Hmmmm. Interesting.

>>Even Pericles would defend me on this I feel<<

Even the most cursory glance at your original post tells us that you were merely reporting, with no translation, interpretation or embellishment, Boaz.

>>...with 68% of Australians claiming Christianity as their faith...<<

It is puzzling that Mr Nicholls should take such strident aim at the messenger in this instance, when the message is the real target.

(But Boaz, note that this applies only to your repetition of ABS statistics, and not to your interpretation of ancient scripture)

Mr Nicholls is understandably upset that his attempts to emulate initiatives from other - clearly better organized and savvy - associations, have come to naught. But he does his organization no favours by being grumpy.

It will also be interesting to see whether the $16,000 ever gets used for the purpose it was donated. Personally, I'd be asking for my money back.

However, you are back to your usual tricks, Boaz, when it comes to addressing your old mate Fellow_Human.

>>there are 2 forms of insecurity. That which arises out of lack of confidence in one's own faith, and..that which arises due to the political/economic/social/demographical events one is surrounded by. It is not my faith that I'm insecure about.. that only leaves one other right?<<

What F_H failed to point out to you was - probably because he is far too polite - is that there are many, many more "kinds of insecurity" than those you put forward.

This is a classic debating trick, but is both dishonest and insulting. You offer only two alternatives, encourage the denial of one, and engage in a beat-up of the second. A slightly disguised version of the "when did you stop beating your wife?" question.

>>Please keep in mind..there are many expressions of Islam in Australia OUTside of your own gentle and 'good mate' version<<

Has it not occurred to you, Boaz, that you consistently pick on only one of those "expressions"?

Have a hate-free day.

Porky: << ...all you showed was how bigotry over-rides any sense of reasonable discourse >>

Porky, old chap - that's what you do virtually every time you post a comment at OLO.

Polycarp,

Funny how conversation with overt religiosity can be so similar to shadow boxing. I guess it’s the dodging around the opponent and never actually connecting which makes it so similar.

Let’s revisit your original words (Sigh!) “…with 68% of Australians claiming Christianity as their faith”

At the very best this is ambiguous, at the very worst, deceptive.

Parents/guardians fill out the census form for their children and other members of the family. Someone else is “claiming” Christianity for them whether that is true or not or a result of parental influence. And of course, we must add the robotic stating religion of baptism whether that is the current stance or not.

Some Christians consider that others claiming to be Christians are not Christians at all because of Biblical interpretation. You could have meant that in your statement but as you did not qualify it, the reader does not know.

You have used the 68% as a given, as do politicians, religious leaders and those who have never analysed the figure. The importance of this error is not to be underestimated as huge sums of public expenditure depends on it and many political decisions are all swayed by its use. This figure on Forums/media supporting the Christian nation status of Australia is common.

I do not doubt the bus companies could be sucked in by the populist percentage. I am pointing out though, that you as one who considers that Christianity is the moral light of civilisation should know better than to use spurious figures, for whatever reason, without some kind of qualification.

You have added to the propagandising of this erroneous number as though it is correct. The reader, if not having thought about it, could very well take 68% Christian content to be right as it is bandied around ad nausea.

With only 10%? of people bothering to regularly attending a church as a sign of religious commitment, the use of such high percentages is not only way off, it is a display of desperation by those attempting to prop up rapidly declining religion in Australia.

David

Mr Nicholls,

I started a long post about Polycarp mere reporting etc but it is superfluous. When Pericles supports Polycarp on something you should realise that you are not on a winner. That is not something that happens every day. My previous sentence is an understatement.

Fellow Human,

"People who want to inflict their faith on others are usually insecure about their own belief system and try to convince themsleves by convincing others.'

Would it change anything if it can be argued that atheism is not a belief system? Coincidentally when I heard the item on rn I wondered if Mr Nicholls & co are undermining the argument that atheisism does not have a belief system with their slogans. If the slogans accurately represent fundamental atheist beliefs and thus a belief system can be put forward not just the belief that God doesn't exist then it would seem to undermine the apologetics of his peers.

Poly-Boaz,

“Please keep in mind..There are many expressions of Islam in Australia OUTside of your own gentle and 'good mate' version”
I am sure there are minority groups like you mention everywhere and in all denominations. Only I don’t obsess with a handful of Hizb followers or other fundies like you do. I focus on the majority who want to live happy in peace. You don’t.
“come down to the MindBodySpirit festival at Jeffs Shed (Exhibition Buildings) between 3 and 5 and we can go together to the "Islam Stand" and you can hear with your own ears one of those 'other' versions”
Have to pass on these weird events. I am not shopping for anything spiritual thanks.
What's a mindbodyspirit festival anyway?

Mjpb,

“Would it change anything if it can be argued that atheism is not a belief system?”
In my belief there is one creator for all beings and their beliefs. So yes in my view Atheism is a belief system cause it dictates the way one lives his/her life.
Not sure if this answered your question.

Dear Pericles,

“What F_H failed to point out to … that there are many, many more "kinds of insecurity" than those you put forward”

What stopped me is after 3.5 years of interaction with Boaz on OLO, his comments remind me with the old greek proverb “on a deaf man’s door, you can knock forever”.
Deaf being metaphoric for Boaz behavior with no offence intended to deaf or hearing impaired posters.

Peace,

Fellow_Human,

Atheism is no more a belief system than accepting that fairies do not exist is.

David