I almost feel sorry for these relinuts.

[Marinus 0]

Oh, who am I kidding, these idiots had it coming.

Humor: killing fundamentalism with laughter since 666 BCE.

An atheist feel-good movie of sorts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCfwcd_Ajg4

[Coreece 190]

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Oh, who am I kidding, these idiots had it coming.

Humor: killing fundamentalism with laughter since 666 BCE.

An atheist feel-good movie of sorts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCfwcd_Ajg4

Dude, that is awesome, lol...

ZZ TOP, ZZ TOP, ZZ TOP!!!!

You gotta wonder sometimes where all the hate really comes from, ya know?

btw...I don't think it's so much fundamentalism in religion that is the problem, it's the extremism caused from the ignorance of the fundamentals...

Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

[Marinus 0]

Fundamentalism in any form, not just religious fundamentalism, tends to mash up your relativistic capabilities. And this often leads to hatred towards people who dare to disagree with you. Not always, fundamentalist Jainism, for example, means that you can't harm living things to the point you aren't allowed to murder plants.

anyway:

ZZ!!! TOP!!! ZZ!!! TOP!!! ZZ!!! TOP!!!

[Coreece 190]

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Fundamentalism in any form, not just religious fundamentalism, tends to mash up your relativistic capabilities. And this often leads to hatred towards people who dare to disagree with you.

BULLSHIT!!! BULLSHIT!!! BULLSHIT!!!

I'd say the hatred was always there...this hatred is what often leads one to adopt an ideology that can be construed to bolster that hate.

Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

[jtval 0]

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You gotta wonder sometimes where all the hate really comes from, ya know?
..

Probably from all that hair in the heat, with no woman to look at.

Think about it. Summer can be a bitch! But the releif from the heat is to dress for the occasion which makes us hetero men look fwd to the summer.


I cut my hair shorter to allow my body to dissipate the heat.
I also enjoy a beer or other alcoholic beverage while enjoying the scenery.

If your god told you you couldn't have all that, wouldn't you be pissed off too?

My photos

My Videos

[Marinus 0]

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I'd say the hatred was always there...

I think this is partly true, but if you've a fundamentalist world view, an alternative world view will often be seen as threatening. fear often leads to hate. I was raised as a fundamentalist, and hatred/fear for the stupidest things was common. When I started loosing my fundamentalism in my early teens, most of those irrational fears went with it too.

But I think people who feel irrational fear/hatred towards a demographic will often try to rationalize it.

[Coreece 190]

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I'd say the hatred was always there...

I think this is partly true, but if you've a fundamentalist world view, an alternative world view will often be seen as threatening. fear often leads to hate. I was raised as a fundamentalist, and hatred/fear for the stupidest things was common. When I started loosing my fundamentalism in my early teens, most of those irrational fears went with it too.

I guess I can see how it could come to that...I suppose YMMV.

Personally I think it's the negative personal experiences in life that tend to "mash up your relativistic capabilities."

Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

[muff528 3]

Which ones?

[Marinus 0]

Ever heard the statement "There are no stupid questions?"

Well, that statement is apparently false, because you're asking a stupid question right now.

[Marinus 0]

Hrm, it's a combination of things, I think.

I think it's also how you handle your own prejudices, etc. I'm sure everyone or almost everyone has those, I know I have 'em, that's just how our minds functions, but the amount of self-criticism decides how big of a bigot you're going to be.

btw: may the Lord hate you and all your kind, may you be turned orange in hue, and may your head fall off at an awkward moment.

[muff528 3]

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Ever heard the statement "There are no stupid questions?"

Well, that statement is apparently false, because you're asking a stupid question right now.

I dunno. Looks to me like both groups are pissing away a perfectly good fishing day. Their protest chants are a little lame, too.

[Marinus 0]

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I dunno. Looks to me like both groups are pissing away a perfectly good fishing day. Their protest chants are a little lame, too.

Looks to me the atheists were minding their own business until the hate beards decided to crash their party with "burn in hell"chants that were already lame in 600 CE. And the atheists responded in exactly the right way by chanting back and ridiculing the salafist idiots in the process.

[muff528 3]

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I dunno. Looks to me like both groups are pissing away a perfectly good fishing day. Their protest chants are a little lame, too.

Looks to me the atheists were minding their own business until the hate beards decided to crash their party with "burn in hell"chants that were already lame in 600 CE. And the atheists responded in exactly the right way by chanting back and ridiculing the salafist idiots in the process.

What possible business could an "Atheist Convention" have other than minding the business of non-Atheists? What sort of "atheist business" could be conducted at a convention where, presumably, business pertaining only to atheist religious beliefs is being discussed. That might be a pretty short convention. IOW, what is there to discuss other than their political or societal relationship with government and non-atheists and then to formulate a course of action to advance their agenda as a group? Nothing wrong with that ...but it's not "minding their own business" if their political activity potentially affects the other groups. They are inviting protests from these groups ...just like any other political entity invites protests from opposing entities. I think they are even expecting protests from non-Republicans at the Republican Convention in Tampa. Imagine that! No difference.

[Marinus 0]

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just like any other political entity invites protests from opposing entities.

I'm sorry, since when is atheism a political entity? Funny how many American Christians see political agendas everywhere. One would think you guys are a bit paranoid. They were minding their own business. period. No need for those hate beards to show up with signs that read that "Atheism is a cancer". Sure they have the right to do just that, but it doesn't mean they aren't obnoxious meddling twats for doing so.

[muff528 3]

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just like any other political entity invites protests from opposing entities.

I'm sorry, since when is atheism a political entity? Funny how many American Christians see political agendas everywhere, one would think you guys are a bit paranoid.

They were minding their own business. period. No need for those hate beard to show up with signs that read that "Atheism is a cancer". Sure they have the right to do just that, but it doesn't mean they aren't obnoxious meddling twats for doing so.

Two people discussing what to do about the feral cat problem in the neighborhood is a political entity. Christians getting together in a church to worship is not a political entity. Christians gathering to discuss what to do about the local strip club is a political entity. I did not say atheism is a political entity. I said an Atheist Convention is ...unless it really was not a "convention" where policy is discussed, but rather just a social gathering of like-minded folks ...maybe just a BBQ. But they called it a "convention." Also I didn't comment on whether or not I thought the protesters were "obnoxious meddling twats". Neither did I previously make any reference to American Christians. The video looked like a pissing match between "organized" atheists and Muslims. My simple question was what, if not social or political policy, would be discussed or debated at an Atheist Convention.

[shropshire 0]

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Always look on the bright side of live ....... bwhaaaaaaaa

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Marinus 0]

People discussing politics aren't a politic entity unless that phrase does mean something radically different on your side of the pond. Besides that, in much of the Western world religion and politics are a lot less intertwined than in the US of A and people are in general much more relaxed about religious differences. In most Western countries the majority (of believers and non-believers alike) subscribes to secularism, in other words, we pretty much agree with each other politically. So an atheist convention in Australia doesn't have to be about politics and can be just as easy about religion and science. You might be projecting the American way on others. That's very American of you, but not necessarily right.

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The video looked like a pissing match between "organized" atheists and Muslims.

Actually it isn't a pissing contest between two groups, it's a contest between the hate-mongering of one group and the wit of the other group. Declaring that atheism is cancer isn't on par with declaring a group of religious head cases is ZZ Top. But you're probably one of those Christians that thinks Richard Dawkins and Osama Bin Laden are both religious extremists.

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Neither did I previously make any reference to American Christians.

You sound like a typical GOP voting American Christian with some paranoia issues so I assume you are and make the references for you. If you aren't and you don't fancy to be mistaken for one, it might be a good idea to change your rhetoric a bit. Sop no references to agendas, or calling atheism a religion.

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My simple question was what, if not social or political policy, would be discussed or debated at an Atheist Convention.

There's loads of things atheists typically like to discuss, and most of it isn't politics. There's science, ethics, recipes for preparing unbabtized Christian babies. A lot of stuff, but not a whole lot of forcing lack of believe down every one's throat by means of politics.

[Marinus 0]

I also like that people are like "Hey, a bunch of religion themed carnival freaks, I want to have my photo taken with them." That's exactly the amount of respect the deserve.

[muff528 3]

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People discussing politics aren't a politic entity unless that phrase does mean something radically different on your side of the pond. Besides that, in much of the Western world religion and politics are a lot less intertwined than in the US of A and people are in general much more relaxed about religious differences. In most Western countries the majority (of believers and non-believers alike) subscribes to secularism, in other words, we pretty much agree with each other politically. So an atheist convention in Australia doesn't have to be about politics and can be just as easy about religion and science. You might be projecting the American way on others. That's very American of you, but not necessarily right.

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The video looked like a pissing match between "organized" atheists and Muslims.

Actually it isn't a pissing contest between two groups, it's a contest between the hate-mongering of one group and the wit of the other group. Declaring that atheism is cancer isn't on par with declaring a group of religious head cases is ZZ Top. But you're probably one of those Christians that thinks Richard Dawkins and Osama Bin Laden are both religious extremists.

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Neither did I previously make any reference to American Christians.

You sound like a typical GOP voting American Christian with some paranoia issues so I assume you are and make the references for you. If you aren't and you don't fancy to be mistaken for one, it might be a good idea to change your rhetoric a bit. Sop no references to agendas, or calling atheism a religion.

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My simple question was what, if not social or political policy, would be discussed or debated at an Atheist Convention.

There's loads of things atheists typically like to discuss, and most of it isn't politics. There's science, ethics, recipes for preparing unbabtized Christian babies. A lot of stuff, but not a whole lot of forcing lack of believe down every one's throat by means of politics.

You have completely missed my point(s). You seem to think I'm criticizing atheists and the convention. Not at all. I'm only suggesting that the Muslim protesters have a right to protest what they might perceive as a threat to their way of life and that the response to the Muslim protesters was at a 3rd grade level at best. Period.

You are doing a lot of "assuming" as well as being a bit defensive. But I realized that I, too, have made assumptions about what might be discussed at an Atheist Convention (religion and politics) so I looked at the Convention website ...and guess what! They're discussing religion and politics! I'm sure they talk about futbol and needlepoint during breaks but their official program schedule of speakers and activities definitely has an ideological "lean" with respect to the roles of atheism and religion in society. Not criticism ...just a reality. Contrary to your "assumptions" I might even agree with a lot of it. You are right in that folks getting together discussing religion and politics are not a "political entity". A convention organized to advocate an ideology and to effect public policy does represent a political entity whether it is held in the US or in Bumfukt, Egypt or in Oz.

Now my other point goes to your comment that you edited out of your post #17:

"So an atheist convention in Australia doesn't have to be about politics and can be just as easy mainly about religious stuff."

What "religious stuff" is there to discuss (in an official capacity at a Global Atheist Convention) if not the religious "stuff" of non-atheists. They don't have their own "religious stuff" to talk about ...do they?

[davjohns 1]

I'm so confused...

I watched the video. Apparently some Muslims had a problem that some atheists were getting together at a convention. The Muslims sought to win the atheists over by gathering outside and telling the atheists they were going to burn in hell. (An interesting marketing technique, but I'm not an expert) The atheists apparently got bored with the convention (Understandable. I imagine the meeting is something like, "At the last meeting, we decided God does not exist. Any new business? Anyone? Can we make a motion that God still does not exist? Anyone? No? ...."), so the atheists decided to go get some fresh air and sun and yell silly things at the Muslims (Yet another innovative marketing campaign).

So...the purpose of an atheist convention confuses me. Since it's underlying principle (no god) is even harder to prove than that of other religions (god(s) exist(s)), they seem to be a religious group. I guess they are getting together to discuss how to convert people? Makes sense to me. All the other religions do it. They don't want to be left out. But since they seem to attend meetings and give their money to this religion, I'm not sure how it is better than the other options. At least with the others, I get to blame things on the devil, go to heaven and such. I'll think on it.

And then there's our friends the Muslims who have too much time on their hands as well. I still think their salesmanship lacked a little something. But since the atheists adopted their style, I guess it's a religion thing.

Looked like a good day for skydiving. But I really don't care to try to convert people to skydiving. Especially people who appear to be so angry.

" But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." Thomas Jefferson

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[rehmwa 2]

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[muff528 3]

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.....
Looked like a good day for skydiving. But I really don't care to try to convert people to skydiving. Especially people who appear to be so angry.

" But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." Thomas Jefferson

That's it! That's what I've been trying to say!

[Marinus 0]

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You seem to think I'm criticizing atheists and the convention. Not at all.

Well, you entered the discussion by suggesting there's no real difference between fundies screaming all kinds of hateful stuff, and the atheists, so what do you expect I think?

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Not at all. I'm only suggesting that the Muslim protesters have a right to protest what they might perceive as a threat to their way of life

They have that right, (I explicitly said that, btw) I do however doubt it's because they feel threatened. It's just to show off their hatred for the Western society that protect their way of life to such a great extend. That's why they don't fuck off to a country that better suits their specific religious needs, it's because of all the benefits they would loose. They're more or less the Islamic version of the WBC, a loud mouthed bunch of idiots that is offended by everything and respects nothing but their own idiotic way of life.

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and that the response to the Muslim protesters was at a 3rd grade level at best. Period.

I beg to differ, but anyhow, it was exactly the response those protesters deserved. Completely void of any intend to take the protesters serious.

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You are doing a lot of "assuming" as well as being a bit defensive. But I realized that I, too, have made assumptions about what might be discussed at an Atheist Convention

Pot-kettle indeed, and you're free to deny/refute those assumptions, btw. And remember this is SC: Whenever you disagree with me here, I'll be an asshole first and I'll ask questions later.

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so I looked at the Convention website

I did too!!!

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...and guess what! They're discussing religion and politics!

Among other things, yes.

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You are right in that folks getting together discussing religion and politics are not a "political entity". A convention organized to advocate an ideology and to effect public policy does represent a political entity whether it is held in the US or in Bumfukt, Egypt or in Oz.

1) What happened to "two people discussing a feral cat problem is a political entity?"
2) For something to be political there needs to be more direct meddling in politics. An atheist convention would be more comparable with a religious service.
3) I'm pretty sure they're considered blasphemy in Bumfukt, Egypt and in Oz there's only one political entity and it isn't an atheist convention.

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What "religious stuff" is there to discuss (in an official capacity at a Global Atheist Convention) if not the religious "stuff" of non-atheists. They don't have their own "religious stuff" to talk about ...do they?

Atheism is by it's very nature antagonistic, it can't possibly exist without theism, so yes, most of what's commonly considered to be atheistic lore is refuting religion. And your point is...?

[Marinus 0]

I'll admit, I laughed.

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Since it's underlying principle (no god) is even harder to prove than that of other religions (god(s) exist(s)) they seem to be a religious group.

Atheism is not a religion, other than that we live in a universe in which gods seem to be non-existent. It's also very hard to proof that unicorns don't exist, am I religious because I don't believe in unicorns? Of course not. Atheism is a logical position, unlike belief in nonsensical tales about talking snakes and splitting moons.

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I guess they are getting together to discuss how to convert people? Makes sense to me. All the other religions do it. They don't want to be left out.

It depends. I think American atheists are more devangelical than European atheists. In general we're a lot less devangelical than for example Christians. We've no imaginary Master to kiss up to and we don't have to save others from eternal fires. (sounds like a solution to the energy crisis btw, but that's another story) Most just want no religion in their lives. I think it was 4000 atheists? With over a billion non-religious folk on the planet most don't seem to care as long as religious folk keep their "get eternal life in 5 easy steps schemes" to themselves.

[Bolas 5]

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the response to the Muslim protesters was at a 3rd grade level at best. Period.

How should they have responded to them?

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.