Edwin Kagin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edwin Kagin
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Edwin and Helen Kagin their last year as Camp Directors at Camp Quest.
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| Born | November 26, 1940 |
| Died | March 28, 2014 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | J.D. (University of Louisville) |
Edwin Frederick Kagin (born November 26, 1940 – died March 28, 2014) was a lawyer from Union, Kentucky. He was a very important person in starting Camp Quest. This was the first summer camp in the United States for children whose families were secular, atheist, agnostic, or freethinkers. These words describe people who often base their beliefs on reason and science, rather than religious faith. Edwin Kagin also served as the main lawyer for American Atheists from 2006 until he passed away in 2014.
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About Edwin Kagin's Life
Edwin Kagin was born in Greenville, South Carolina. His father was a minister, and his mother was part of the Daughters of the American Revolution. His family had a long history of ministers.
When he was young, Edwin became an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Later, he joined the United States Air Force. He worked as a medic in London, England, and left the Air Force in 1962. After that, he went to several colleges. He earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from the University of Louisville School of Law in Louisville, Kentucky.
He was married to Helen McGregor Kagin, who was from Canada. She was a retired doctor who specialized in giving medicine to make people sleep during surgery. Helen passed away in 2010. Edwin Kagin died in 2014 at his home in Union, Kentucky, when he was 73 years old.
His Work and Activism
Edwin Kagin worked as an English teacher for a while. He also helped with a project that created a tool to assess people's mental abilities. But most of his career was spent as a lawyer. He often focused on cases about civil liberties and the Constitution. These are laws that protect people's basic rights and freedoms.
After he stopped believing in Christianity, Kagin became an activist for freethinking. This means he believed people should think for themselves and question things, especially about religion. In 1991, he helped start a group called the Free Inquiry Group in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Writing and Books
Edwin Kagin became well-known through his writings. He wrote for his group's newsletter and shared his ideas online. In 2003, he wrote a chapter in a book about Christian groups in America. In 2005, he published his own book called Baubles of Blasphemy. This book was a collection of his essays and poems, often with a humorous and challenging tone. He also signed the Humanist Manifesto in 2003, which is a statement of beliefs for humanists.
Founding Camp Quest
One of Kagin's biggest achievements was starting Camp Quest in 1996. This was the first summer camp in the country for children of atheists and other freethinkers. He and his wife, Helen, were directors of the camp for its first ten years. In 2005, they retired from running the camp, passing it on to others. That same year, they were named "Atheists of the Year" by American Atheists.
Later Roles and Public Speaking
Kagin also helped found the Recover Resources Center. He was on the advisory board for the Secular Student Alliance. In 2006, he became the national legal director for American Atheists. He also served on their Board of Directors until 2013. He was honored as "Atheist of the Year" twice: once with his wife in 2005 and again by himself in 2008.
Edwin Kagin was a strong public speaker. He often spoke out against religious ideas being too involved in government. He appeared on many radio and television shows, debating his views. He also ran for political office in Kentucky, including for the Kentucky Supreme Court and the State Senate. His legal work often involved issues about religion and the separation of church and state. This means keeping government and religious institutions separate. He was a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1975 until he died.
Kagin had other interests too. He was a certified handgun instructor and had an honorary black belt in Kenpo karate. He was also an honorary Kentucky Colonel. He had four children and five grandchildren.
Images for kids
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Edwin and Helen Kagin their last year as Camp Directors at Camp Quest.
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Helen and Edwin Kagin in the 1990s
