The American Atheists will be holding their annual convention in Cincinnati April 18–21, 2019.

They state the following about their convention:

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT
This convention welcomes families with children and expects all participants to treat these families with courtesy and respect. Parents or guardians bringing children are responsible for their children’s behavior.

But then they declare: “Parents or guardians should be aware not all sessions may be suitable for children.” So maybe it’s not so family friendly after all. And, actually, from the atheists’ perspective, why do they draw any lines regarding what is supposedly “suitable” or not for children? Atheists have no basis for any moral statements except their own subjective opinions—which will vary from atheist to atheist.

Then right after AA’s statement about the supposed “family friendly event,” they also state that the conference is an:

LGBTQ FRIENDLY EVENT

They state:

To ensure that all members of the atheist community are welcome at our conventions, American Atheists is consciously working to create a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community. One way of acknowledging transgender people’s needs and experiences is to designate a number of restrooms gender inclusive, which we will do with educational signs. https://www.aacon2019.org/conduct/

I do want to state that we at Answers in Genesis show no animosity towards people in the LGBTQ movement. But we cannot condone their worldview, which Scripture clearly teaches is sin and is against God’s created genders (Genesis 1:27) and the true meaning of marriage (Matthew 19: 4–7)—and it’s against biological realities (such as sex-determining chromosomes) whether you believe God’s Word or not! Sadly, though, when Christians take such a stand based on Scripture, many atheists falsely accuse us of being homophobic.

Now, when Christians take a stand against abortion because it’s clear from Scripture (and biology) that it is the taking of a human life, many atheists falsely accuse us of being misogynist. Increasingly in this world, I find that standing boldly on Scripture regarding such issues is wrongly deemed by many atheists as hatred against the people with whom we disagree. Christians are to love their neighbors—but love also means pointing out to others what Scripture teaches is sin. And the overriding reason for Christians taking such a stand is to proclaim the truth of God’s Word, that all need to be freed from their sin and receive the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many atheists have vehemently opposed Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum, and the Ark Encounter. A local atheist group has conducted a protest outside the Ark Encounter gates on three occasions and claims that as a Christian attraction that is receiving a sales-tax incentive (available to all tourist attractions in Kentucky that fulfill the requirements) and tax deductible donations, AiG should not be allowed to hire only people who agree with our mission.

But the American Atheist organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, thus also receiving financial benefit, such as tax exemptions from the government, and states this about its policy for exhibitors at their annual conference:

In previous years, American Atheists has welcomed more than 30 exhibitors to our convention. Many of these exhibitors were non-profit organizations within the atheist and secular movement, but previous conventions have welcomed organizations whose values align with our own, including: LGBTQ groups, science educators, reproductive health advocates, disaster relief organizations, and voter registration drives. Political groups, including party caucuses, candidates, and other advocacy groups conducting outreach to atheists are also welcome.

Who would have thought atheists would want to feature “organizations whose values align with” atheists? Of course they would! And they have every right to. I’m also sure that American Atheists would never employ a Bible-believing Christian like me to be their president. I highly suspect they would want an atheist to head up their atheist organization—which, of course, is what they do.

The American Atheists also state about their April convention:

American Atheists recognizes that criticism of religion is common at its convention and welcomes such discussion. However, the harassment of individuals for his or her religious beliefs will not be tolerated. Racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic conduct will not be tolerated.

Of course, you only have to look at major atheist websites and Facebook accounts, Twitter feeds, etc., to understand that their primary “criticism” is of Christianity. In fact, it’s not just “criticism.” Such posts are full of blasphemy, hatred against Christians (just see atheists’ tweets about me as an example), sexual perversion (if judged against Christian morality—atheists have no basis for morality except their subjective opinions), mocking of God, expletives, and the list goes on. What we can say for sure is that many of these atheists are Christophobic or Christianophobic. And no doubt those who attend this “family friendly” event at the Cincinnati Hilton hotel will hear such attacks on the Christian faith.

If atheists were truly conducting a “criticism of religion,” they would be criticizing their own religion, as atheism is a religion.
They believe all life came about by natural processes. Atheists believe there is no God to whom they’re accountable. They believe the Bible is a book of mythology. Their convention really is an anti-Christian convention because, as Jesus said, you’re either for him or against him. (Matt 12:30)

Good News

If you would like to attend a truly family friendly conference over Easter, then join us for AiG’s Easter conference: Answering Atheists. This will be held in our spectacular new 2,500 seat auditorium/multi-purpose Answers Center that opens in April 2019 at the Ark Encounter. We have a number of special guest speakers, including the well-known Ray Comfort. The atheists call him the “Banana Man”—that’s because they mock a comedy routine Ray once did comparing the design of a banana to a Coke can. But Ray is using that nickname to witness to atheists. Ray will also be speaking at our special sunrise Easter service at the Answers Center on Sunday the 21st—the service is free and open to the public. During the April 17-21 conference, we will cover a large range of topics: biblical, scientific, philosophical, etc.

Get hope and encouragement as you learn the answers to the common questions asked by atheists and other skeptics. This five-day conference (culminating in the sunrise service Easter morning) will answer questions such as:

• Who created God?
• Does creation science make testable predictions?
• Why do Christians believe the Bible?
• Is there evidence of the resurrection?
• How do you share the gospel with an atheist?
• Does it matter what one believes about Genesis?

Also, we will have special movie nights.

Speakers include AiG’s Tim Chaffey, Bodie Hodge, Dr. Nathanial Jeanson, Dr. Tommy Mitchell, Bryan Osborne, Dr. Georgia Purdom, and me. Joining us will be Dr. Christopher Cone, president of Calvary University, Dr. Jason Lisle of the Biblical Science Institute, and Living Waters’ Ray Comfort, Mark Spence, and Emeal “E.Z.” Zwayne.

WOW! What a line up!

Don’t Miss Any of the Faith-Affirming Answers

And I’m excited to announce that all the sessions are included with purchase of our special multi-day pass to our attractions. If you would like to attend every day of the conference so you don’t miss any of the faith-affirming answers (and I strongly encourage you to do so—you really won’t want to miss a single session!), we are featuring a special multi-day pass. There are passes for families, couples, or individuals. This is the best value to allow you to attend each day of the conference and experience everything these attractions have to offer. You can view pricing and other conference details at www.answeringatheists.org.

At the special sunrise Easter service at the Answers Center at the Ark on Sunday morning, Ray Comfort will be speaking on the resurrection of Christ. This event is free (including free parking), and we invite everyone to come and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with us.

Brunch will be available at Emzara’s Buffet (located beside the Ark) after the special service.

Get More Answers on Answers News

I discussed this item today on Answers News with guest Bryan Osborne. Answers News is our twice-weekly news program filmed live before a studio audience here at the Creation Museum and broadcast on my Facebook page and the Answers in Genesis Facebook page . We also discussed the following topics:

• Quebec Doctors now ‘abruptly’ euthanize sick patients as first resort: study.
• Megalodon may have been killed off by an exploding star
• Psych Prof Claims God lacked Mary’s consent
• And more!

Be sure to join us each Monday and Thursday at 2 p.m. (EDT) on my Facebook page or the Answers in Genesis Facebook page for Answers News. You won’t want to miss this unique news program that gives science and culture news from a distinctly biblical and Christian perspective.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.