onthebeach,

I’ll attempt to wade through the inanity. (Sigh)

“Maybe if the Grinch responsible for this thread could divert some of his own time and the donations his "Foundation" receives to helping people. It is Christmas.”

Grinch indicates one is opposed to celebrating Christmyth. I have shown no such opposition to celebrations, in fact, I promote the festivities. Setting the record straight on what is being celebrated is the point of this thread. You seem to have missed that.

As a matter of fact, even though the AFA is an educational/philosophical organisation and not a philanthropic one, it does have a very proud history of donating to many worthy causes when it has available funds.

To clear your confused mind: This web page is that of the AFA and shows the names of people who run it.

http://atheistfoundation.org.au/contact/ As you will see (or probably have already but are keeping quiet about it), it is not just me and a liddle ol’ PC.

This web site is a product of Atheist Alliance International and it depicts the Atheist Census that has been running now for about three days. (It was taken off line by a DoS attack and I wonder who would do that to an atheist site! – certainly not atheists) I showed this one to demonstrate that atheist is the predominant category.

http://www.atheistcensus.com/

Your sensitivity to being shown you are incorrect, something that is becoming quite monotonous, is not abuse especially when you fail to answer questions. The “begging bowl” reference you made that is supposedly highlighted on the AFA website has not been substantiated by you yet.

When you are shown to be wrong you make no comment about that. This is a sign of intellectual dishonesty.

Prattling on about attention-seeking by the AFA or me is you defence for having no firm arguments and it wears thin. The ‘reds-under-the-bed’ mentality you continually display is very noticeable and is the result of induced religious attitudes. Blame them, not me.

Your obvious prejudice, is like a drunken person leaning on a lamppost, not for illumination, just for support.

David

Shockadelic,

What an odd bit of criticism to come from someone who grew up in a Jehovah's Witness household! I don't see you picking on them.

Unlike the atheists in your fictional scenario, they actually DO deprive their children of the magic of Santa Claus - as you would know all too well.

Furthermore, letting small children believe in Santa is seen by many atheists as an important part of their development, as they can later apply those acquired reasoning skills to gods.

By the way, what does the belief or disbelief in the power of wishes have to do with atheism?

David,

If I may just interrupt your swagger for a moment....sit down and have a cuppa.

I thought the folks might like to read your article on the atheist convention. It's not often we see someone imitating so precisely the people he so often disparages.

Here's David channelling an old-style revivalist meeting, replete with "powerful exquisite joy", "feelings varying from elation to euphoria" and "an afterglow which burns brightly."!

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=13634

We all know what religion means for many young children, and it goes to the very top order.
Would have to be the worlds greatest con, for those that fall for it.
Merry christmyth to all, and that includes every-one

Poirot,

Thank you for reintroducing an article of mine. That is very thoughtful.

How nice to be stalked by you and maybe another. Waiting for a chance must be so frustrating for you. If you haven’t anything intelligent to say, and it appears you haven’t, why bother?

If you can’t appreciate that atheists can also be emotional, the same as can the religious, albeit for the appreciation of rationality and not imagination, then you must live a very glum life.

And goodness, “swagger”. How childish.

David

AFAInc: ”…is drawn from celebrations surrounding the pagan Saturnalia and was usurped by Christianity around the 4th Century CE.”

I thought it was about St Nick who was real and was known to give secret gifts?

Merry Xmas David btw.

I watched The Grey not long ago. Loved this scene from Laim Neeson…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMMdYWCV6Ng

(warning – loud swearing in it)