Status Active Location(s) Springfield, MO Name Skepticon Skepticon | Country U.S.A. Inaugurated 2008 | |
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Genre skepticism, atheism, science, education, activism, and freethought Venue Oasis Convention Center | ||
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Skepticon is one of the largest skeptic and secular conventions held in the United States. It was co-founded by Missouri State University students Lauren Lane and JT Eberhard. Guest speakers are invited to discuss skepticism, science, education, activism, and other related topics. This free event is in part sponsored by organizations including American Atheists and the American Humanist Association, among others.
Contents
- Why are you atheists so angry greta christina skepticon 4
- did jesus exist skepticon 2 redux richard carrier
- History
- Atheism vs Christianity debate
- Confrontation vs accommodation debate
- References
To explain the goals of the event organizer JT Eberhard wrote: “Skeptics conferences are an important part of the movement. They not only grant people access to the icons of the movement, they also arm those in attendance with information; the key weapon for the side of reason. They also provide a sense of community for a group of people who can often feel isolated in a largely religious population.”
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History
The Skepticon conference grew out of a speaking engagement organized by a student group on the campus of Missouri State University. The students invited two well-known atheist speakers, PZ Myers and Richard Carrier, to campus to speak critically about belief in God. The event was considered particularly controversial because Springfield, Missouri, is also the home to the Assemblies of God national headquarters and the campuses of several religious universities such as Evangel University.
In the years that followed the conference was able to attract additional speakers who were willing to reduce or forgo their speakers' fee in order to keep the conference free for attendees. Donors help with the cost of event space and speakers' travel costs.
In July 2010 Skepticon received the ‘’Best On Campus Event’’ award from the Center for Inquiry.
Shortly before Skepticon III in November 2010 critics questioned the naming of the convention, suggesting that the topics covered are focused more on Atheism than Skepticism. Event organizer JT Eberhard responded by saying "To say that skepticism applies to some truth claims but not to others, that dilutes skepticism".
At Skepticon IV (2011) the event featured a tour of a nearby creationist museum, two full days of lectures detailing science-related topics, and a performance by Atheist Evangelist Brother Sam Singleton. A local gelato shop owner took offense to Singleton’s performance and posted a sign in the store window which read "Skepticon is NOT welcomed to my Christian Business." The resulting internet reaction had a negative impact on the store’s user ratings on a number of consumer satisfaction websites. Three days later the shop owner posted an apology on the website Reddit. Concern over whether the sign violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 earned the incident the nickname “gelato-gate”.
In 2016 Skepticon banned Carrier for what organizer Lauren Lane described as "repeated boundary-pushing behavior." Later that year Carrier named Skepticon and Lane as defendants in a lawsuit for defamation, interference with his business, and emotional distress.
Atheism vs. Christianity debate
Skepticon 2009 also featured a debate between Christian and atheist experts on the question “Does God Exist”. Participants included Richard Carrier, Victor Stenger, and JT Eberhard for the atheist perspective and professors Charlie Self, Zachary Manis, and Greg Ojakangas presenting the Christian position.
Confrontation vs. accommodation debate
A repeating theme for the speakers at Skepticon 3 (2010) was a discussion of the merits of confrontation vs. accommodation. It also featured a debate between James Randi, PZ Myers, Richard Carrier, and Amanda Marcotte.