Religion is an endemic disorder of the mind propagated as a meme by socio-parasitic institutions. It can affect the stupid, the intelligent, the old and the young. It works mostly through the indoctrination of children.

Like many mind disorders, it will be harmless in some cases but when left unchecked can lead to injury to the individual or the community through irrational and homicidal behaviour.

Private religious practice and belief is none of our business so long as it does not encroach on our freedom, infect the friends and family of none believers or cause harm to others.

Now let me say it like it is. To an enlightened observer, with the knowledge of the harm it does, religion is like a disease, a sickness, a virus, an infection, a plague, a pestilence, an epidemic, a curse, a pandemic, a blight, a scourge, a contagion and a pox. Religion is filthy and unclean.
We need to understanding and compassionate towards those who are already infected but we would be immoral in our own eyes if we had the slightest respect for the concept, ideas or practices of religion.

The Religious as Victims

Most believers are victims. They cannot help themselves and continue to cling to irrational ideas and behaviour they learnt when they were young.
Most believers are victims of indoctrination. It is pointless to try to reason with the majority of these people. They cannot change despite a complete lack of evidence for their beliefs. They are easily led and will accept the most absurd ideas promulgated by the institutions or individuals they see as higher in their religious hierarchy.

When confronted by a religious individual the Enlightened Observer should show compassion just as one should when faced with someone displaying the symptoms of a conventional illness.

 However, just as with a conventional illness, we have a duty to prevent the spread of the disorder. Hence we have a right to insist that religious practices take place in private, away from our own children.

 Perpetrators

Perpetrators are people who like to “spread the word”; religious teachers, church officials and other members of a religious hierarchy. There are clear secular reasons for their actions. They suffer from the same needs as the rest of us. They want to feel important.

 We all want to find a pecking order to climb. Even the simple minded evangelist who tries to bring you the “good news” on your doorstep wants to persuade you that he knows something that you do not. If he can draw you in then he is nearer the top than you. He got the message first. The preacher with a congregation has surely found heaven on earth. He stands in a special place, everyone listens. He might even be allowed to wear special clothes or, joy of joys, a silly hat. If they can draw you in - they will be nearer the top of the hierarchical tree than you. 

Perpetrators may also be victims. Most religious practitioners do believe in the supernatural but some do not – they are in it for the money and power. There is little point in discussing their ridiculous beliefs. They did not arrive at them through rational thought and no amount of argument will change their minds. Whether they are justified or not is not the point – remember, they want to feel important. All you need to do is show a complete lack of deference.

If everyone around you is reverent it is very difficult for an individual to step out of line and show disapproval. It would be easy to appear to be rude or disrespectful of the others in the audience. As an enlightened observer you know that it is not a god that is slighted but the man in the silly hat. However, by remaining acquiescent you will appear to indicate an acceptance of this person’s elevated position and special knowledge. As an enlightened observer you need to find an acceptable way of showing your contempt.

If it is a public gathering all you need do is pointedly leave. Do it during a critical moment and be very apologetic. The more fuss you can make apologising the better.
In other circumstances you need to make your feelings known directly. Merely tell them that you find their actions unacceptable and that you would prefer them to continue in private because you would not like your children to witness these acts.
Above all, be confident, smile, be courteous, and be gracious.

Prayer

To the Enlightened Observer, prayer is a humiliating and degrading act. It should be tolerated in private between consenting adults but not in the presence of children. If children are involved such actions amount to the indoctrination of supernatural and superstitious ideas and should be regarded as child abuse.
You should insist that your child is not forced to participate in or witness such acts.

 As parents, Enlightened Observers will have told their children that there is absolutely no evidence of anything or anyone supernatural that can hear or respond to the prayer.
Such superstitious actions should have been banished from our culture centuries ago.

 Prayer is quite different from some forms of meditation or silent contemplation. If there is no recognition or appeal to the supernatural, no mention of entities such as gods, holy ghosts or souls then the act is not, in essence, religious and therefore could be acceptable. Meditation or silent contemplation does not involve the supernatural and is therefore acceptable.

 Public displays of religious belief

Overt and intrusive displays of religious objects, motifs and symbols in public places are unacceptable. You and your family have a right to be free of all religious influences. You should not tolerate their presence without protesting.

 It is equally unacceptable to deface or remove private or public property without legal authorization. Regard it as an opportunity to gain support from those around you who may agree with you but are afraid to say anything. Politely and gently let it be known that you find this display confrontational.

You are unlikely to gain support from those responsible for the offending item, nor are you likely to get it removed but you may reduce the probability of the insult being repeated. Regard it as an opportunity to gain support from those around you who may agree with you but are afraid to say anything. You will also make future protests easier for others.

 Family Occasions

 We are expected to tolerate and respect the religious beliefs of others, yet, how often are those who wish to be completely free of religion invited to a ceremony such as a marriage or funeral where there will be appeals to the supernatural. These are occasions where you will be surrounded by people engaged in degrading, superstitious acts. Family members often have no sense of the offence they cause.
You will, of course, wish to attend. These occasions are important to us all but you still have a duty to make it known that you are offended and that you are attending only out of respect for your hosts. In this way you can make your objections clear without causing offence yourself.

Many people tolerate religious practices on social occasions through habit, tradition or a reluctance to appear difficult. If no-one ever protests people who wish to be free of religion will always feel excluded. 

Religious Dress

You should not have to deal with people who flaunt their commitment to the supernatural in the form of a special costume or adornments. This challenges your right to be free of religion. Therefore, it is unacceptable for people to wear religious uniform or conspicuous religious icons when dealing with the general public.
Public servants must not confront you with their symbols of superstition. You have a duty to tell them so – calmly and politely. Do not expect a good response. One complaint is unlikely to make a difference but if we all passively oppose these affronts we shall eventually gain support.

 Above all, avoid confrontation. You need not argue your point. They are the ones who are causing the offence so smile, be pleasant. Make it clear that you are not being personal. It is not their race or culture that offends but their commitment to the supernatural.

 The Way Forward - A Secular Ministry for the Enlightened Observer

Religious institutions are still very dominant and are growing worldwide. As Atheists we maintain that there is nothing supernatural about religion, its institutions or organisation. Yet we seem to have rejected everything that has made religion so pervasive. If their fundamentals are false then they must be successful for purely secular reasons. The psychology that brings superstitious people together is equally appropriate to non believers. The techniques are well understood and have been used for centuries to build large influential organisations. Rather than reject the processes that spread religion we should consciously emulate them. 

It is not sufficient to merely oppose adherence to supernatural ideas. Atheists should be assembling a cohesive community able to compete in the political arena.

Therefore we need to: