AFA Forums

AFA Forums http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums The forums of the Atheist Foundation of Australia, an organisation supporting the rights of atheists, promoting atheism, providing a range of articles, quotes and news from an atheist perspective en Sat, 25 May 2013 14:56:04 GMT vBulletin 25 http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg AFA Forums http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums Insane Asylum Mafia Day 5 http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18405&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 23:00:17 GMT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!!! I keep telling you all to just leave this process to me and the other Health Board officials, and what do I find? ... STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!!!

I keep telling you all to just leave this process to me and the other Health Board officials, and what do I find? More fucking meat for the freezer!

Oh, my head...my poor head....I've always been so good at my job....so in control of situations...so efficient...so effective...such a good girl...but Mummy, I'm a good girl.....no Mummy, please don't lock me in the cupboard again....

....Ah, ahem, right, well, anyway thank you for joining us here in the Lounge. Dilbadoon is being wheeled back in over there to watch a bit of telly. Make him welcome.

I'm afraid that Godless Infidel will not be joining us this morning. We found him on the toilet, stone cold dead, a taser burn on his chest. Godless Infidel was a Euthanising Doctor, and town Day vigilante.

"Rollcall!"

Lounging around this morning:
dilbadoon (killed as scum, on 2nd personality)
Rhys (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
Threat (lynched as town, on 2nd personality)
Lord Blackadder (killed as town, killed as town, on 3rd personality)
djarealis67
askegg (killed as serial killer, on 2nd personality)

Dead
djarm67 (killed as indie...twice)
prudie (killed as scum, lynched as scum)
tjarm69 (lynched as town, died as town)
Requiem vitae (killed as town, killed as serial killer)
wolty (killed as scum, lynched as town)
Godless Infidel (killed as town, twice)

We have the option of shortening this Day Round to 6 hours, if all players post agreement in this thread (all remaining players are in the same timezone, I believe?). ]]> Mafia Game Forum Bolero http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18405 Why prayer is a con http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18388&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 01:20:08 GMT Hi All, Prayer appears to be a big deal in most religions, but it seems to me that the whole concept is ridiculous. Most religions (including... Hi All,

Prayer appears to be a big deal in most religions, but it seems to me that the whole concept is ridiculous.

Most religions (including Christianity) define god as being Omniscient (ie absolute knowledge). That means he/she/it must know everything that will happen now and in the future. This must be the case otherwise prophets would not be able to receive god's message and predict the future.

So when you think about it, this means that god must have an unalterable plan for how things will happen, and cannot change his mind on any detail as this would impact future events.

As I understand it, the idea of prayer is that you are asking god to change something for you, another person or a community/nation.

Obviously, if god's plan is fixed, unless what you asked for was already going to happen, your prayer will fail.

I just don't understand why religious people cannot see the absurdity of it. Jesus definitely lied when he claimed that anything you ask for in his name will be granted.

Any thoughts? ]]> General Chit Chat About Atheism austinmetropolitan http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18388 <![CDATA[Atheists Rejoice! Pope Francis Says You're O.K.]]> http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18387&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 23:33:20 GMT Phew, what a relief!

Does that mean I won't necessarily be going to Hell?

That must really annoy all those Catholics who have been dutifully going to confession and communion all their lives in an effort to avoid the wrath of God.

Not to mention all the money they've given the Church over the years!

See AlterNet article by Mary Elizabeth Williams

Go to: http://tinyurl.com/no8judb ]]> News and Current Affairs Phroso http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18387 What is atheism? http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18386&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:58 GMT The following is an extract from "The Missing Gene of Reason" by Brian McNiven.

'There should be no need to describe oneself as an atheist. We don’t
have words for people who do not believe in Santa Claus, the
Tooth Fairy, Leprechauns and the Easter Bunny, but we do have a
word for people that do—‘children’.
While scepticism is a healthy attribute that encourages the
need for the credibility of evidence, if that is all atheism was about
it would have little or nothing to offer. Atheism is not intended
as an antagonism to upset people’s fantasies, after all: Let people
believe whatever they wish to believe, what does it matter? Why
crush the beliefs of others if they derive some comfort or sense
of self-worth from their beliefs? Atheism is not about raining
on someone else’s parade. Its purpose is to promote humanism,
pacifism and reason......attributes that are the enemy of faith.' ]]> General Chit Chat About Atheism mac1 http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18386 Atheism and Marijuana legalization http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18385&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:27 GMT Hi. I really like this forum already, and some people have already expanded my somewhat limited views towards gay males, so I applaud people for... Hi.

I really like this forum already, and some people have already expanded my somewhat limited views towards gay males, so I applaud people for expanding my perception of the issue.

I am curious however if there are any common difference towards what atheists think about Marijuana legalization?

I believe we live in a country with a strong anti-drug culture, I mean most people I personally know are very anti-drugs, even if frequently consume alcohol (well mostly the older people I know are, many younger ones are more open to drugs)

I am very interested in what other atheists think about Marijuana.

Do you believe it is highly dangerous? Do you think it should be legal / illegal? Should Marijuana users be persecuted by the police and put in gaol etc?

I have used Marijuana for many, many years and know many other people that have, and I have never noticed any clear patterns of problems except that perhaps with some teenagers they tend to get into social groups where all their time revolves around it, but I don't see this as necessarily dissimilar to how teenagers spend too much time playing computer games etc.

I am just interested in what people think about it. I think it should be legalized, but I also think most drugs should be legalized, even though I personally hate methamphetamine and cocaine abuse. Nonetheless I am aware of various functional members of society that use both these drugs a few times a year without apparent harm.

I believe in personal liberty, and that a person should not be persecuted for using any substance, but only for direct criminal behavior such as violence.

If you read my intro you will realize I use a LOT of drugs, but none of them continuously and I have no addiction problems except for nicotine chewing gum and former alcoholism. However I am a very politely spoken and gentle person and I can assure you I don't break any laws, many people trust me to babysit their children etc and I am highly regarded by many people who are otherwise anti-drugs (note I would never use drugs around children).

I simply have an experimental personality and I like drugs that "relax me" as I tend to be a little high strung at times as a person. I don't have any children of my own but if I did, I would probably dramatically reduce my drug use, though I could never see myself entirely stopping using Marijuana.

My suspicion is most people here will be fairly anti-drug, and probably try and tell me that I will develop psychosis if I smoke Marijuana and that my brain and IQ will rot away :) I simply do not believe that Marijuana can cause psychosis in people that are not prone to losing touch with reality in the first place.

I directly know of two cases where doctors diagnosed Cannabis Induced Psychosis in two individuals, what I found ironic was in both cases I know for a fact that they did NOT disclose that they were also using methamphetamine, but only disclosed their cannabis use. I felt like ringing these doctors up and going "you know these people are heavy users of methamphetamine don't you?". But I never did. ]]> General Chit Chat About Atheism MarijuanaMic http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18385 Insane Asylum Mafia Day 4 http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18384&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 22:38:00 GMT Right, I'm getting a bit bloody sick of you all constantly trying to take matters into your own hands! I've been trying to conduct this Health Board inspection in a clinical, step-by-step manner, but Noooooooo! You all have your own ideas about how this should be run, you crazy fuc-

Er.....that is....I mean, welcome to the Dining Hall. It's quite pleasant to be sitting here having a nice breakfast together, isn't it?

Being wheeled back into the dining room this morning is wolty, having spent the night in counselling, and djarealis67, who was thought to have been missing, but who we found wandering the halls.

We actually had a VERY busy night in the recovery room (again!), and sadly we have also had to add to the pile of bodies collecting in the meat freezer in the kitchens (I don't recommend the bacon for breakfast, btw).

askegg was found in a crumpled heap outside his door, with a taser burn on his neck. When he recovered consciousness, we discovered he had been a Sadistic Serial Killer Doctor.

Interestingly, he told us he'd been on his way to kill Requiem vitae, and we were glad he hadn't made it....except that when we went to check on Requiem vitae, we found him in a corner of his room beaten to a bloody pulp....I'm afraid he didn't make it....which isn't as sad as it could have been, considering he was a Religious Freak Serial Killer Patient.

Requiem vitae is now dead and may no longer post in the Game Thread.

Most unfortunately, though, it seems Rv had enough chance to injure one last person before being beaten to dead. We discovered Lord Blackadder knocked unconscious by something heavy, and a dirty hypodermic sticking out of her arm....a King James Bible tossed on the floor beside her. Miraculously, she was still alive! Her second personality had disappeared, and it seems she has a third personality underneath all of that! Her second personality had been Harmless Doctor.

Finally, regrettably, we found poor tjarm69 curled up on one of the beds (not in her own room, mind you!), appearing to have been strangled to death. Tjarm69 was a Weak Doctor, who had to protect town, or die....looks like she chose the wrong person to cuddle up to.....

Tjarm69 is now dead and may no longer post in the Game Thread.

All returning patients retain all their memories from their first personalities, and are able to speak about whatever they choose.

"Rollcall!"

Vegetarian breakfasting this morning in the Dining Hall:
wolty (killed as scum, on 2nd personality)
Godless Infidel (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
dilbadoon
Rhys (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
Threat (lynched as town, on 2nd personality)
Lord Blackadder (killed as town, killed as town, on 3rd personality)
djarealis67
askegg (killed as serial killer, on 2nd personality)

Dead
djarm67 (killed as indie...twice)
prudie (killed as scum, lynched as scum)
tjarm69 (lynched as town, died as town)
Requiem vitae (killed as town, killed as serial killer) ]]> Mafia Game Forum Bolero http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18384 Some controversial questions http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18381&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 12:28:56 GMT Please note this is a theoretical question- I do not personally like pedophiles, indeed I think people who molest children should get MUCH longer... Please note this is a theoretical question- I do not personally like pedophiles, indeed I think people who molest children should get MUCH longer prison terms than they typically get.

But if a pedophile is totally law abiding and has NOT molested or acted illegally towards a child, should they be protected from the law against discrimination just as much as a homosexual?

Also another different questions. Should people advertising to let people board in their house be allowed to specify that they don't want homosexuals?

For example I have found on gumtree MANY advertisements specifies that gay people wish to have another gay house mate. But I tried once as an experiment, and when I specified that I was hetrosexual and did want any gay people moving into my house due to personal beliefs, the AD was banned?

In my opinion in general accommodation you should NOT be allowed to discriminate via sexual orientation, but if you are sharing your personal home, then I think you should be able to. ]]> Sexuality issues and equality MarijuanaMic http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18381 Skeptical of Psychiatry http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18380&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 12:05:54 GMT Well I am also skeptical of psychology. I am not saying that major mental illness and something wrong with certain peoples brains does not exist,... Well I am also skeptical of psychology.

I am not saying that major mental illness and something wrong with certain peoples brains does not exist, but I just believe due to the highly subjective nature of such diagnosis, that many people may be incorrectly diagnosed.

Depression in particular, I have been diagnosed with it, and I definitely suffer from negative emotional type problems of a long term and persistent nature, but the truth I am still not sure what I believe.

I definitely believe some people who are diagnosed with depression simply have poor coping skills or other personality problems.

Please note I do not deny the potential for mental suffering and pain, I certainly know that some people do suffer tremendously- because I have myself a lot (a lot more in the past than now) ]]> Pseudoscience and anti-science MarijuanaMic http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18380 Hi- about myself, I am somewhat controversial http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18379&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 11:36:22 GMT Hi. I am an atheist 90%, but I am not strictly anti religion or anything, but I do not like religious beliefs influencing politics or the law. ... Hi.

I am an atheist 90%, but I am not strictly anti religion or anything, but I do not like religious beliefs influencing politics or the law.

As you can probably tell from my name, I like Marijuana, which I believe is a "low harm" substances (nothing in this world is "harmless"), certainly massively safer than moderate intoxication on alcohol or the use of cigarettes.

Indeed I am into MANY drugs, with the exception of stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.

Drugs I like: Marijuana, Heroin (only pure- rare), Fentanyl and other opiates, benzodiazepines, Kava, Diethyl Ether, Ketamine, Ecstasy, Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Magic Mushrooms, Peyote, Salvia Divinorum and oh Ketamine (in moderation). I used to do DXM and LSD a lot, but have moved onto other subtances these days.

I am not addicted to ANY substance with the exception of nicotine chewing gum (been chewing it for 20 years), and I am a reformed chronic alcoholic. So the legal drugs are the ones which have nearly destroyed me! I believe ALL drugs should be legal and regulated, WITHOUT advertising (except perhaps for Marijuana).

Drugs certainly aren't the only things in my life, I love animals, kids, people in general (people are the purpose of life to me), finding out new and useful information, alternate and unique perspectives, Historical and Fantasy movies...

I am on a disability pension for complex psychiatric problems (I don't suffer from psychosis), but I have spent the last decade extensively helping some of the utterly most disadvantaged and trouble kids/ youth in the country! All of these kids come from horrendous background of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. We all love each other and consider each other family.

Sometimes I can talk too much :) ]]> Introduce Yourself MarijuanaMic http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18379 Irrational? http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18376&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 08:51:05 GMT Hi I was hoping to get some advice on my thinking. Some of you probably read my post 'Scared' so have an idea on how my coming out story has progressed. Truth is there is a lot more behind my story than there is on the forums, but I feel like it's all bottled up inside. I yearn to express it but living in Australia after traveling for almost 1 year in Europe and Israel on 'God's' mission, taking a brief break at my Dad's Parents place for 5 months then traveling back to Israel, Jordan, back to Israel then finally here in Queensland. Most of our traveling was done in tents, hostels and house sitting. During it all I had nearly complete social isolation, save for family and the odd stranger. I forget if I already posted about the trip and I don't want to repeat myself here so I won't get into detail.

I've tried talking to my parents on how stupid it all was, after all the traveling we did, shortage of food, extreme stress of backpacking with a overloaded 75l backpack full of regular clothes and personal belongings including laptop, berkey water filter, cooking stove, oils (for home medicine) and I was also carrying a large goat skin hand drum hanging outside of the backpack, we could barley fit food in there so when we had food we carried it in bags. We carried everything we owned, my siblings due to their younger age carried smaller backpacks but still heavy for their age. We were constantly under the weather, rain, wind, chill, and frost. We often had to skip meals just because we failed to meet or find something that God supposedly told us to do and dad would go into a panic mode trying to figure out what to do. Nothing in the trip was planned. Due to the wrong kind of cooking stove it was rare we got to eat a hot meal. Mostly we ate granola, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches on Wonder Bread.

After the trip I began to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and severe depression with a host of other stuff. It wasn't only me but my siblings too, my two sisters and youngest brother (I am not sure how it affected him as he was a bit young and does not display anything noticeable)

When we first arrived to Queensland to stay with a friend of my parents I holed myself up in my room and cried a lot, at 18 years old. I was unsure how to handle life being isolated so long had taken all my life skills away from me. I had no idea how to socialize or handle being around people. On top of that I was living in constant fear that I had failed God for being in this state and not being able to preserve through like a faithful servant.

My parents did not understand, but practically told me to toughen up, as it was part of God's plan.

I have tried to talk to them recently about all that. They do understand that it had negative effects but it must have been part of God's plan (Putting it in their own words). How can I talk to them if they cannot understand?

Our first few chats after I shared that I no longer believed in God, and that it was not just because of the trip. I had done much research and from reading the bible so much, I could no longer deny the facts that the bible (or any other religious text) was not divinely inspired. At first they took the news as a shock but did not argue or condemn me as I had feared. But as time went on our time together has become increasingly strained, they now realize that I am not going through a phase and I truly do not believe in God anymore. I refuse to partake in religious festivals nor observe Sabbath. They've become worried and more and more defensive, I feel like I almost can't talk to them anymore. Especially my dad.

Another thing that bothers me is my sister (only 1 year younger than I) went through her share of trauma, yet still asks my dad questions on scripture and firmly believes in God. She used to claim to be able to hear Him and even made some predictions in His name. Of course none came to pass, and even the things she felt He called her to do have never happened. Yet she still believes? I have wanted to talk to her and ask her why, but am afraid my dad will think I am demon possessed or something trying to lead her astray.

To top all of that I still have 2 younger siblings under their care, they've been through enough. I can't help but be a little scared for them. Right now they're settled in a rented apartment and have homeschooling text books, but what if my family goes into another phase of doing work for god? What kind of effects will it have on them, and what effects will remaining in that religion have?

I sort of went on a bunny trail, so back to the topic... Right now I am completing T.A.F.E (Kitchen Operations Cert II) at the end of this month. I did try to get an apprenticeship as a chef but seem to be running into problems of local restaurants refusing to hire a deaf apprentice despite the success of some deaf chefs worldwide (and two local deaf chefs in Sunshine Coast area). So I've given up on that idea, I am now planning to take a Cert III in Information Tech at T.A.F.E. After my course completion in December I am planning to save up enough money and want to go back to Canada where I was born and start backpacking across North America, take up travel writing or blogging to support my trip, and hopefully I can find myself along the way.

Don't get me wrong, I love Australia, but I personally know no one here, I've tried to make friends but due to poor social skills I am at a loss... Also I feel like I want to go far far away from my family. Perhaps in a feeble attempt to forget about it all?

Am I thinking irrationally? Is there a better way to deal with everything? I lose sleep every night thinking about everything. Having everything bottled up doesn't help.

Well I think I might have said too much, but these forums are all I have right now. I hope one day I can look back on all of this and use this experience in a positive way...

EDIT: Oops I went into detail without even realizing it until after I posted... ]]> General Chit Chat About Atheism fromthericefields http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18376 Lawrence Krause on ABC Local Radio http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18371&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 05:50:52 GMT On ABC Local Radio in Brisbane (612), on the program "Conversations", the presenter Richard Feidler, Christian but Science lover who thinks God Dunnit just got dragged kicking and screaming into the world of Lawrence Krause. The conversation is available on Podcast for those care to search for it. ]]> News and Current Affairs eccles http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18371 British soldier beheaded on busy London street in terror attack http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18369&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 03:05:08 GMT This (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10073910/British-soldier-beheaded-on-busy-London-street-in-terror-attack.html) is a... This is a horrific story and graphic image. What, exactly, is being taught in local communities that could account for this kind of home-grown extremism?

Quote:

In the first terrorist murder on the British mainland since the 7/7 suicide bombings of 2005, the men attempted to behead the soldier, hacking at him like a “piece of meat” in front of dozens of witnesses, before both were shot by police who took around 20 minutes to arrive.

Quote:

As they attacked the soldier, one of the men shouted “Allahu akbar”, or God is Great, according to the BBC, while another witness said they appeared to pray next to the body as if the solder was a “sacrifice”.

]]> News and Current Affairs Freethinkeroz http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18369 The rise of public racism in Japan http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18368&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 01:24:07 GMT As a Japanese as a second language speaker and a father who lives with two Japanese citizens, it makes me sad to see the rise of public racism in... As a Japanese as a second language speaker and a father who lives with two Japanese citizens, it makes me sad to see the rise of public racism in Japan.

Nationalism rearing ugly head with greater frequency

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/201...ter-frequency/

Quote:

Angry protesters took to the streets Sunday in Tokyo’s Shin-Okubo district, home to many Korean shops and restaurants, describing the Korean residents there as “cockroaches” and calling for their immediate “extermination.”

It was only the latest in a series of anti-Korean rallies in the neighborhood that have grown more intense in the past few months.

]]> News and Current Affairs workmx http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18368 Insane Asylum Mafia Day 3 http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18366&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 22:39:38 GMT Good morning, patients and staff. Welcome to the Exercise Yard. I thought we could all do with a vigorous bit of calisthenics this morning. ... Good morning, patients and staff. Welcome to the Exercise Yard. I thought we could all do with a vigorous bit of calisthenics this morning.

Joining us for a morning stretch is tjarm69, having spent the night in the recovery room. Remember, she is a different person now, but she remembers everything from her first personality.

Unfortunately, you crazy lawless bastards, tjarm had a stack of company in the recovery room last night!

The guards found poor Lord Blackadder lying helplessly on a bed in an abandoned room, having been tortured and shocked out of her first personality. Lord Blackadder was a Harmless Patient (albeit a hypochondriac).

Meanwhile, we found poor Godless Infidel lying in a bruised and bloodied heap in a corridor. He'd been beaten so badly, his first personality was wiped from his mind. Godless Infidel was a Compassionate Doctor, and town protector.

Horribly, it looks like poor djarm67 has been targetted yet again by the taser-wielding lunatic, and having suffered yet another shock, has up and died! However, although he was schizophrenic, multiple personality disorder was not one of his afflictions. His personality had not changed. Djarm67 was an Independent Schizophrenic Patient.

djarm67 is now dead and may no longer post in the Game Thread.

At least one of you mental folk finally got something right!

We discovered prudie sprawled on the floor of the sun room. It looked like she'd been knocked unconscious by something heavy....a large book, perhaps? .... then injected using a dirty hypodermic. We discovered some of our treatment missing from the meds room...

Prudie was the Evil Genius and Criminal Mastermind scum Don.

All returning patients retain all their memories from their first personalities, and are able to speak about whatever they choose.

"Rollcall!"

Exercising vigorously this morning:
wolty
prudie (killed as scum, on 2nd personality)
Godless Infidel (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
dilbadoon
tjarm69 (lynched as town, on 2nd personality)
Rhys (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
Requiem vitae (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
Threat (lynched as town, on 2nd personality)
Lord Blackadder (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
borealis
askegg

Dead
djarm67 (killed as indie...twice)

Nightfall will be in 12 (and a bit) hours from the time of this post. ]]> Mafia Game Forum Bolero http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18366 Funny Stuff http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18365&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 21:37:27 GMT I'm sorry, but listening to this was so hilarious, I just had to share it. The quintessential Christian response to the facts of evolution. The only thing good about this song is the sax.

http://youtu.be/JnLrOVUz-Uc ]]> General Chit Chat About Atheism aguster http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18365