Takudzwa Mazwienduna is the informal leader of Zimbabwean Secular Alliance and a member of the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe. This educational series will explore secularism in Zimbabwe from an organizational perspective, and some more.
Here we talk about the media.
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Scott Douglas Jacobsen: As McArthur Mkwapatira wrote in “The Rise of Secularism in Zimbabwe,” the atheists in Kenya have been organizing. The humanists in Zimbabwe have begun to continue to organize over time, as well, especially into the, recently, founded Humanist Society of Zimbabwe.
This was an article for the defunct Cornelius Press republished in the flagship publication for Young Humanists International entitled Humanist Voices.
How is not only the influence into the public sphere through radio appearances on Faith on Trial but the commentary on such an general public presence important for the early formal advancement of humanism in Zimbabwe?
Takudzwa Mazwienduna: Breaking into the public sphere has been our biggest breakthrough as a society. Notable efforts by Shingai Rukwata Ndoro, Miriam Tose Majome and Prosper Mtandadzi have made secularism a legitimate force to reckon with.
It has made Humanists feel represented and not alone. I can safely say that being represented in public spheres and gaining recognition has been the best thing that has happened to secularism and humanism in Zimbabwe so far.
Jacobsen: In some of the work of the former, or defunct, Cornelius Press, there was reportage on South African and commentary on the political situation, on women’s rights, and the like.
How can the media be more helpful to the humanist cause in accurate, non-stigmatic news on humanist activities?
Mazwienduna: The media can be helpful to the Humanist cause in that way by making religious diversity a sacred principle when sharing opinions. Publications and broadcasters should also cease promoting uninformed religious narratives that misrepresent the Humanist Society.
Jacobsen: Camp Quest is a program for kids. Have you seen this? Could this be something for the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe to incorporate into its programming?
Mazwienduna: I have come across news on Camp Quest and yes, I believe that it can do a lot more for the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe. The community gets a lot of inspiration from such groundbreaking initiatives.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Takudzwa.
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Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. He authored/co-authored some e-books, free or low-cost. If you want to contact Scott: Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.com.
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Canadian Atheist Associates: Godless Mom, Nice Mangoes, Sandwalk, Brainstorm Podcast, Left at the Valley, Life, the Universe & Everything Else, The Reality Check, Bad Science Watch, British Columbia Humanist Association, Dying With Dignity Canada, Canadian Secular Alliance, Centre for Inquiry Canada, Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association.
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Other National/Local Resources: Association humaniste du Québec, Atheist Freethinkers, Central Ontario Humanist Association, Comox Valley Humanists, Grey Bruce Humanists, Halton-Peel Humanist Community, Hamilton Humanists, Humanist Association of London, Humanist Association of Ottawa, Humanist Association of Toronto, Humanists, Atheists and Agnostics of Manitoba, Ontario Humanist Society, Secular Connextions Seculaire, Secular Humanists in Calgary, Society of Free Thinkers (Kitchener-Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph), Thunder Bay Humanists, Toronto Oasis, Victoria Secular Humanist Association.
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Other International/Outside Canada Resources: Allianz vun Humanisten, Atheisten an Agnostiker, American Atheists,American Humanist Association, Associação Brasileira de Ateus e AgnósticoséééBrazilian Association of Atheists and Agnostics, Atheist Alliance International, Atheist Alliance of America, Atheist Centre, Atheist Foundation of Australia, The Brights Movement, Center for Inquiry (including Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science), Atheist Ireland, Camp Quest, Inc., Council for Secular Humanism, De Vrije Gedachte, European Humanist Federation, Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, Foundation Beyond Belief, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Humanist Association of Ireland, Humanist International, Humanist Association of Germany, Humanist Association of Ireland, Humanist Society of Scotland, Humanists UK, Humanisterna/Humanists Sweden, Internet Infidels, International League of Non-Religious and Atheists, James Randi Educational Foundation, League of Militant Atheists, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, National Secular Society, Rationalist International, Recovering From Religion, Religion News Service, Secular Coalition for America, Secular Student Alliance, The Clergy Project, The Rational Response Squad, The Satanic Temple, The Sunday Assembly, United Coalition of Reason, Union of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics.