NJHN Web Talk

For Immediate Release: September 19, 2008

American Atheists Names Ed Buckner New President

(Cranford, NJ). Acting President of American Atheists, Inc., Frank Zindler today announced that the Board has named Dr. Ed Buckner as President, effective immediately. According to Zindler, "We were most gratified to have had a number of superb candidates for the position of President. The Board is confident that the future of American Atheists the organization and indeed all Americans who are Atheists is bright now that Dr. Buckner has accepted this appointment."

Dave Silverman, National Spokesperson for American Atheists, noted that "Many who are active in the movement know of Dr. Buckner's accomplishments, originating in the Atlanta Chapter of the Society of Separationists (then an American Atheists affiliated corporation), helping to grow the Atlanta Freethought Society through its formative years, and then most recently serving as the Executive Director of the Council for Secular Humanism."

Buckner commented, "I'm honored and pleased to become the President of the world's best organization for promoting Atheism and for protecting the rights and reputations of Atheists. Religion and the followers of various religions certainly do some good in the world and in the U.S., but the dangers associated with religion are not merely abstract or historical. Every day brings fresh reports of horrors committed by those claiming to be doing what they do in the name of God, and the current U.S. Presidential campaign also shows that we have much work to do. Candidates like Senators John McCain and Barack Obama obviously believe that pandering to the shallowest emotions and the deepest, if ill-founded, beliefs in the name of God is still politically necessary in America. We must continue the courage and hard work of Atheists who came before us to educate this nation, to protect our liberty by defending the separation of government and religion, and to right many wrongs. I expect Atheists to hold me accountable."

A hardcore Atheist, Dr. Buckner has written, spoken, debated, and appeared often in the media, both locally and nationally. He has debated or spoken across the nation, and a few times outside the U.S. He earned a doctorate (1983) and M.Ed. (1975) from Georgia State University; B.A., English, Rice University, 1967.

American Atheists is a nationwide movement which defends the civil rights of nonbelievers, works for the separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

Contact American Atheists

It's not too early -- make plans now to join us for a seasonal tradition!

The 2008 AMERICAN ATHEISTS Winter Solstice Gala & CESAALA Dedication

Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, 2008
http://www.atheists.org/wintersolstice.html

Mark your calendar now for a weekend of exciting events hosted by American Atheists and the Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library & Archives (CESAALA).

Join us Friday afternoon, December 12, 2008 for an Open House and Dedication ceremony at the American Atheists Center in Cranford, NJ, and a tour of the largest private archive of Atheist, Freethough and related materials in the United States. This welcoming event runs from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a special ribbon-cutting at 1:30 to dedicate the remodeled Center and CESAALA facility, along with the new Eddie Tabash Conference Room. Special guided tours will be conducted. Included in the CESAALA facility are over 25,000 bound volumes, plus over 500,000 related items – pamphlets, signed letters, historical ephemera and other items that tell the story and preserve the legacy of Atheism and Freethought in America!

On Saturday, December 13, 2008, join us (11:30 AM - 4:00 PM) at the luxurious Crown Plaza Hotel in nearby Clark, NJ for the American Atheists 2008 Winter Solstice Gala featuring entertainment, speakers, great food and company and much, much more! Following the Solstice bash, make the short drive to the American Atheist Center for a live taping of the The Atheist Viewpoint television show in our new Conference Center, and more tours of our facility including CESAALA.

AND MAKE A FULL WEEKEND OF IT! We've arranged for a special rate at the Crowne Plaza Hotel that includes "shoulder dates" to allow you to visit the area, including nearby New York City! Rail transportation to Manhattan and other points is available at Cranford and Iselin-Metro Park. To qualify for the special rate of $109.00 (plus tax) per night - effective Thursday 12/11 through Wednesday 12/17) - you must make your arrangements directly with the Crown Plaza Hotel. Call them at 732-574-0100, or visit their web site.

Registration for the American Atheists 2008 Winter Solstice Gala is $34.00 per person ($17 for children ten and under) and includes all taxes and gratuities. There will be a cash bar. Register on-line using our secure transaction server below. Hurray, and reserve your seat now!

Helpful Links
Register Online at http://www.atheists.org/wintersolstice.html
AMTRAK - Metro Park, NJ station is nearby
NJ Transit