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.
This is a big deal. The Freedom From Religion Foundation just won a legal battle against the former and current governors of Colorado regarding their proclamations in support of the Day of Prayer. The three-judge panel issued this unanimous ruling today (PDF): A reasonable observer would conclude that these proclamations send the message that those who pray are favored members of Colorado’s political community, and that those who do not pray do not enjoy that favored status. … … the… Read more
A month ago, I posted about how one of the cast members of “Teen Mom 2,” Kailyn Lowry, openly talked about her atheism on Twitter. Yesterday, one of her followers questioned her status as a role model because of that: @kaillowry you are atheist? And you are considered a “role model” ?— Alex Mendez (@amaaazing_alex) May 9, 2012 Not one to shy away from the label, Kailyn not only reaffirmed her atheism, she did it while giving a shout-out to… Read more
When the Secular Coalition for America opened for business in September of 2005, it was led by Lori Lipman Brown, a former state senator from Nevada who managed the SCA and lobbied Congress until she left the organization in January of 2009. (Lori was also hilariously interviewed by Stephen Colbert in a “Better Know a Lobby” segment.) With Edwina Rogers taking the helm of the organization, I asked Lori what the thought of the new appointment — especially in light… Read more
Last June, after a contentious battle that ended in a Ten Commandments banner being taken down, the school board in Giles County, Virginia voted 3-2 to rehang the display, surrounding it with other historical documents. Is that still government endorsement of religion? That battle is playing out in the courts right now. During oral arguments this week, Judge Michael Urbanski offered up a possible compromise as the case goes into mediation: “If indeed this issue is not about God, why… Read more