About Me
I was a volunteer for the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDF), and a moderator for the forum part of the website leaving before everything imploded. I attended the American Atheist Conference 2008 and the Atheist Alliance International Conference of 2007.
I am also a writer for Ask The Atheists. My user name there and in the Dawkin forums of old was Homo economicus (a homage to both economics and biology). The name kind of stuck for the blog because it symbolises my interest in economics as a social science and natural science. I read Economics and Politics at University, have run for office as a councillor, and now look after my disabled brother full time.
My childhood experiences in the Jehovah’s Witnesses has made me particularly concerned about the labelling and indoctrinating of children. Hence one of the reasons why I write this blog, not least because a false view of science is promoted, and reason is effectively butchered in an attempt to allow dogma to reign supreme. Free thinking in such an organisation is not encouraged. 
It really annoys when how someone feels is allowed to invalidate what we know, answer what we do not know for certain, and trump any facts we might bring to the discussion. When feelings as belief are coercively put on those that disagree, it is time to use reason and when that is not allowed by the self elected champions of decency the only thing left – ridicule and contempt.
If you want to know more (a narrative of what made me become involved with Richard Dawkins) my introduction on RDF is included in this blog here.
At the AAI conference I have met so many people, both academics, writers and activists, that have encouraged me in the writing of this blog and in my posts on the forum as well as activism. This includes giving blood against Jehovah’s Witness dogma which would refuse a blood transfusion for an infant with critical blood loss – basically labelling a child with a parent’s belief and unnecessarily putting a child’s life at further risk. For more read this blog here.
I am not so active now in the secular movement due to family commitments, but do follow me on twitter @JPSargeant78 or subscribe to the blog so you will be notified when a new blog comes along.
Be a free thinker. It might drive others crazy but it is what keeps me sane.
If you really want to know about me check out http://www.myspace.com/homo_economicus
homoeconomicusnet
August 28, 2007 at 8:06 am
[...] you are going look out for me at the stall - video in the about me to aid [...]
American Atheist Conference March 2008 Minneapolis Programme « Homo economicus’ Weblog
February 13, 2008 at 2:49 am
Hi economicus, Good post.
thewordofme
April 5, 2008 at 6:35 am
Great blog, John! I can’t believe I’ve only just discovered it. Keep up the good work.
Gary Murning
August 7, 2008 at 10:25 am
You left one cult (J.W.) To join another (atheism)??
“Atheism is the religion of the deranged and evolution is their creation story”.
internetpastor
October 4, 2008 at 9:42 pm
[...] reading About Me: You left one cult (J.W.) To join another [...]
Quote on a fundy blog, expect an irational response on yours « Homo economicus’ Weblog
October 5, 2008 at 12:52 am
Hi John, thanks for your comment at my blog, re abortion. I made an additional comment. You remind me I haven’t given blood for a long time. I live ina small town and have friends who ar JW and others who are atheists and others who are traditional catholics, muslims, aboriginal, ‘don’t carers’. We largely pussy foot around each other.
owen59
October 8, 2008 at 10:24 am
You almost have it right…almost.
You have seen the core. You still have the truth you learned, and you understand the core is bad.
Are you ready to open the core?
Domenic
April 9, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Just being kind. I wanted to let you know that I viewed your blog. Don’t agree with your anti-theology, though. Find it sad that your religious background, which you use as a basis for your lack of faith, had to be a cult.
I also read “Why I am not a Christian” in college. Typically, most arguments against Christianity are based on a lack of understanding about Jesus.
Hey, at least there are guys like me that are still praying for guys like you. Hope you change your mind. Some of the greatest scientist believe in God, even if they don’t all claim traditional Christianity as their personal faith.
Anthony Baker
September 7, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I am only anti the possibility that views on life, the unverse and everything could be wrong. Anyone that does not accept that, or is not prepared to examine, is an enemy of reason.
homoeconomicusnet
November 23, 2009 at 11:44 pm
AN ATHEIST! Oh my Jehovah, so this is what happened when a former believer goes out of the Truth! Oh my land, I should have learned this first before bothering to respond to the post “JW…cult..” (http://homoeconomicusnet.wordpress.com/2008/01/17/are-the-jehovahs-witnesses-a-cult/)
I hope I didn’t waste my time on that one. I probably have seen before this person is now an Atheist and that’s why I didn;t bother to respond to the post. Tsk, tsk, tsk….
Anna
July 13, 2010 at 3:28 pm
I think people respond differently on leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though I studied and was not baptised so you could argue there is hope for me.
But by all means decide atheist means something that precludes an open exchange of views. If you read this blog you will find I not only challenge but like to be challenged myself.
homoeconomicusnet
December 24, 2010 at 12:32 am
Awesome.
Please don’t go back to Jehovah.
We need you.
theguywiththeeye
February 22, 2013 at 7:54 pm
No danger there … check out the blogs tabbed Jehovah’s Witnesses to see why that isn’t going to happen.
John Sargeant
February 22, 2013 at 7:57 pm
You met Richard Dawkins?!
I have GOT to do what you do.. aha :’)
What was he like in person?
Pinkjumpers
April 6, 2013 at 10:03 am
Very affable more a listener than a talker in conversation. For example when involved in filming an event in Oxford (with Sir Paul Nurse) invited myself and friends to VIP reception afterwards.
Also, some people misunderstand when I criticise or dare to correct Dawkins (in fairness this is very rare). He welcomes that challenge, and knows how to defend himself if he disagrees. At a conference I was volunteering at, he suggested Americans should not get worked up about money having “In God We Trust” printed on it
When delegates explained how that was used to reinforce the idea of America founded as a Christian Nation he accepted that, and changed his mind that it was worth pursuing after all.
John Sargeant
April 6, 2013 at 10:12 am
Hi John hope you are well, pensioner
Eric Golding
April 30, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Good thanks, you?
John Sargeant
April 30, 2013 at 9:12 pm