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by Shelley Mountjoy

During the first week of February, Dan Barker spent more time at college than most fulltime students.  As part of a tour to Virginia and Washington DC, Mr. Barker visited five colleges in five days.

On Monday, February 2, Barker met with students at American University in DC.  The hosting group, AU Rationalists and Atheists (AURA), was founded in the Fall.  Barker’s visit was their first guest speaker event.  While the planning for this event began the previous October over the winter the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) had erected several placards, celebrating the Winter Solstice, next to religious displays on government property.  Barker discussed the experience of FFRF in challenging state decisions to allow religious displays thereby creating a “public forum” for religion.  After the event, the members of AURA were able to spend time more personal and relaxed time with Barker and conversed about the ways they can better communicate on the subjects of atheism and freethought.

Tuesday, Barker visited another relatively young organization on the campus of The George Washington University in DC.  SKEPTIC (Science and Knowledge Empowering People to Intelligently Choose) has been on campus for two years.  The topic for the evening was Barker’s de-conversion from preacher to atheist.  “You don’t just wake up in the morning… and say ‘ha-ha silly me, there is no god,’” began Barker.  The GW auditorium, which held 104, was packed with 100 students and members of the local community.  An extended question and answer session allowed students to ask questions that ranged from curiosity of the reaction among family and friends to philosophy on the existence of god.

A luncheon on Wednesday at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA was hosted by the Rational Response Squad at GMU.  The more casual setting allowed for more audience interaction and focused on the need for separation of Church and State.  Many people did not realize how much has gone on “behind the scenes” and the extent of involvement from the Freedom From Religion Foundation in national issues.  One person commented how incredible it was to have “someone out there doing some real legal work in support of the separation of church and state!”

Early Thursday morning, Barker left the Washington Metropolitan Area and traveled down to Richmond.  Through a combination of a luncheon, lecture, and late pizza dinner, students and members of the community had several opportunities to meet Barker.  The lecture that evening, at Virginia Commonwealth University, was hosted by the United Secular Alliance and centered around his process of looking at the world rationally; “Saying we don’t know is the engine that drives science,” explained Barker.  An estimated attendance just under 200 made this the largest event on the tour.

On Friday, Barker discussed the need for separation of Church and State in the University setting on the campus of the College of William and Mary hosted by the Campus Freethought Alliance.  This topic really hit home with William and Mary students because in 2006 a decision by the college’s President to remove a cross on display in Wren Chapel sparked controversy among students and alumni.  The room was filled to capacity and although extra chairs were brought in, several students had to sit on the floor.  Barker circulated an example from his own wallet - a “godless” dollar bill; prior to 1957, the dollar bill did not contain the words “In God We Trust.”

Following the events, all five secular organizations had increased membership and interest.  SKEPTIC received some publicity in the campus newspaper.  The lecture at GW is available online http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7524359612329593678.

This event was made possible in part through the Secular Student Alliance Speakers Bureau.  Learn more about how to bring a speaker to your campus at www.secularstudents.org/speakers.

Shelley Mountjoy is a graduate student at George Mason University, majoring in Telecommunications.  She’s the Founder and President of the Rational Response Squad at GMU and the Organizer of Beltway Atheists.