Chris Stedman
All Stories by Chris Stedman
S.E. Cupp isn’t a ‘joiner’ — is that true for other atheists?
By Chris Stedman — August 22, 2014
"I became an atheist because I'm not a joiner," CNN host S.E. Cupp says in a recent video. 'Atheists aren't joiners' is a common stereotype—but that doesn't mean we can't be 'joiners,' or that there aren't potential benefits.
Ferguson: Why atheists should care — and what they can do
By Chris Stedman — August 21, 2014
It’s time for humanists to dig deeper. It’s time for humanists to stop being so lazy regarding issues of race violence. Race and the consequences of our racist society must become a priority within the humanist movement.
Atheists in foxholes — and car accidents
By Chris Stedman — August 15, 2014
Some say that there are "no atheists in foxholes"—that, when confronted with her or his own mortality, even the most ardent atheist suddenly becomes a believer. But a recent car accident reminded me of how my atheism fuels my appreciation for being alive.
LGBTQs are leaving religion, but atheists shouldn’t celebrate
By Chris Stedman — August 13, 2014
As an atheist and a queer person, I'm not surprised by Gallup’s finding that fewer LGBTQ people are religious. But I want to caution all people—atheists included—against celebrating this.
After backlash, atheist author cancels ‘God is an abusive boyfriend’ book
By Chris Stedman — August 7, 2014
"Friendly Atheist" Hemant Mehta has announced that his next book will draw parallels between belief in God and an abusive relationship—inspiring controversy among atheists.
Philip Pullman: Atheists can learn from Jesus without believing he was the son of God
By Chris Stedman — August 4, 2014
World Humanist Congress speaker and "His Dark Materials" author Philip Pullman talks with RNS about atheism, Humanist funerals, and what atheists can learn from Jesus.
Atheist TV: Who is the Richard Dawkins-endorsed channel really trying to reach?
By Chris Stedman — July 31, 2014
The first channel specifically for atheists launched this week. But their decision to feature figures like Richard Dawkins and Jaclyn Glenn so prominently has guest columnist Sarah Jones wondering which atheists the channel is designed to attract.
Heina Dadabhoy: Why I identify as an ex-Muslim
By Chris Stedman — July 30, 2014
"Although I no longer believe in Islam, being a Muslim defined and shaped my life in ways that I cannot simply leave behind."
NYPD Muslim surveillance should concern atheists, too
By Chris Stedman — July 28, 2014
If atheists are going to demand equal rights—and we should—we should also be prepared to advocate for the rights of other groups, regardless of whether or not we agree with them on the subject of God. Anything less is hypocritical.
Is libertarianism compatible with secularism?
By Chris Stedman — July 25, 2014
Thanks to Hobby Lobby, libertarian secularists may now find themselves unable to reconcile their economic principles with their support for a religiously neutral government.
Nigerian atheist’s case isn’t just about religion
By Chris Stedman — July 23, 2014
Nigerian atheist Mubarak Bala, who was forcibly hospitalized, is still at risk—and the intersection of political religion and colonial-era laws is to blame.
Atheists are disliked — but new data shows interfaith dialogue can help
By Chris Stedman — July 21, 2014
Atheists are rightfully concerned about stigma. Pew's latest poll is evidence that we've got some ground to cover before we're socially accepted—and we should consider interfaith dialogue as a means of doing so.
From fundamentalist to ‘faitheist’: Meet Sarah Jones
By Chris Stedman — July 17, 2014
We speak with Sarah Jones, who will be guest writing for Chris Stedman over the next two weeks, about feminism, atheism, and why she calls herself a 'faitheist.'
Why atheists (and everyone) should leave psychoanalysis out of their disagreements
By Chris Stedman — July 15, 2014
Vlad Chituc explains why atheists—and all people—should avoid psychoanalyzing those who do not share their perspective.
How anti-atheist stigma affects the mental health of American nontheists
By Chris Stedman — July 14, 2014
'Atheists in America' editor Melanie Brewster tells RNS how anti-atheist bias impacts the mental health of atheists and explains why she wanted to be sure her new book "was not another tale of the ‘upper middle class straight white man’ leaving his faith.”
