2018 American Atheists National Convention
The 2018 American Atheists National Convention was a 3-day national atheist conference held March 29, 2018 to April 1, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[1][2]
At the 2018 American Atheists convention, the ex-president of the American Atheists organization David Silverman declared:
| “ | It is a hard time to be an atheist activist. This has affected us. And it has affected our community...
...it has really affected us. We are suffering a level of defeatism that I have never seen before... We feel the loss. And we feel like we have lost. We feel like we lost the election... We see this cascade of attack coming down at us over and over from all different directions and we feel like it's over. I have heard so many times it makes me sick. It makes me sad. It feels like we lost. The apathy that follows. It doesn't matter. We can't win anyways. It's useless to fight. This apathy is infecting us. It's hurting us. And people are reacting to each other now. And so that is causing a division. Lots and lots of division in our movement. Hard, bad division... And that has resulted in a splintering and factioning of the movement that I have never seen before and none of us have. In other words, we're in a bad situation and it's getting worse.[3] |
” |
Later in 2018, Silverman was fired due to allegations of financial conflicts and sexual assault (see also: Atheism and sexism).[4] After Silverman was terminated from his job at American Atheists, The Washington Post declared concerning Silverman, "Since then, he has lost his job, longtime friends, sleep and weight."[5]
Leading up to the 2018 American Atheist Convention, the American Atheist website declared:
| “ | We are returning to our regular Easter weekend dates for 2018 as we celebrate what it means to be an atheist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Presenting one of the most diverse collections of atheist speakers for any national event, you’ll hear from activists, community leaders, academics, and some of your favorite people from the atheist community. As always, American Atheists will emphasize bringing brand new stories you’ve never heard to the stage, including international activists, musicians, poets, and much more. With three days of speakers, social events, comedy, music, and workshops, this is the one event you don’t want to miss!... American Atheists is thrilled to welcome actor, director, and musician Hugh Laurie to deliver the keynote address on Saturday, March 31, 2018! We are proud to present one of the most diverse line-ups of speakers of any atheist, freethought, or secular convention.[6] |
” |
See also
- Atheist conferences
- List of major atheist conferences
- Sexual harassment at atheist conferences
- Atheism and public speaking
- Morale of the atheist movement
- David Silverman's speech at the 2018 American Atheists convention
- Atheism and diversity
External links
Notes
- ↑ 2018 National Convention
- ↑ American Atheists — 2018 National Convention
- ↑ David Silverman - How the Mighty Get Back Up
- ↑ This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault
- ↑ America’s leading atheist, accused of sexual misconduct, speaks out, Washington Post by Kimberly Winston, September 6, 2018
- ↑ 2018 National Convention
