 This will be a brief follow-up to the Brazos Valley Atheist Vubuzela Band. Some of you have expressed disappointment that I didn't state my position on the performance more clearly. Well, it was mixed. I honestly wanted to know how people view the performance. There were some complaints by fellow parade attendees that I didn't show the other less impressive entries like the guy dressed as the cat in the hat riding a recumbent bike. The Aggie Band is a pretty hard act to follow, and anyone would look unprofessional by comparison. So what you're seeing now are the other little clips I grabbed. It's like any smallish town parade, very low-key in amateur. But even with the context, I think the Atheist Vubuzela group looked a little pitiful. One of the marchers in the group reported that they had less than a week to practice. Also, they were clearly playing Jingle Bells, My Bad, I O, Humble You, a gift certificate for being the first to spot that. The key point there is that Jingle Bells is a strictly secular holiday or winter song, which seems very appropriate. Good choice. So how do I feel about this? Let me list my emotions in order. First, surprise, because I honestly didn't think the college Atheist Magnostic group would be interested in marching in a small town parade. Second, suspicion, because I'm a suspicious person, I thought it might have been a poking Atheism, a troll by some conservative group on campus. Third, I felt hungry because I hadn't eaten lunch. Fourth, annoyance, because I realized that they were playing the Vubuzela, and well, I hate the Vubuzela. They weren't even playing it particularly well. Fifth, admiration, because I realized that they must have put a reasonable amount of effort into coordinating the event. The lineup time was very early, so they'd been standing around for hours. They wore matching costumes. They all had the same type of instrument. Hey, I appreciate how hard it is to coordinate any group, and doubly so with college students. Sixth, disappointment, because I realized they'd not fully capitalize on an opportunity to represent the secular viewpoint. I looked around and realized that for many people, the only reaction was going to be disgust. Really though, I think it was a great idea to march. I just think the message they conveyed wasn't the right one. It felt too close to stereotypes about non-Atheists. If you truly want change, you have to challenge what people are comfortable believing about you. Here are some of the messages I think they could have delivered. One, inclusion. Some message that conveyed that everyone, regardless of faith or lack thereof, can enjoy the holidays. I can imagine signs saying, I'm atheist, and I like Christmas. Or, many faiths are none. We share the holiday cheer. Two, shared values. A very similar approach would have been as simple as peace on earth, goodwill to all. Let people recognize that these are not explicitly religious messages. Convey the message that winter holidays are a time for family, friends, and togetherness. Three, openness. Atheists are people, just like you. And they are also part of the community. How about a sign that says, fellowship without faith? And more information about joining the group or attending a meeting. That's what most of the other groups in the parade were doing. Four, humor. I hope this is what they were going for, but it wasn't well conveyed. A little self-effacing humor would have gotten some laughs, even from hard-boiled Christian fundamentalists. How about, I'll believe in anything for Christmas presents. Or, eggnog is the reason for the season. Or, you go to church, we'll guard your cheese step. Something along those lines. Keep it in good taste, not to avoid offending, but to avoid validating false stereotypes. You could even do a little spoof of the war on Christmas. Poke fun at how silly and defensive people get, rather than playing into it. Five, lastly, it can simply be neutral. There's a lot to be said for simply being professional, emphasizing the secular angle of the Christmas season, and marching to be seen. Hand out candy canes, focus on Rudolph and Santa Claus, or elves, or whatever. Show people that it's no big deal to have non-theists in their parade. I think they could have reflected a little on what the other groups in the parade were trying to convey, and which approach they wanted to be categorized with. What message are they trying to convey, and how best to convey it? There are some presuppositions that the audience hold about non-theism. Your best bet is to challenge those presuppositions, to wake people up from cruise control thinking. I do want to congratulate them for their participation, their courage, and for their willingness to stand up for what they think is important. Next year, they can plan ahead, decide on a strategy, and surprise all the people who are expecting nothing special from them in 2011. Heck, I may even be marching with them, but I will not. I repeat, not be playing a vuvuzela. It's a matter of principle. Thanks for watching.