Happy Atheist Forum

Texas Freethought Convention http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com/ (http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com/)
October 8-10th, 2010 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas!  If you are in Texas or a neighboring state you must attend because it's going to be great this year!

TFC 2010 Tickets: http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com/tickets.html (http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com/tickets.html)

General Adult Admission is $90
(Early Bird Special! $75 through 7/31)

Child Admission is $90 for a three day pass
(Early Bird Special! $75 through 7/31 or Saturday only for $40)

Student Admission is  $29
(ages 13 to 25 with valid student ID)

Who:
Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers, Secularists, Rationalists, Non-Believers, Humanists, Brights, Skeptics and anybody else who wants to join in on the event from around Texas and across the U.S.

Where:
Sheraton Grand Hotel
at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport
4440 W. John Carpenter Frwy.
Irving,  Texas  75063

When:
October 8-10th 2010

What:
Live music, national and
local speakers, food, drinks, Taste of Camp Quest for the kids.

Why:
A statewide convention to enhance communication and community between individuals, families, groups and organizations throughout Texas and beyond.

Early Bird Discount is only valid till the end of July...register now :)

http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com (http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com)

[attachment=0:300avnqu]FlyerWeb.pdf[/attachment:300avnqu]

This in a state where the strap of the Bible Belt crosses through its center and the buckle clasps right over Seneca, South Carolina  :)

...and the Texan

Quote from: "deekayfry"This in a state where the strap of the Bible Belt crosses through its center and the buckle clasps right over Seneca, South Carolina  

Yup...the south really needs a convention of their own since so many here need to know they aren't alone; thus the Texas Freethought Convention was born (it's on the 3rd year)

There's just one hour left to register at the discounted rate  

Can't go. I'll be coming off a 4 day bike rally in Hot Springs the weekend before. I couldn't handle the $90.00 registration so soon.

Darn, I was hoping to see you guys there, but I won't be in town for that week!

Quote from: "Reasonable"Darn, I was hoping to see you guys there, but I won't be in town for that week!

Maybe next year then!

There is quite a bit going on in DFW quite frequently...I'm even willing to help organize a special HAF meetup around here (here being anywhere within 4-5 hours of DFW) if there are enough interested.

I just ordered a HAF shirt to wear at the convention: http://www.cafepress.com/HappyAtheists.399204781 (http://www.cafepress.com/HappyAtheists.399204781)

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages1.cpcache.com%2Fproduct%2F399204781v0_350x350_Front_Color-LightBlue.jpg&hash=03418064c23875489118105b6bce19e112eba1a7)

I live at the UTD campus and have no class Fridays and nothing planned for the 8th-10th. The thing says 30$ admission for student. Sounds pretty damn good to me but I have no idea what it's like there. Whoever has been there before can you explain what it is they do there? If I go, I won't know anybody, so it would be nice if I could meet up with somebody on this forum IRL.

PM me if you want also.

It's going to be different (read better) this year than the last couple of years.  There will be lots of opportunities for socializing, getting your fix of informative talks, and hearing awesome freethought music.

Other UTD students are also attending...did you know you have a campus atheist group?

Pm sent (well in a few minutes).

Meh, all i get posted on my door are Stuff from Christians. Other than that, there are a bunch of Muslims and Indians and Asians on campus. That's my basic impression. I am basically a freshman here.

Quote from: "Whitney"It's going to be different (read better) this year than the last couple of years.  There will be lots of opportunities for socializing, getting your fix of informative talks, and hearing awesome freethought music.

Other UTD students are also attending...did you know you have a campus atheist group?

Pm sent (well in a few minutes).

Lol "freethought music."  Never heard of that before.

Quote from: "Reginus"Pm sent (well in a few minutes).

Lol "freethought music."  Never heard of that before.[/quote]

http://www.ilike.com/artist/George+Hrab ... r+Yourself (http://www.ilike.com/artist/George+Hrab/track/Think+For+Yourself)

Major deadlines for convention registration are just a week away.  See website for detail www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com (http://www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com)

News Coverage:

QuoteIrving to host Texas Freethought Convention this weekend

07:08 AM CDT on Friday, October 8, 2010

By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 363a7.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/100810dnmetskeptics.26363a7.html)

More News Coverage:

VIDEO:  http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=57846%40ktvt.dayport.com (I'm in it...well, my back is...and for those who wondered if black atheists exist you can see evidence in the video; he did an interview)

QuoteAtheist Convention Not Skeptic About Growth
Reporting
Jay Gormley
IRVING (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
It's not your typical convention. Then again, those in attendance do not follow conventional beliefs.

Nearly 300 atheists, agnostics and skeptics from around the state have converged on the Sheraton in Irving for the annual Texas Freethought Convention.

"A lot of people are coming out to this convention and didn't know this guy lived next door to me or that I work with this person and didn't know he's agnostic and that I'm an atheist. People feel a little better when they realize they're not alone."

Paul Mitchell is the Texas Freethought Convention president "Little by little, there's a paradigm shift with society that is allowing for people to come out more and more."

This is the third year for the convention, and it's growing in size. And according to the American Religious Identification Survey of 2008, skepticism is also growing. 15% of Americans surveyed said they had no religious affiliation. That's up from 8% in 1990.

Despite the fact that this is the third time that the convention has been held in a state that many consider to be very religious, the president of the convention says that Texas has always been welcoming and that they have never received any serious threats.

But Alix Jules of Allen says he still encounters intolerance. "It was very much so in the African American community, because it is so very much taboo. Minorities in general tend to be significantly more religious."

In years past, atheists and agnostics have chosen to fly under the radar. Today however, they are more outspoken than ever. From posting billboards in North Texas and around the country to sponsoring camps for kids, including Camp Quest just east of McKinney.

"I don't regard atheism or encroaching atheism as a threat to Christianity'" says Dallas Theological Seminary Professor Reg Grant. "Christianity has withstood atheism ever since its inception."

Grant believes skepticism is on the rise, because of what he calls a 'spiritual malaise.'

"There has been a gradual declension, a gradual pulling away from the standards and authority of scripture. Once you abandon that standard, then anything is up for grabs."

Scandals in the church have also chased away many followers; making it harder to determine if some are simply fed up with religion or if they truly no longer believe.

http://cbs11tv.com/local/irving.agnosti ... 54295.html (http://cbs11tv.com/local/irving.agnostic.atheists.2.1954295.html)