Sweeney is an atheist, something she brought to light in a one-woman show entitled Letting Go of God. In it, she discusses her Irish Catholic upbringing, early religious ideology, and the life events and internal search that led her to the realization that the universe works fine without a God in charge of it. She began performing the show live in Los Angeles. In May 2006, she performed the piece in Seattle, Washington, at the Paramount Theater. The Austin show was followed by a half-hour discussion between Sweeney and Ira Glass (host of This American Life). An excerpt of the show subsequently appeared on This American Life in an episode entitled Godless America.
In 2006, Sweeney was awarded the Richard Dawkins Award and the American Humanist Association's "Humanist Pioneer" award, and joined the advisory board of the Secular Coalition for America. She also does commercials for the Freedom From Religion Foundation on Air America Radio.
Poster Comment:
Sometimes I listen to NPR. A few days ago Julia Sweeney, former SNL cast member best known for her portray of the androgenous "Pat," was being interviewed. Turned out she was raised Catholic, wandered away, returned, then lost her faith completely and became a completely materialistic atheist.
I had no idea.