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.
Last week, an old college friend of mine died. He was only 32 years old. When I met him, he was a Christian and over the course of our friendship, he became a Secular Humanist. He also came out of the closet as a gay man. His family is still really religious and I have been in contact with his super religious brother who is putting together the funeral arrangements. My friend was open about his lack of belief in… Read more
Dear Richard, I recently shared concerns I have with my SIL about how my 10-year old son is having a terrible time trying to interact with the kids in our neighborhood. We just moved here so he doesn’t know anybody, and he literally runs away if approached. (We’re seeking professional help.) She was very supportive, and it was a good conversation. The next day she sent an e-mail to me and my husband, and she also copied it to my… Read more
Reading so many stories about religious or conservative colleges resisting the approval of an atheist club, I noticed what seems to be a pattern of 20 steps: Club applies to college Administration for approval. Silence for several weeks. Club inquires about application. Admin. says the deadline has passed for this semester. Club resubmits application early. More silence. Club inquires much sooner this time. Admin. says they are “reviewing” the application and the club’s statement of purpose. Club inquires every day…. Read more
Richard Wade here. Are you interested in actually influencing a religious believer to start thinking critically, rather than just scoring “points” that only you are counting? Are you bored with doing the same old song and dance with faith-based minds, assured that your arguments were better, but knowing they had no effect? Would you like to make a difference rather than just make noise? Dan Fincke, who writes the very astute blog Camels With Hammers, has written a series of… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. I recently came out to my parents (I am 17). My father handled it well enough and we had a good discussion on the matter. My mother, on the other hand, not so much. When we talked she told me about what she was like at around my age. She told me, through tears, that she was a terrible person back then, who was selfish and rebelled in any way… Read more
