Skepticon

Status Active
Genre skepticism, atheism, science, education, activism, and freethought
Venue Oasis Convention Center
Location(s) Springfield, MO
Country U.S.A.
Inaugurated 2008
Founder JT Eberhard, Lauren Lane
Most recent Current
Attendance 1,500 (2012)[1]
Organized by Lauren Lane, Micah Weiss, Jeffrey Markus, and Floyd Zamarripa
Website skepticon.org

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.

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.”[2]

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.[3]

Hemant Mehta at Skepticon 7 in 2014

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.[4]

In July 2010 Skepticon received the ‘’Best On Campus Event’’ award from the Center for Inquiry.[5]

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.[6] Event organizer JT Eberhard responded by saying "To say that skepticism applies to some truth claims but not to others, that dilutes skepticism".[7]

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."[8] The resulting internet reaction had a negative impact on the store’s user ratings on a number of consumer satisfaction websites.[8] Three days later the shop owner posted an apology on the website Reddit.[9] Concern over whether the sign violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 earned the incident the nickname “gelato-gate”.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12]

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.

Locations, dates and speakers

DatesLocationAttendanceSpeakersOrganizersNotes
October 11, 2008[13]Missouri State University250Richard Carrier, PZ MyersJT Eberhard, Lauren LaneCalled Skeptics
November 20–22, 2009[13]Missouri State University400Dan Barker, Richard Carrier, D. J. Grothe, PZ Myers, Joe Nickell, Robert M. Price, Victor Stenger, Rebecca WatsonJT Eberhard, Lauren LanePromoted as Skepticon II
November 19–21, 2010[13]Springfield Expo Center1000Dan Barker, Richard Carrier, Greta Christina, JT Eberhard, David Fitzgerald, D.J. Grothe, Amanda Marcotte, PZ Myers, Joe Nickell, James Randi, Sam Singleton Atheist Evangelist, Victor Stenger, Rebecca WatsonJT Eberhard, Lauren LaneConfrontation v. Accommodation
November 18–20, 2011Gillioz Theatre1100Dan Barker, Richard Carrier, Greta Christina, JT Eberhard, David Fitzgerald, Julia Galef, Spencer Greenberg, Jen McCreight, Hemant Mehta, PZ Myers, Joe Nickell, Darrel Ray, Dave Silverman, Sam Singleton Atheist Evangelist, Rebecca Watson, Eliezer YudkowskyKatie Hartman, Jeffrey Markus, Lauren Lane, Susi Bocks
November 9–11, 2012Springfield Expo Center1500Jessica Ahlquist, Richard Carrier, Sean Carroll, Greta Christina, James Croft, Matt Dillahunty, JT Eberhard, Phil Ferguson, David Fitzgerald, Julia Galef, George Hrab, Deborah Hyde, Keith Jensen, Amanda Knief, Teresa MacBain, Hemant Mehta, PZ Myers, Jennifer Ouellette, Tony Pinn, Darrel Ray, Rebecca WatsonJeffrey Markus (Executive Director), Katie Hartman (Fundraising Director), Lauren Lane (Chief Brand Officer), Micah Weiss (Program Director), Izzy Burke (Volunteer Relations), Floyd Zamarripa (Marketing Director)Film Festival added[14]
November 15–17, 2013Springfield Expo CenterN/ASeth Andrews, Richard Carrier, Greta Christina, John Corvino, Heina Dadabhoy, JT Eberhard, David Fitzgerald, Debbie Goddard, Rebecca Hensler, Amanda Knief, Keith Lowell-Jensen, Amanda Marcotte, Monica R. Miller, PZ Myers, Aron Ra, Shelley Segal, David Tamayo, Rebecca WatsonJeffrey Markus, Lauren Lane, Micah Weiss, Floyd Zamarripa
November 21–23, 2014[15]Oasis Con. CenterN/ADaniel Biar, Ben Blanchard, Melanie Brewster, Greta Christina, Scott Clifton, Heina Dadahboy, Amy David Roth, Matt Dillahunty, JT Eberhard, David Gorski, Nicole Gugliucci, Peggy Mason, Hemant Mehta, PZ Myers, Cara Santa Maria, Sheree Renée Thomas, Kayley Whalen[16]Rebekah (finance), Blythe, Bart (website designer), Micah, Lauren Lane (co-founder), Rob Lehr (official videographer), Jeffrey Markus, Floyd Zamarripa Sponsors: American Atheists, American Humanist Association (AMA), Atheist Alliance International (AAI), Atheists on Air, Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB), Kansas City Atheist Coalition (KCAC), Polaris Financial Planning, Secular Woman[17]
November 13–15, 2015Oasis Con. CenterN/ABo Bennett, Jamie DeWolf, Fallon Fox, Mary Anne Franks, Sikivu Hutchinson, Nathanael Johnson, Sam Kean, Hiba Krisht, Niki Massey, Destin Sandlin, Kavin Senapathy, Muhammad Syed, Justin Vollmar, Stephanie Zvan-
November 11–13, 2016Oasis Con. CenterN/AGreta Christina, Bria Crutchfield, Heina Dadabhoy, Jerry DeWitt, Victor Harris, Rebecca Hensler, Joshua Hyde, Alix Jules, Margee Kerr, Jennifer Raff, Nola Olsen, Lauren Lane, Josiah Mannion, Benny Vimes, Rebecca Watson, Stephanie Zvan
November 10–12, 2017Oasis Con. CenterN/ARoss Blotcher, Nikki Jane, Randall Jenson, Leighann Lord, Mika McKinnon, Samantha Montano, Laura Thomas, Mandisa Thomas, Jessica Xiao
DatesLocationAttendanceSpeakersOrganizersNotes

References

  1. ↑ Katie Hartman (8 May 2012). "Press Release: Kitten Billboard". Skepticon website. Skepticon. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Reflections on Skepticon 3". Secular Student Alliance. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "About Skepticon - A Brief History". Skepticon. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "Skepticon IV". Omaha COR. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "CFI On Campus Selects Five Group Award Winners". The Course of Reason. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  6. ↑ "Are Atheists Delusional? Thoughts on Skepticon3". Indie Skeptics. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  7. ↑ "A response to Jeff Wagg". Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Mo. shop owner apologizes to religious skeptics". Associated Press. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "A message to the skeptic community from the owner of Gelato Mio". Reddit. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  10. ↑ "Business briefly refuses Skepticon". News-Leader. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  11. ↑ Mehta, Hemant (24 September 2016). "Dr. Richard Carrier Has Sued Several Atheists and Their Blogging Networks on Charges of Defamation". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  12. ↑ Eberhard, JT. "Skepticon Schedule". Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  13. 1 2 3 JT Eberhard (August 9, 2010). History of Skepticon and a Different Organizational Model :: SSA 2010 Annual (YouTube video). Secular Student Alliance.
  14. ↑ Nolan, Aaron (November 10, 2012). "Skepticon Conference Returns to Springfield this Weekend". OzarksFirst. Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions and stuff". Skepticon. June 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  16. ↑ "Speakers". Skepticon. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  17. ↑ "Our Sponsors". Skepticon. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
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