Freedom from Religion Foundation has opened up their college scholarship competition for 2011. Depending on which age level you are in (there are three) the application deadlines range from June 1 to July 15.
The first age level is for graduating high school seniors who will be entering college in Fall of 2011.
Their essays are to answer the question: “Describe a Moment that Made You Proud to be a Freethinker (Atheist/Agnostic/Nonbeliever).” The dictionary definition of freethinker is ‘one who forms his or her opinion about religion based on reason, rather than faith, tradition or authority.’ Maybe you had a moment, experience or ‘epiphany’ that led to or affirmed your rejection of religion. Maybe you stood up for freethought or spoke out against the encroachment of religion at school social events, in government, in classroom instruction or in your family. Use that moment to illustrate why you are a freethinker.
They do require you to some how verify high school enrollment, but there doesn’t appear to be anything explicitly eliminating homeschoolers. (Wouldn’t it be nice for a homeschooler to win and break some stereotypes?)
The next age level is for current college students who are under 25 years of age.
Their essays are to answer the question: “Why I Am an Atheist/Agnostic/Unbeliever — Why I am Not a (‘Fill in the Blank’).” In honor of Bertrand Russell, who wrote the classic, ‘Why I Am Not a Christian,’ write your own essay about why you are a nonbeliever, not a ‘fill in the blank.’ Submit a persuasive essay about why you reject religion and choose reason over faith. Use a personal (first-person) approach. Experiences with being a ‘heretic’ in a religion-drenched society may be included. Or you may wish to employ your best arguments against religious belief.
And the last group is for mature college students (including grad students).
Their essays are to answer the question: “Why Thomas Jefferson Got it Right! Why the endangered ‘wall of separation between church and state’ must be defended.” The Jeffersonian ‘wall of separation between church and state’ is endangered. Write a persuasive or advocacy essay defending the constitutional principle of separation between religion and government. You may wish to debunk myths such as that the United States is a ‘Christian nation’ or address ongoing threats to the Establishment Clause. You may wish to use examples of the harm created by religion in government from a personal, legal, topical and/or historical perspective.
