Sorry, I remain unconvinced.

>>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.<<

If you take a moment to disassemble this piece of rhetoric of yours, Mr Nicholls, it will become crystal clear that it is empty of everything except vanity.

Atheism attempts to empower people? Seriously?

What empowerment can atheism provide, at an individual level? What form does it take? How is "equal opportunity" limited by religion?

We are empowered in Australia by our democratic system, not by a convention of mutual back-slappers.

That entire list of "empowerments" that you propose the convention strives for has absolutely nothing to do with atheism, and everything to do with politics.

And this is pure guff:

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

Well, of course it is. What a dumb question.

But why bring these intellectuals and academics together under the totally unnecessary - and imaginary - umbrella of atheism? You cannot rally behind a negative, such as "there is no god". Or an absence, as in "I have no belief in a supreme Creator".

The common theme can only possibly be a negative - "get religion out" - which makes it closer to a protest rally, than a think-tank.

Which is why I come to the conclusion that the event, which is clearly attempting to turn atheism into a "movement", is far more likely to bring it into disrepute.

What happens, for example, if I disagree with every speaker? Or maybe just a few of them?

What happens if you go ahead and brand atheism in the public's eyes in a manner that is contrary to my own thoughts?

I can't disown atheism.

I can't simply invent another non-religion.

You're treading on dangerous ground, in my view.

I'm with Pericles. How can you make a cohesive group of out of Atheists. The religious folk have failed at it which is reflected in the continual cyle of "mine is better than yours" rhetoric. The only thing that unites atheists is the common disbelief in a supernatural deity. What if an atheist should be against abortion? Will you represent them and if not how can such a group claim to represent all atheists.

David your list has some worthy goals but why dress it up in the cloak of atheism? Have not these goals been advocated for through many and various community and lobby groups?

A group that ensures that the pressures from the religious lobby do not interfere in the private lives of individuals such as in gay marriage, is not a bad idea in principle. But I think even those sorts of issues can be argued and fought for under the banner of discrimination and equal opportunity law. And just by the fact that we are all becoming more accepting as we are educated and exposed to others different from ourselves.

Even on Q&A the other night both the Catholic Priest, Father Frank Brennan and Waleed Aly would not openly say their religion cast homosexuality as a sin. Times are a changing.

Foxy
I can perfectly understand how you religion would provide comfort and solace in times of grief. We each find our own way of dealing with the good and bad in our lives, and for some that is through religion.

Pericles,

OK, if you consider that standing up for human rights, is vanity then it is obvious as to why we need a Convention. Vanity by anyone has nought to do with it.

And who is denying this is not to do with politics. How do you suggest there can be an advancement of human rights without political input? By fairy power or something, I presume.

Yes, a part of the Convention is protesting against those things in religion that are against human rights. No news here nor is there any apology. The only strange thing about it is that you think it is strange.

“Treading on dangerous ground” is in you mind only. This is a Convention of likeminded people and if you can see something sinister about it or think others will, it is you who is misreading what is essentially a gathering of Atheists.

Explain what is sinister.

pelican,

Of course, you are correct, the only commonality with Atheists is they don’t accept a god or supernatural realms exist. But the obvious follow on is that most Atheists therefore can see the dangers that belief in invisible supermen in the sky brings with it. Obviously then there is a distinct leaning towards being sensitive to social justice issues where religion is interfering negatively with the live of citizens. It’s a bit like if there was a religion where ripping the legs of living cats was acceptable to those on that religion. Normal humans unhampered by that religion would see it as wrong. The question here is, would you?

Father Frank Brennan and Waleed Aly both fudged the question about homosexuality. It is a mortal sin according to the Catholics faith and those engaging in it bound for hell. That shows no sign of changing.

Homosexual activity is a means to the death sentence in many countries where Islam has power in politics. That shows no sign of changing.

Foxy, thanks for your kinds words. If all religious folk and their dogma imitated your thoughts, then a Convention would not be necessary. Unfortunately, that ain’t so.

Davi

Dear Pericles and Pelly,

Why don't the two of you go along to the Convention
and find out for yourselves what they are trying
to achieve - then judge. At present, it seems that
all you're really doing is "shadow boxing."
Keep an open mind - find out what it's all about -
then decide.

Some here do not find that a collective voice within non-believers in Australia worthy of anything but derision. This is nothing new. It is just bigotry.

This is just an example of WHY non-believers are organising, globally. This is blatant discrimination, the attitudes of people here in responding to posts by atheists and non believers is an example of the shear weight that stands upon us in trying to be heard.

You can 'believe' all you like, all we are asking for is for a collective body amongst the wider 1/5 of Australian non-believers to be recognised.

I have read through the discussions here, and it is just an example of the effort that believers go to deride those of us who are secular.

We have religion pushing for laws to be absolved of anti-discrimination laws, one law for them, one law for others.

We have religious bodies refusing to allow ethics being taught to our children whilst theirs learn scripture in school. Our children are forced to do nothing, learn nothing in this time.

There are tax breaks and closed books within the religious institutions, whilst they use over a hundred million of our tax payers dollars for 'World Youth Day' for example.

The Atheist Foundation of Australia, our collective body and representative for many of us, whether you like that or not, that has stood for atheist thought, applied to the government for consideration of funding, and have not yet been answered as per a previous post I read here.

This needs addressing, whether the religious don't understand us is beside the point.

lol....its just bigotry...oh poor poor you..that about sums up the athiest majority..you poor oppressed athiests...and them horrible xtians/muslims burning you at the stake,..for your blasphamous disbelief....all them speakers...and they got no voice...lol

look ....im starting the anti santa party...

i feel we should stop filling our kids minds...with this god free solution...that neatly covers over the birth of the saviour/messiah..and is based von a pedophile in a fake beard..who gets off on kids lap dancing...mate see its out there..with the pixies

and also im hereby setting up the anti-easterbunny party...for simular excuse..in that this is a destraction..from the day our messiah was hung on a cross BY HIS OWN..just as the poor athiest have their cross to bear..

in making god political....stop and think..havnt you nutters allready sepperated church and state...how can we fight you..ecept/politiclly..but there our hands are tied...clever stuff

you been getting the one way running..for too long...you might be a majority...but your deciples..have been far from silent...

poor blooming you..[ewe's..led by the nose like badly crutched sheep...because liars filled your mind with fear[of god]...who is really..all loving living grace/mercyfull

and decieved into thinking evolution..is remotely based on real/true science...evolution is a scam...now we are seeing the fruit of the scam...it were political...all along...

you lot are the first step to..restore the church/state?

...the first step..is make religion political...go for it..from what i see here your humantarians...and should have formed a humanties party...

but now your under-lying..god/free/athiest adgenda ..is revealed and reviled...now claiming humanitist..you need to refute the a-thiest[quasi religious root]..

its so funny watching the blind decieve the blind...you who never sought to know your own creator/god/good..decry in ignorance..and in your ignorance..have been decieved