The Garrison-Martineau Project

(a.k.a. The Conversation Mother Warned You About!)

June 7, 2003

Dear «Name»,

I am writing to invite you to an exciting opportunity to tell your story and help convince the Christians that nonbelievers don't have horns! Wanna help put a human face on atheism? On «DATE» in «LOCATION» from 10am -1pm, 10 Believers and 10 Atheists will gather in small groups of four along with a facilitator where they will have a chance to share their personal stories and their concerns about the world and religion's role in it and create bridges of understanding where only stereotypes currently reside. I would like to encourage you to be one of these 10. Long term, this is an opportunity to create a sea change of public opinion -- where atheists, humanists and other minorities are viewed as mainstream, integral members of the community whose concerns need to be acknowledged. If you can have this conversation enough times in enough places with enough people, over say a generation... you can change the world. This is a long term project -- which makes it all the more important to start now.

Imagine it! Small groups - each with two believers and two unbelievers having a civil conversation - with the help of a trained facilitator. The conversation is very structured and facilitators are trained to help people talk more about their own experiences and concerns than merely arguing the facts. Although we may find it difficult to agree with the conclusions reached by others, we can still relate to the human experiences which brought them there. After all, everyone has felt afraid, exhilarated, sad, excited and lonely at one point or another in their lives.

I myself am an atheist. I have served as the secretary for Atheists is Silicon Valley and run the Dial-An-Atheist line for Portland-based United States Atheists. However, I am working with religious organizations to make this event possible.

This project is named for William Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Martineau, two remarkable people from the 1800's who, despite being separated by theology, gender and the Atlantic Ocean managed to build respect for one another. Please join me in the creation of the next generation of Garrisons and Martineaus. An RSVP is required.

Chris Lindstrom - Coordinator, The Garrison-Martineau Project

stsam @ garrison-martineau.com

(408) 730 - 1083