Updated to reflect current amount raised.

On May 24th around 6pm PST Doug Stanhope launched a fund raising campaign to assist Oklahoma tornado victim, Rebecca Vitsmun and her family.

After seeing Rebecca Vitsmun put on the spot by Wolf Blitzer when he asked her if she “Thanks the lord.”, Stanhope decided to lunch a campaigned aimed at the atheist community.

The reasons for the fund raiser are two-fold.

1: Rebecca is a wife and a mother who has lost her home and all her belongings. While she has insurance on the home, it takes a lot to get ones belongings replaced and life back on track and we wanted to help.

2: Rebecca Vitsmun, did a very good thing when she said, “Actually, I’m an atheist”. She stood her ground in a very tough situation and she decided to be counted. This in a place where it’s still not acceptable to be atheist let alone safe to speak it out loud.

Moreover, she represented atheists in a very classy way. She even said, “I don’t blame anyone for thanking The Lord.”

So, when Stanhope called me with this idea, I personally wanted her and the entire atheist community to know, that when you risk everything by standing up and being counted, we are here to stand with you. After this, I hope it will be a little less frightening for other atheists to look anyone in the eye and say, “Actually, I’m an atheist!" This show of support and solidarity is very important.



Some have asked about the fund raiser so here are some facts.

There is no 501©(3) associated with this effort because Doug got an idea and launched it by 6pm the following day.

All the money that is raised, every penny of it, less any fees that indiegogo pulls, will go directly to Rebecca Vitsmun.

Doug and myself have both spoken to Rebecca on a number of occasions and we’ve both told her that we want her to have this money to use however she sees fit.

Some have accused us of being as bad as the religious who raise money just for people in their circle. Fact is, most religious groups help all kinds of people in their charitable efforts. Some use the opportunity to proselytize but nearly none ask for a membership card.

It’s funny how religious charity is so often offered as an example of the positive role of religion but a couple atheists work to raise money for a brave atheist in need and suddenly we’re labeled as exclusionary fundamentalists. It is this very perception of atheists that makes me feel so much warmth for Rebecca and I am not alone in that. There are atheists around the world who saw her look that Wolf in the eye and admit that she is a member of one of the least trusted and most maligned minorities. Atheists!

Bravery and honesty are to be rewarded and I will not apologize for my role in facilitating a simple fund raiser for a fellow atheist. I am also overjoyed by the overwhelming degree of support that the atheist community has shown. The Dawkins Foundation, Penn Jillette, Teller, Ricky Gervais, James Randi Foundation and many more leapt at the chance to promote the fundraiser to there fans.

If you would like to donate, here is the link: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/atheists-unite