Thanks Opinionated, for your kind words. I have given your understanding of ‘open-mindedness’ some thought and I hear what you’re saying.
Near death or Out of Body experiences are very intriguing!
I’m glad that you survived.
Although I don’t ‘believe’ in supernatural beings or life after death, I am not denying that some things, such as the OBEs and NDEs exist.
I leave space in my mind for both supernatural and scientific explanations or theories about these very complex and subjective experiences. I listen to all explanations, but haven’t been convinced of anything yet.
There are explanations for these experiences from both sides but neither can ultimately explain why or how some people have these experiences.
I’ve always had uncommon experiences myself; I hear what they seem to call ‘celestial music’ which I don’t think science can explain either. I have my own ‘theories’, which are not supernatural or mystical. I’ve never really been occupied by it or even investigated it and haven’t until recently mentioned it to some people.

Anyway, to answer people such as StG who asks why atheists would denounce something they don’t believe in, I’d say that I wouldn’t really bother talking about religion or God (since I have no problem what people believe) if it wasn’t for the fact that the doctrine or beliefs of some groups of religious people have a negative effect on the freedom or life of others.
Take issues like (voluntary) euthanasia or abortion or homosexuality for example. Although some non-religious people oppose these, it is mainly the religious lobbyists or organized groups of religious people that are out to deny people some rights. Why? Because THEIR religion makes them believe that these things are wrong. These religious groups should not have the right to impose their own beliefs on these other people, being women, terminally ill, or homosexuals.
Their beliefs should not interfere with others’ freedom to make decisions about their own lives. I have no problem with religious leaders preaching to their own flock nut they shouldn’t impose their doctrines upon outsiders.

Its just amazing!,and without putting the human race as a bunch of ignorant pond scum, and this includes me, but the fact remains the same. If you were to put more of your energies into the future, we just might be able to move on. People! you just cant live in the dark ages anymore. We all have the right to think as we will, and too think that your prospective is the right course of action, is ignorants to its highest level. So I see you cristans have a self appointed view. Stop pushing your point! A new world will soon be born soon, and have the commom sense to bite your tongue. Its going to get a lot worst before its gets better. My heart is with all living things,
and the most beautiful of all is, we all think the same, but just act differently, and this is the bridge we will all cross together. To those that follow the blind, you will have no-one to blame but yourselves.

"Atheists do not have to prove anything."
David, that sounds very much like "God exists !"
No-one can proof that God exists, that's why people have faith. No-one can prove that God doesn't exist. What have atheists got ? I wonder what that makes those of us who simply accept that there will be a moment of truth anyway.
As we both agree that religion is merely a tool I wonder what atheists believe (btw what is the atheist alternative for believe?) is a good foundation to go through life on & without conflict. I hope their philosophy works because religion doesn't. After all, it's peoples' selfishness which is the root of all disharmony. What is the atheist remedy for selfishness & solution to conflict

David, for a man who claims his atheism "... contains no beliefs", your not short of a few (beliefs) are you? eg there is no god or gods. God is an imaginary superman.

Your statement "Love, respect....are evolutionary traits built on common desires." Sounds great but what does it mean? Elsewhere you believe that we are born with "blank minds". Can't have it both ways mate.

You do a fine impression of those whose views you oppose- intolerant, quick to ridicule others, and a desire to proselytize your views.

I wonder if the Atheist Foundation isn't just some bully pulpit of your own construction for your own self aggrandisement?

individual,

“What is the atheist remedy for selfishness & solution to conflict”

Who said Atheist had a solution. What we are saying is that religion is an obvious and quantifiable problem and humanity should become aware of it and respond accordingly. If the majority of the planet were Atheists, there is not guarantees that we will survive misfortune of our own making. On the other hand, if we continue to make decisions based on ancient texts, oppression will continue and rapid extinction is very likely.

David

palimpsest,

Most, maybe all, higher animals have evolved with cooperative traits. Dogs, Kangaroos, lions etc, all display these traits in a cooperative attitude, love of each other, care for the young, friendships etc. They are innate attributes. Without them, survival is not possible. The human animal, as it has evolved in a similar manner also has these characteristics. The big but is that the young of any species can be influenced to have these evolutionary givens overridden by repetitious messages supported by culture and inducted with the authority of adult sanction. It’s a bit like patting a lion raised by humans and patting one in the wild. The instincts of kill can be overridden by interference in the young lion’s upbringing. (Most of the time)

You may consider me intolerant etc but I use words, not oppression. My previous posts point out, that religions do not just use words, they oppress many people.

The Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc was founded in 1970, long before I joined. The job of president (And all others in it) are non paid volunteer positions. It saddens me that you do not recognise that such an organisation is definitely needed in a world beset by problems related to religion. I can assure you, self aggrandisement has nothing to do with it.

David

David, my thought is that religion is a valid attempt to answer the big questions, and is premised on the idea that "life" is something different from the physical world around us. Science gives us no better explanation of 'life' than religion does.

From the Veda on, religion tells us that thought(life) finds material expression thru desire, and that desire for the physical universe is the great mistake or 'sin', because this leads us to such acts as coveting our neighbours wifes ass.

Theology is something else again. Nothing wrong with asking the question "before the beginning was....?" and answering with "first cause, Supreme being etc". I'd suggest the trouble starts with what one does with that answer. The trouble starts when people claim exclusive knowledge or ownership of Hewie. And straight away we get bastardised religiosity. No longer a search for understanding but a reactive, protective thing.

Demanding proof of god or the spirit shows a total failure to grasp their concept. Again, the religious belief is that they are not of or 'in' the physical universe. The proof you offer for their non-existence is your own failure to conceive of or perceive their existence. ie No proof at all.

After that, can I say that I have little time for the Christian, Jewish or Islamic take on all this. Dogmatic and little more than a control thing. Although I would grant them alot more credit for the good they have done than you do.

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.