Atheist Woodstock: Christopher Hitchens & Richard Dawkins Together in Houston

[rug]

Noted atheist Richard Dawkins had long been scheduled to appear at the Atheist Alliance of America/Texas Freethought Convention October 7-9, but now there's a special guest -- perhaps the other most famous atheist around, Christopher Hitchens.

Hitchens will receive the Richard Dawkins Award from Dawkins in a ceremony October 8.

"It was uncertain whether Mr. Hitchens's schedule would allow him to appear in person," says AAA president Nick Lee. "Now we will have both of these great thinkers in the same room on one evening. We are honored, and look forward to an incredible evening of insightful remarks and spirited discussion."

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Besides speakers, the convention will feature "interactive panels, a vendor fair, live music, a comedy night, and workshops focusing on secular student leadership and secular parenting."

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/09/atheist_woodstock_christopher.php

Convention website:

http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com/

[David Sky]

1. Thanks for making us aware of this event!

I wonder how many Christians will show up to protest, thus making the event more well known.

Let's notify the Westboro Baptists!

[rug]

4. You're welcome.

I notice it states it's open to deists, among others, but does not state theists. I thought deists were theists by definition.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Scuba]

2. Rec'd to zero.

[ZombieHorde]

3. I doubt it will be as cool as Woodstock.

Lacking belief in gods is not as romantic as free love, drugs, and hippy music.

[rug]

5. Just as well. I don't think i want to see Richard Dawkins nude and covered in mud.

:scared:

[LAGC]

6. LOL.

:rofl:

[onager]

8. To be fair and balanced, I Googled "Christian Woodstock..."

Quite a few Xer outfits claim that name. The best-known is probably Creation Festival, which has been held every year since 1979.

Well, almost every year: Due to thunderstorms and severe flooding, the festival was canceled in 1995 and 2006.

:rofl:

All the attendance figures I could find came from the Cretin Fest promoters themselves, and should be taken with a grain of salt bigger than Mrs. Lot. The Wikipedia article on Creation Fest also reads like a puff-piece written directly by the promoters, which it probably is.

Then there was this 2010 "Xian Woodstock:"

Christian 'Woodstock' coming to southeast Missouri
Friday, February 12, 2010 | 10:43 a.m. CST
BY The Associated Press

POPLAR BLUFF — A southeast Missouri man will host a five-day event in June that is set up like the 1960s Woodstock festival, but with a different message. Jerry Murphy owns a 400-acre farm in Butler County. The Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic says he has linked with a group of ministers from around the country to host the gathering called "Wilderness Outcry" on June 14-18. The gathering will feature gospel music and religious speakers.

Murphy says the original Woodstock in 1969 marked a retreat from Judeo-Christian values in American culture. He hopes his Wilderness Outcry festival helps turn that around.

Admission will be free, though Murphy may charge for camping to help recover the cost of hosting the event.

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/02/12/woodstock-gospel-event-planned-missouri/

I found a message board with some locals who drove by and checked out this event. One person said they counted 150 tents/campers. Another estimated a total attendance of 300-400. No, not thousands.

[Deep13]

9. Damn. I'd really like to go to that.

No way, though.

Thanks for the note.