Secular Movement Builds Momentum, Canadian Atheist Convention Sells Out

11 May 2012

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The global movement toward a secular world, governed by reason and evidence, continues to gather momentum. Imagine No Religion 2, which has sold out weeks in advance, will bring together world-class speakers, thinkers and activists at an atheist convention to be held 18 - 20 May 2012 in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Hosted by the Kamloops Centre for Rational Thought (KCFRT) and supported by Atheist Alliance International (AAI) and the Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFI Canada), speakers at the convention include Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist and bestselling author of A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing, Maryam Namazie, an activist and commentator who founded Iran Solidarity and is Spokesperson for One Law For All and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, PZ Myers, biologist and author of the Pharyngula blog, Desiree Schell, host of the Skeptically Speaking radio show, Christopher diCarlo, activist and author of How To Be A Really Good Pain in the Ass:  A Critical Thinker's Guide to Asking the Right Questions, and many others.  Further information on the convention speakers can be found in the Appendix.

Bill Ligertwood, Director of the Kamloops Centre for Rational Thought, said "KCFRT is excited to be hosting Imagine No Religion 2.  We have doubled attendance from last year's convention, with people attending from as far away as Amsterdam and from all over western Canada and the US.  This year's convention marks the largest of its kind in Canadian history and for a relatively small organization in a small city, it's an accomplishment that KCFRT is very proud of.  KCFRT continues to put the secular worldview out front in British Columbia and Canada - this is especially important right now with an avowed right-wing Christian federal government in power." 

“Imagine No Religion 2 is part of a growing international movement.  There was record attendance for the 2012 Global Atheist Convention in Australia last month, the first Southeast Asian atheist convention was held in the Philippines recently and Imagine No Religion 2 is a fantastic part of this series,” said AAI President Tanya Smith. “Globally, atheists and freethinkers are demonstrating that we will no longer remain silent and we demand that public policy is based on reason and evidence, not religious interpretations. Atheism is no longer taboo, nor is it something to hide; instead it is a point of pride.”

Michael Payton, National Director of CFI Canada said "It is truly a pleasure to work with such esteemed collegues as AAI and KCFRT to present this convention to the public. Imagine No Religion 2 is easily set to be the most successful, educational and enlightening event to take place for atheists and skeptics in Canada and we are happy to welcome our guests, speakers and fellow leaders to take part in moulding a more inclusive and cooperative environment for all freethinking people in Canada and across the world."