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 don’t know if Mr. Dawkins actually reads these but if you do I just wanted to let you know you’re doing an awesome job spreading reason, and thanks to you reason was able to reach me at a young age. I was a devout Catholic until I was about 15 or so. I went to church and all of the other “fun” stuff, but then I started having my… Read more
Last night I had the great pleasure of donating my dinosaur presentation to Camp Quest West, Southern California, in the beautiful Angeles National Forest near Wrightwood, CA. I was so impressed by the 57 kids attending. They are bright, upbeat, eager, curious, and earnest. This was just the first evening, and I could already see they were forming a strong bond as a group to mutually support everyone in enjoying their camp experience to the fullest. The camp leaders, counselors,… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, I’m an “in the closet” atheist, but I want to start an atheist club at my school. Unfortunately, both of my parents are fundamental Baptists and, frankly, not rational when someone targets their beliefs. I really want to tell them that I don’t believe in god anymore, but I fear their reactions. When they found out that my boyfriend is atheist, they began treating him differently, and frequently… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, I am an atheist, and have been since my teens. Although at times I struggled with my unbelief, mostly I just lived my life and didn’t worry about it too much. I have always tried to be a moral person, and have thought long and hard about values and ethics. Recently I have been overwhelmed with difficult problems in my life. My son has bipolar disorder, and my… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names and some details might be changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, You may not have gotten a letter from someone quite in my situation. I’m a 39-year-old, ex-Catholic (now atheist), gay Lebanese man living in the West. I have resolved to come out either as gay and/or atheist to my religious and conservative parents. My parents are divorced and my siblings and their spouses live outside of Lebanon. My mom is born-again evangelical Christian (of… Read more
