Take Action!
FFRF, in response to requests by members to plug them in so they can become more active and involved, is revving up its Action Alerts. We will provide you with a summary of the problem--whether a state/church violation or a slam against freethought or nonbelievers, a few talking points, and contact information.
All that is required in most instances is a short e-mail. Even a one-sentence message signed by name is effective. It is essential that replies be firm but polite, succinct and concentrate on one or two main points. FFRF, as the recipient of copious amounts of crank e-mail from religionists, knows that insults, profanity, abuse and unsigned or anonymous messages are not effective in changing minds. E-mails to public officials become public record, another reason to be careful that your e-mail does not reflect badly upon FFRF.
In the past, a few members have suggested that FFRF adopt pre-written, automated replies, as is typical, for example, with very large national lobbying groups. We would like to explain why we don't do that. FFRF is not a lobbying group. Only a small fraction of our 14,000 or so members have signed up for the Action Alerts. Automated replies are only effective due to sheer volume. If only a handful of automated replies are received by the target of an action alert, it could actually weaken our educational campaign. It would also reveal that your response is not a spontaneous reaction to news developments.
We have been told by those who have worked in Congressional and government offices that when they receive automated e-mail replies, they do print them out--then they put them in the corner unread to tabulate at some future date. When they receive a personal e-mailed reply, they read it. A short, personal message is far more effective!
As Thomas Paine wrote: "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must undergo the fatigue . . . of supporting it."
Thank you very much for helping to educate and persuade!
Action Alerts
See current action alerts, or sign up to receive them via email.
Individual Activism
14 Ways to Get Active, Right Now!
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| FFRF is a member of the Secular Coalition for America. |