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.
On the evening of November 21st, the Antelope Valley Freethinkers (AVF) in Lancaster, California held an open panel of five atheists to answer anyone’s questions about atheism, agnosticism, Humanism, and other issues around religion. I was very honored to be invited to participate on the panel. We were hosted by the Center for Spiritual Living. AVF President David Dionne described it this way: This isn’t a debate with winners and losers; it’s an opportunity to address biases and misconceptions, and promote better understanding and acceptance of nonbelievers through civil discourse. Our goal is that everyone who participates will come away with something positive and affirming. Consider bringing a religious friend or two! Read more
For 21 years, the City of Santa Clarita in southern California has held an annual “River Rally,” where local citizens converge on a section of the Santa Clara River to clean out thousands of pounds of litter and debris, and for the third year in a row, the Santa Clarita Atheists and Freethinkers, of which I’m a member, joined 1,400 other people to help clean up another couple of miles of southern California’s last completely natural river, an important refuge and migratory route for dozens of species of wildlife. Why do we do this? It must be because we think that all people and all living things are nothing but accidental piles of molecules with no meaning, purpose, or value, right? It’s because we don’t give a crap about life, death, or anything in between, right? I mean, many Christians frequently tell me that’s what I think. Helping the environment and the community for free is what immoral, uncaring, cynical, selfish nihilists like us do, right? Read more
Over 100 young campers began arriving on July 5 at the beautiful, forested Camp Quest campground in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in northern California. They were looking forward to a whole week of interesting camp activities and outdoor fun, but unaware that Terrible Lizards were lurking nearby, waiting to spring out! Read more
