MU Skeptics, Atheists, Secular Humanists and Agnostics hosted a conference Friday and Saturday, featuring seven speakers throughout two days.

SASHA Vice President Dave Muscato said the purpose of the conference was to open discussion about religious topics to the MU and Columbia communities.

“There’s an idea that discussing these topics are taboo,” Muscato said. “That asking questions why people believe what they believe are off limits.”

Speakers included David Rosman, commentator for the Columbia Missourian and InkandVoice.com, and Darrel Ray, author of “The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture.” The keynote speaker Saturday was Nate Phelps, son of Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church.

“We wanted to give our members and the community a chance to interact with these people and ask them questions, not just read their books,” Muscato said.

Phelp’s presentation described his abuse-filled childhood, his personal struggles after he left home and his slow rejection of Christianity.

Phelps recounted episodes, such as a time he returned home from school to find his mother sobbing after his father had chopped off chunks of her hair to symbolize her submission to him.

“His temper was quick, violent and indiscriminating,” said Phelps.

Phelps read an excerpt from his upcoming book that detailed a night he ran away from home. He waited until midnight on his 18th birthday, counting down the minutes.

Phelps said the next five years were a challenge, and he spent them carefully avoiding religion. He said at times he attended church under pressure from friends, but always heard his father’s voice.

But Phelps said he began to challenge the church community, finding they had no answers and rejected questioning. Eventually he said he accepted his lack of faith.

“Other people suggested I was responding to the skewed notion of Christianity I had grown up with,” he said. “I agreed and I disagreed.”

After his presentation, Phelps answered questions, including whether he had forgiven his father for the suffering he caused.

“I’ve always understood that forgiveness relies on recognition by those doing the harm,” Phelps said. “He will continue until his death believing that he is right.”

Phelps said though he has not forgiven his father, he has come to terms with it, and has had to mourn the loss of his family.

“To think that religion can be used as an excuse for abuse of children just shows how it’s so dangerous,” said Mary Harris, a member of the Meramec Region Secular Humanists group in Rolla.

Harris said she was attracted by the speakers but also wanted to support the student group here at MU.

“This is a great opportunity to come together with other free-thinkers and have conversation and listen to some great stories,” Meramec Region Secular Humanists member Anna Gaw said.

Muscato said this conference was a trial run for the conference SASHA plans to host in the spring. They hope to host the event annually.

Muscato also said videos of the speakers will be posted to YouTube and can be found through the conference website and SASHA blog.

“I hope that people who didn’t come but were interested can benefit from it,” Muscato said.