Great Article About Atheist Benefactor

It made the rounds quite a bit yesterday, but in case you missed it, the Raleigh News & Observer ran a fantastic article about atheist benefactor Todd Stiefel.

Todd has given organization-changing gifts to the Secular Student Alliance, Secular Coalition for America, and American Atheists in the past year.

That’s not all:

Last week, he donated $20,000 to the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi so it could sponsor a high school prom after the Itawamba County School District canceled the dance rather than allow a lesbian to bring her girlfriend as a date.

Yonat Shimron‘s article explains why Todd has made atheist activism his passion:

Stiefel wants to create a culture in the United States in which secularists — be they atheists, agnostics or humanists — are respected…

…

… Stiefel has made it his mission to raise the profile of atheists and lower the volume of hostility directed at them. He acknowledges that some atheists have been outspoken, perhaps even intemperate, and he says he’d like to lend them a softer, more diplomatic image.

…

… more than anything, Stiefel is interested in dispelling the notion that atheists don’t believe in anything and are therefore capable of anything.

“We’re equally capable of being ethical as people who are religious,” he said. “We just want to be good for goodness’ sake.”

And to top it off, he’s just a really nice guy. He’s a donor, yes, but he’s also one of the most active volunteers I’ve ever met. People like him don’t come around very often, so we’re fortunate he’s on our side.

(Thanks to Amy for the link!)