Hemant Mehta is the founder and editor of FriendlyAtheist.com, a YouTube creator, and podcast co-host. He is a former National Board Certified math teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. He has appeared on CNN and FOX News and served on the board of directors for Foundation Beyond Belief and the Secular Student Alliance. He has written multiple books, including I Sold My Soul on eBay and The Young Atheist's Survival Guide. He also edited the book Queer Disbelief.
Pastor Steven Anderson, fresh off getting deported from Botswana where he was in the middle of a “soul-winning” trip, is now doing a damage control tour. Yesterday, he declared “victory” after getting kicked out of the country, as if deportation was a badge of honor. But now, three to four more members of his church have been deported, including Garrett Kirchway, the man who was going to open up and lead a church in the country. Without him, that project has been scrapped. Anderson, however, just uploaded a video mocking anyone who calls this trip a failure, even though it obviously was. He also explained his Plan B for building a church in Botswana. Read more
A new study released today by the Public Religion Research Institute documents the incredible rise of religiously unaffiliated Americans (“Nones”), but also offers up some sobering truths about this diverse group of atheists, agnostics, and people who believe in God but don’t subscribe to any organized religion. Read more
The free, massive, amazing Skepticon conference in Springfield, Missouri takes place November 11-13, and registration is already open. (You’ll want to sign up before all the seats fill up, even though there’s no cost.) Keep in mind that the reason it’s free is because generous atheists are willing to make donations to cover the costs. If you have some spare dollars, please consider chipping in! (Or donate monthly. That’s helpful, too!) Read more