Pericles, what is contradictory about a large group of atheists that are actively engaged with many other atheist, humanist and secular groups in the country and widely across the globe, all with the same ethical consensus, fighting for equality with those that are religious?

How is that a contradiction in terms? That's how people fight for equality ... based on their common ethics or social situation.

It appears you are a minority that does not seem to care about there being rules for one group of people in society and a set of rules for others, regardless of your atheism. Indeed you bring it down to exactly the same arguments religion does. Fair enough, however it appears you don't agree in people fighting for equality, only because you choose not too. So you ridicule them.

By your standards, The Wildlife Society is a contradiction in terms too, as many environmentally aware people aren't actively fighting for it, and some environmentalists disagree with their positions on certain topics.

You are failing to see what people are saying regard this, and really your just part of the problem by attacking those that raise their voices collectively in opposition to something that they can clearly define.

If you disagree, fine, but please, stop degrading those that are just organising against a social inequality, just because you don't understand them. It does not suddenly make their position irrelevant, and makes you appear quite arrogant to do so.

of course...those of you...NOT athiest enough...will be reducated in the reducation camps...see davids/previous..[bus poster posting]

allready..we got the die hard blacker than black/..athiests..telling the other athiests..they arnt black enough...lol

its like watching a train wreck..

..you just know eventually..only the purist athiests..will be admitted to the party ...anyhow its good to see...the formation of the scisms..so early

now the combination..union/..of religions..can unite against something tangable...your just about to do the impossable...rally religion..

..into a form of united resistance/though i prefer they focus more on assistance...and forget resisting this...ignoring sounds their plan

personally i hope thjey turn the other cheek

and a prediction...

those vile religionists..that will appear on the media..because of some thing or other happening...at or near the athiest party con-ferance..is only happening in the minds of those building..up the publicity prophile...for their new party...its sort of standard stuff...but the media laps it up...its only politics after all

i see it as inevitable...that..after athiest are political...then religion....can go political...fairs is fair...you guys heralded in the end of the sepperation..of chuirch and state

your pretending we have some equality that you dont
but its only the priest/church...if any...that have these presumptions of power/advbantage..your presuming...the rest of the sheeple/flock..are..as disempowered..as you appear to be..

your confuse religion's....with believers...reigions cannot be;lieve anything...attack the wrong one...[religion and you look dumb...attack belief..and all hell will be let loose...

yep its win/win...all this effort for nothing..resisting a fiction..yes stamp collecting is a hobby...not a belief..now you dont believe in stamps?...or stamp collectors..arnt atheist enough..for you

send em..to the reducation-camp
off with their heads

pericles

"flatulent windbaggery"

Pot, kettle.

I think it is wonderful that thousands of atheists in Australia are proud to have a common set of principles, are willing to stand up and be counted and strive for change. A desire for equality in our society is something that no one should be denied, nor pigeon holed for standing up for it.

This is threatening to those with faith, those that wish to see themselves as the only people with ethical standards, as displayed in the attempts do denigrate others in their struggle to achieve that we see in many places; our workplaces, our schools and our taxation system to name a few.

I'm realistic that we have a huge struggle before us, this is nothing new. I'm not attacking religion, I am standing up for rights for myself, my children and fellow Australians to be treated as equals even though we do not have a faith. Those that have privilege will fight to retain it by denigrating those the collectively work together for equality.

So back to the real issues, David has the government yet replied regarding the state of funding for the convention? What are the reasons they are giving for such a long delay?

woot,

The AFA is still negotiating with the appropriate people in the Victorian government. I must admit response has been less than adequate but such matters do take time. No reason as to why it is taking so long has been forthcoming as of yet.

When I know more, I will post here.

By the way, your words are very good as are those of others concerning the upcoming Global Atheist Convention and the reasons why it is being held.

I wouldn’t worry about the slight and sometimes irrational opposition to the Convention, it is to be expected. Just think, slavery, same-sex orientation, women’s rights, voluntary euthanasia, racial prejudice, scientific discovery etc etc.

When status quo opinion changes, it does frighten some folk.

David

David,

Good luck with your Conference. I would like to see Richard Darwkins work with other area specialists to produce a cross-discipinary anthology. I have seen the History of Science Society work effectively to triangualate several disciplines on a single topic.

It would be interesting to invite some religionists to debate issues, such as the 6,000 year old Earth or why we share DNA with primates or Genesis observations verses COBE observations.

Don't forget to put the good bits on U-Tube and advise sister organizations to link.

Suzieonline,

Your parents' unfortunate experience is surely common, especially a few decades ago. I guess if the Christians were true followers of Jesus the Teacher first and denominations next, the Churches would co-op their services in a multiplex, sell of their much of their Church properties and give the money to the poor.

In th US, the above model is sometimes used, wherein several brands of petrol are sold from the same service station. Likewise, our Banks once looked at sharing branches as they do access via ATMs.

Of course, this will never happen, whilst Christians are more into Gold than Sandals.