Guest post by Jimmy Williamson.  (one of my co-hosts on The Pink Atheist)

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It just doesn’t seem that it could get here fast enough. November 7 will start the four year gap between presidential elections. We may actually be able to get things done in the gap, given the result of recent polls “nons” are on the rise. If I am the only one that feels sick when I see these political arguments and political ads then I will apologize for the rant that will follow. I would also encourage you to stop reading this and return to your political interest at once. I am going to vote and those how know me well enough would already know how that vote will go. After the past few months of political memes and political arguments that have littered the otherwise productive Atheist groups I could not want the election to be over more than I do right now.

I would not deny that I have been very guilty myself of posting these political memes, and also participating in the arguments that ensue. I can give credit to the internet’s social media for spreading the information that the general public should have in order to make a logical choice in the election. However it has run its course with me this season. It has also spread as many lies as truth. Seeing people that have so much to offer the Atheist movement spending their days devoted to the process of spreading “their” political messages frustrates me. I just hope that at the conclusion of the election those warring sects within the Atheist movement can return to their shared motivator.

Four years ago Facebook had 100 million members and the flood of political post was far less than the present. Today Facebook boast 800 million members and the political memes run ramped. What will it be like in the next election cycle? Not really a question that look for anyone to answer. Many people that I am friends with align with a third party. This is only relevant to say this.. If there is to be a third party to take the white house, and or seats in the house it will be by means of free social publicity. Again I will commend the media for providing that. A grass roots movement that grows from the electronic computing processors of the general public. How poetic that would be.

As for my aggravation this year it would not be fair to place blame without first looking into the mirror. I have spent far too many hours behind the computer reading and posting political stories and the popular talking points. Now that the election is within two weeks I am fully aware that the time spent could have been spent in far more productive manners. Understanding that I am not at all capable placing blame I am simply saying that I share the blameworthiness. If what I have to say here offend you then you should have taken my advice earlier and stopped reading when it would have helped. We have not done enough in the Atheist movement to simply sit back while others promote their agendas.

We have never had as many Atheists as we have today, and we will surly have more tomorrow. The rate of conversion from religion to Atheism is on a rise and has been for years, and also the younger generations that are refusing the indoctrination. There is surly comfort in numbers. However the momentum used to promote those candidates that we feel best suit our needs has worn us. It is not time to let up on the fight for separating those religiously fueled Christians from reaching the minds of our children. Let us renew the fight on November 7^th. Let us make 2013 The Year of the Atheist. Let us be reminded why we are fighting. Remind ourselves why we are struggling to keep the religious mongers out of our schools, out of our politics, out of our medical industries. (Insert whatever you feel here)

Do not look over your shoulder at the person behind you and place the blame on others. Get out of the political mind set and prepare for the greatest year of life. Rarely do the atheist I know resort to wishful thinking however if there is time for it now is that time. Not in the sense that we pray for a nonexistent shy daddy to give us the strength to handle the issues, but in the sense that we know we are the reason that the atheist movement will continue. Joining up with those that share atheism as strongly as you do, or using the strength of those atheists to strengthen yours do something. Do something to help out your local atheist group, do something to help students starting an SSA in their schools. Support your local existing SSA.

In the year 2012 the election will come down to two candidates Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. This is unavoidable and will not change in the next two weeks. Having said that I will say it again that I commend those standing behind their third party candidates. I wish you the best of luck in the next presidential election. Who knows I may be one of those standing right beside you in that quest. This year on the other hand I have heard enough about how stupid I am, and those that vote in line with me. Can we please give this thing a rest and start looking for ways to promote what we share as a common interest? Can we look at the work we are doing and examine ways to improve it? I think we can, and I look forward to November 7 2012.

November 9^th is the opening day of Skepticon and will run for the weekend and hopefully the fire set will burn forever with those that attend. Shortly after will be the 50^th anniversary for American Atheist. I look for the two combined convention to push more and more open and out atheist across America. Now let’s put down the political memes and vague talking points and join up in the fight that unites us. Our strength in numbers means nothing in the warring arena of political bullshit. If you haven’t been involved in any political wars this year I admire you and hope to join you soon.

If you agree with me then I don’t need a “Like” or a “comment” just prove it. Join me in “The Year Of The Atheist” 2013.