Atheist Conference to be held in OKC Easter weekend

by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief

Did you know almost 40 percent of Americans under 30 are now non-religious? And, according to the American Atheists, atheism is the fastest growing religious demographic in all 50 states.

Easter weekend, the American Atheists will hold their annual convention in downtown Oklahoma City. Yes, right here in the Bible Belt, it’s #AACon18.

“We always hold our conventions in places where atheists aren't being heard and aren't as big a part of the conversation as they ought to be,” said American Atheists’ Program Director Nick Fish. “Between 10 Commandment monuments and the rhetoric of some of the elected officials in Oklahoma, it is clear that atheists are being ignored and marginalized. It is critical that our atheists are visible and being heard by our representatives and by the community at large.

“By coming to a place like Oklahoma City (or Salt Lake City, Memphis, Iowa and any number of previous convention locations), we're shining a big spotlight on the fact that there are tons of atheists in the community and that we're not going to shy away from demanding equality.” 

Why Easter weekend? Fish said, “The simplest reason is that we don't have much else going on Easter weekend! It's also something we've always done, and it's something people plan around. It also highlights the fact that not everyone celebrates the same holidays or is a member of the same religion.”

The American Atheists' 2018 National Convention in Oklahoma City officially kicks off on Thursday, March 29 and goes through Easter Sunday, April 1. However, added to the schedule is a pre-convention event on Wednesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. where American Atheists president David Silverman will debate Steve Kern, senior pastor of OKC's Olivet Baptist Church and pastor Randall Christy of the Union Valley Church and president of The Gospel Station Network.

They’ll debate the topic "Does America Need God?" The debate is free and open to the public. The debate is at the convention site, the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown, and is free and open to the public and press.

“These are the sorts of conversations we should be having as often as possible,” said Silverman. “Challenging our assumptions, defending our positions, and having a genuine debate about complicated topics is the best way to broaden our horizons.

“Too often, people retreat to their corner and don’t listen to the other side. We need to break down barriers and start the conversation,” he added. “I’m thrilled Oklahomans will be a part of that conversation.”

Beginning on Thursday, the convention will feature more than two-dozen speakers, including a keynote from actor, director and musician Hugh Laurie, best known for his role on the television show House.

Fish said currently, about half the queer community they see are non-religious.

“A survey taken three years ago had the number at about 41 percent and, in that time, the number of nonreligious folks and atheists has grown in the general population, so it's hard to imagine that isn't the case for LGBTQ people.

“While we're glad to see there are some affirming faith groups out there, the vast majority of the attacks we see against the LGBTQ community are still rooted in religious rhetoric and justified using ‘religious freedom’ smokescreens.”

Like many returning conference attendees, Fish said for him, the best part of the conference is spending time with people who you haven't seen in a year.

“One of the biggest challenges of leaving a church is leaving behind a community. We want people to know that they don't have to buy into all of the religious stuff that they may no longer believe anyway as a precondition for having a fantastic community of great people.”

The conference is just $50 for residents of Oklahoma and will be held at the downtown Sheraton. For OKC conference schedule, tickets and all you need to know about Atheism, visit www.atheists.org.

Founded by Madalyn Murray O’Hair in 1964, American Atheists is a non-profit activist organization in the United States dedicated to defending the civil liberties of atheists and advocating for the complete separation of church and state.