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. Hello, my name is Rolando, and I’m writing to you from Chile. This year I decided to study Sociology, but I have a problem. I was admitted in the best university of my country, but it is a Catholic University. In fact, its name is Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Pontifical Catholic University of Chile). And of course, as you probably deduced, I’m an atheist. It is to my understanding… Read more
Hi Richard, My wife and I are both atheists. I’ve been open about it since my very early teens, but prior to meeting me a little over four years ago, my wife “Annie” had generally lived her life not thinking too much about religion. She didn’t buy the stories, but went along with her family, who mainly acted pious in order to please the matriarch of the family, her maternal grandmother “Ruth,” for whom religion is central. Everyone holds Ruth… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, Compared to the letters you normally answer, my problem is very small. The thing is, it’s progressively getting worse and I want to nip it now rather than let it grow into something more column-worthy! The problem is my sister. Most of my family members are atheists to varying degrees, except for my sister who converted to Islam in her early twenties. Ever since then, religion has been… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Richard, I was raised in a very conservative Christian home (and church) before my deconversion at age 30. I don’t believe in God anymore, but I still struggle with the religious programming. I feel guilty about leaving my abusive husband (we were married at age 18). I feel guilty when I think about my choice to not have any more children. And my choice to work outside the home and… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, I’m 18 years old, and have been an atheist since I was about 13, although back then I certainly wasn’t the confident, unashamed non-believer that I am today. I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a very liberal and open-minded household; my parents are pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-birth control, pro-tolerance, anti-war, the whole 9 yards. During my childhood, however, my mother insisted I attend church (albeit… Read more
