well I agree with the fact that atheists need to come out of the closet more. And atheists are the least respected subset of people, at least here in the US. However, this is absolutely the wrong way to try to gain recognition, and probably mainly because of its damn title.

the distinctions:
"What is a bright?
•A bright is a person who has a naturalistic worldview
•A bright's worldview is free of supernatural and mystical elements
•The ethics and actions of a bright are based on a naturalistic worldview"

include much more qualifying terms than "atheism".

" Those who register into this Internet constituency have worldviews free of the supernatural deities, forces, and entities in which so many others believe." includes much more than a belief in gods. it's important to keep in mind that the "brights" do not stand for atheism, they stand for a naturalistic worldview.

Why didn't they just call themselves the "Smarter Than You" Movement?

More direct and to-the-point.

it's been made clear that the name is arrogant and therefore worthless, even counterproductive. not all of those who would fall under this category would be willing to use such an egotistical name to describe themselves.

most of us kinda just joked around in the thread about "a new name for atheism", however it's not an altogether unimportant question. what will we call this growing population of people who do not subscribe to a religious view, yet share certain characteristics that go beyond "atheism" as a simple title? evidently most of us are opposed to the term "brights". but this kind of branding is so successful for the "pro-life" movement, that it's clear that having a flashy name that makes a movement seem positive and potentially superior is a fantastic political move.

 

[dogsgod]

I hate the name "brights", I'd rather they called us the "dark space invaders", or something to that effect.

 

[Rakhel]

Someone say "Brite"

 

[ButTheCatCameBack]

I find the name goofy but I support some of the ideas of it. I support atheists being more organized and publicly active in general if not this specific movement.

 

[Nepenthe]

the distinctions:
"What is a bright?
•A bright is a person who has a naturalistic worldview
•A bright's worldview is free of supernatural and mystical elements
•The ethics and actions of a bright are based on a naturalistic worldview"

include much more qualifying terms than "atheism".

" Those who register into this Internet constituency have worldviews free of the supernatural deities, forces, and entities in which so many others believe." includes much more than a belief in gods. it's important to keep in mind that the "brights" do not stand for atheism, they stand for a naturalistic worldview.

It's that annoying lack of much information conveyed in the word "atheism" that makes me wish I had an easier way to describe myself than "atheist skeptic secular humanist materialist etc. etc."

I liked Paul Kurtz's "eupraxophist" but that's only because I'm a pretentious d'bag jerk.

 

[Smoke]

I can be friends with anyone or just about anyone. One of my pet peeves, however, is that of the belief that someone is better/smarter/etc. than I am just because what they believe or don't believe. And I mean that about both theists and atheists (and agnostics, too).

I consider myself better than a lot of people, but not because of what they believe. Or at least, not if they're believers with some sense. I don't consider myself better than you or Rick or Tiger or Katz, regardless of whether you're all believers. But I could name some names if I wanted to.

 

[Smoke]

Why didn't they just call themselves the "Smarter Than You" Movement?

More direct and to-the-point.

"Bright" is kind of obnoxious; I agree. I like the idea of the movement, but it should've been named something else. I'm not sure what, but even "apes" would have been better. In fact, I kind of like apes.

 

[dogsgod]

How about calling atheists hoodoos, short for hoodoo you think you're kidding?