Richard Wade is a retired licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in southern California. At Hemant’s suggestion, in 2009 he began writing an advice column called “Ask Richard.” He publishes his responses to email letters from people of all viewpoints, not just atheists. These usually deal with challenges or conflicts stemming from believers and nonbelievers living or working together. He tries to reduce unnecessary conflict and suffering on all sides.
He has spoken as a “guest atheist” at several churches to dispel the misconceptions and false stereotypes about atheism and atheists. His goal is to prevent the same unnecessary strife and hardship in families and friendships that he has dealt with in hundreds of “Ask Richard” letters. With accurate information, loving and respectful relationships do not have to be ruined by this difference in beliefs.
He is the President of the Santa Clarita Atheists and Freethinkers, who provide a safe haven and support for non-believers in the area as well as participate in several community outreach activities, charity work, interfaith events, and political activism.
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. I’m a sophomore in high school. I come from a very religious home, and I “came out” as an atheist to my parents early this year. They didn’t take it too well and are now convinced that I’m not really an atheist, I’m just mad at god. I can’t seem to get them out of this mindset. They still force me to go to church and the local youth group… Read more
Over the last few holiday seasons, many readers here have expressed dismay or discomfort with some atheist display posters that have been set up alongside religious holiday displays in city halls and other government buildings that essentially say, “Religion sucks. Grow up.” While many of us might think that sentiment is correct, we can also have other thoughts, feelings, and attitudes that we might want to express to our communities, statements about what we favor rather than what we disfavor. Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Hello, I am a (soon to be)15 year-old high school student in Austin, Texas. I go to a public school. My school exhibits at least two decorated Christmas trees, and several teachers play what they call “Christmas Music” during class. There is no menorah, but there also isn’t a nativity scene. I have talked to my Mom about my thoughts on the subject, asking her whether or not I should… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Hi Richard, I have a friend who is not a declared atheist, but she is non-religious and has been raising her kids without religion. Her extended family is Catholic but it seems until now they have pretty much minded their own business. Her younger son is in first grade and recently he has become interested in Jesus, has expressed worry about not following Jesus, wants to pray at bedtime, go… Read more
Hello Richard, I’m an atheist in a mostly Christian, republican state trying to get through college with my sanity intact. I graduate next semester, and thought I’d manage to get through this without any serious repercussions due to my unpopular views. Unfortunately my business law teacher this semester might break that record. The first class set off alarms when he said he couldn’t call gay marriage real marriage because Christians defined marriage for centuries already, but I didn’t want to… Read more
