Voices of Reason - Paul Fidalgo: Instigators, Policers, and the New Atheists
Join us for our Voices of Reason lecture series, as Paul Fidalgo discusses Instigators, Policers, and the New Atheists: The Real Divides within the Activist Atheist Community .
Much has been made of late of the so-called "divide" within the atheist community over matters of style, but the real distinction between "atheist camps" is revealed by examining means and goals, not alleged "militance" or brashness. The division is not between "fundamentalist" atheists and agnostics, but between those who wish all belief to remain private, and those who prefer to debate all religious matters in the open. Paul Fidalgo draws up a new taxonomy for activist atheists, expands on what it means to be a "New Atheist," and how the debate surrounding this movement is being lost in a fog of distorted and misapplied notions of respect and tolerance.
Paul Fidalgo is communications manager for the Secular Coalition for America--an advocacy organization whose purpose is to amplify the diverse and growing voice of the nontheistic community in the United States--and writes a column on secularism and atheism for Examiner.com. Paul is also an actor and musician whose work includes five years performing with the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia. His music can be downloaded at iTunes and Amazon. He holds a master's degree in political management from George Washington University, where the subject of his thesis was atheists' precarious place in American politics. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife Jessica and brand new baby son Toby.
RSVP to Melody Hensley at mhensley[at]centerforinquiry.net or call 202-546-2332.
Public: $6; Free to Friends of the Center
