Good People,

The suggestion that individual Atheists are seeking power is incorrect. The only importance of the power word is that Atheism is attempting to empower those in society and the planet whose equal opportunity to have power over their lives which others take for granted has been limited by religion.

We seek to empower women to achieve a role equal to that of men.

We seek to empower women by making sure that safe and legal abortion is a choice of the individual.

We seek to empower lesbian, gay and transgender people with the same rights enjoyed by heterosexuals.

We seek to empower children by giving them all the information and not just a narrow geographically indoctrinated religious view, which is generally accompanied by dire threats and impossible promises.

We seek to empower children and adults with the latest in scientific understanding and not the musings of those with closed minds.

We seek to empower science as opposed to superstition in areas such as stem cell research.

We seek to empower the average taxpayer with the knowledge of the billions of dollars that annually goes untaxed because of religion.

We seek to empower the citizens on earth to make the best decisions using reason to draw conclusions as the best way forward for humanity.

Atheists have no master plan to dominate the planet. This is just the paranoid ramblings of those desperately attempting to protect their own minds from exposure. Atheists are just people who see that the emperor of religion has no clothes and that many of the faiths, along with the good, bring enormous harm.

When religion cures the harm side of that equation, then Atheists will have no need for Conventions. Bring on that day.

For all the Atheists out there who feel no need to be reactive to the politics of the day, and to all the open minded religious folk who are unsure about Atheism, why not come along to the Global Atheist Convention.

Surely, exposure to some of the world’s greatest intellectual and academic minds is a learning experience in itself.

David

Pericles <"Honk if you don't believe in Jesus"
Lol !

However, I can just see me pulling up at the lights (with my sticker on the back window) and a carload of Christian Fundamentalists pulls up behind me.
They all jump out of their car and start screaming at me about being on the highway to hell!
Hmmm, maybe not a good idea.

David <"Surely, exposure to some of the world’s greatest intellectual and academic minds is a learning experience in itself."

Yes, you may have peeked my wary interest when you explained all the goals you seek to achieve through this atheist convention.

Maybe I will join Foxy in keeping an open mind and read about the speeches at this convention.

I can always do with a new learning experience!

suzeonline,

You have misread my post. I did not say the Global Atheist Convention would achieve these goals but they will get a hearing. The goals outlined are some to which Atheists worldwide aspire. As do many other people who do not class themselves as Atheists.

Are you amongst them?

David

Dear Fractelle,

I can really identify with pagan rituals -
coming from a Lithuanian ancestry. Lithuanians
as I wrote on another thread were a "tribe"
of nature worshippers, pantheists, believers
in faeries, forest sprites, and wood nymphs...

Lithuanians were the last Europeans to embrace
Christianity in 1386-87, and the transition from
their previous animistic faith took several further
centuries to permeate the folk culture.

Any wonder that I tend to look for relevance
and meaning in my life today - perhaps it's in
the genes?

I want to Thank You for the two words you gave
me on the "Racial Prejudice," thread. The words
were - "My Friend." It was like I'd been given
a mystical helmet, and all of a sudden I felt I
could fly!

I love the irony there Pericles:

"There's a point at which the camouflage of "fighting fire with fire" turns into the realization that you have become the very embodiment of that which you are campaigning against."

I think Jesus could have said that.
In fact, I think he did.
Keep religion out of atheism, that's what I say.
Personally, I think the Convention sounds like fun, and I wish the participants all the best.
Was that a blessing?

I for one will be attending this conference and basking in the glow of being surrounded for the first time by a huge group of like minded free thinkers and feeling the potential for good works amongst them. Seeing David's list above really brings it home how much there is to be done, or maybe I should say undone! I'm open to an amazing learning experience, are you?

Religion will always be a part of our history, there is no denying that it has played a big role. The rituals will no doubt remain for a long time, just look at the endurance of the major lies we force feed our poor children - santa, the easter bunny and the tooth fairy. Why cant they be honest and joyful celebrations of family, fertility and growth instead?

But myths are just that, myths, and rational debate must take the place of religious dogmatic arguments to enable us to collectively find the road towards a positive and peaceful future for one and all.