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.
Hi there, I’m a 15 year old guy, and I’ve been in a relationship with a Christian, self proclaimed “holy-roller” for about 7 months. In high school, let me tell you, that’s a long time. Anyway, I really like this girl. I mean, I think I may love her. Now, my deeply logical brain is what keeps me from accepting the Christianity that previous generations of my family hold so dear, and yet I stayed with this girl knowing that… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Hi Richard. I’ve been an atheist for about 15 years. Before that I was a fervent born-again spirit-filled Christian for most of my life, to the point of quitting high school to attend Bible School in lieu of getting a secular college education. I was able to break away from the church and superstition when I moved to California with my husband and he suggested we stop going to church… Read more
This is the day for interviews. Daniel Fincke, who writes the always interesting and challenging blog Camels With Hammers recently interviewed me via instant messaging for a few evenings. He will be publishing it in installments over the next several days. You can read the first installment here, where he asks me about my background, the development of my atheism, and how the Ask Richard column got started. In the next section he will ask me about anger in families… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. I read your answer on how to absolve your guilt. But why do you have guilt in the first place? Where do you as an atheist get your morals? If your truly an atheist isn’t it survival of the fittest? Don Hello Don, I am often asked these questions, and so are most of my atheist friends. Unfortunately, most of the time these questions are not asked as sincere, earnest,… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, I’m married to a strong (and sweet) Christian woman. Since we’ve been married, I’ve realized that I’m an atheist. I’ve tried explaining this to her a couple times, but her belief in God is so natural to her that it never really sinks in. She thinks I’m “questioning my faith” or “mad at God.” I’m not doing either, I just don’t believe he exists. I still continue to… Read more
