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.
The middle schools in Washington County (in Maryland) took a field trip to Antietam Recreation last year. Sounds like a fun place — horseback riding, swimming pool, a petting zoo, etc. — but I guess no one in charge took a look at the self-provided description on their website: The family-owned and operated facility is designed to provide active, exciting, and unique activities in a friendly, Christian atmosphere. They’re sneaky about this, though. In the field trip packet (PDF) they presumably give to schools, the agenda for students looks like this: No Jesus in sight. What they don’t tell you is that during lunch, the performers in the “show” talk about God. At least that’s what happened last year (and who knows what others sorts of proselytization took place). [Click headline for more…] Read more
Yesterday, I posted about Lumpkin County High School (Georgia) and how 50 students there prayed together (with an adult coach) for two hours at the beginning of the school day, causing them to miss class. Superintendent Dewey Moye decided he wouldn’t punish anybody over the incident. Well, I have to apologize. I apparently got a very important detail of the story wrong and I need to take this moment to correct my mistake. The prayer wasn’t two hours long. [Click headline for more…] Read more