In a country largely apathetic about important things like, politics and the influence of religion. David Nichols, Atheist Foundation of Australia president outlines the importance of next years conference to Australian Atheists:
…The Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne next March is not just a talk fest of preaching to the converted; it is a drawing of a line in the sand that we will not tolerate religion encroaching upon secular values, mores and laws anymore. It is our stand against the tail of a minority-dog opinion shaking the rational majority-dog of common sense.
This is not an occasion to be dismissed by apathy, it is not an event of no-consequence, it is a circumstance unique in history that we must all positively react to or forever bear the brunt of the consequences of inaction. It is a chance to make a statement that does not come along very often and if we do not grasp it with all our might, our place in history will be diminished by it.
This is one of the very few chances, thrown up by history, where we can make positive change by just our presence.
Be there and make history.
David
President
Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc
I will be going for some of the reasons David mentions above – it’s a show of strength. It’s a chance to grab the headlines, for Australian Atheists to be noticed by the largely docile public, a chance to cement ourselves in the minds of the public as well as the politicians. A chance for us to define ourselves rather than let the religious do it.
And on the subject of talk fests, they have their place. The conference won’t just be about presenting and listening, it will be about meeting with other Atheists and networking.
I for one am keen to see what comes after the conference just as much as what happens at it.
Psst… buy your tickets here.
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When do tickets stop being sold coz I really want to get some but can;t afford to at the moment. It will maybe be a few months before I can. Shucks. Actually maybe less. I've been watching 'Hustle' lol and really wish I could be a grifter but I have no idea how one would go about that. Hahah. So shall stick to radiotherapy and my fallback, being a spy lol.
I guess they stop being sold when they sell out. I am short too for a little while so its fingers crossed while a raise the funds to go.
I can hardly believe there are still people content to sit in the corner twiddling their thumbs while this scourge of injustice is so rife. I hope you guys make it, even though it will almost certainly sell out. We need the presence. If you can't go though, why not hold a march on your local Parliament to coincide with the opening perhaps, to raise awareness while the conference is on. I am also thinking of a sat night party for those of us who wont be going to the formal dinner. Kind of 'Not the gold pass street party' kind of thing. Maybe a Mardi Grass as well. LOL.
> I can hardly believe there are still people content to sit in the corner twiddling their thumbs while this scourge of injustice is so rife.
People learn, apparently early in life, to avoid situations where they feel uncomfortable. Part of the problem of religion is that it's long held a position where it can make freethinkers uncomfortable, merely by playing the “don't criticise me because I find it offensive” card, along with the “offend me and you offend what I assert to be a majority” card.
In other words, religion has usurped and distorted social norms, like group identity (and the automatic implication of “in group” and “out group”), and unquestioning deference to authority figures from childhood.
These are norms in the population, for very good evolutionary reasons. That's what makes it unsurprising that most people, even if they privately see religious claims as silly, don't examine it enough to realise how rooted it is in harmful attitudes.
It's good to encourage people to see the harm done by religion. But you'll have to be patient. Most people will be uncomfortable with the idea of even questioning other people's religious activities — and, before they themselves come to acknowledge the harm, ranting at them will do nothing but give them a wrong impression of who's crazy
Got my tickets, not gold ones though – couldn't justify the extra cost. Not sure whether I will attend the dinner or not depends if I can fit into my tuxedo
Well done on the tickets. You could save $100 and go to Not the Gold Pass Party. That $100 could buy a lot of coke and maybe even a bit'osomethin to splash into it too.