Your Name - American Atheists

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Convention Site Layout................................................... 2
Exhibitors and Vendors................................................... 4
Sunday Information......................................................... 4
Airport Shuttle................................................................. 5
Gender-Neutral Restrooms............................................. 5
Convention Schedule
Thursday.................................................................. 7
Friday....................................................................... 8
Saturday................................................................... 10
Sunday...................................................................... 12
Convention Speakers
Keynote Speaker...................................................... 13
Special Guests.......................................................... 14
Speakers................................................................... 16
Entertainment
Friday Comedy Show............................................... 25
Join American Atheists................................................... 27
Code of Conduct............................................................... 30
Past Conventions............................................................. 32
In Memorium.................................................................... 33
Join the Conversation
American Atheists
@AmericanAtheist
#AACon15
Welcome
to
Memphis!
CONVENTION SITE LAYOUT
MEZZANINE LEVEL
G
C
B
Kitchen
Room A: Main Convention Stage
Grand All Speakers
Ballroom Comedy Show
Room B: Friday Night Dinner
Venetian Workshop Room 1
Room
F
Room C: Dinner With The Stars
Forest Room Workshop Room 2
E
A
Ballroom D: Book and Product Room
Ballroom E: Convention Registration
Ballroom F: Book Signing Room
Room G: Pub Quiz
Hernando Cards Against
Humanity
Desoto Room
H
Room H: Gender Neutral
Restrooms
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D
CONVENTION SITE LAYOUT
TENNESSEE EXHIBIT HALL
M
I
L
K
M
M
J
K
Area I: Main Exhibitor and
Vendor Area
Area J: “Grab Bag” Book Room
Area K: Lounge & Game Areas
Area L: Dogma Debate
Live Podcasts
Stage Area
Area M: Coffee & Refreshments
OTHER AREAS
The Life Members’ Reception will be held on the Plantation Rooftop,
located on the roof of the Peabody Hotel.
Camp Quest Smoky Mountains will be hosting their day camp in the
Galaxie Room, located in the Peabody Executive Conference Center.
Note: Camp Quest is available only to those who booked in advance.
If you need assistance locating either of these locations, please contact
conference or hotel staff.
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EXHIBITORS AND VENDORS
The Exhibitors and Vendors section will be open from 9:00am to 6:00pm Friday
and Saturday, and from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. The Exhibitors and
Vendors are located in Area I (the Tennessee Exhibit Hall) on the ground floor.
Adam Brown
Atheist Alliance of
America
Frank Conniff & Trace
Beaulieu (MST3K)
The People Project
Gateway to Reason
Polaris Financial
Planning
Beth Presswood
Getting to Cured
Pro-Life Humanists
Black Nonbelievers
Hypatia, Ltd.
Center for Freethought
Equality
Mark O’Shea
Recovering From
Religion
Center for Inquiry
Military Association
of Atheists &
Freethinkers
Compass 120 Apparel
Dogma Debate
EvolveFISH
Memphis Atheists
Paul Kivel & Associates
Secular Coalition for
America
Secular Policy Institute
Secular Student Alliance
We Are Atheism
American Atheists has partnered with Equal Exchange Fair Trade
Products to have of fair trade coffee, chocolates, and snacks in the
conference Book & Product Room.
SUNDAY INFORMATION
On Sunday, April 5, the Peabody Hotel will be hosting an Easter
Brunch that will occupy much of the Mezzanine Level of the Hotel.
As a result, attendees will not be able to reach the convention
areas directly through the Mezzanine Level.
To reach the Ballroom, just walk outside the hotel to the Valet
Station and up a staircase to the Ballroom area. Signs will be posted
to assist. Alternatively, attendees who require elevator access will
need to enter through the Tennessee Ballroom entrance.
Also, to assist attendees who have checked out of their hotel room
Sunday morning, the Peabody Hotel has arranged to provide bellmen
at a roped off area outside the Tennessee Exhibit Hall for the
duration of the conference on Sunday. Yo uwill be able to check your
bags and claim them later with a claim ticket.
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AIRPORT SHUTTLE
American Atheists has contracted T-Star Limousines to provide
service between the convention site and Memphis International
Airport at a rate of $15.00 per person, each way.
If you would like to take advantage of this discounted rate, please
make a reservation by calling (901) 853-5466 and informing the
T-Star Limousines staff that you are with the American Atheists
2015 National Convention at the time of your reservation.
If you prefer to book online, you can do so at www.tstarlimos.com
and use the code aamemphis2015 in the PROMO CODE field at the
bottom of the reservation form.
Reservations MUST be made in advance.
Payments can be made by credit card if you pay at the time of your
reservation through the T-Star Limousines website or in cash only if
you choose to pay the driver directly.
GENDER-NEUTRAL RESTROOMS
American Atheists is committed to creating an atmosphere where
all atheists are welcome. Everyone should be comfortable doing their
makeup, changing clothes, or just using the restroom without fear of
harassment.
We have arranged for the convention hotel to provide gender-neutral
restrooms; all this means is that these restrooms are for everyone.
This is important because sometimes simply using the restroom can
be source of stress, intimidation, or even violence for transgender
and gender-nonconforming people. We ask that no one be stared at,
questioned, or asked to leave.
We have also arranged for the convention hotel to provide traditional
segregated restrooms if you prefer those, as well. Those are located
on the Mezzanine Level near Rooms B & C (the Forest & Venetian
Rooms).
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CONVENTION SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 2
9:00am
Registration Opens
Ballroom E
9:30am
Workshop Session 1
Media Matters | Writing for Atheism
11:00am
Workshop Session 2
Coming Out Atheist | How NOT to Talk to Christians
12:00pm
Lunch
1:00pm
Workshop Session 3
Atheism Southern Style | Intersectionality & Atheism
2:30pm
Workshop Session 4
Grieving Without Faith| Getting It On At the Con
3:30pm
Affiliate Meeting
Room C (Forest Room)
4:00pm
Regional Directors’ Meeting
Room C (Forest Room)
6:00pm Life Member Reception
Plantation Roof (weather permitting)
Note: This event is open to Life Members of American Atheists and AtomPass holders.
7:00pm
“You Can’t Explain That” Pub Quiz
Made Possible by Polaris Financial Planning
Room G (Hernando Desoto Room)
Note: This event is open to ALL registered attendees of the American Atheists National Convention.
9:00pm
Cards Against Humanity Charity Tournament
Room G (Hernando Desoto Room)
Separately ticketed event: $10 (limited availability)
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CONVENTION SCHEDULE
Friday, April 3
8:30am
Members Meeting
David Silverman, American Atheists Members
9:30am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Jamila Bey, Emcee
9:45am
David Silverman
What’s In It For You
11:00am
Lunch Break - Dining With The Stars
Separately Ticketed Event ($300)
Note: A very limited number of tickets may be available in advance at the registration desk.
1:00pm
Keynote: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Feminism: Refusing to be Silenced
1:45pmBreak
2:00pm
James Woods
A Shot In The Dark: A Blind Atheist Runs for Congress
2:30pm
Mandisa Thomas
What The Secular Community Can Learn From The Hospitality Industry
3:00pm
Special Guest: Marshall Brain
How God Doesn’t Work
3:30pm
Signing Session: Marshall Brain
Break
3:45pm
Todd Stiefel
Openly Secular
4:15pm
James Croft
Champions of Dignity:
Humanism in Ferguson and Beyond
-8-
CONVENTION SCHEDULE
4:45pmBreak
5:00pm
Lucien Greaves
Atheistic Religion & The Satanic Reformation
5:30pm
Buzzy Jackson
The Inspirational Atheist: Chicken Soup for the Soulless
6:00pm
Book Signing: Buzzy Jackson
Bar Opens
6:30pm
American Atheists Costume Dinner
Ticketed Event ($65)
Note: A very limited number of tickets may be available in advance at the registration desk.
7:30pm
JT Eberhard
Another Year In Which We Gained Ground and Religion Lost It
8:30pm
Comedy Night
Made Possible by Getting To Cured
Ticketed Event ($25 at the door)
Steve Hill, Leighann Lord, Keith Lowell Jensen
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CONVENTION SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 4
9:00am
Panel: Islam Atheism
Heina Dadabhoy, Sarah Haider, Muhammad Syed, Lindsay Beyerstein (m)
9:45am
Asif Mohiuddin
Freedom of Speech Means Freedom to Offend
10:15am
Dr. Paul Offit
The Philadelphia Measles Epidemic of 1991:
Lessons from the Past
10:45am
Book Signing: Dr. Paul Offit
Break
11:00am
Dr. Anthony Pinn
If Jay Z and Richard Dawkins Were Friends: What Atheists Can Learn from Hip Hop Culture
11:30am
James K. Morrow
The Sins of Charles Darwin
12:00am
Book Signing: James Morrow
Lunch Break
1:00pm
Brigit Clarke-Smith
Atheists Anonymous
1:30pm
David Fitzgerald
Sexy Violence! Violent Sex! The Weird-Ass
Morality of the Bible
2:00pm
Book Signing: David Fitzgerald
Break
2:15pm
Vyckie Garrison
Fertile Ground
2:45pm
fäde zu grau
way ofF thinking
- 10 -
CONVENTION SCHEDULE
3:15pmBreak
3:30pm
Eric Husby
The Ten Commandments and American Law
4:00pm
Teresa MacBain
7 Things I Can’t Say as a #FormerFundie
4:30pm
Tracy Lockwood
Life After Utopia: The Challenges of Leaving a High Demand Group
5:00pmBreak
5:15pm
Sarah Morehead
Highway to Hell: Paving the Road to Atheism One Call at a Time
5:45pm
Matt Dillahunty
It’s Magic... or Something
6:45pm
Bar Opens
Dinner on Beale Street (on your own)
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CONVENTION SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 5
9:30am
Panel: Apocalypse Now!
Dana Fredsti, T.M. Williams, Teresa MacBain,
JT Eberhard (m)
10:15am
Jennifer Michael Hecht
Poetic Atheism and the Rejection of Suicide
10:45am
Special Guest: Susan Blackmore
May I Offend You? The Clash of Science, Religion, and Free Speech
11:15am
Book Signings: Jennifer Michael Hecht & Susan Blackmore
Break
11:30am
Eddie Tabash
Atheists Developing Political Skills: Dealing With Ballot Measures
12:00pm
Yvette d’Entremont
Science Babe’s Guide to BS Detection
12:30pm
Lunch Break
1:15pm
Darrel Ray
Male Shame and Religion: The Root of Female Shame
1:45pm
Book Signing: Darrel Ray
Break
2:00pm
God’s Not Dead
MST3K-style Viewing Experience by Special Guests Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff
4:00pmClosing
Note: Following the Closing Ceremonies, the American Atheists
Book and Product Room will close.
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SPEAKER INFORMATION
Keynote
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born in Somalia
in 1969. The daughter of a political
opponent of the Somali dictatorship,
she grew up in exile, living in Saudi
Arabia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. As a
young child, she embraced Islam, and
strove to be a devout Muslim. But, from
an early age, she questioned aspects of
her faith.
In 1992, she fled to the Netherlands to escape a forced marriage. She was
granted asylum and, in time, citizenship. She worked as a maid and in
factories during her early years in the Netherlands. During this time, she
learned Dutch and later studied at the University of Leiden. Ayaan worked
as a translator for the Dutch government, assisting Somali immigrants.
After earning a M.A. in political science, Ayaan worked as a researcher for
the Wiardi Beckman Foundation in Amsterdam. She was elected to the Dutch
parliament in 2003, and served until 2006. While in parliament, she defended
the rights of Muslim women, campaigning to raise awareness of violence
against women, including honor killings and female genital mutilation.
In 2004, she gained international attention following the murder of Theo
van Gogh. Van Gogh had directed her short film Submission, which explored
the oppression of women under Islam. The assassin, a radical Muslim, left a
death threat for Ayaan pinned to Van Gogh’s chest.
In response to ongoing abuses of women’s right in the name of fundamentalist
Islam, she established the AHA Foundation in 2007 to help protect and
defend the rights of women against militant Islam.
Ayaan is a Fellow with The Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer
Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University’s John
F. Kennedy School of Government, where she is researching the relationship
between the West and Islam.
She is the author of a collection of essays, The Caged Virgin (2006), a memoir,
Infidel (2007), and Nomad (2010), the second volume of her autobiography.
Her most recent book, Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now, was
released in March of 2015.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali will deliver the keynote address on Friday, April 3 at 1:00pm.
She will also be a guest of American Atheists at the Friday afternoon Dinner
with the Stars.
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SPEAKER INFORMATION
Special Guests
Susan Blackmore
Susan Blackmore is a psychologist, writer, and
Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth,
UK. Her research interests include consciousness,
evolutionary theory, memes, meditation, and
anomalous experiences,
She has a degree in psychology and physiology
from Oxford University (1973), as well as an MSc
and a PhD in parapsychology from the University
of Surrey (1980). She blogs for The Guardian, and often appears as a guest
on radio and television. The Meme Machine (1999) has been translated
into 16 other languages; her more recent books include Conversations on
Consciousness (2005), Zen and the Art of Consciousness (2011), and a textbook
Consciousness: An Introduction (2nd Ed 2010).
Susan will speak on Sunday, April 5, at 10:45am.
Marshall Brain
Marshall Brain is best known as the
creator of HowStuffWorks.com as well as
more recent projects GodIsImaginary.com,
WhyWontGodHealAmputees.com and GIIVideo
on YouTube.
He holds degrees in electrical engineering and
computer science from Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute and North Carolina State University.
His book How God Works from Sterling Publishing is designed to help
people understand that God is imaginary. The book uses logic, science, and
critical thinking to help readers prove to themselves that God is imaginary.
Learn more at HowGodWorks.com.
Marshall will speak on Friday, April 3 at 3:00pm.
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Trace Beaulieu
Trace is best know for his many contributions to
the hit show Mystery Science Theater 3000. He was
one of the shows original writers and performers
playing the evil Dr. Clayton Forrester and the
wisecracking Crow T. Robot.
In addition to a recurring role on Freaks and Geeks
he appeared ever so briefly on The West Wing and
can be spotted reprising his role as Crow on an
episode of Arrested Development.
Trace is the author of the book Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children and the
video short The Frank.
Trace will be appearing with Frank Conniff for a God Is Not Dead riff-fest on
Sunday, April 5, at 2:00pm.
Frank Conniff
Frank Conniff is a comedy writer and performer
who began his TV career writing for the Peabody
award winning Comedy Central series Mystery
Science Theater 3000.
He then went on to be a writer, producer, and actor
on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The New Tom Green
Show, Invader Zim, Air America Radio, Viewpoint
with John Fugelsang and Totally Biased with W.
Kamau Bell. He currently writes and performs on The Jimmy Dore Show,
and writes, produces, and directs original musical comedy radio plays for his
podcast, Podhouse 90.
Frank will be appearing with Trace Beaulieu for a God Is Not Dead riff-fest
on Sunday, April 5, at 2:00pm.
- 15 -
Emcee
Jamila Bey
Jamila Bey is a journalist based in Washington, DC.
She also writes for the Washington Post blog, “She
the People,” the “Teaching Tolerance” journal of the
Southern Poverty Law Center, and contributes to
MSNBC.
Jamila served a decade-long stint as a producer
and editor at National Public Radio working for
shows including “Morning Edition”, “All Things
Considered”, “Tell Me More with Michel Martin”, and “Talk of the Nation”.
A sought-after speaker and writer, Jamila’s areas of expertise include
U.S. culture, race and politics, science, and all issues concerning the First​
Amendment.
Jamila is a member of the American Atheists Board of Directors.
Convention Speakers
American Atheists is pleased to present one of the largest and most
diverse slate of speakers for any national atheist convention. Our
speakers represent the amazing breadth and depth of our community
with their varied and unique life experiences, backgrounds,
educations, and journeys to atheism.
Lindsay Beyerstein
Lindsay Beyerstein is an investigative journalist in Brooklyn,
New York. Her work has appeared in The New Republic,
Slate, Salon, The New York Observer, the Columbia
Journalism Review, and other publications. She is the co-host
of Point of Inquiry, the premier radio show and podcast of the
Center for Inquiry.
Neil Carter
Neil Carter is a high school Geometry teacher, a tutor, a
swim coach, a father of five children, and a skeptic living
in the Bible Belt. A former church elder with a seminary
education, Neil mostly writes now about the struggles of
former evangelicals living in the midst of a highly religious
subculture. He blogs on Patheos under the name Godless in
Dixie.
- 16 -
Greta Christina
Greta Christina has been writing professionally since 1989,
about topics including atheism, sexuality and sex-positivity,
LGBT issues, politics, and culture. She is author of Coming
Out Atheist: How to Do It, How to Help Each Other; Why
Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing to Do
with God; and Why Are You Atheists So Angry? 99 Things
That Piss Off the Godless. She blogs at Greta Christina’s Blog
on the Freethought Blogs network.
Brigit Clarke-Smith
Brigit was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The attending
physician informed Brigit’s mother she only had 1/2 hour
to enjoy her daughter. Brigit obviously didn’t like what she
heard, because here she is, 86 years later. Since 2008, Brigit
has called La Costa Glen, an upscale Senior Residence, her
home, organizing monthly meetings for atheist residents for
the last three years.
James Croft
James Croft is a Humanist activist who is a graduate of the
Universities of Cambridge and Harvard, and is finishing his
Doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He
works as leader-in-training at the Ethical Society of St. Louis.
James was raised on Shakespeare, Sagan, and Star Trek, and
is a proud, gay Humanist. His upcoming book The Godless
Congregation, co-authored with Greg Epstein, is being
published by Simon & Schuster.
Heina Dadabhoy
Heina Dadabhoy spent their childhood as a practicing Muslim
who never in their right mind would have believed that they
would grow up to be an atheist feminist secular humanist.
Heina has been an active participant in atheist organizations
and events in and around Orange County, CA since 2007,
and on the national stage since 2011. They blog at Heinous
Dealings on the Freethought Blogs network and are the
author of A Skeptic’s Guide to Islam.
Yvette d’Entremont
Yvette d’Entremont is the Science Babe. As a skeptical
chemist, when a campaign was launched against the
pumpkin spice latte last year, it was a call to arms. The
formula of a bit of real science, a bit of busting pseudoscience,
and a bit of humor is pure Yvette. Yvette holds bachelor’s
degrees in theatre and chemistry and a master’s degree in
forensic science. She currently resides in Southern California
and is working as Science Babe full time.
- 17 -
Matt Dillahunty
Matt Dillahunty is a former Southern Baptist who has been
hosting The Atheist Experience for over a decade. In addition
to being a highly regarded public speaker and debater, Matt
also produces videos designed to help atheists become more
comfortable and proficient at debating. He enjoys performing
magic and mentalism, especially when they can be used
to teach lessons about skepticism. Matt is married to Beth
Presswood and lives in Austin, Texas.
JT Eberhard
JT Eberhard is a writer and public speaker about atheism,
LGBT rights, and more. He spent two and a half years
with the Secular Student Alliance as their first high school
organizer. During that time, he built the SSA’s high school
program and oversaw the development of groups nationwide.
JT is the co-founder of Skepticon and served as the event’s
lead organizer during its first three years. JT currently writes
a regular column for American Atheist Magazine.
David Fitzgerald
David Fitzgerald is an activist, writer, and public speaker.
He is the co-founder & director of the world’s first Atheist
Film Festival. He works for the Secular Student Alliance and
co-runs The Godless Perverts Story Hour. He is the author of
Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed
At All and The Complete Heretic’s Guide to Western Religion
series. The follow-up book to Nailed, Jesus: Mything in
Action, will tackle secular arguments for the historic Jesus.
Dana Fredsti
Dana Fredsti is an ex B-movie actress with a background in
theatrical sword-fighting. She liked zombies before they were
cool and her Ashley Parker series (Titan Books) is touted as
Buffy meets The Walking Dead. She also writes spicy genre
romances written under the name Inara LaVey. She lives
in San Francisco with her husband and fellow author David
Fitzgerald.
Vyckie Garrison
Vyckie Garrison was once a prominent member of the
Quiverfull community, a Christian fundamentalist movement
that bans birth control and encourages huge, “biblical
families.” Vyckie has appeared on The Joy Behar Show, TLC,
NPR, and others. She is a well-respected adversary of Biblical
patriarchy and the damages that it can inflict. She started
the blog No Longer Quivering to provide support to women
and children who are escaping abusive religious movements.
- 18 -
Russell Glasser
Russell Glasser is one of the hosts of the The Atheist
Experience which features discussion and debate about
philosophical and social issues of atheism. The Atheist
Experience began airing on AtheistTV last August, but has
been showing on cable access TV for much longer. Russell
has been a part of the show’s production since 2000. Russell
has an MS in computer engineering and develops Internet
applications in Austin.
fäde zu grau
fäde zu grau is a graphic and fashion designer who
appeared on season 13 of Project Runway. An outspoken
and unabashed atheist, he is based in Coral Gables, Florida,
but was born in Altdöbern, East Germany. His inspired and
unique “un” collection was recently featured at the Spring
2015 New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center.
Lucien Greaves
Lucien Greaves is co-founder of The Satanic Temple, a nontheistic, anti-supernaturalist religious organization that
facilitates “the communication and mobilization of politically
aware Satanists, secularists, and advocates for individual
liberty” and argues for recognition of non-theistic values as
protected religious opinion. TST has gained national media
attention for their battle to place a Satanic monument
alongside a decalogue at the State Capitol in Oklahoma.
Sarah Haider
Sarah co-founded the Ex-Muslims of North America, where
she currently works as Director of Development. Sarah also
works to provide resources and guidance for Ex-Muslims to
leave abusive situations and build a life post-Islam, with a
particular focus on ex-Muslim women. Sarah graduated from
the University of Texas at Austin, and resides in Washington,
D.C.
Jennifer Michael Hecht
Hecht is an intellectual historian and commentator. She is
the author of Doubt: A History. Her book The End of the Soul:
Scientific Modernity, Atheism, and Anthropology won Phi
Beta Kappa’s Emerson Award. Hecht’s most recent book is
Stay: A History of Suicide and the Arguments Against It. She
has championed atheist pride on MSNBC’s Hardball, The
Brian Lehrer Show, and her work appears in The New York
Times, Politico, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post.
- 19 -
Rebecca Hensler
Following the death of her infant son, Rebecca Hensler
founded the faith-free grief support community, Grief Beyond
Belief. Rebecca is a middle school dean, living and working in
the San Francisco Bay Area, with a BA in political activism
and a MS in counseling. Her current focus is on expanding
the Grief Beyond Belief community beyond the internet
through grief support workshops.
Liz Hoffmaster
Liz Hoffmaster is the organizer of the Memphis Atheists, a
social Meetup group that is nearly 600 members strong and
boasts multiple events per week. The purpose of the group
is to provide parties, nights out, and other get-togethers
so that atheists in the Memphis area can meet others like
themselves. Liz was probably always an atheist but did not
realize it until she went to college. In her free time, Liz is a
cardiac nurse and the mother of 2 children.
Eric Husby
Eric Husby is the National Legal Director of American
Atheists, previously serving as Deputy Legal Director. Eric is
a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Law
and Rutgers University. Eric was instrumental in American
Atheists’ action against a Ten Commandments monument in
Starke, Florida, which led to the placement of a monument to
our nation’s secular heritage alongside the decalogue.
Buzzy Jackson
Buzzy Jackson has a Ph.D. in History from UC Berkeley and
is the award-winning author of The Inspirational Atheist:
Wise Words on the Wonder and Meaning of Life (Penguin
Random House), A Bad Woman Feeling Good: Blues and the
Women Who Sing Them (W.W. Norton), and Shaking the
Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Other Obsessions
of an Accidental Genealogist (Simon & Schuster). She is also
a Correspondent for The Boston Globe.
Tracy Lockwood
Tracy Lockwood spent her childhood living on the compounds
of an isolated religious sect before finding freedom at age 18.
Her journey took her through evangelical Christianity and
years of questioning before she lost her faith and embraced
skepticism and atheism. She is now an advocate for the
separation of church and state and for the rights of children
in religious communities.
- 20 -
Teresa MacBain
Teresa MacBain became an atheist after serving as a pastor
for many years. She came out publicly as an atheist during
the 2012 American Atheists Convention. Teresa has been
featured in major media outlets including: CNN, NPR, and
The O’Reilly Factor. Teresa worked as Executive Director for
the Humanists of Florida and as the Public Relations Director
for American Atheists. In 2013 she was named “Atheist of the
Year” for her commitment to the secular community.
Miri Mogilevsky
Miri Mogilevsky is a graduate student in social work at
Columbia University. Her blog, Brute Reason, covers topics
such as social justice, psychology, mental health, and
whatever else keeps her up thinking till 3:00am. She also
volunteers for a sexual assault survivors’ hotline and has
been giving workshops on sexual health and communication
for five years.
Asif Mohiuddin
Asif Mohiuddin is a Bangladeshi liberal humanist,
freethinker, activist, and blogger, known for his criticism
of religious fundamentalism. In 2013, he was stabbed by
Islamic extremists and was later arrested and charged for
his “blasphemous” writing. His arrest and the censorship of
his blog sparked international outrage from freethought and
human rights organizations. Asif was released from prison in
September 2013 but still faces charges.
Sarah Morehead
A passionate advocate and former evangelical Southern
Baptist, Sarah now develops resources offering practical
support for people negatively impacted by religion’s role in
their life. Recovering From Religion is now well known as the
bridge of hope and a welcome respite for people seeking the
warm and welcoming arms of the secular community. In 2014
she was awarded the American Atheists “Atheist of the Year”
award for her activism.
James K. Morrow
Having been called “Christianity’s Salman Rushdie” by the
Denver Post, this award-winning novelist has spent much of
his career satirizing received theological wisdom. His works
include The Last Witchfinder and the Godhead Trilogy:
Towing Jehovah, Blameless in Abaddon, and The Eternal
Footman. In his new novel, Galápagos Regained, Morrow tells
of the Great God Contest: £10,000 to the first thinker who can
prove—or disprove—the existence of a Supreme Being.
- 21 -
Paul Offit
Paul Offit is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of
Infectious Diseases and Director of the Vaccine Education
Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and
a Professor of Pediatrics and the Maurice R. Hilleman
Professor of Vaccinology at the Perelman School of Medicine
at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Offit is the co-inventor
of the bovine-human reassortant vaccine, RotaTeq, currently
licensed and recommended for use in all children.
Anthony Pinn
Anthony B. Pinn is Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of
Humanities and Professor of Religious Studies at Rice
University. He is also director of research for the Institute
for Humanist Studies, and he is a member of the American
Humanist Association Board. Pinn is the author/editor of
30 books, including African American Humanist Principles
(2004) and Everyday Humanism (2014).
Darrel Ray
Dr. Darrel W. Ray is author of The God Virus: How Religion
Infects Our Lives and Culture and Sex and God: How Religion
Distorts Sexuality, and is host of the podcast, Secular
Sexuality. A psychologist for over 35 years and student
of religion, he holds an MA in religion, a BA in Sociology/
Anthropology and a Doctorate in psychology. Dr. Ray is
interested in the intersection of religious infection and
sexuality and has contributed to American Atheist Magazine.
David Silverman
Dave Silverman is the President of American Atheists and
was the Executive Producer of the 2012 Reason Rally. Dave
is a frequent sparring partner with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly,
Sean Hannity, and Megyn Kelly and he has appeared on
dozens of other popular news programs. His upcoming book,
Fighting God: An Atheist Manifesto for a Religious World
(Thomas Dunne Books) will be released on December 1, 2015.
Todd Stiefel
Todd Stiefel is the Founder and President of the Stiefel
Freethought Foundation. In 2009 he made the transition
from Chief Strategy Officer of Stiefel Laboratories to full-time
freethought activist. He has won the Foundation Beyond
Belief’s 2013 Heart of Humanism award, and American
Atheists’ 2010 Activist of the Year and 2012 Philanthropist of
the Year. He is the co-host of the Humanist Hour podcast and
Chair of Openly Secular.
- 22 -
Muhammad Syed
Muhammad Syed is a co-founder of Ex-Muslims of North
America, where he currently serves as the Executive
Director. He is a public speaker, writer, and community
organizer. Muhammad has been a human rights activist for
the past decade, and now focuses on promoting acceptance
of secularism in Muslim communities as well as working
on amplifying the voice of Ex-Muslims globally, as a
conscientious voice for change.
Eddie Tabash
Eddie Tabash is the chair of the Board of Directors of
the Center for Inquiry. He is a Platinum Life Member of
American Atheists. He is a Los Angeles area constitutional
lawyer, known for his work in church/state separation.
He is also a well known atheist debater against religious
spokespeople.
Mandisa Thomas
Mandisa Thomas is a founder and the President of Black
Nonbelievers, Inc. She has been featured in JET Magazine,
as a guest on numerous podcasts, and the documentaries
Contradiction and My Week in Atheism. Mandisa currently
serves on the Board of Directors for Foundation Beyond
Belief and the Secular Coalition for America. She works to
help more blacks atheists come out and stand firm with their
nonbelief in the face of strong religious overtones.
T.M. Williams
T.M. Williams began her writing career by accident when a
song inspired a story about a woman named Carter. What
started off as a blip of an idea turned into the Bohemian
Grove trilogy, a science-fiction adventure based on the
Anunnaki and ancient Sumerian texts. Since then, she has
gone on to write Undead Winter, Sun Gate, The Apocalypse,
Alice Hill in Silent Wonderland, and others. She is also a
free-lance business journalist, copywriter, and consultant.
James Woods
James Woods was the first openly atheist Congressional
candidate in U.S. history. He is an outspoken advocate for
the separation of church and state as well as evidence based
policy decisions. He is a proud humanist and active in the
secular community. He was also the first blind candidate to
run for Congress in almost a century.
- 23 -
New Merchandise, Ready For The New Year!
Visit the Book and Product Room (Ballroom D)
Online at www.atheists.org/shop
- 24 -
FRIDAY COMEDY SHOW
On Friday, American Atheists will present a Comedy Show featuring Keith
Lowell Jensen, Leighann Lord, and Steve Hill. Tickets to the Comedy Show are
$25 at the door. Please note: This event may feature language that is not suitable
for children under the age of 16.
Keith Lowell Jensen
Keith Lowell Jensen performs stand up comedy
because he has an overwhelming compulsion to share
and has found this to be more palatable if he is funny,
and because he has not been good at other things he
has tried.
He hopes also to be compassionate, gentle, and kind
while doing his part to fight the pigs.
Keith Lowell Jensen has four comedy specials out: To The Moon, Cats Made
of Rabbits, Elf Orgy, and Atheist Christmas.
Leighann Lord
Leighann Lord is a stand-up comedian who has
appeared on HBO, and Comedy Central.
She’s the author of Leighann Lord’s Dict Jokes:
ALTernate DEFinitions for Words You’ve Probably
Never Heard of But Will Definitely Never Forget.
Leighann appears in A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak
Out on Joy & Meaning In a World Without God. She
was the NYC face of the African Americans for Humanism “Doubts About
Religion” campaign and appeared in CFI’s Millions Living Happily Without
Religion campaign. She is a co-host on the podcast Skeptiles and a co-host on
Star Talk Radio with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Steve Hill
Born in poverty on St Louis’ north side, Steve Hill has
acquired a lifetime of experience in what it’s like to
grow up in America as an African American male.
With an keen sense of humor, Steve hits the stage
with a stand up performance that enables people to
see relevant issues from a very funny, but drastically
different, perspective.
He performs as an activist all over the United States.
This event was made by possible thanks to the
generosity of Getting To Cured.
- 25 -
- 26 -
JOIN AMERICAN ATHEISTS
American Atheists relies on the support and generosity of our
members. From our innovative public awareness campaigns to
our courtroom challenges and educational programs, none of it
would be possible without your help.
Please join American Atheists today by bringing this form
to our Membership table at Registration or by going to
our website: www.atheists.org
Membership Levels
Yes! I support the separation of religion from government
and want to promote acceptance of atheists in the United States.
I am in agreement with the “Aims and Principles” of American
Atheists. I would like to become a member at the following level:


Individual Membership
Partner / Family Membership
$35 per year
$50 per year


Sustaining Membership Sponsoring Membership $10 per month
$20 per month
 American Atheist Magazine subscription
$20 per year (additional)
Life Membership Levels




Life Membership$1,200
Silver Life Membership
$2,400
Gold Life Membership
$6,000
Platinum Life Membership
$12,000
Life Membership includes a number of benefits, including: a lifetime subscription
to American Atheist Magazine; a special Life Member recognition pin and
membership card; and complimentary admission to our annual convention for
Silver, Gold, and Platinum Life Members.
- 27 -
Additional Gift Information
Yes! I want to help support the work of American Atheists
by making a one-time contribution. To help American Atheists
protect the separation of religion from government, I will make
a special tax-deductible gift of:
 $500
 $250
 $25
 $100
 $50
 Other $______
Your Contact Information
Name: __________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________
City: __________________ State:______ ZIP:__________
Email: __________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________
Partner / Family Membership
A second membership card is included with the Partner / Family Membership.
Full Name: _________________________________
 Partner / Spouse  Child (under 18)  Child (18 or over)
As no goods or services are received in exchange for your contribution, your
membership gift is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Subscriptions to
American Atheist Magazine are not tax-deductible.
The Federal Tax Identification Number of American Atheists, Inc. is 74-2466507.
For information about planned giving, please contact Development Director Nick Fish
at [email protected] or by calling (908) 276-7300.
- 28 -
NOTES
- 29 -
CODE OF CONDUCT
American Atheists is committed to presenting a convention that is fun,
friendly, safe, and informative for all participants.
This includes creating an atmosphere that is sex-positive and
harassment-free. All convention participants are required to adhere to
our code of conduct for the duration of our National Convention at all
convention venues and all convention-related social events.
American Atheists does not tolerate harassment of or by
conference participants in any form.
Prohibited conduct may include but is not limited to harassment
related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability,
physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, sexual images
in public spaces (not related to convention sessions or materials),
deliberate intimidation, stalking, harassing photography or recording,
sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical
contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
American Atheists recognizes that derision of religion is
common at its convention and welcomes such discussion.
However, the harassment of individuals for their religious
beliefs will not be tolerated. Racist, sexist, homophobic, or
transphobic conduct will not be tolerated.
American Atheists understands that human interaction can be complex
and confusing. Please give each other the benefit of explaining behavior
you find offensive or unwelcome. However, participants asked to stop
any prohibited conduct are expected to comply immediately
American Atheists prohibits all persons who enter the
convention premises from carrying a handgun, firearm, knife
with a blade exceeding 4 inches, or other weapon onto the
property regardless of whether the person is licensed to carry
such a weapon or not. The only exceptions to this policy are sworn
police officers or government agents required to carry a weapon in the
course of their duties, and security guards or other persons who have
been given explicit consent by American Atheists to carry a weapon at
the convention.
Due to security concerns, all attendees must wear their
convention badges at all times.
- 30 -
Anyone not wearing a convention badge may be asked to leave the
convention area. American Atheists reserves the right to conduct
searches of any person, vehicle, or object that enters the convention
premises. Searches may be conducted by American Atheists security,
hotel security, or local authorities.
Failure to abide by our convention code of conduct will result
in ejection from the convention without refund at the sole
discretion of convention organizers.
This convention welcomes families with children and expects all
participants to treat these families with courtesy and respect. Parents
or guardians bringing children are responsible for their children’s
behavior. Parents or guardians should be aware not all sessions may be
suitable for children.
To ensure that all members of the atheist community are welcome
at our 2015 National Convention, American Atheists is consciously
working to create a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community
at our convention.
One way of acknowledging transgender people’s needs and experiences
is to designate certain restrooms gender neutral, which we will do
with educational signs. In bathrooms, many transgender people face
harassment that can lead to discomfort or even arrest and violence.
Such conduct is unacceptable to American Atheists and we aim to
create a safe and welcoming environment for all atheists, including our
brothers and sisters in the trans* community.
Important Contact Information
•Emergencies: 911
•Convention staff email: [email protected]
•Convention staff phone: (908) 276-7300, ext. 9
•Hotel security: (901) 529-4162
•Memphis Crisis Center: (901) 274-7477
•Walgreens Pharmacy: 2 N Main St. (901) 525-0036
•Metro Cab: (901) 322-2222
•Yellow Cab: (901) 577-7777
- 31 -
American Atheists National Conventions
1
1970
Austin, Texas
2
1971
Austin, Texas
3
1972
Austin, Texas
4
1974
Tampa, Florida
5
1975
Hollywood, California
6
1976
New York, New York
7
1977
Chicago, Illinois
8
1978
San Francisco, California
9
1979
Dallas, Texas
10
1980
Detroit, Michigan
11
1981
Salt Lake City, Utah
12
1982
Washington, DC
13
1983
San Francisco, California
14
1984
Lexington, Kentucky
15
1985
Austin, Texas
16
1986
Somerset, New Jersey
17
1987
Denver, Colorado
18
1988
Minneapolis, Minnesota
19
1989
San Diego, California
20
1990
St. Petersburg, Florida
21
1991
Phoenix, Arizona
22
1992
Austin, Texas
23
1993
Sacramento, California
24
1998
Washington, DC
25
1999
Piscataway, New Jersey
26
2000
San Francisco, California
27
2001
Orlando, Florida
28
2002
Boston, Massachusetts
29
2003
Chicago, Illinois
30
2004
San Diego, California
31
2005
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
32
2006
San Antonio, Texas
33
2007
Seattle, Washington
34
2008
Minneapolis, Minnesota
35
2009
Atlanta, Georgia
36
2010
Newark, New Jersey
37
2011
Des Moines, Iowa
38
2012
Washington, DC
39
2013
Austin, Texas
40
2014
Salt Lake City, Utah
41
2015
Memphis, TN
IN MEMORIAM
In 1964, LIFE magazine called Madalyn Murray O’Hair “the most
hated woman in America,” after her successful lawsuit Murray vs.
Curlett led the U.S. Supreme Court in 1963 to rule that forced prayer
& bible-reading in the public schools is unconstitutional.
In August of 1995, the founder of American Atheists, American Atheist
Magazine, American Atheist Press, and The Charles E. Stevens
American Atheist Library & Archives, was kidnapped, tortured,
murdered, and buried in a windswept grave near San Antonio, TX.
Also kidnapped and murdered with our President Emeritus were her
son Jon Garth Murray (then president of American Atheists) and her
granddaughter Robin Eileen Murray-O’Hair (then editor of American
Atheist Magazine).
They all shared a dream—that no one’s life would ever be jeopardized
by the reality-testing failure known as religion; that our species should
never be endangered by pursuers of a cosmic will-o’-the-wisp; that no
one ever again should be enslaved by supernaturalism; that we would
realize we are one with nature and share descent with the humblest
animals that travel with us on this spaceship we call Earth.
Such were the dreams of “Our First Family,” and such are the dreams
of those of us who honor them by carrying on their work.
Madalyn Murray O’Hair
April 13, 1919 – Sept. 29, 1995
Jon Garth Murray
Nov. 16, 1954 – Sept. 29, 1995
Robin Eileen Murray-O’Hair
Feb. 24, 1965 – Sept. 29, 1995
American Atheists relies on the support
and generosity of our members. From our
innovative public awareness campaigns to
our courtroom challenges and educational
programs, none of it would be possible
without your help.
Please join American Atheists today
by visiting our Membership table at
Registration or going to our website:
www.atheists.org