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.
***Update***: I wrote a follow up piece to this post here. Turns out Jerry Buell hasn’t kept his beliefs private after all… … When I first heard what Jerry Buell said about gay people, I wanted to join in on the backlash. But the more I read about him, the more sympathetic I become. Here’s the story so far: Buell is a former Teacher of the Year at Mount Dora High School in Florida. He’s a Christian. And he said… Read more
Nate Phelps, the son of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps, recently did an interview about his awful upbringing — it just shows that even people raised in the most extremist of environments can grow out of it. Know hope? Xtra: Was there a fear that you would become your father? NP: I lived with that fear constantly. It informed my life at every level — if my father did it this way then I was loath to do it… Read more
Well… because god doesn’t exist. I know. But Christians give a whole host of reasons for why we can’t see him. One Furious Llama rattles off a list: It’s a test, or, your time on earth is a test or tribulation He shows himself all the time you just don’t realize you’re seeing him (as in nature, apparent order) He once did, people didn’t believe, people wouldn’t believe now so he doesn’t bother Only evil people ask for a sign… Read more
I wonder how many progressive Christians out there feel as guilty as this person does: Noooooooo! Don’t ask for forgiveness! You’re doing it right! (Ok, not exactly *right*, but close enough to right that I’ll let most of the other stuff slide for now…) I guess it’s a good thing god’s never going to answer him. (via nakedpastor) Read more
