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.
Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists (and recent subject of Jon Stewart’s scorn) gave a talk at the Secular Student Alliance 2011 conference that earned him a standing ovation and got the audience energized about being activists. It’s about how our “movement” will ultimately succeed no matter the opposition and how it is vital that atheists proudly and confidently come out of the closet. This was one of those talks that I loved to listen to… despite cringing through parts… Read more
This is a guest post by Annie Thomas. Annie is a science teacher and writer from Gainesville, Florida. She attended this event at my request and donated the ticket reimbursement to Atheist Nexus. *** The Hare Krishnas on University Avenue chanted and drummed as I started my hour drive south. I drove past the Islamic Center, the YMCA summer camp, and a variety of tiny little churches whose denominations I had never heard of before moving to Florida years ago…. Read more
In case you don’t remember the backstory, the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy is giving their Humanist of the Year award to Family Guy and American Dad! creator Seth MacFarlane. The date for the event changed a couple different times (including once after tickets had already begun to sell) — which is frustrating and (perhaps) inevitable when you’re dealing with such a big-name celebrity… but there’s a new date on the calendar, so let’s hope it sticks. It’s Saturday, October 15th. Tickets… Read more
In the midst of all the chaos in our government, Sam Shore pointed out some happy news last week regarding women’s health: On August 1, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted additional Guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services — including well-woman visits, support for breastfeeding equipment, contraception, and domestic violence screening — that will be covered without cost sharing in new health plans starting in August 2012. The guidelines were recommended by the independent Institute of Medicine… Read more
We often complain that Christians don’t speak out enough against the Religious Right. So when they do it, they deserve credit. That’s why Rev. Jim Rigby deserves some praise. Before Texas Governor Rick Perry’s Christapalooza rally over the weekend, Rigby publicly condemned it: … as a Presbyterian minister and community organizer, it’s part of my job to stand up for my neighbors. The use of the governor’s office to promote one religion in a country with such rich religious diversity… Read more
