Charlotte Pop Fest to Benefit Atheist Foundation

In 2008, North Carolina’s Charlotte Pop Fest raised funds for an international children’s charity. This year, organizers have selected a new recipient: The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science. Some people aren’t fans of Reason and Science, including a major sponsor.

The Charlotte Pop Fest, held at Dana Auditorium at Queens University in Charlotte, NC, is a privately-organized benefit concert.

The abrupt exit of an unnamed major sponsor, who did not wish to be associated with Reason and Science, has had repercussions. Two acts have cancelled due to lack of funds.

As noted in a September 24th Pop Fest press release:

It is with great regret that I have to announce that Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Linus of Hollywood will not be performing at Charlotte Pop Fest this year.

A couple of weeks ago a sponsor, that had originally committed to supporting the event financially, abruptly decided they didn’t want to be associated with the Richard Dawkins Foundation.

In the last 24 hours both Roger and I had to come to the mutual decision that time had simply run out and we needed to pull the plug and cut our losses.

From day one Roger has supported the event and continues to support me which blows my mind. He is truly a class act.

I want to thank Roger, Linus, Robby, and the rest of the band. Everyone go buy their music!

Festival-goer Debbie Aintrazi appears to be the only person willing to openly express an opinion on the subject in all of North Carolina. She expressed her concern that the bands might start openly promoting science and reason, concepts she finds offensive:

If they start going around saying, ‘no, you shouldn’t believe in this, you shouldn’t believe in that’– that’s when I [get upset]. I don’t believe in not believing.

The festival runs through Saturday, September 26. Unfortunately, compilation CDs were only available for pre-order until September 22, and are now only available at the event. If you want to see what you won’t be hearing, check it out here!

If you like, you can also donate directly to the Richard Dawkins Foundation here.

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3. Video: Dan Barker (Freedom From Religion Foundation) vs. Fox News
4. Garlow: Civil Government Cannot Recognize Marriage Equality Because God Is The Foundation Of All Government
5. Moderate believers might benefit from less, not more religion

Mike Daniels is co-editor of Secular News Daily.

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