Hello from Perth

[Julien]

Just paid for membership to the AFA.

I'd been thinking about it for a while... As far as I can remember I have always been an atheist. This is despite being raised in a religious family. My grandfather was a protestant priest in France. I consider myself lucky he didn't take up catholicism - I wouldn't be typing this if he had. :)

As a teenager, I was forced to go to Sunday school. My parents' reasoning was that I could not possibly choose not to believe in something I didn't know about... :rolleyes: So I endured many sessions of pointless debating. Until this one day when one of the more seriously deranged cult members there told me that she seriously believed the Genesis story. That gave me enough ammunition me to convince my parents they were wasting my and their time.

I was never very vocal about my lack of belief (each to their own), however as time went by I started noticing how dangerous and damaging religions can really be. Fanaticism is on the rise, helped in its spread by new media technologies. Freedom of expression is being threatened by those who shout "Blasphemy" at any challenge of their beliefs.

I think the time has come for atheists to unite and make a stand against irrational beliefs.

One specific issue that bothers me is that of education. I have a ten year old daughter who goes to a public school and I am shocked by the general lack of resources and the mediocrity of the teaching. As a tax payer, I also resent public money being used to fund private, faith-based education. There is clearly no rational justification for this. So I would like to know what the AFA's view is on this topic.

Rant over. :D

[youngmoigle]

Welcome aboard Julien


I was never very vocal about my lack of belief (each to their own), however as time went by I started noticing how dangerous and damaging religions can really be. Fanaticism is on the rise, helped in its spread by new media technologies. Freedom of expression is being threatened by those who shout "Blasphemy" at any challenge of their beliefs.


I feel the same way. Religion would be a joke...if it wasn't so damned serious.

[tandytripper]

Welcome Julien! Hope to see you around the traps.;)

TT

[Mister Pervert]

I think the time has come for atheists to unite and make a stand against irrational beliefs.

I'm happy to sit, but yeah - welcome, and all that theatrical hugging stuff.

[Podblack]

Hi hi! There's the Perth Atheists and there's going to be regular Skeptics in the Pub coming up in Mt Lawley (just sorting out the Meetup.com group) - have a check on Meetup.com for more like-minded gatherings in Perth! :)

[Faithfree]

Hi Julien! I'm also from Perth and new here myself........still looking around.

[Podblack]

New site for Perth Skeptics! http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Skeptics/ and there's the Perth Atheists as well at: http://www.meetup.com/PerthAtheists/

[DanielV]

As a tax payer, I also resent public money being used to fund private, faith-based education. There is clearly no rational justification for this. So I would like to know what the AFA's view is on this topic.
Rant over. :D

Hello Julien, welcome!

I agree wholeheartedly that faith-based education should be entirely privately-funded.

I'd prefer it didn't exist at all to be honest and that "comparative religion" studies be part of all students education - but i'm no expert on education either.

[Unsacred Cow]

Welcome Julien!

[Podblack]

THIS SUNDAY!!!

Check out the Meetup.com group!! :D

http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Skeptics/

[Chrys Stevenson]

THIS SUNDAY!!!

Check out the Meetup.com group!! :D

http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Skeptics/

I've added the details to our Aussie/Kiwi (http://www.atheistnexus.org/group/aussiekiwisouthpacificatheists) page on Nexus.

[Podblack]

More activities this Saturday - we'll be checking out a 'psychic fair' in Fremantle. I'm planning on recording a little audio for the podcast after we've checked it out. :)

[Annie]

One specific issue that bothers me is that of education. I have a ten year old daughter who goes to a public school and I am shocked by the general lack of resources and the mediocrity of the teaching. As a tax payer, I also resent public money being used to fund private, faith-based education. There is clearly no rational justification for this. So I would like to know what the AFA's view is on this topic.

Rant over. :D Hi Julien! and welcome. Im from Perth too and a teacher in a public school. I dont think i am stepping over the line in saying that we are also shocked at the lack of resources available to us and are just as resentful of public $ > private schools as you. It makes our jobs all that much harder. One (of many) examples - most public schools teachers are still using blackboards while most private schools have smart boards in most class rooms. Smart boards cost around $4,000 each and bring the world into the classroom. Without going into reasons for substandard teacher performance, (and there are many) it isnt hard to imagine how it is possible for public school teachers can get dispondent when they are expected to move mountains in this age of technology using the chalk and slate.. The Fed's answer to the problem is to produce a website consisting of performance data such as league tables. I think Gillard has missed the point.

End of 'my' rant. :D

Enjoy your time here. :)

[Lita]

Hi Everyone

I am new to this site but have been an atheist since asking my grandmother at 12 years of age....but who made God......... eheheheh and don't you hate that the G in God has to be capitalised????? in fact correction....I am not going to do that anymore.....god.....there and no lighting bolt hit me.......YET....eheheheh

I have just bought tickets to the convention. anyone wanna come with me? I don't wanna go alone..... :( (34 F)

[common pirate]

Julien (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/member.php?u=415), you deserve applause, well said.

Lita, maybe we can get a group of forum users together, i dont know, ive still to buy a ticket. and have no-one to go with either (Girlfriends Catholic)

[Annie]

Julien (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/member.php?u=415), you deserve applause, well said.

Lita, maybe we can get a group of forum users together, i dont know, ive still to buy a ticket. and have no-one to go with either (Girlfriends Catholic)
You are both welcome to join my group of 4. :)

[Podblack]

I'll be there! So, five? :) I have two other friends who I think will be going too, and Protium the moderator is from Perth. I think the www.meetup.com group for Perth Atheists needs to be updated to reflect people going! :)

[Annie]

I'll be there! So, five? :) I have two other friends who I think will be going too, and Protium the moderator is from Perth. I think the www.meetup.com (http://www.meetup.com) group for Perth Atheists needs to be updated to reflect people going! :) The more the merrier!! We are 40-50. Private message me. Your friends are welcome to join our lot too. :)

[Lita]

sounds like a plan.....we should definately meet up .... I think Protium is thinking about doing the feb meetup specifically so everyone that is going to the convention can meet... that will be cool.... Annie you will have to keep us posted as to how many in your group....

[Annie]

Annie you will have to keep us posted as to how many in your group....
Reason??? Am I missing something here? :confused:

[Podblack]

Reason??? Am I missing something here? :confused:

Well, you said that there were 40-50 in your group? So I guess that isn't reflected on the Meetup.com group, where there's only 18 members listed as RSVP-ing in the positive. http://www.meetup.com/PerthAtheists/calendar/11535177/ or am I reading the conversation wrongly?

[Annie]

You are both welcome to join my group of 4. :) The 40 - 50 was an age reference for Lita in case she was wondering. She did say she was (34 F) Im hoping its not her bra size and Ive got it terribly wrong. :eek:

[Lita]

Im hoping its not her bra size and Ive got it terribly wrong. :eek:

heheheh no not my bra size but close...eheheh;) I got that it was an age reference...:)