The next two presenters are of some note.

Eugenie Scott; for her knowledge of evolution and Jason Ball for his youthful enthusiasm.

Eugenie Scott is number 14 on the presenters list. Her bio is here: http://www.atheistconvention.org.au/eugenie-scott/

A younger face of atheism is Jason Ball, number 15. His bio is here. http://www.atheistconvention.org.au/jason-ball/

David

By the way, these productions, especially experienced by an audience first hand, might not appeal to persons who purposefully confuse euphoric feelings resulting from high-quality presentations of intellectual stimulation, are not comparable in any way with another variety produced by well-understood hypnotic methods.

One would hope it is purposeful confusion. At least that is a though-out position, albeit obviously contrived for mischievous reasons known only to the perpetrator(s) :)

And Saltpetre, please check the origin and number of insults delivered by whom, before casting stones at those who disagree with your own stance. Your bias is showing.

David

Whatever you reckon, David. You'll have the last word in any event, and you're not the least bit biased of course.

I still contend your tyrannical tirades in response to some earlier criticisms and observations by other posters was quite over the top, and not the least bit helpful to your cause.

Be that as it may, I have no interest in being critical of people for appealing to whatever God(s) they feel may help them to survive or give them joy in their lives - as long as such appeals are not for superiority over a rival in any conflict situation. (God does not take sides in our squabbles, and it is greatly detrimental on many levels for anyone to believe - or to pretend - otherwise.)

Rationalise or Reason as much as you like, but there are millions of people far worse off than you are in this world, and what you have to offer is not going to improve their lives one iota.

As for all the religion bashing (mostly aimed at Christianity) there has been many a long bow drawn on this thread. The only civilisation I am aware of that has not done its fair share of killing and/or persecuting was the Etruscan - and even they probably dabbled.

Humankind is a beast, and if a belief in "Hell" can cause people to stay on the straight and narrow then that is a good thing, as far as I am concerned. What do you offer? Be good, or else?

As for an infinity of "Virgins", the sooner that idea gets the boot the better for all concerned.

In the end result, all 'fundamentalism' is evil and a con. Live and let live, and be kind.

For Yabby, yes, birth control and family planning should be available to all, and your criticisms of Catholicism in this regard are well founded. As for euthanasia, I'm not that keen, but in dire cases I can see no fault in this being available as a well reasoned choice - as long as it is without coercion.

Saltpetre,

I really don’t have or need a bias in influencing me to bite when bitten. Turning the other cheek is not necessarily my style unless called upon for reasons to protect an aggressor not in full control of their senses. The cases in this thread do not call for that.

Saying I am over the top is an opinion and not a proof as is you stating I am harming the ‘cause’. What cause, would be my first question? Do you mean the common desire of atheists not to allow religious privilege to harm others or society? Calling that a cause demeans the intention, which is basically about equality, fairness and justice for all.

The religion bashing you speak of is not from me. Exposing the bad parts of religion, then yes, that is what the AFA is about in part.

I find it elitist and a dangerous notion that you would have people believe in a “hell” in an attempt to keep them on the “straight and narrow”. Apart from the lack of ethics in that, it does not work.

Humans don’t need supernatural threats and promises to be good. Being good for the sake of being good is all that is needed. The bad parts of religion depending on the “hell” concept are creating dysfunction in most societies. You agree with this in your comments to Bugsy.

Fundamentalism springs from mainstream religion. It is not a stand-alone part of religion. That religious people and some atheists deny this is very disappointing but excuses in religion for wrongdoing are par for the course. Pointing this out is not “bashing”.

You might be surprised to learn that many religious folk agree with the AFA’s position on many things, including Jefferson’s wall of separation between church and state.

David

David,

>You might be surprised to learn that many religious folk agree with the AFA’s position on many things<

I don't necessarily disagree with the AFA's position on 'many things' either, but I have to take you to task over some of your suppositions:

>The bad parts of religion depending on the “hell” concept are creating dysfunction in most societies.<

I suppose you have some proof for this bold statement?

You offer: Be good, for its own sake. You mean to say people don't use threats of limitation or removal of privileges when disciplining their children? Ever heard "that's a bitey", or "a burney" or "a no-no", so "Don't touch!" "Hell" is just a construct on a bigger scale. I would of course prefer if positive encouragement and motivation could do the trick, but it just doesn't work in all instances. 'Reasoning' with children (and even a swag of teens these days) has limitations - but "Hell" is for adult discipline, and should never be used to frighten children.

>Fundamentalism springs from mainstream religion. It is not a stand-alone part of religion. That religious people and some atheists deny this is very disappointing<

Try telling all moderate Australian Muslims they are just "latent" fundamentalists, and see how you get on. You might keep your hair, if you're lucky.

>but excuses in religion for wrongdoing are par for the course.<

Oh, no, so your intimated allusion to pedophilia by priests and lay Christians motivates you to suggest that normal ordinary 'good' Christians condone such behaviour? Another one of those very disappointing and totally outlandishly incorrect assertions we have become so used to seeing from those who will sling any rubbish without the least justification - just to bolster a mean and paltry failing argument. My response - Balderdash! (Let's please stick with the 'real' world, and not go raking up the Crusades, Witches and Jack and the Beanstalk.)

Atheism is a Western concept, and there is a place for it - amongst the Western intelligentsia. Don't want to believe in God, any God, good for you. Nuff said.

its sad that we need make threats
when christ called for love of other..as the way to give back to god

god..the inner good[sustaining all life]
emmanuel;..god with{in} us {all]...

but the morality..we seek..
is far from the christain call to charity to other
or by idol threat..or eternal dammnation in hell/limbo and the other man made threats

god has grace/is most mercyfull[see as you saw your saviour doing]
to see his 'doing' was to see that the father does give[even unto the least]..

so whats hell?
heaven is light
rejecting the love logic light/logus
only allows one other option[rejecting the LL.LL]
thus chosing the darkness of hell

CHOICE*..no good person can go to hell
no vile person can escape it

think of it like it really is
in heaven...minds are open for all to see
and of dark delusion..gets instant feedback..of their own sillyness

finds his/her own place[where like loves the same vile lives
DOING its vile[more {of the same}..shall be a given]

those loving murder..keep loving to do murder
but only upon other lovers of murder

ditto all the hurtfull/injurous..'sins'
pigs will CHOSE to lie with pigs[wheat must get sorted from the chaff]
the sheep have their hell[as do the goat]..yes athiest has its own hell as well

but think where else can you feel at home
BUT WITH OTHERS THE SAME AS YOU*

yet others chose hell[cause they can't forgive others sin upon them]
thus they bind their soul..to the one they blame..thus cause they didnt give grace..refuse to accept it..