From September 28-30, in Harrisburg, PA, there will be a gathering of non-believing heretics and other good folk in good ol’ central PA (AKA Pennsyltucky). Not far from the Amish (which, for some reason get conflated with the Quakers, with whom I am much more familiar and which have a very different history), these conference-goers will get a chance to mingle with such luminaries as Dan Barker, Dave Silverman, Herb Silverman, Jamila Bey, Michael Newdow, Sharon Hill, and Sam Singleton!
In short, it’s the 2012 Atheist Conference in Pennsylvania at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harrisburg, PA.
In recent years, more states have organized local conferences, and it is a sign that the larger community of reason is becoming more complex. There have long been such conferences, but most have been on the national level (or international level, in the case of AAI), with fewer at the local/state level. There has been, of course, the United Coalition of Reason (COR), with it’s local chapters (including the PhillyCoR led by my friend Staks Rosch).
And, having been an activist for a number of years, having lived in PA for the vast majority of that time, I of course should be going, right?
Well, probably not. Since I have been unemployed for a few months (I will be starting work within the next couple of weeks, but not in time to have money for the conference, most likely), I have not had extra money for such endeavors, and so it looks like I will not be able to make this conference. I had considered doing just Saturday, but since I no longer own a car I will be relying on a bus, which I may end up doing anyway if I decide to go.
But if you are in the area and you have the means to go, I encourage you to do so. And if you have an extra seat for me, I’ll come along!
Meh, worth a try….
Skepticism, Properly Applied 