John Loftus speaks at Freethought Fort Wayne

[salvorhardin]

Just wanted to note for anyone in the Fort Wayne area that John Loftus, a former evangelical minister, author of the book Why I Rejected Christianity: A Former Apologist Explains and founder of the group blog Debunking Christianity is speaking at Freethought Fort Wayne’s tonight (May 14th). This should be a lively and entertaining talk so if you happen to be in the Fort Wayne area come on over to the Allen County Public Library, Meeting Room B at 7PM. Fort Wayne is a highly religious community, to put it mildly, and it takes a lot of balls to sponsor an event like this so props go to Jeremy from Skeptigator for coordinating John’s talk, and Bob Caylor at the News-Sentinel for a nicely balanced, non-judgmental article talking about John’s book and speaking engagement. Contact either myself or e-mail contact AT freethoughtfortwayne DOT org for more information.
News Sentinel article: http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS/805130313

About Freethought Fort Wayne

FreeThought Fort Wayne is a community-based organization affiliated with the Center For Inquiry Indiana. Freethought Fort Wayne offers rationalists in Fort Wayne, Indiana and environs the opportunity to join together with others of like mind to put their principles into practice and work for positive change in society. We provide an ethical alternative to religious and paranormal worldviews and seek to protect civil liberties, defend reason and work toward increasing scientific literacy.

Currently, Freethought Fort Wayne conducts monthly meetings and produces The Enlightenment Show which airs on local cable stations.
http://freethoughtfortwayne.org

[Delphinus]

1. Man, I just read this!

I would have enjoyed hearing what everyone had to say!

[salvorhardin]

4. A brief write-up and audio

Hey Delphinus,

Sorry you missed it. If you live in the Fort Wayne area, we should meet up sometime. Feel free to PM me for contact info. Also, if you're interested, Freethought Fort Wayne meets every second Wednesday of the month at the Allen County Public Library.

Otherwise, you can read my brief write-up of John's talk here: http://neuralgourmet.com/2008/05/16/john-loftus-entertains-informs-and-incites-in-fort-wayne

And you can download the audio of John's talk here: http://freethoughtfortwayne.org/2008/05/19/john-loftus-speech-to-freethought-fort-wayne

[evilkumquat]

2. The Best Quote I Ever Heard About God Was From an Ex-Preacher

"God answers all prayers. He just says 'No' most of the time."

This ex-preacher left his congregation (and indeed his faith) primarily because his son contracted AIDS from a blood-transfusion and was subsequently shunned by the community.

It opened his eyes to the hypocrisy of most Christians.

Go Atheists!

[salvorhardin]

3. That's odd

John says he left because he had an affair, which he admits was wrong, but felt deserted by his fellow believers when they offered him no support at all. Although he also admits to having doubts about his faith for a long time and to being essentially deist by the time of the affair.