Press Release
MythUnderstood Alliance
On May 3rd the Hickory Humanist Alliance and the MythUnderstood Alliance, will be holding “ReAsonCon,” the first conference of its kind in the area, including a celebration of the National Day of Reason with a Rally on the Square in Hickory. This event is FREE and open to the public. Free tickets are available at aoa.fm/reasoncon.
WHO: Dr. Richard Carrier, Tracie Harris, Ryan Bell and Nedevah Phoebe Shallar Cahours will speak at the event
Richard Carrier, Ph.D., is a philosopher and historian, specializing in contemporary philosophy of naturalism and Greco-Roman philosophy, science, and religion, including the origins of Christianity. He blogs regularly and lectures for community groups worldwide.
He is the author of “Sense and Goodness without God,” “Proving History,” “Why I Am Not a Christian,” “Not the Impossible Faith,” and “Hitler Homer Bible Christ,” as well as chapters in several other books, articles in academic journals and his namesake blog.
He has agreed to take 1 1/2 hours of questions from the public.
Tracie Harris graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from the University of Central Florida, including areas of specialization in anthropology, communication and studio art.
Raised in the fundamentalist Church of Christ, she began creating the online counter-apologetic comic strip, “Atheist Eve,” (2004-2013) shortly after her deconversion to atheism. Tracie became a member of the Atheist Community of Austin (ACA), and began volunteering as cohost for the award-winning program, “The Atheist Experience” in 2006.
She also currently serves on the ACA board of directors as secretary. She is a regular voice on the ACA atheist/feminist podcast “Godless Bitches” and has been an occasional voice on ACA’s “Non-Prophets.” Tracie presents to local atheist community groups about activism and has appeared as a guest on a number of atheist podcasts. She has participated as a presenter in Q&A sessions at meetings of the Atheist Alliance of America and American Atheists, was featured as part of Chris Johnson’s “A Better Life” project in 2012 (highlighting purpose and meaning in the lives of atheists), and also participated in Trolling with Logic’s marathon podcast charity event to benefit “Mental Health Ireland” in 2013.
Ryan Bell is a former pastor of 20+ years. He holds three degrees in theology and recently made worldwide headlines after his announcement that he would attempt to try on atheism for a year (i.e.: no prayer, no church and no God for one full year).
Nedevah Phoebe Shallar Cahours has been in and out of about every religion in America. From the very rigid life of the Amish to the only slightly less rigid life as a Jehovah’s Witness, she has endured firsthand the harm of the religion that was forced on her and her 10 siblings.
Born at home, no birth certificate and told the wrong date-of-birth for years, Phoebe finally escaped her mother’s control and her ever changing dogmas. Her experiences will amaze and horrify as she shares her personal journey into a life where she is now able to think for herself.
WHERE: Crowne Plaza, 1385 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE, Hickory, NC
WHEN: Saturday, May 3, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
For those of us who can’t be there, will this event be recorded?