u/RhodeIslandAtheists

Some people think Atheists don't believe in anything. And they couldn't be more wrong. Nonbelievers are no different than everyone else! And while Atheists are diverse as a demographic, there are many things we do believe in:

Like America, and patriotism and the 4th of July. Which is why wanted to join in on the fun and march in the Bristol Parade this year. Unfortunately, the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration Committee (a group that's not affiliated with the town yet receives taxpayer dollars) rejected our application to join. They made it clear that Atheist Nonprofit Organizations were not welcome in their parade. But that didn't dampen our spirits!

Because Atheists believe in other things too. Like beauty, nature & contributing to our community. So we turned our energies towards Adopting a Spot by Roger Williams University. This past weekend, a group of intrepid gardeners added to the pollinator pathway in Bristol. We were quite literally in traffic, playing metal and jazz and digging holes and waving at supportive honkers. In less than two hours, we dug 72 holes, planted, back-filled with amazing soil donated by one of our amazing botanical professionals, broke a shovel, bought a new one and loaded up all the debris.

Beginning with bulbs (to be added) in early spring, each of the plants will bloom at a different time and in a different color. From early Spring to late Fall, the RIA adopt-a- spot will be in bloom. The planting scheme repeats around our sign, so that no matter the approach, drivers will see the assortment. Starting with the Black-eyed susans closest to the sign and dropping down and forward to the shortest and first to bloom, the moss phlox. And because we planted at the end of the season (ideal), our plants are shutting down for the year and are native, so they will enjoy the cool temps and be ready to welcome back the sun next year!

By adopting a prominent traffic island leading up to the Mt. Hope bridge, RI Atheists is providing a pollinator stopover and an improved view, adding to the Pollinator Pathway Project. This is a great reminder to us that we can come together in small ways to make positive impacts in our communities and other lives, human and not. To quote our dedicated Project Leader:

"As I like to do every Fall, I plant like this and with this Hope and Expectation because it carries me through the darkest days of Winter. We planted a hopeful garden, and we will reap the rewards!"

"I'm a person of faith. And because I'm a person of faith, there is nothing I value more than that wall that the Constitution's 1st Amendment has rightfully erected between church & state."
-Secretary of State Amore

Our Board of Directors opened their mailboxes this morning to a thoughtful surprise: Thank you to Secretary Amore's office for thoughtfully sending us copies of the 2026 RI Day of Reason Resolution.

We don't imagine that there are many religious Secretary of States out there supporting secular state holidays sponsored by atheist organizations. And there's certainly nothing for an elected official to gain by speaking out in favor of religious freedom and separation of church/state. So why would a politician who identifies as a man of faith support the RI Day of Reason? We've decided that it's simply the fact that History Teachers Rule.

Once again, our deepest appreciations & respect to the RI Secretary of State and his team.

The Town of Bristol has a rich and vibrant history, hosting one of the country's oldest 4th of July Parades. So when our organization decided to get into the spirit of the America: 250 Celebration, we just had to apply to be part of the Parade. Plans were made, George Washington Wigs ordered, and our team was excited and raring to go. However, the Bristol 4th of July Committee, which is surprisingly not affiliated with the town or the people of Bristol, had other plans.

After months of leading us on and delayed communications, we found out that our application to be part of the parade was rejected. And while religious groups and other faith-based organizations were welcomed to participate, the Committee made it clear that atheist nonprofits were not.

But we didn’t let that get us down! So instead, we decided to invest our energy into contributing to the beauty of our great state through the RI DOT Adopt a Spot Program! Our sign is now up in Bristol and we’re in the final process of deciding what delightful plantlife we’ll be adding to the scene. Stay tuned friends

As we've said before, at Rhode Island Atheists we're not anti-religion or anti-believers. While some atheists out there make it a habit of insulting people of faith and trying to destroy religion, that's not quite our style. Instead, we prefer to work with people of all faiths, backgrounds & identities in pursuit of the greater good. Religious folks aren't the badguys- Hate Groups are. So when we signed onto Facebook this morning, we were delighted to read our inbox.

With the rise of Christian Nationalism and the descent of our Federal Government into a fascist dystopia theocracy, it is more important than ever for all people of good conscience (whether they believe in one god, many gods or no gods) to stand together in solidarity and friendship

Tomorrow, over 100,000 people will attend Providence Pride in celebration & defense of LGBTQ+ Rights and Equality. But 50 years ago, it was a different story in Rhode Island. In 1976, a group of brave Ocean State residents sought to hold RI's first Pride event in conjunction with the US Bicentennial. They were initially opposed by Providence Police Chief Walter McQueeney, who said "over my dead body," and Mayor Buddy Cianci, who argued that gay relationships were illegal. Ultimately, the courts ruled in favor of Pride and a legacy was born.

This year's Pride Theme is: "We Are The People." These words are both a celebration and a reminder. Pride has always been built by the people- those who marched when it was not safe, organized when there were few protections, cared for one another in times of crisis, demanded justice when rights were denied and created spaces where the LGBTQ+ community could be seen, valued & free.

We'll be in Providence all day Saturday, stop by our table for free goodies and great conversations. And don't miss out on the night parade- It's going to be "lit." ;-)

With Pride Month reaching it's climax, the deplorable comments left about LGBTQ+ rights left on our posts are a good reminder of just why Rhode Island was founded. After facing religious persecution in Massachusetts, Roger Williams established our state as a place where all are free- no matter who they are or what they believe. That means it's okay to believe in a god or a religion or mythology, it's just not okay to impose those beliefs on others. So next time you're using your faith to crusade against LGBTQ+ folks, just ask yourself: WWRWD- What Would Roger Williams Do?

We've said it before- We're not just an atheist organization, we're a Rhode Island organization. And we are brimming with pride to live and operate in this beautiful state! The atmosphere and the resolve in the Ocean State this Pride month is indisputable. Our country may be facing dark times, but the beacon of freedom & equality remains lit here in Rhode Island.

www.riatheists.org

Our organization was so proud to return to EP Pride this year- what a great turnout and a wonderful celebration of LGBTQ+ rights & Equality!

10 days on the Countdown to East Providence Pride! Our organization is so excited to be returning for the 2nd year in a row. Stop by our table for free goodies & awesome conversations! Interested in marching with us? We invite all members, allies & partners to stand with us- Message us today.

Clip from the Rhode Island House of Representatives session last week marking the Rhode Island Day of Reason. Our organization was proud to mark the annual RI Day of Reason this year in epic fashion- Resolutions were introduced in both chambers of RI Congress & the State House Ceremony was fantastic.

Today the resolution was introduced in both the RI House & Senate marking Wednesday May 6th the Rhode Island Day of Reason! We are so excited for tomorrow and you should be too if you are a Rhode Island Resident! Join us for the Day of Reason ceremony Wednesday at 3pm in the State House Library. Speakers include Secretary of State Amore, Senator Valverde, Representative Stewart, Steven Brown of the RI ACLU, Rabbi Goldwasser of the Board of Rabbis and Ken Miller of the National Center for Science Education.

Submitted to Newport Daily News. Picked up by AOL:

"Was Roger Williams wrong? Almost 400 years ago, Rhode Island’s founder made a radical bet: that government and religion must be kept strictly separate, and that a neutral public square is the surest guarantee of freedom. It was controversial then. It remains controversial now. The Rhode Island Atheists think it’s worth talking about, and on May 6, we’re inviting all Rhode Islanders to join in the conversation at the state's annual Day of Reason.

Williams had seen the alternative up close. In England, the King commanded armies and interpreted Scripture from the same throne, and the result was persecution, coercion and state religion – what Williams dismissed with characteristic bluntness: “forced worship stinks in God’s nostrils.” What he helped build instead – a colony premised on "full liberty in religious concernments" – he called a “lively experiment," a phrase that appears on the south portico of the State House.

That experiment remains ongoing. And so we ask our neighbors to join us at the State House Library at 3 p.m. on May 6 for this year’s Day of Reason. The event will feature speakers including Kenneth Miller, president of National Center for Science Education; RI Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Sen. Bridget Valverde, Rep. Jennifer Stewart, Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser of the Rhode Island Board of Rabbis, and Steven Brown of the Rhode Island ACLU. We hope to see you there.

Because Roger Williams wasn’t wrong. But he’d be the first to tell you that being right isn’t enough."

John McDaid, Portsmouth, member of Rhode Island Atheists
https://www.aol.com/news/time-replace-mount-hope-bridge-090409819.html
https://www.newportri.com/story/opinion/letters/2026/04/10/its-time-to-replace-the-mount-hope-bridge-letters/89513736007