A Mods Indiscretion - Happy First Of April..

[AFA Admin]

This is a very difficult post to make and I am both angry and saddened at the same time. Over the last couple of weeks several comments have been made stating a recognition of one of our Moderators as a Hillsong plant.

Mr B recognised the post GAC image of her as Lisbeth? from a Hillsong conference when he was a believer

I refused to believe this at first as I feel I am quite close to her and she is willingly taking on more and more work for the AFA as a volunteer... but it is now apparent that it is indeed the case as further information comes to light.

Praxis is now suspended until we can communicate with her which is proving difficult at the moment.

I will keep you all informed.

Protium

[davo]

we should have noticed this with the name 'Praxis'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_theology "God is disclosed in the historical ‘’praxis’’ of liberation. It is the situation, and our passionate and reflective involvement in it, which mediates the Word of God. Today that Word is mediated through the cries of the poor and the oppressed."
refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopraxis
It is interesting if one does a search that this is a pretty common teaching of christianity, there are such groups as http://www.praxis.org.au

[GenericBox]

Your a little early in Queensland...

[GenericBox]

More from wikipedia ... could of been a clue ...


Praxis

Union with God (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God), to which Christians hold that Jesus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus) invited man, requires not just faith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith), but correct practice of faith. This idea is found in the Scriptures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon) (1 Cor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Epistle_to_the_Corinthians) 11:2 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=53&ch=011&l=2), 2 Thes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Epistle_to_the_Thessalonians) 2:15 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=60&ch=002&l=15)) and the Church Fathers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Fathers), and is linked with the term praxis in Orthodox theology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology) and vocabulary.[1] (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ortho-praxis/) In the context of Orthodoxy, praxis is mentioned opposite theology, in the sense of 'theory and practice'.[2] (http://arts.tuirgin.com/) Rather, it is a word that means, globally, all that Orthodox do.[3] (http://www.orthodoxpraxis.org/article.php?id=2&menu=1) Praxis is 'living Orthodoxy'.[4] (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/rose_wv.aspx)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praxis_%28Eastern_Orthodoxy%29

[davo]

Fuck :(

[Fearless]

Why the hell has this gone public so fast? :mad:

I think until the story is cleared up the thread should be either closed or deleted.

[Annie]

I am assuming that Admin have got their shit together here and as such, I am in shock. Cant believe it. :confused:

[Fearless]

The people have a right to know. We couldn't sit on this for a couple of days.

I am just a bit pissed (as in angry) as I know her outside of these forums too. Well, I did meet her here but how was I to know?

I better get some sleep I think. :(

[Goldenmane]

I'm having great difficulty believing that Praxis is god-besmirched. For fuck's sake, she drank with me!

Admittedly she always went and bought her own drinks, but I thought she was just being kind to an admittedly financially-insecure bastard.

If this is true, it is seriously going to damage a large number of close friendships. Although it would explain how she's so happy all the time. Not deep, you know? Lacking a third dimension, even.

But, I will make no judgment as yet. I need to see the evidence.

I cannot believe this.
:mad:

[Fearless]

Sorry guys but I am closing this. People can read it; fine, but I don't want to wake up to a shit storm tomorrow.

Call it censorship or what you will. Protium can do what he likes if he wants this left open he can open it back up.

I am so hoping this is one huge mistake, I don't understand it much. Maybe I just don't want to believe it.

= CLOSED =

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

I'm having great difficulty believing that Praxis is god-besmirched. For fuck's sake, she drank with me!

Admittedly she always went and bought her own drinks, but I thought she was just being kind to an admittedly financially-insecure bastard.

If this is true, it is seriously going to damage a large number of close friendships. Although it would explain how she's so happy all the time. Not deep, you know? Lacking a third dimension, even.

But, I will make no judgment as yet. I need to see the evidence.

I cannot believe this.
:mad:+5

I do however wonder if it is at all possible that she used to be part of Hillsong and left. She doesn't seem like a particularly bad person to me.

As a result I am open to the possibility that there may have been a small mistake, and I am hoping it is a mistake.

UPDATE: I'm having cornflakes for breakfast

[two dogs]

“Is it easier to believe that nature has gone out of her course or that a man would tell a lie?” Thomas Paine ;)

[Logic]

Well if it is true she's a bloody good liar because I feel the majority of her posts and mocking of the religious would be hard to fake as a religious person. My other thought is, what would the point of 'infiltrating' us be?

I hope it's not true and will not pass judgement until we hear the whole story.

[Jin-oh Choi]

Well if it is true she's a bloody good liar because I feel the majority of her posts and mocking of the religious would be hard to fake as a religious person. My other thought is, what would the point of 'infiltrating' us be?

I hope it's not true and will not pass judgement until we hear the whole story.

I totally echo these sentiments.

[atheist_angel]

Mocking all but her own, apparently.

..but I, too, will wait until I hear her side of the story.

[wearestardust]

Well if it is true she's a bloody good liar because I feel the majority of her posts and mocking of the religious would be hard to fake as a religious person. My other thought is, what would the point of 'infiltrating' us be?

I hope it's not true and will not pass judgement until we hear the whole story.

+1,000,000.

I feel nauseous at the thought. I cannot process it.

[Durro]

It's something I always suspected but didn't want to voice. I've met Praxis when she was on holiday with her family last year on the Gold Coast and she came to Brisbane for a day. I was surprised that she didn't actually want to talk about religion with me (I spent most of the day playing tennis with her partner) and when we had a barbeque lunch, I could have sworn that I saw her mouth a silent grace to herself.

It all kind of fits now. I wondered why she was so sarcastic about some of the speakers at the conference and showed downright vehemence towards Professor Dawkins. I thought it may have simply been due to the closure of his forums, but obviously it was something more than that.

Yes, she was sociable and came out with some of us, but I couldn't help but notice the look of horror when one of the ladies in our group (Starr) snogged another lady (Lordpasternak) at the casino bar. Obviously her homophobia is well entrenched.

I for one am sorry to see her banned. I thought she was a lovely lady and we got on quite well - she even proof-read my Saudi book manuscript for me. But it seems that she is the consumate actress and inserted herself to try and get dirt on us. Of more worry is her access to the behind the scenes Mod chat that doesn't get shared publicly. I know from being a Mod at Ratskep and RDF before that there many sensitive things get discussed by the Mod team. I'm afraid that she is in a position to do a lot of damage.

I wouldn't be surprised if she is published in a newspaper soon. Anyone recall her being in The Australian last year and having very little positive to say about atheism, despite being one of the so-called leaders of the movement ? It all fits now.

:mad:

Durro

[Logic]

I am experiencing what I believe is called cognitive dissonance :confused:

[TimB]

Well if true this is very sad.

Big business does the old industrial espionage thing all the time - we shouldn't be surprised if big businesses like Hillsong try to get in and stuff us around.

Are we really that much of a threat to these organisations? I guess they must think so.

So who wants to volunteer to have their brain removed and become a happy clapper for a bit?

[kazzaqld]

Has no-one noticed the date of the OP? :p

[Durro]

I sent her an e-mail and I'm afraid that you won't like the response. She admitted to being a Hillsong plant and as I suspected, she's going to go public with some of the behind the scenes stuff that's gone on in your Mod centre and with the recent atheists' conference. For example, apparently, some of the speakers - full of piss and vinegar - said some unkind things about certain religions and religious figures at the conference after-party and Praxis is preparing to make public some of the alleged quotes from Dawkins and Myers, etc, about what they "really think". She's portraying the conference as a sham and futile PR exercise against those living a godly life with some serious undertones of not-so-civil behaviour by "leading" atheists when the cameras aren't around.

I'm afraid that this sort of distorted reporting will set our cause back years. Praxis is about to do a lot of damage.

:(

[riddlemethis]

Of all the people here I can probably give the best insight about what might be going on, as I have developed a RL friendship with Praxis over the past three years. This includes having stayed with her during the GAC.

I first had my suspicions that all was not right when she resurrected (ha, see what I did there) her Praxis handle, which I knew to be from what she described as her 'spiritual past' & the retirement of which she was always very circumspect about; which was odd as she was very candid about all other aspects of her life. I was able to rationalise it away by understanding that the word praxis simply means the process by which a skill or lesson is enacted, is linked to practicality & she comes across as a VERY practical person. I hoped the spiritual connotations weren't there.

But a few things happened during the conference, the most concentrated time we've spent together, that really got me scratching my head. I noticed she actually found it very difficult to discuss the deep implications of some of the topics raised by the speakers, which was something we'd said we were so looking forward to being able to do together. She was rather more focussed on minutae of peoples behaviour and interactions - things I considered either personal (between the parties involved) or completely inconsequential (like she was looking for meaning in actions that really had none).

The biggest indicator that things were a bit fishy in Denmark though, was the complete underwhelm I noticed from her off the back of RD's presentation. I went into the convention rather raw and angry at him for the piss-poor handling of the closure of the RDF forums, coupled with being tired of hearing him say the same things over and over in the public arena. I was hoping to hear something novel from him & decidedly about evo-biol. I thought what he presented was some of the most exciting discussion of 'why & wherefor the apparently innate human tendency toward supernatural belief' that I had ever heard. But the reaction I got from Praxis was like that of someone who didn't understand what she'd just heard & she seemed miffed that he hadn't been the 'strident, militant, atheist' up there. She was also strangely pissed off that the crowd quietened down quickly & gave the fundie woman the chance to ask her stupid question. . .

I've become more active here b/c I wanted to watch more closely how she behaved in an environment where she had an inside line, but it seems that others have beaten me to the bell anyway. Nonetheless, what I've written here might go some way to confirming what appears to be the case from other evidence.

I've sent her some journal links this week on a rather sensitive (personal) topic apropo of a conversation we'd been having, but they have gone unacknowledged; as have my txt's to her this morning.

I'm going to be very sad if Praxis doesn't come forward and explain what is going on here. I've trusted her with some highly confidential information about my life & she seemed to do the same, but now I wonder whether it was all made up (I admit I wondered at times how someone could have lead such a life but seem so together!) & I have been duped. I'm not normally a very credulous person. Who are you really Praxis?

[riddlemethis]

I sent her an e-mail and I'm afraid that you won't like the response. She admitted to being a Hillsong plant and as I suspected, she's going to go public with some of the behind the scenes stuff that's gone on in your Mod centre and with the recent atheists' conference. For example, apparently, some of the speakers - full of piss and vinegar - said some unkind things about certain religions and religious figures at the conference after-party and Praxis is preparing to make public some of the alleged quotes from Dawkins and Myers, etc, about what they "really think". She's portraying the conference as a sham and futile PR exercise against those living a godly life with some serious undertones of not-so-civil behaviour by "leading" atheists when the cameras aren't around.

I'm afraid that this sort of distorted reporting will set our cause back years. Praxis is about to do a lot of damage.

:(

Yep, as I hit send on my last post, an email came through. She has admitted that she has connections to Hill$ong & that in addition to what you have said here about blowing the lid of the "atheist high-priests", we as individuals have all provided an ample amount of fodder for just how despicable "the godless" are. She has revealed to me some very private information about members here, as well as at RatSkep & she has no intentions of changing names either. I guess Andrew Bolt is going to help with the disemination of this stuff - should have guessed after he actually allowed her rant at him to get published on the blog last week. . .all part of the cover.

[Durro]

I hope you're OK Riddler. I feel betrayed by the whole thing and I'm guessing you are too. It's going to only get worse as she starts her disinformation campaign. There's going to be some raw wounds for a while.

[two dogs]

According to Wikipedia:Traditionally, in some countries, such as the UK, Australia, and South Africa the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick after noon is called an "April Fool".

[Durro]

Oh, and now I know why she moved her son to a religious school last year...

:rolleyes:

I really want to write back and give her a piece of my mind, but it will probably get used as more justification that we atheists are evil and yadda yadda yadda. I'm simply going to block her from my address list.

Riddlemethis, feel free to drop me an e-mail or give me a call if you want to vent. I feel for you, as you were closer to her than what I was.

:(

[Durro]

According to Wikipedia:
Traditionally, in some countries, such as the UK, Australia, and South Africa the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick after noon is called an "April Fool".


No daylight saving in QLD....

:D

[riddlemethis]

I hope you're OK Riddler. I feel betrayed by the whole thing and I'm guessing you are too. It's going to only get worse as she starts her disinformation campaign. There's going to be some raw wounds for a while.

I am reeling to be honest Durro! I'm also very glad that my skeletons are long since out of the closet. I've never been more grateful for having a pretty ordinary life! That said there are some things that she is going to use to paint me as a kind of superficial nit-wit party-girl & I'll just have to wear that. Glad I behaved myself at GAC. Mind you, she has met my husband & friends & if she names any of them in anything, she could find herself on the end of a solicitors letter or two & so could Hill$ong.

Not knowing yet where the bomb will be dropped is the worst part right now. :mad:

[davo]

was @100

it's now @102

http://www.swatch.com/zz_en/internettime.html

[Fearless]

It was them!

[riddlemethis]

Awww boooo! Not long enough. Durro and I were just building some momentum - credible witnesses and all that!

It must be said, Praxis is the bestest chick I've met in bloody years & a good honest atheist!

Happy April Fools everyone & don't forget to do some last minute rabbit choc-egg shopping before we go into retail shut down for zombieboy.

[Podblack]

HAPPY APRIL 1st




OOOOOF, you naughties! And I just sent out a link to my friends going 'sheesh, I've seen internet drama before, but this is a classic!' :D

If there's any of my friends reading this, YES, I got fooled and YES big bloody hugs and I miss you! :D

[riddlemethis]

Oh, does 2Dogs win the internetz for being the best skeptic in the villaaaaage? Or was he in on it too?

[Goldenmane]

Happy April First everyone.

Though it's still only 09:46 hours here.

:D

That was kinda fun.

[atheist_angel]

UPDATE: I'm having cornflakes for breakfasthttp://www.smileyvault.com/albums/userpics/10172/smiley-face-popcorn.gif

[riddlemethis]

OOOOOF, you naughties! And I just sent out a link to my friends going 'sheesh, I've seen internet drama before, but this is a classic!' :D

If there's any of my friends reading this, YES, I got fooled and YES big bloody hugs and I miss you! :D

See! Trap sprung waaaaaay too soon! This could have been epic. I'll bet it didn't even get as far as RatSkep. . .[scurries off to look]

[Fearless]

GB figured it out pretty quickly but we had to tie him up and sing hymns until he agreed to play ball... He only got to line 2 of the first hymn before he cracked.

Praxis had the easy job!

[Goldenmane]

See! Trap sprung waaaaaay too soon! This could have been epic. I'll bet it didn't even get as far as RatSkep. . .[scurries off to look]

Dammit, I didn't even think to spread it over there.

Mind you, no-one would have believed me. Shit like that's totally out of character for me.

[Jin-oh Choi]

I completely forgot it was April 1st. As I am still doing my End of Months.

I only just realised about hour or so ago. It was nicely played though by those involved.

[atheist_angel]

Praxis had the easy job!She was a good Sport! That couldn't have been easy. :p

[TimB]

Awww you guys are funny (ok so who is just a little bit relieved).

Here's a challenge for next year - get ole George Pell to announce he is really an atheist :eek:.

@ wearestardust: Nice Spitfire - especially good with the aussie WWII markings.

[Logic]

:eek: Thank goodness for that. Glad I didn't say anything like, yeah I always thought she was a bitch anyway :p

I'm not sure if I found that funny though... I'm still recovering.

[Jin-oh Choi]

:eek: Thank goodness for that. Glad I didn't say anything like, yeah I always thought she was a bitch anyway :p

I'm not sure if I found that funny though... I'm still recovering.

Same... To much excitement for one morning. :)

[Annie]

Me too. Note: I edited out "deceit, dishonest, dispicable" before the trap was sprung. Hi praxis! (can't do green smiley on tapatalk).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wearestardust]

yeah, that Praxis is a complete theist bitch, it was always so obvious .... why are you all looking at me like that.

Consider me totally pwned.

More embarrassingly, I was wondering about the "praxis thing" and was thinking 'isn't "praxis" just a postmoderny way to spell "practice" ', but declined to say so.

@TimB: thanks. It's a model of this one:


http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/P01275.029

I tried and tried to get the camera angle on the model to match the 'real' one, but just couldn't manage it.

[atheist_angel]

@Annie: Well, I'm keeping in "Mocking all but her own, apparently." :p

*waves at Praxis* :D

[Annie]

AA. That was a very thought provoking comment. After reading it I checked praxis' profile and I could see exactly what you meant!! Uhuh! Especially her signature where she writes to believers!!! See why I'm not in law!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Worldslaziestbusker]

This was a very well executed wizard jape.
I felt very unsettled when I first read it over the cornflakes. Hope never to taste betrayal close at hand. I don't think my delicate digestion could handle it. Very glad it's not true (or is it? Praxis - the quadruple agent).
My own AFD shenanigans pale into insignificance and I take my hat off to the moderators.
WLB

[Darwinsbulldog]

Hmmmm.........., a "funny" POE. I don't mind April fool's jokes, but I am not too keen when they are directed at individual people. I am a humourless old fart, but there it is. :(

[Seamus]

Surprised at the duplicity? No.

Surprised Praxis is dishonest? Yes, I've always liked her.

Am I embarrassed or think our admin should be? For what? Being human and trusting someone?

My main feeling is one of sadness. Such behaviour is pretty pathetic and reflects badly on that church---Wait, didn't someone say Hillsong? It would be hard for me to more contemptuous of that organisation.

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me (anon)

[Brad]

Hey, Seamus, check the date f'chrissakes.

All the time I was thinking: just what sort of info has she got? What the fuck has everyone been talking about? Bombing churches..?

Hook, line and sinker (plus the rod and fucking reel).

[Durro]

Just so you know, Praxis wasn't a victim of this - she was the one who organised it, in conjunction with the AFA Mods and some of her friends - Riddlemethis, Goldenmane and myself to name a few.

;)

[atheist_angel]

We fear her; she made us do it! :)


he he he! ;)

[Loki]

I've been trying all morning to come up with a way of getting the real joke here (Hillsong itself) into the conversation, but admit defeat. Someone help me out.

[Justin]

OK..I admit at first I was surprised, then shocked, and finally in denial that you'd used my photo as evidence of cult behaviour... :D

[Darwinsbulldog]

Just so you know, Praxis wasn't a victim of this - she was the one who organised it, in conjunction with the AFA Mods and some of her friends - Riddlemethis, Goldenmane and myself to name a few.

;)

very miffed at being left out! ;)

[Seamus]

Hey, Seamus, check the date f'chrissakes.

All the time I was thinking: just what sort of info has she got? What the fuck has everyone been talking about? Bombing churches..?

Hook, line and sinker (plus the rod and fucking reel).

Oh Flunggle! I forgot,got me good Praxis. I think you deserve a spanking.:rolleyes:

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Next april fools I'll be confined to Fantasy Island as a joke. :D

I thought there was something fishy going on!

[Fearless]

I thought there was something fishy going on!

Even with my stellar performance? :eek:

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Even with my stellar performance? :eek:(*liarish pinnochio voice*) No I was never fooled! You can never fool midget reptiles! I was just DECEIVED that's all! :D

I must admit I attempted to contact her on her Youtube channel, and only 10 seconds after, I realized it was April the first and even edited one of my post on this thread to reflect it.

I bet she'll see this post and correct my speling of "pinnochio" since I don't know how to spell that. :p

The funny thing was, her title had "Raptured" under it instead of the typical "Raptured!" so that was another clue to me.

I was wondering why her title had "Raptured" under it instead of the typical "Raptured!" and the profile info was intact, which doesn't normally happen on members that have been raptured!

[Fearless]

The funny thing was, her title had "Raptured" under it instead of the typical "Raptured!" so that was another clue to me.

lol, you noticed... there were a few clues in there.

[GenericBox]

I have to admit that Fearless's performance had me more fooled than the actual OP ... No stab intended at the OP - I just mean it took me longer to realise that Fearless was in on it... But then I realised it would be too dangerous not to include all Mods in something like this.

I still messaged Fearless though lol thinking he wasn't.

[Goldenmane]

lol, you noticed... there were a few clues in there.

Other clues:
Although it would explain how she's so happy all the time. Not deep, you know? Lacking a third dimension, even.

Riffing on Tim Minchin's Dark Side.

[Fearless]

The exact timing of the first post and Mr Black's signature. :D

Edit: Which has changed I might add... said something like "Things aren't always what they seem..."

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Another interesting clue for me that SUMTHIN was r0nG was how the name "Lisbeth" kept popping up. Not her name according to her website.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

OK.. We've just heard from Praxis. I hope everyone can make sense of it...
I can't go any longer.. thanks to everyone for playing..

HAPPY APRIL 1st
Hey Protes - you reckon we could impose a ban on anybody who has "Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk" at the end of their posts? That is definitely spam. :D

[two dogs]

The exact timing of the first post ...
Indeed, that was the first thing that I looked at on encountering the thread early this morning.

[Praxis]

Hi everyone! I'm here in Warrnbool for the enforced Choc Fest for a few days great to see how many were well fooled!! Bloody hell Durro & riddles though, talk about laying it on thick guys! And Annie, I saw your post last night before I logged off! Thanks to Team Mod for playing along so well and I must reassure my favourite Bulldog that I volunteered for crucifixion! I had the easy job travelling in the car all day! I love the pwnage quota *LOL*. Gotta go, heading put for a counter tea now. Love youse all! xxx


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Eye phart in ur genril diereckshin.

[Praxis]

And just in case you skeptics want proof, my son took this one minute ago. This is my car and me!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

That will be the cornflakes you had earlier on...Or the bacon... Gotta love that Angus Classic thing.

[Annie]

The exact timing of the first post and Mr Black's signature. :D
All WA, NT, and SA forumites were disadvantaged as it wasn't April 1st for them.
I'm calling for a rematch next year. Everyone else against the mods.
:-)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[atheist_angel]

All WA, NT, and SA forumites were disadvantaged as it wasn't April 1st for them.It wasn't April 1st for me until three hours ago!

:eek: I am so doomed next year!

[Annie]

Hey Protes - you reckon we could impose a ban on anybody who has "Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk" at the end of their posts? That is definitely spam. :D
That's not very nice!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

That's not very nice!


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkBanned for spamming goddammit!

SAVE UP TO 40%...

[Annie]

:-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Croc.. The application defaults to say that. I left it there and don't get bothered by it as it lets others know that the person is mobile so perhaps has an excuse to be low in character count as the fingers get sore :)

Sent from my home using a keyboard.I heard about something like that regarding mobile phones. I thought that was why it was happening. Something like "operator signature" it is called I think.

But an iPhone... geez! :p

At the risk of going off-topic - my uncle was bragging about how his iPhone has more computing power than the Appollo 11 shuttle.

[two dogs]

...
At the risk of going off-topic - my uncle was bragging about how his iPhone has more computing power than the Appollo 11 shuttle.
Is that the same uncle that doesn't believe in the science of the "theory" of evolution? ;)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Is that the same uncle that doesn't believe in the science of the "theory" of evolution? ;)It sure is. It is also the same uncle who, whenever getting a new tech gadget with over 16KB of RAM and anything greater than an 80286 processor, tries to impress people by claiming it's superior power to Apollo 11 too.

[nettybetty]

At the risk of going off-topic - my uncle was bragging about how his iPhone has more computing power than the Appollo 11 shuttle.

Why did he pay all that money for an IPhone when you can buy a $6 calculator and brag has more 'technology' than the Apollo 11 shuttle.....

[Darwinsbulldog]

I suppose it is a good exercise in skepticism to doubt personal testimonies, but folks must have faith in each other. Reasoned faith. I never bought the story because I just could not believe that so many of my friends : Praxis herself, Protium, Durro and Riddles [and my own assessment of praxis] that she would be anything other than what we had known her. But that is not the point.

We atheists do have reasoned faith in our community. We believe that our milk that we buy at the corner store has not been poisoned. Society works on people have faith and depending on each other to do our jobs.

This is a different faith from believing in god, fairies and the supernatural. This is what makes us atheists. I therefore don't like this exercise in skeptacism about those among us, even as a joke, coming so hard after the break-up of 85,000 members of RDF.net forum.

Most of us lead busy lives, and might not read every post. Already, some folks have got the wrong idea. Big joke. Ha ha. Sorry, I still do not see the humour in all this.

Can't we now concentrate in the matter at hand..more build-up from the grand success of the Conference? We're cats, and we need to herd. We will only herd of our own free will. Because we are skeptics in a world of delusion.

[GenericBox]

I tend to disagree. I don't think belief or faith should be confused with trust. We need trust. Not faith or belief. I do not believe my milk hasn't been poisoned. I trust it hasn't because of a series of questions/rationales I process subconsciously.

Simply - that might be:
- I trust it isn't poisoned because the Australian Government (whom I trust) have laws and regulations monitoring the Food and Produce Industry.
- I trust it isn't poisoned because I trust Farmer's do the most to maintain the best quality in their product and facilities.
- I trust it isn't poisoned because I trust that the store I buy the milk from does the best to maintain safe handling procedures ... to avoid such a catastrophic PR event.

Society works best when people have trust. Because trust at least, is (generally) founded on facts, and educated guesses; Faith, by definition - is founded on nothing - or at the very least, founded on nothing resembling factual or even educated information.

Some people define belief and trust the same in context. But to me, and in most dictionaries, belief - in the same definition as the trust context - also includes "confidence and faith".

[Fearless]

Darwinsbulldog, I am sincerely sorry if this prank offended yourself and others.. it was not the intention.

If I can say that we were monitoring things throughout the prank to make sure no one was getting overly affected, we would have pulled the plug if so.

I certainly hear and understand what you are saying but there was no ill intended, especially given the RDF issue. Not much of an excuse but there is no other excuse I can offer.

I hope you don't lose trust over it, we do care what people feel and do respect your feelings.

Again I am sorry.

[Durro]

Sorry to be the contrarian straight talker here, but really, WTF ?

It was April Fool's Day and we were having some good natured fun. Praxis wasn't a victim of anything - it was her idea and she had several collaborators in on the scheme.

Praxis has been on this forum for ages, knows dozens of us personally and has a track record of reasoned debate and articulate argumentation. If a few people fell for the joke, then that's great - personally, I had reservations that anyone would fall for it, which is why I came on strong with my claims that she'd e-mailed me and confirmed the accusation.

We've all played pranks. We've all fallen for pranks. Darwinsbulldog, you found yourself on the other side of the fence on this occasion, but I can't for the life of me see what the fuss is all about. If you feel betrayed or aggrieved, then you don't have as thick a skin as I previously thought you had. It was good natured fun that managed to suck in a few people despite the absurd nature of the prank. And to me, that's what made it funny; that it was so absurd.

:rolleyes:

Durro

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

@Darwinsbulldog: Fear not for I admit to have fallen for this prank. Even though I noticed so many odd things, like Praxis having "Raptured" instead of "Raptured!" and the fact that she STILL had all her profile info!

Of course, I got "even more fooled" when Fearless closed the thread, and then Protes opened it wondering why Fearless closed it, requesting more info.

Even sent her a PM through Youtube asking her what's going on.

About 10 seconds after sending that message, I then realized that April the First might have something to do with this.

CONCLUSION: Best AFA Forums April Fools Joke EVARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

[atheist_angel]

Okay People! :)

I don't want anyone getting an ulcer over this. It was a raging success!

The performances were excellent and it's comforting to know we can pull something off together on this level.

The camaraderie was amazing!

Anyone that was aggrieved that they weren't in on the joke, still has opportunity to set up one next year (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=4721).

I hear paybacks are a bitch. ;)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

I sometimes wonder if the bible was just an april fool's joke. Apparently it seems some people took the joke a little too seriously.

[Seamus]

And just in case you skeptics want proof, my son took this one minute ago. This is my car and me!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Ohhhhhh, red hair! I REALLY think you need a spanking.--I'l be right over with with my birches, cuffs,spurs and a mango.(where did you say you live?) :D

[Darwinsbulldog]

Sorry folks, I am in a dark place at the moment. Highly frustrated by the junk I am being forced to teach, trying to alter it so that it makes sense to my students.

No excuse, but I will try less to be a grumpy old fart. :)

[Fearless]

Sorry folks, I am in a dark place at the moment. Highly frustrated by the junk I am being forced to teach, trying to alter it so that it makes sense to my students.

No excuse, but I will try less to be a grumpy old fart. :)

No need for apols... we all go 'there' from time to time. Cheers.

[Goldenmane]

Sorry folks, I am in a dark place at the moment. Highly frustrated by the junk I am being forced to teach, trying to alter it so that it makes sense to my students.

No excuse, but I will try less to be a grumpy old fart. :)

See, you need to come have a beer with me. If that doesn't cheer you up, nothing will.

Beer makes everything better. Beer + Goldenmane either kills you, or makes you realise how fucking stupid worrying about other shit is, when we live in a world with beer + Goldenmane.

Did I mention that I know how to make nukes?

[Darwinsbulldog]

So do I-know how to make nukes that is. :D

Glad you mentioned beer, such a civilized drink. Better than wine, which just makes folks religious vampires, wanting to drink cheese's blood. :D

As for education, it is one of my core programing modules-my reason for existence, so it is hard for me not to take it seriously. I live in a morass of post-modernist, cultural relativist clap-trap.

Still, drinkies sounds a good idea.

[Goldenmane]

Postmodernism: saying as many words as possible whilst being careful to avoid including any content.

It's one of the big problems I have with academia, and one of the main reasons I don't have a degree. Last year I went into a post-grad, but I ended up giving it away partly because of that shite. Although it was interesting to get D's and such whilst mouthing off about pm being shite.

[atheist_angel]

Glad you mentioned beer, such a civilized drink. Better than wine, which just makes folks religious vampires, wanting to drink cheese's blood. :D

Still, drinkies sounds a good idea.
I fail to see the difference. One is bread from the earth and one is fruit of the vine.
Which are both used in religious ceremonies. Bring on the Wine! ;)

[Darwinsbulldog]

Jeebus's blood [red wine] is highly poisonous to me, which makes me a natural atheist, I guess. Horrid stuff, grapes I like though. :p

White wine is tolerable I guess , but it still doesn't compare to a good ale. :eek:

I am amazed that some rationalists are so deluded about wine:confused:. It is the devil's brew. :eek:;):p:D

[Goldenmane]

I, on the other hand, am a fucking drunk, and will drink pretty much anything. From an evolutionary standpoint, I'm the Great Adapter, not confined to niches.

[Darwinsbulldog]

I, on the other hand, am a fucking drunk, and will drink pretty much anything. From an evolutionary standpoint, I'm the Great Adapter, not confined to niches.

Generalists do tend to leap major extinction events better than specialists, who do better in more stable environments. :D:D

Doesn't make wine taste any better though... a snort of something else does ease the headaches, but it be temp relief...vengeance commeth in the morning! :):)

[Goldenmane]

I don't get hangovers.

I get drunk, then I get sober.

Sometimes things can get a little surreal, but no headaches and the like.

I should be part of a study or something.

Edit: Last night I drank beer, red wine, and scotch. None of any particular quality. Carlton Dry, Yalumba Cab Sauv in-a-box, and Whyte & Mackay. Absolutely fine this morning.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Indeed, I believe that you can buy some reds that have had them removed. I think it is the histamine that is my main problem. If piss has congeners too, it must be a different type that I can tolerate. :confused:

[Darwinsbulldog]

I don't get hangovers.

I get drunk, then I get sober.

Sometimes things can get a little surreal, but no headaches and the like.

I should be part of a study or something.

Edit: Last night I drank beer, red wine, and scotch. None of any particular quality. Carlton Dry, Yalumba Cab Sauv in-a-box, and Whyte & Mackay. Absolutely fine this morning.

Tosser! I can see I am going to be very ill, and you will wake up in rude health! There is no god! :mad::mad:

;););)

[Goldenmane]

Perth Atheist Drinking Club?

Sounds good to me.

We need a logo. :D

[Praxis]

Get out of my April Fools thread and sort your boozy socialising out elsewhere ;)

Locking thread now.

Was great fun though!

Oh, and I feel that I should mention that some of the things that Durro and riddlemethis posted about my behaviour at the GAC contained both some elements of truth as well as some outrageous bulltwang. It is indeed true that I often had a slightly glazed look during some lectures - this was usually because I was either very tired (a sweet euphemism for hungover) or it was a bit hard for me to understand fully (not being very edjumakated'n'all that ;)).

And the bit about my "homophobia being well entrenched" I feel bound to publicly state is absolute twang (just in case - you never know who is reading this stuff and is overly gullible). Believe me when I say that I enjoy a good girly snog as well as the next chick :D

Anyhoo - it's bye bye from this thread. Hope to see you all for fun and games on 1 April next year!