This month’s program: “Imaginary Friend with Douglas Whaley”

In the novel Imaginary Friend, Douglas Whaley uses fiction to bring to life the experiences, fears, and frustrations of people living as nonbelievers. Through this engaging and often humorous novel, Douglas Whaley uses stories to help build understanding. Douglas Whaley will do readings from Imaginary Friend and invite others to share their stories of life without an imaginary friend.

“Imaginary Friend” begins at Ohio State’s Horseshoe Stadium where atheist hero Franklin Whitehouse is attending a game. During the game, a terrorist brings down a section of the stadium trapping Franklin and dozens of other people. Franklin becomes a national hero as he helps people to safety. In a talk show discussion of the bombing and rescue, Franklin makes clear that no “imaginary friend” helped him through this crisis. Suddenly, Franklin goes from being a national hero to being a source of national controversy.

Nonbeliever Douglas Whaley has given years of dedicated service to promoting Humanist values in Central Ohio and continues his service through his blog, other novels, and involvement with the Evolution Theater Company. In 2014, the Humanist Community honored Douglas Whaley, former Ohio State Law professor, with an Apex Award for his contributions to the rights of LGBTQ people and his publication of the atheist thriller novel Imaginary Friend.

Imaginary Friend is available on Amazon.com.

Join us at 12:30pm for pizza in the meeting room; the meeting begins at 1pm.