StevieB
04-26-2008, 09:08 AM
Bad Religion front-man Greg Graffin will be honoured for a lifetime achievement in atheism, punk rock, and science. Harvard University's prominent Humanist Chaplaincy community of atheists and agnostics will bestow the punk legend with its highest honour, the "Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism."
According to Epitaph's news page, Graffin's status as both a rock star, scientist (as part of UCLA's Faculty in Biology, he teaches a Life Sciences course that covers Darwin and natural selection) and "ideal role model for the nation's millions of non-religious youth" will receive the award on April 26, where he will also give an acoustic performance.
Said Graffin about the achievement: "I always put education high on my list of priorities because I thought, 'Wouldn't it be neat if you can have a singer of your favorite band who also has something more to offer than looking cool' - which I don't - or dressing cool - which I don't. Those are the things that I try to inspire young people to do, whether it is in the lecture hall or on stage on the Warped Tour."
Speaking about the community's decision, Greg Epstein of the Humanist Chaplain of Harvard University said: "Graffin is proof positive that atheists can be great ethical role models: young people idolize rock stars, and what more could you want from one than his lifelong dedication to science, education, and Humanism?"
Last year the award was presented to author Sir Salman Rushdie for his contribution to making U.S. less God-fearing and more, er, atheistic.
According to Epitaph's news page, Graffin's status as both a rock star, scientist (as part of UCLA's Faculty in Biology, he teaches a Life Sciences course that covers Darwin and natural selection) and "ideal role model for the nation's millions of non-religious youth" will receive the award on April 26, where he will also give an acoustic performance.
Said Graffin about the achievement: "I always put education high on my list of priorities because I thought, 'Wouldn't it be neat if you can have a singer of your favorite band who also has something more to offer than looking cool' - which I don't - or dressing cool - which I don't. Those are the things that I try to inspire young people to do, whether it is in the lecture hall or on stage on the Warped Tour."
Speaking about the community's decision, Greg Epstein of the Humanist Chaplain of Harvard University said: "Graffin is proof positive that atheists can be great ethical role models: young people idolize rock stars, and what more could you want from one than his lifelong dedication to science, education, and Humanism?"
Last year the award was presented to author Sir Salman Rushdie for his contribution to making U.S. less God-fearing and more, er, atheistic.