“Is Atheism Still a Political Taboo?” — A Presentation by Hemant Mehta

We are pleased to announce the FFRFMCC will sponsor a speaking engagement by Mr. Hemant Mehta. Hemant is an author, blogger, and host of the website, The Friendly Atheist. His presentation will be entitled:

“Is Atheism Still a Political Taboo?”

As we move closer and closer to our next major election in November, 2020, of primary concern to non-theists and those who believe in maintaining our secular government will be a close examination of which candidates will strive the most to maintain the “wall of separation” between religion and government. The formation of the Congressional Freethought Caucus in 2018, led by openly non-religious Democratic House Representative Jared Huffman of California, is helping to pave the way for more secular-minded candidates to seek public office. The objective of the Freethought Caucus is to encourage science and reason-based solutions and defend the secular founding of our government. It will therefore be incumbent upon freethinking voters to encourage current office holders in their congressional districts, or those they intend to vote into office in the upcoming election, to consider joining the Freethought Caucus to expand the collective and work to keep religion where it belongs — in houses of worship, and NOT within the halls of government.

This is also coming at a time when one of the two major political parties, that being the Democratic National Committee, has adopted a resolution recognizing the contributions of non-believers, and acknowledges that religiously unaffiliated individuals are now the largest “religious” group within the Democratic Party.

But, for decades now, declared atheism has been a stumbling block for many political candidates in the United States where espousing religious faith has been considered a prerequisite for ensuring a successful election campaign. Hemant will discuss the origins of this “taboo” and how secular values may finally be on the rise again in our political system.

So, please join us for this must-hear presentation.

A Q&A session will immediately follow. Hemant will also have copies of books he has written or edited on hand for sale!