Acceptance Quote by Al Stefanelli
““As Atheists, we should not be clamoring for acceptance amongst the religious believers by virtue of trying to be like them with regard to how we define ourselves. We should be expecting acceptance amongst them by virtue of being a member of the human race.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: 2018 public talk on secular humanism by Al Stefanelli
Secular humans should seek acceptance as fellow humans, not by mimicking religious identity
In simple terms: Seek acceptance as a human, not by copying religion
Key Takeaway
Embrace shared humanity for inclusion
Themes
inclusion
secularism
human rights
Mood
hopeful
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- community building
- interfaith dialogue
- public policy
- education reform
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
social identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can secular voices foster mutual respect?
- What common values bridge religious and non‑religious groups?
A Different Perspective
Some may view secular identity as oppositional to religion
![“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/robert-barron-13186_allies_again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheis_35728.jpg)
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
