by Jason Stotts
The Freedom from Religion Foundation has a scholarship contest running now about, you guessed it, freedom from religion. In case you’ve never heard of them, their “about FFRF” is:
The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion. In modern times the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women’s right to vote, for death with dignity for the terminally ill, and for the right to choose contraception, sterilization and abortion have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery. The Foundation works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church.
There are a couple of different contests you can enter, depending on where you are in school. If you’re still in school and are atheist (which you almost certainly are if you’re reading Erosophia), think about applying. For further details on the contests, see their contest page.
FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION ESSAY COMPETITION — SCHOLARSHIPS
2010 FFRF High School Senior Essay Competition
First Prize: Herbert Bushong Award–$2,000
Second Place–$1,000
Third Place–$500
Honorable Mention(s)–$200
Subject: The Harm of Religion, or The Harm of Religion to Women
Topics: Write about the harm of religion from a historic or topical perspective. Or write about the harm of religion to women — why women need freedom from religion.
2010 FFRF College Essay Competition
First Prize: Michael Hakeem Memorial Award–$2,000
Second Place–$1,000
Third Place–$500
Honorable Mention(s)–$200
“Why I Reject Religion,” “Why I am an Atheist/Agnostic/Unbeliever,” or “Growing Up a Freethinker”
Topic choices: Write about growing up a freethinker (atheist or agnostic), or why you reject religion, using a personal (biographical) or philosophical approach, or describing why you choose reason over faith. Experiences in rejecting religion in a religious society may be included.
2010 FFRF Graduate/Mature Student Essay Competition for Students Over Age 25
First Prize: —$2,000
Second Place—$1,000
Third Place—$500
Fourth Place—$200
Why We Need to Get “God Out of Government” and/or Why We Need to Keep Religion Out of Politics
Topic: Write a persuasive or advocacy essay about what’s wrong with “god in government” and/or why we need to keep religion out of politics. Debunk the myth that the United States is “one nation under God.” You may wish to use examples of the harm created by acceptance of this myth, and by religion in government and politics from a legal, topical and/or historical perspective.