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 writer’s names are changed to protect their privacy. Kate wrote a long letter, the first part of which I am summarizing: She was born into a basically non-observant Catholic family. When she began dating her husband-to-be in high school, she was completely uninterested in religion, and he was nominally a Christian. They got along very well, but his parents are very heavily religious. (She did not specify the denomination.) She attended church with them so that they would… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. I do not believe in God — any god. I strive to be a good atheist and person by setting an example of decency to all and service to my community. The whole “good without god” thing. In raising my 6 and 7 year old sons, I’ve always responded to the rare god/heaven/religion questions with “That’s what some people believe, but lots of people including me don’t.” That’s always felt… Read more
To the readers: As I was finishing my response it was vaguely reminding me of something, and when I realized what it was I had to chuckle. I might sound a little like Polonius giving parting advice to his son Laertes in Hamlet. For some reason I’m a little embarrassed if I do. This very brief letter allows for only generic suggestions, and such things can sound like trite platitudes or wise proverbs. I suppose the difference between those is… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, I have currently been in a relationship with my girlfriend for a little over a year. We both are still in high school so we both live with our parents. When we started dating I was an atheist and I still am. My girlfriend was a Christian but now she is an atheist also. Her parents are very Christian and only support her dating white Christian males. Well… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Hi Richard, By the time this is answered, it will be a moot point because the funeral is tomorrow but I thought I would ask. My young cousin died very unexpectedly and our family is having a Catholic ceremony for her. I am an atheist and while this is known to my immediate family and probably to a good portion of my extended family, I am not sure that my… Read more
