Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Atheist Campers Learn Archery, Swimming, Skepticism

Nonbelievers' kids need fresh air, too

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 18, 2009 12:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Atheist parents have it rough: They can't exactly pack the kids off to Bible camp for the summer. That’s changing, thanks in part to establishments like Camp Quest, a humanist-staffed getaway that promotes skepticism. Counselors teach the scientific method and deliver lectures about famous free thinkers. Kids are told invisible unicorns lurk in the woods, and offered a prize for proving they don't exist. The Economist checks it out.

Campers are encouraged to decide for themselves whether a god exists, based on the available evidence. Of course, Bible camp proprietors are appalled. The fundamentalist camp Answers in Genesis decries Camp Quest for giving kids a “hopeless” world view. But humanists say the camp helps kids who belong to a very unpopular minority. In polls, 53% of Americans say they wouldn’t vote for an atheist, suggesting they're less electable than Muslims, Mormons, and gays.

Atheist summer camp is a lot like regular summer camp, only with skepticism.
Atheist summer camp is a lot like regular summer camp, only with skepticism.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
wwwonderer
Jul 20, 2009 4:40 AM CDT
For me it's really simple. I believe in the power of LOVE (most religions I think can agree that GOD = LOVE). I also believe in the power of gravity. I DON'T need to think of gravity as a middle aged man OR woman, OR ANY PHYSICAL REPRESENTATION in order to believe, appreciate, respect and obey the rules of gravity. I don't feel the need to thank gravity EVERYDAY for things gravity would appear to do naturally anyway. The only reason people need to depict God(s) as humans is to treat them like we treat ALL PERSONALITIES THAT HAVE SOMETHING WE WANT (=access to Heaven): To either intimidate of kiss ass. And of course, God(s) being all powerful, there is no sense in trying to intimidate God(s). So..... God did you lose weight? God I love what you've done with your hair.
wwwonderer
Jul 20, 2009 4:35 AM CDT
And you think many kids attending a religious service are doing so because of THEIR choices? You hit the nail on the head: FAMILY INFLUENCES. Hey, when that kid can PAY for their own camp, I'm sure they will be allowed to choose where they want to go. But come on. Why do you think Christians raise Christians and Jews raise Jews? Most children iattending religious services are only imitating what they see the adults doing in their life and want to be seen as a 'good adult'. It how we all learned to walk, talk, chew, etc.
wwwonderer
Jul 20, 2009 4:30 AM CDT
That's my thing about religion. Anyone being a phony will eventually have to prove themselves in that capacity: Claiming to be a surgeon? perform some surgery. Claiming to be a pro football player? prove it. Claiming to be a DEVOUT follow of god(s)? Quite easy to fake, indefinitely.

More Newser Stories

California Atheists Snap Up Nativity Spaces

Believers Find Atheists as Untrustworthy as Rapists

Black Atheists Dare to 'Come Out'

Atheists to Military: Recognize Us

Atheist Group to Rip Out 'Immoral' Bible Pages


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne