Hotseat: Julia Sweeney
The actress best known as SNL’s Pat on why atheists should still pray with their parents.
October 10th, 2012
AARON SPENCER
Portland is officially the least religious city in the country, according to a recent study. So it’s fitting that the largest atheist organization in the country, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, holds its annual conference here this weekend.
Among the speakers are star atheists Richard Dawkins and Jessica Ahlquist, along with Spokane, Wash., native Julia Sweeney. Sweeney is a comedian best known for playing the character Pat on Saturday Night Live, but she’s also performed a handful of autobiographical stage shows documenting the loss of her faith, including God Said Ha! and Letting Go of God. She told WW why Portland’s godless residents should be more proactive.
WW: You live in Chicago, but you grew up in Washington. How are atheists in the Pacific Northwest different?
Julia Sweeney: The thing about Seattle is it’s so frickin’ PC that people can’t even say they’re atheist. They just have to say that, you know, they appreciate everyone’s view of reality and no one knows what’s right, but they are not religious.
http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-19746-hotseat_julia_sweene.html
