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.
Tyler Henry is the 20-year-old “medium” whose show on E! is all about his outreach to Hollywood celebrities, helping them “connect” with their dead relatives. What makes him particularly annoying isn’t just that he believes he has a “gift” (which he doesn’t); it’s that he considers himself above other con artists. As if he’s bringing something new and refreshing to the table. This past week, Henry spoke with actor DJ Qualls and told him he should be skeptical of other “psychics” because, you know, “anybody can tell you your loved one loves you.” The irony was lost on him. [Autoplay video after the jump] Read more
The Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre in Alberta, Canada, like any hospital, relies on volunteers and donations to make life better for patients. And the Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital is a non-profit group that works to raise money for that very cause. Which is why it’s more than a little strange that the Friends group is holding a fundraising event featuring a “psychic medium”: Read more
Earlier this month, the Secular Coalition for America announced a bracket with 16 state bills promoting religion through the government. Over several days, voters could choose the “Worst State Bill.” Today, they announced the winner: Mississippi’s House Bill 786. Officially known as the “Mississippi Church Protection Act,” it would allow churches to create a security team with lethal power in order to kill possible intruders. Members of that team would then be “immune from civil liability” in case anything went wrong. Read more