We are very pleased to have many popular secular leaders speak at our next conference.
Michael Shermer. Dr. Michael Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, the Executive Director of the Skeptics Society, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, the host of the Skeptics Distinguished Science Lecture Series at Caltech, and Adjunct Professor at Claremont Graduate University.
Robert Price is an American theologian and writer. He teaches philosophy and religion at the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary, is professor of biblical criticism at the Center for Inquiry Institute, and the author of a number of books on theology and the historicity of Jesus, includingDeconstructing Jesus (2000), The Reason Driven Life (2006), Jesus is Dead (2007), and Inerrant the Wind: The Evangelical Crisis in Biblical Authority (2009). He currently hosts for the ‘Point of Inquiry’ podcast.
Phil Zuckerman, Professor of Sociology, Pizter College. Professor Zuckerman recently authored several op-ed pieces, including “Why Do Americans Still Dislike Atheists?” in theWashington Post, April 30, 2011; “Majoring in Secular Studies” in The Guardian, May 13, 2011; and “Why Evangelicals hate Jesus” in the Huffington Post, March 3, 2011.
Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists out of New York, NY has been with this organization since 1996, holding positions of NJ State Director, Communications Director, National Spokesperson, Board Member, and Vice President. He hosts the Atheist Viewpoint TV program, blogs on the NoGodBlog, has appeared on numerous public affairs and news programs, and has debated religious apologists across the country.
Aron Ra is one of the ‘YouTube atheists’, an internet activist and advocate of rationalism in science education. His videos usually focus on phylogenetics with an emphasis on countering creationist claims.
Richard Carrier is an American historian. He is best known for his writings on Internet Infidels, otherwise known as the Secular Web, where he served as Editor-in-Chief for several years. As an advocate of atheism and metaphysical naturalism, he has published articles in books, journals and magazines, and also features on the documentary film The God Who Wasn’t There, where he is interviewed about his doubts on the historicity of Jesus
Jim Underdown has been Executive Director of the Center for Inquiry-Los Angeles since 1999. He is also the Founder and Chair of the Independent Investigations Group, a team of inquirers who look into paranormal, pseudo-scientific, and extraordinary claims. He is also the creator of the Steve Allen Theater at CFI-L.A.
Barbara Forrest is professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She is a critic of intelligent design and the Discovery Institute.Forrest was a key expert witness for the plaintiffs in the 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial.
Brian Dunning produces a weekly podcast called Skeptoid. The show follows an audio essay format, and is dedicated to the critical examination of pseudoscience and the paranormal.
Mr Deity is a series of satirical short films that parody aspects of religion, created by Brian Keith Dalton and distributed by Lazy Eye Pictures.
Dan Barker became a teenage evangelist at age 15. At 16 he was choir librarian for faith-healer Kathryn Kuhlman’s Los Angeles appearances. He received a degree in Religion from Azusa Pacific University and was ordained to the ministry by the Standard Community Church, California, in 1975. (See ordination.) He served as associate pastor in three California churches: Arcadia Friend’s Church (Quaker), Glengrove Assembly of God (Hacienda Heights), and Standard Christian Center, an independent Charismatic church loosely affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ tradition) in Standard, California. Dan was a Protestant missionary in Mexico for a total of two years.
Dave Richards is part of the IIG – the Independent Investigation group based out of Los Angeles, CA. Currently he organizes two groups, the Orange County Skeptics Supper Club and Free Thinkers for Liberty. He has spoken at many secular groups in the California southland for many years and is considered to be the “skeptic’s skeptic“
Heina Dadabhoy spent her childhood in Orange County as a practicing Muslim. Since 2007, she has been an active participant in secular organizations and events in and around Southern California. She has spoken and debated as an atheist on topics such as the existence of God and the psychological impact of having grown up religious. Most recently, she has joined the writing team at Skepchick.org
The schedule will be finalized and posted by Feb 1, 2012.
