IRVINE – The atheist group that helped erect a “godless” billboard in Westminster hosted its second annual Orange County conference Sunday, attracting about 85 people from as far away as Seattle to analyze the influence of religion on U.S. society and to work toward promoting rational, critical thinking.

Inside a conference room at the Irvine Hilton, speakers made the case that parts of the Bible appeared to be works of fiction, that published studies showing a positive correlation between health and religion are based on faulty science, and that the “mindless, yahoo” patriotism in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is akin to the way religious extremists gain support for their causes.

The all-day conference was hosted by the Orange County Freethought Alliance, part of a coalition of atheist and agnostic groups that put up a billboard earlier this month on Beach Boulevard proclaiming: “Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.”

“We’re the last vestige of civil disobedience,” said conference organizer Bruce Gleason of Villa Park, founder of the Orange County Freethought Alliance, part of the Orange County Coalition for Reason. “We don’t hate religion. We despise the idea that you can take away certain rights for other people.”

Gleason said he hoped Sunday’s conference would spark like-minded people in Orange County to band together to fight against what he called the “hazards” of religion, such as its role in blocking government funding for embryonic stem cell research, incorporating Creationism and intelligent-design theories into school science lessons, and using taxpayer dollars to support school voucher programs, which allow parents to enroll their kids in religious schools.

The “godless” billboard, which encourages passersby to visit OrangeCoR.org, has already resulted in several hundred emails of interest from Orange County residents who want to learn more, Gleason noted – and has helped raise the profile of Sunday’s conference.

“It’s bringing an awareness there are a significant number of atheists and agnostics in Orange County,” said conference attendee Kristopher Augsburger, 28, of Irvine, who attended with twin brother Shawn. “It can help people who are trying to leave organized religion.”

The “godless” billboard sparked debate across Orange County, with some critical of its message and others optimistic it might help steer people toward – rather than away from – religion.

UC Irvine postdoctoral scientific researcher Jennifer Koontz, who spoke Sunday about scientific studies that have found a positive correlation between health and religion, said such research was primarily being funded by religious institutions, and was based on faulty scientific methodology.

“They are just being pushed out into research for a religious agenda,” said Koontz, explaining that she has analyzed the data from about 200 of them. “… A lot of times, editors (for scientific journals) are really busy and cannot check up on all the facts. They don’t want to say, ‘Don’t publish it because it’s religion.'”

Koontz cited one study that concluded religious commitment correlated with lower blood pressure, even though the study actually asked participants if they believed they were going to be “bewitched.”

Koontz has been working to replicate such studies, except she is trying to use sound scientific methodologies, including asking clear survey questions, she said. Based on her initial findings, there is no such correlation between health and religion, Koontz noted.

On Sunday, speaker Tim Callahan, author of two books that analyze the veracity of the Bible, said several parts of the Bible appear to be pure works of fiction, such as the books of Ruth, Esther and Job. They contain all the hallmarks of good parables – clear philosophical themes, repetition of motifs, poetic justice, an omniscient point of view – and yet seem illogical or unlikely to have happened in real life, he said.

“You either have to believe it’s fiction or divinely inspired,” he said.

Also Sunday, Mission Viejo high school teacher James Corbett, who rocketed into the national spotlight three years ago after a former student successfully sued him for disparaging Christianity in class, told conference attendees to be wary of “mindless, yahoo” patriotism, such as that seen after 9/11, because it was similar to the mindset that can lead rational people to become religious extremists.

“Most of the suicide bombers are not religious fanatics,” said Corbett, who teaches European history at Capistrano Valley High School. “What they did was not completely unreasonable. We need to understand why they do what they do. … We can’t just all salute the flag.”

Related stories:

Atheists put up ‘Godless’ billboard in Westminster

Local activist questions prayer at council meetings

Atheists, religious groups lobby on Day of Prayer

Contact the writer: 949-454-7394 or smartindale@ocregister.com