Godless: How An Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists

Dan Barker's book begins "When I was 15 I received a 'call to the ministry.'" He answered the call and went on to a 19 year career as an evangelical preacher. But today he is co-president of The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which lays claim as America's largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and skeptics) with more than 16,000 members. Come hear him tell his amazing story from the piano with music, song and speech.

Dan became a teenage evangelist at age 15. At 16 he was choir librarian for faith-healer Kathryn Kuhlman’s Los Angeles appearances. He received a degree in Religion from Azusa Pacific University and was ordained to the ministry by the Standard Community Church, California, in 1975. He accompanied on the piano such Christian personalities as Pat Boone, Jimmy Roberts (of the Lawrence Welk Show), and gospel songwriter Audrey Meier. To this day, he receives royalties from his popular children’s Christian musicals, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” (1977), and “His Fleece Was White As Snow” (1978).

Eventually, following five years of reading, Dan outgrew his religious beliefs. He announced his atheism publicly in January, 1984, on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He has appeared on many national television talkshows, including the Phil Donahue Show, the Sally Jessy Raphael Show, twice with Oprah Winfrey, the Morton Downey, Jr. Show, the Maury Povich Show, "NightTalk with Jane Whitney", Pat Robertson's CBN "Straight Talk," ABC's "Good Morning America" with Joan Lunden, "Religion & Ethics News Weekly" on PBS, "Hannity & Colmes" and Court TV's "Pros & Cons". He has participated in over 80 public debates, included against opponents such as Dinesh D'Souza. Dan is also co-host of Freethought Radio, a national weekly talkshow and podcast; contributing editor of Freethought Today; and is involved with the Foundation’s state/church lawsuits. He regularly travels the country and the world giving lectures, performing concerts, and participating in debates with theists, many at college and university campuses.

Dan's latest book, The Good Atheist: Living a Purpose-Filled Life Without God, as well as his earlier books and music are available on Amazon.com and fine book stores everywhere.

Ethics-based Sunday school for children is offered simultaneously.