Dan Barker began his career as a preacher at the age of 15, and after 19 years as a preacher (who was also successful Christian musician, composer and record producer), he became one of America's most prominent freethinkers.  "In Losing Faith in Faith: Questioning Traditional Religious Beliefs," Dan talks about his life's journey and the questioning that led to his rejection of all religion. Humanism is explored as an alternative to traditional religious beliefs, and local religious dissenters on the panel expand upon Dan's talk with personal stories of losing faith in religion, embracing humanist thought, and overcoming familial and societal pressure to conform. 

The activities of the local Humanist community are also highlighted as an important resource for support and non-religious community life, social activities, and celebrants for ceremonies such as marriage and burial.

The dialogue was held at the Athenaeum, a building with a rich German-American and freethought history. (See "Turners, Forty-eighters and Freethinkers.")  After the dialogue, the panel and audience members were invited to the Rathskellar restaurant at the Athenaeum, for dining and live freethought music by Dan Barker.

Participants:

Dan Barker, Guest Speaker
Public Relations Director
Freedom from Religion Foundation

Reba Boyd Wooden, Facilitator
Humanist Friendship Group of Central Indiana

Panel Members from Humanist Friendship Group of Central Indiana:

• Pat Lawler
• Frank Burnett
• Sean O'Brien
• Louise Priest
• John Kiel
• Bob Corya

Event Sponsors:

Humanist Friendship Group of Central Indiana (now Center for Inquiry Indiana)



Branches Magazine
Elsa Karmer, Editor

Additional Online Information:

• Dan Barker's short biography
• Dan Barker's online writings
• Center for Inquiry Indiana
• Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist, by Dan Barker
• The Secular Web
• "The Turners, Forty-eighters and Freethinkers," Freethought Today, June/July 2002