I'll catch you next time you roll through DC, Summer 
There was a much bigger turn-out today for the panel discussions (around 80 people I'm guessing, which is better than the 30-40 people who turned up last night). Talked with lots of people from all over the US. I'm pleasantly surprised how well represented the bible-belt is! Even still the majority of people seem to be from the East and West coasts, but that is to be expected. I've only met 4 or 5 Joe Schmo's such as myself, I'm happy that average citizens are there to represent.
The panel discussions were really great. Though a few were demonstrative of how difficult it is to form an effective coalition amongst non-believers. It truly is akin to herding cats. The health issues panel, in particular showcased this. There was a woman from a Catholic Pro-Choice group, and though she was very liberal, during the Q and A portion of the discussion people were attacking her for being Catholic. I get it, however, it take some balls to come to a secular conference as a Catholic (worthy of some kudos in my book), and being religious shouldn't exclude people from supporting the same cause. Interesting discussions on discrimination, education, and tax exemption. Though they shouldn't have saved the tax issue for the final panel of the day, everyone was tired, and tax discussions can be a bit on the dull side, though the points being made were very intriguing.
Then a bunch of people headed out to protest at the Bangladesh embassy in support of the bloggers who are under threat of death. Here's a pic of us ready to set out from the hotel to the embassy: https://twitter.com/MrAtheistPants/statu...53/photo/1
All in all, a very interesting, informative, and motivating day. I'm excited to go and lobby tomorrow
There was a much bigger turn-out today for the panel discussions (around 80 people I'm guessing, which is better than the 30-40 people who turned up last night). Talked with lots of people from all over the US. I'm pleasantly surprised how well represented the bible-belt is! Even still the majority of people seem to be from the East and West coasts, but that is to be expected. I've only met 4 or 5 Joe Schmo's such as myself, I'm happy that average citizens are there to represent.
The panel discussions were really great. Though a few were demonstrative of how difficult it is to form an effective coalition amongst non-believers. It truly is akin to herding cats. The health issues panel, in particular showcased this. There was a woman from a Catholic Pro-Choice group, and though she was very liberal, during the Q and A portion of the discussion people were attacking her for being Catholic. I get it, however, it take some balls to come to a secular conference as a Catholic (worthy of some kudos in my book), and being religious shouldn't exclude people from supporting the same cause. Interesting discussions on discrimination, education, and tax exemption. Though they shouldn't have saved the tax issue for the final panel of the day, everyone was tired, and tax discussions can be a bit on the dull side, though the points being made were very intriguing.
Then a bunch of people headed out to protest at the Bangladesh embassy in support of the bloggers who are under threat of death. Here's a pic of us ready to set out from the hotel to the embassy: https://twitter.com/MrAtheistPants/statu...53/photo/1
All in all, a very interesting, informative, and motivating day. I'm excited to go and lobby tomorrow
