2013 is coming to an end. It was a year of new and recurring events, testing out new possibilities, unique occasions and turbulences alike. A year of warm hellos, welcoming back people, and some goodbyes. PATAS is still a young organization, but it is moving on a solid road. Our recent updates on the SEC registration will provide a smooth path towards an NGO status one day. Former acknowledged chapters will now become registered chapters under PATAS Inc., and with which, we are entering another year with more responsibility and commitment to the atheist and agnostic community. Our organization will carry out all that is needed for a strong national and international recognition.
Atheism and Agnosticism are also about liberation, freeing the mindsets from an outdated way of explaining the world. Where Europe has freed itself from religious suppression and dominance, secularism has taken over, not yet unfolded entirely, but non religion is one of the three major groups.
The future pioneers and lead icons should evolve the same way the western ones have grown to become banners of the course. Isn't it time for an Asian Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens? I think it is, and the 21st century is promising, especially in The Philippines where freedom, democracy and legal grounds exist for non-believers and minorities like the LGBT people. It is time to get up and show, move in a way to be an example, an alternative for the many people that are hiding in the closet, or are not aware of the fact that there is an alternative to religion and that religion is not a native grown tradition, but one part of the colonial influence for 333 years. It's all about understanding what belongs together, like Atheism and Humanism, and not just pieced together for the sake of retaining power, like some churches accepting LGBT's as members, whilst it’s against their god’s word.
The PATAS Inc. mission and vision, and the Atheist and Agnostic movement are universal, worldwide, a human mindset, independent from race and location. And honestly, in our global world, are we not foreigners in almost all places in the globe? Our differences have been over expanded in an artificial way, whilst we can reduce them to one simple word; pigmentation. Eye color, hair color or skin color, that’s all, as we share the same love as we share the same diseases. Where religion builds walls, to protect their course, so do nationals; we can hear words like religious nations. Atheism does the opposite, it joins nations, tears down walls, opens minds, and unites in humanity only. Not for a deity, a force or to please a leader, but to exchange, learn, grow and recognize all humans as equal beings. Rewards are given on earth, in the present, the same as downfalls and fall backs. We can help and support, challenge and discuss opinions, for a better democratic humanity now, here, and only here. Everything else would be a false hope, a fake claim, and a lie into the face of the one not knowing. What we don't know today, we may know tomorrow, and what we have not known yesterday, we may know today.
Let me bring you back to a “year of support”. I am proud to say that PATAS was and is focusing on that issue very much. The growth of members and the building of a foundation for the youth are yet an ongoing process; and this is important, as they are our future strong holders, the ones in positions that will no longer use superstitions to lead, but logic and reason. The LGBT community had also our special attention. On May 17, PATAS supported the “International day against homophobia”. BATAS, our LGBT wing held its 1st Grand meet-up at Conspiracy Bar in Quezon City, Visayas Avenue, and PATAS attended the twelve-monthly Pride March, themed “marriage equality” and heterosexual support for these Human Rights.
One outstanding event was the Cebu Humanist Convention, mainly sponsored by IHEYO, the youth organization of IHEU.
PATAS was invited to speak in a podium discussion organized by PLUS, a group formed from artists in The Philippines and with a large group of Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers within.
Next to already being recognized and affiliated with organizations in The US, such as AAI and AHA, PATAS has found its way to European organizations like the German HVD (German Humanists) and the Belgian Humanists. PATAS has been featured in the online humanist press in Germany, as well as the printed media there.
The typhoon struck the south of The Philippines in a way, nobody was prepared for, but also PATAS was there, and is still helping now. Even in Manila, we were a part of the relief operations at the Villamor Airbase, helping the refugees that were flown in from Tacloban, to receive shelter and basic needs in Manila.
A very important step was the upgrade of the legal registration of PATAS Inc. All acknowledged chapters are presently undergoing a registration process, and with this upgrade we are on a solid road to NGO status in a couple of years.
The retirement of our Foundation Chairwoman Marissa Langseth Torres became official beginning of the month, mainly due to health reasons. And although we are very saddened by the fact that she’s leaving, we are given the responsibility to continue what she’s left, that is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and diminish religious stupidity within the archipelago.
Cheers to reason, which was our end of the year party title, was held in Cubao Expo at Alan's Grill, where PATAS had its own venue to cater to our members, for the last time in person in this year.
The Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society Inc. is turning 3-year-old soon, to be precise on February 14, 2014. Our new board represents PATAS with individuals of many parts of society; different age, gender, sexual orientation and social backgrounds. I am very optimistic looking into the future.
I would like to thank all the officers and active members, volunteers, all people giving even the smallest contribution. Thank you to all members and contributors abroad, and to all future new members considering to join. PATAS is an organization, a group, a friend, a home, a platform, a stage and a safe haven for all that want to break free from religion and discrimination, false traditions and false promises. There is only one life, yours, and that life is yours only.
Thomas Fleckner (PATAS inc. CEO)
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