Atheism, more often than not, extends far beyond merely not believing in gods. A common misconception exists that atheists are merely intellectuals unconcerned with activism and community service. To the contrary, many atheists count themselves among the Humanist movement, dedicated to empathy and compassion as well as reason and evidence. Thus, a significant aspect of the life of a Humanist is a dedication to charitable giving and enthusiastic service: doing good for goodness' sake rather than supernatural appeasement.
Humanism, as a philosophy, is dedicated to the betterment of the global community as a whole and seeks to dispel discrimination and unfounded bias. Behind Humanist philanthropic efforts and community service projects is a unique commitment to action untainted by goals of conversion or self-promotion.
Religious organizations do ample important and effective charitable work, yet this genuine good is too often yoked with injurious proselytizing that limits the potential for good works to be done. Every dollar spent promoting religious ideals is a dollar that could be spent buying more food for the homeless or supporting schools in impoverished areas. The Humanistic approach to philanthropy is primarily centered on caring for and supporting those in need; philosophical promotion during community service, under the Humanist model, is merely an afterthought.
Several national charities use the Humanistic model to accomplish such philanthropic goals: Foundation Beyond Belief, for example, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting those in need without proselytizing or discriminating based on conflicting values. Every few months, the foundation chooses a selection of organizations to support in various "cause areas," including poverty, education and human rights, as well as "Challenge the Gap" groups based in different worldviews. According to the foundation's website, "At the end of each quarter, 100 percent of the donations is forwarded and a new slate of beneficiaries selected." The foundation places compassion at the forefront of its mission and thus is able to bring about remarkable philanthropic change without losing resources in the interest of ideological promotion.
That said, interfaith activism accomplishes many of the same goals for community service and compassionate outreach as Humanist activism does. The congregation of people from potentially contradictory or opposing belief systems in the interest of community support is a truly remarkable sight and speaks to the Humanist belief in individual benevolence and empathy.
The principles inherent in the Humanist worldview make it an ideal philosophical leader in interfaith service projects. While atheistic participation in interfaith work may seem contentious, community service should not suffer because of this controversy: Qualms about the title "interfaith" and similar semantic concerns can be provisionally tabled in the interest of accomplishing needed service for the community. Humanism espouses a belief in the individual and her potential to do good, and thus can act as the unbiased glue with which to adjoin persons of differing backgrounds and beliefs to serve those in need.
Humanistic community service is not alien to the Boston area: On April 10, 2011, the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard organized a successful community light bulb exchange in the impoverished Area 4 of Cambridge, Mass. This project included people from a number of backgrounds, many of them atheists and secular humanists, who worked cooperatively and without discrimination to help build a more environmentally friendly and financially stable community. The resources and structure provided by organized Humanist institutions like Humanist chaplaincies allow for these projects to be frequently and efficiently realized.
Philanthropy and community service should be done in the interest of helping one's fellow man, not as a strategy for self-promotion or conversion. Unfortunately, this is too often the case with religious charities and service fellowships. Humanism transcends the desire for conversion by accessing the innately human capacity for empathy, a capacity that binds us together as an interracial, interreligious and international human community. When empathy drives activism, goodness naturally follows. Such is the core principle of the Humanist worldview.
