Clark Adams
Encyclopedia
Clark Davis Adams was a prominent American freethought leader and activist
.
Adams was born in Louisville, Kentucky
. As a child, he attended Catholic school, but became skeptical of the church's teachings at an early age. After reading material from American Atheists
, he became, in his words, "a pretty hard core atheist" in college
.
While attending a "Freethought Blitz" weekend in the Birmingham, Alabama
, area, he became friends with many influential atheists. The same year, he became active with the Alabama Freethought Association and the Atlanta Freethought Society. He served as the primary organizer of the annual celebration Lollapalooza of Freethought. He also became the moderator of the newsgroup
alt.atheism.moderated and organized three real-life meetings with participants of alt.atheism.
For many years, Clark Adams was a member of the Internet Infidels
board, serving as its public relations director for many years and then as president. He was also, in his words, a freethought "conference junkie", attending and often speaking at many events within the community of freethought.
Clark Adams actively promoted the Secular Student Alliance
and briefly sat on the Board of Directors for the group. He was also one of the founders of the Secular Coalition for America
. In his hometown, he founded and was deeply involved with the Las Vegas Freethought Society, which he described as "a local group of fun godless heathens in Sin City." After Adams' suicide the organization made a Clark Adams memorial page. He was also for a time president of the Humanist Association of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, a chapter of the American Humanist Association
. Shortly before his death, he became an AHA life member.
Clark Adams is one of many American freethinkers listed in Warren Allen Smith's satirically titled book, Who's Who in Hell.
Adams had a track dedicated to him in comedian Doug Stanhope
's album From Across The Street
; Adams deliberately postponed his suicide so he could attend Stanhope's show.
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
.
Adams was born in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. As a child, he attended Catholic school, but became skeptical of the church's teachings at an early age. After reading material from American Atheists
American Atheists
American Atheists is an organization in the United States dedicated to defending the civil liberties of atheists and advocating for the complete separation of church and state. It provides speakers for colleges, universities, clubs and the news media. It also publishes books and the monthly...
, he became, in his words, "a pretty hard core atheist" in college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
.
While attending a "Freethought Blitz" weekend in the Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, area, he became friends with many influential atheists. The same year, he became active with the Alabama Freethought Association and the Atlanta Freethought Society. He served as the primary organizer of the annual celebration Lollapalooza of Freethought. He also became the moderator of the newsgroup
Newsgroup
A usenet newsgroup is a repository usually within the Usenet system, for messages posted from many users in different locations. The term may be confusing to some, because it is usually a discussion group. Newsgroups are technically distinct from, but functionally similar to, discussion forums on...
alt.atheism.moderated and organized three real-life meetings with participants of alt.atheism.
For many years, Clark Adams was a member of the Internet Infidels
Internet Infidels
Internet Infidels, Inc. is a Colorado Springs, Colorado-based nonprofit educational organization founded in 1995 by Jeffery Jay Lowder and Brett Lemoine. Its mission is to utilize the Internet to promote the view that supernatural forces or entities do not exist...
board, serving as its public relations director for many years and then as president. He was also, in his words, a freethought "conference junkie", attending and often speaking at many events within the community of freethought.
Clark Adams actively promoted the Secular Student Alliance
Secular Student Alliance
The Secular Student Alliance , founded in May 2000, is an independent, democratically structured organization in the U.S. that aims to serve the needs of freethinking high school and college students. The Secular Student Alliance is based in Columbus, Ohio...
and briefly sat on the Board of Directors for the group. He was also one of the founders of the Secular Coalition for America
Secular Coalition for America
The Secular Coalition for America is an advocacy group located in Washington D.C., representing atheists, humanists, freethinkers, agnostics, and other non-theistic people with a naturalistic worldview in American politics. Sean Faircloth, a five-term Maine state legislator, served as Executive...
. In his hometown, he founded and was deeply involved with the Las Vegas Freethought Society, which he described as "a local group of fun godless heathens in Sin City." After Adams' suicide the organization made a Clark Adams memorial page. He was also for a time president of the Humanist Association of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, a chapter of the American Humanist Association
American Humanist Association
The American Humanist Association is an educational organization in the United States that advances Humanism. "Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism and other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that...
. Shortly before his death, he became an AHA life member.
Clark Adams is one of many American freethinkers listed in Warren Allen Smith's satirically titled book, Who's Who in Hell.
Adams had a track dedicated to him in comedian Doug Stanhope
Doug Stanhope
Douglas Gene "Doug" Stanhope is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author known for his abrasive comedy routines.-Life and career:Stanhope quit high school after his freshman year...
's album From Across The Street
From Across the Street
From Across The Street is the seventh stand-up comedy album by Doug Stanhope, released on November 24, 2009 by Stand Up! Records. It was recorded live on August 11, 2009 at Level 5 at City Stage in Wilmington, North Carolina.-Track listing:...
; Adams deliberately postponed his suicide so he could attend Stanhope's show.