*According to the Pew Research Center, “28% of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated, describing themselves as atheists, agnostics or ‘nothing in particular’ when asked about their religion.” They represent one of the largest and fastest growing segments of American society.

* Not all the nones are atheists or agnostics. In fact, most accept God or some higher power. They just choose “nothing in particular” for religion.

* They are less satisfied with their communities and their social lives. And yet they are also less civically engaged.

It is also worth noting that within this mix of the Nones, atheists are likely to be the object of discrimination and misunderstanding. Again, turning to Pew, in a 2017 survey, Americans have developed warmer feelings toward members of various religions groups, but atheists have remained at the bottom along with Muslims.

Richard Suttles currently serves as a senior intelligence analyst and liaison with the U.S. federal government. For the past twenty-nine years he’s worked in many realms of the intelligence community, with the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From 1995 – 2005 he served in the United States Marine Corps, including tours in Haiti and Iraq. He has two postgraduate degrees with the University of Oklahoma- one in Communications and another in International Relations. He also completed a counter-terrorism training program at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Richard has a special focus in the radicalization processes some people go through when they become committed to conducting violence in the interest of furthering ideological goals. He also studies the intricacies of persuasion campaigns. These are methodologies from organizations and social media algorithms that can prompt people to become fervent supporters of goals chosen by the campaign.

About his approach of the chapter Richard says “If I meet an atheist who was harmed by a religious structure, and who wants to help people also harmed by religious structures, I’ll stand with that atheist. And I know many Christians who would join us.”

“If I meet a Christian who was deeply unsatisfied with atheism, but then found meaning & purpose in Christianity, I’ll stand with that Christian. And I know many atheists who would join us.”

“And if I meet anyone who says they’re determined to see the other side go away entirely, I’ll invite them to consider whether there aren’t specific behaviors they’d rather see go away.

I’m less concerned with proving/disproving theism or atheism than I am with how people live their lives. I want everyone helping their families in peaceful and productive communities. That’s my priority.”

He continues: “Obviously either atheism or theism can be true. They can’t both be. So, keep trying to make your case. I’m happy to engage with you on why I see things the way I do and listen to why you think what you think.”

“I’m not out to de-convert theists. And I don’t think there’s a way to finally settle atheism as the truth once and for all. I’m willing to continue researching and keeping an open mind, but I’m not determined to make everyone see things my way.”

“My ‘ministry’ is more about diplomacy than atheism. I mean, I don’t think religions are true, but I also don’t think atheism will automatically improve anything or help solve the world’s problems. I don’t even push it as a goal. I am a non-believer. But I’m not sharing the gospel of non-belief. I’m evangelizing something else.”

Work of the Chapter:

Richard speaks in a variety of venues. These include:

• A conversation with Christian apologist Sean McDowell

• The Christian-Atheist Book Club of Watchman Fellowship

• Several Christian organizations have hired him as a public speaker helping “test” Christians having gone through the course on how to understand and respond to atheists.

• Churches and apologetics conferences

Join the discussion on the Faitheist Atheist You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@thefallenape-theist. and Twitter: @TheApe_Theist and Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thefallenape_theist/post/C_flAT7xs66. If you would like to get involved or invite Richard to speak at your group contact him at thefallenape.theist@gmail.com.