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.
How is it possible that so many public school officials fail to understand the rules for “See You at the Pole” events (where students can gather around the flagpole to pray)? As long as it’s done outside of official school hours and only students are leading and participating in it, there’s no issue. When staff or administration gets involved beyond facilitating that, there’s a problem. It’s that simple. The adults at Florida’s Okaloosa County School District haven’t figured this out yet. Even worse, a teacher at Laurel Hill School apparently had her second grade students attend a prayer event during school hours. And images from at least one event last year were publicly posted on Facebook: Read more
Want to know what it’s like to be a teacher? Just imagine a whole bunch of adults who are super-passionate about their subjects… trying to share their wisdom with a bunch of students who don’t give a damn (and have no problem showing it). Still not getting it? Then watch this discussion on The Nightly Show between Bill Nye — who’s super-excited about the implications of finding water on Mars — and two comedians who think he’s insane for caring about it this much: Read more
