| Founder(s) | Juan Jose Paraiso Marissa Torres-Langseth |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Location | Philippines |
| Mission | To promote public understanding of atheism and agnosticism; To eliminate myths and misconceptions about atheism and agnosticism; To promote social responsibility by replacing superstitious imperatives with rational secular solutions, grounded in lack of supernatural beliefs. |
| Method | Education, Outreach, Advocacy |
| Website | patas.co |
Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society, or PATAS, is a social organization for the public understanding of atheism and agnosticism in the Philippines.[1] It serves to educate society, and eliminate myths and misconceptions about atheism and agnosticism.[2] It speaks against discrimination of the non-religious, and for equal opportunities as Filipino citizens. PATAS encourages harmonious information exchange among its atheist and agnostic members, and encourages its members to come out and speak for their lack of religious beliefs.
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The Philippine Atheist and Agnostics Society is a legitimate atheist organization in the Philippines, and is privileged to function in public.
Members meet in major parks in the Philippines to discuss about atheism and agnosticism, and how to approach discussions and debates.
One of the activities of the society is a monthly Coming OUT Campaign, where they prepare audio and video presentations, as well as inform people about atheism and agnosticism. They do this in major parks and other key areas throughout the Philippines.
PATAS also organizes Know Your Religion (KYR) events which entail visits to various religious institutions in the Philippines. Among its objectives is to understand better the culture of religious faith for PATAS members to be able to give first hand reviews and critiques as to what they see, as well as engage in focused group discussions with religious devotees.
The pioneering members, ever since before PATAS was founded, already organized outreach programs for marginalized communities, called Good without Religion feeding and education programs.
As an affiliate and associate of various humanist groups, the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society accepts the IHEU Minimum Statement on Humanism:[3]
The organization also endorses the Amsterdam Declaration 2002, whereby the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society promotes Secular Humanism as an alternative to religious-based ethics.
Marissa Torres-Langseth, Chairwoman of the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society, represents the organization in various Humanist associations to establish international relations and give the society its international recognition.