Social Interactions of Filipino Atheists: A Case Study of atheist members of Filipino Freethinkers

Abstract

There are numerous studies concerning religion and spirituality, but the number of studies on secularity and atheism are less common. Furthermore, most of the studies currently available focused on the experiences of western countries. Studies about atheism in Asia, including the Philippines, are fairly limited. This research was conducted in order to obtain more information about atheism in the Philippines. It is a qualitative study about the experiences of Filipino atheists who are members of the group Filipino Freethinkers, a group which promotes freethinking-using science and reason to come up with your own conclusions. Freethinkers is composed mostly of atheists and agnostics, with a smaller number of theists. The general objective of this research is to describe if and how being an atheist affects their social interactions with other people. The research design is a case study. Data was gathered via interviews, focus group discussion, and direct and participant observation. The respondents were asked about their background, whether they encounter prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination, and how they react when they do. All the respondents received college education and considered themselves middle class. The respondents encountered prejudice and stereotyping, but not discrimination. Majority of the respondents considered living in a religious country like the Philippines frustrating or lonely. The primary way for individuals to cope against prejudice and stereotyping is to anticipate situations where the two may occur and to change their behavior accordingly. The group also serves as a social support network and is engaged in group-based coping strategies, including raising the collective status of atheists, and irreligious people in general.