Member Profiles

Here are some of the proud members of the FFRFMCC.

To be included, please send your name, photo (optional) and bio, with the words ‘Member Profiles’ in the subject area, to info@ffrfmcc.org.

My name is Rich Pope. I am a former ordained minister (and a member of The Clergy Project, organized by Dan Barker, Richard Dawkins, and others). I was raised in a fundamentalist Baptist family, went to a Christian college and seminary, and was on the staff of Young Life (an evangelical para-church organization that works in high schools). Sad to say, I did my share of proselytizing and spreading to teen-agers the nonsense that I myself had grown up with and studied. But over the years, through thinking logically, reading, and studying, I found my way out of the guilt, superstition, and silliness of faith and into the fresh air of free thought. As Frank Schaeffer has said in his book, “Crazy for God”, if you are “conditioned” to be a fundamentalist Christian, “it takes you a long, long time to get the ringing out of your ears.” But I eventually made it; the ringing is gone! The writings of John Spong, Dan Barker, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, John Loftus, and Daniel Dennett played a key role in my “de-conversion”.
Except for my older brother, my immediate and extended family members remain firmly entrenched in fundamentalism, awaiting the imminent return of Christ! Praise Jesus!!!!

I am proud to be an “out and proud” atheist and a lifetime member of FFRF!
My name is Brian Emerick, and I am an outspoken commentator on religious privilege and supporter of most liberal ideals.  I spend much of my time relaying articles on facebook and twitter about the bad that religion does in the world.  I also am a hobbyist of photography and music recording, as well as enjoying video games and television.  One of my proudest moments was driving cross country to the Reason Rally in March 2012.
 
Name:  Kathi Wise
Mother, grandmother, retired library clerk, atheist
Place of birth:  Columbus, Ohio
Current residence:  Palatine, Illinois
Attended Ohio State University, Harper College, Jung Institute of Chicago
Like to read, travel, quilt
I have never believed in god(s) and have always been baffled by those who do;  I was in 5th grade, when the words “under God” were added to the Pledge, and they stuck in my throat.  I also attended Methodist Vacation Bible School the same year and could not accept what was being taught as truth; though at the time and for a substantial part of my life, I thought that there must be something wrong with me since my friends seemed to believe enthusiastically without question. When I learned what the words atheist and agnostic meant, I called myself agnostic.  After reading Dawkins’ “The God Delusion”, I was comfortable calling myself atheist.
In the late 90′s I became increasingly aware of the social and political influence of the extremist Christians after attending a church service with a friend in Colorado where the minister declared, “We’re not done with the Jews yet.”  I was stunned and mystified by that statement and began to read more about religion in the U.S., ultimately joining FFRF and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.
I have been fortunate that the believers with whom I am closest are accepting of my views (though I often avoid expressing my thoughts), and I have never experienced overt intolerance or discrimination.  Upon retirement, I found that I needed community; after much investigation and consideration, I joined Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church where many are agnostic or atheist, but it still feels too much like “church”.  I am grateful for the formation of FFRFMCC to be able to meet with like-minded people in an unconstrained atmosphere and to work to promote acceptance of Atheism.