TOM PAINE AWARD
FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO HUMANITY
RECIPIENTS
2008 - The Chasers
2007 - Assorted Authors
2006 - Richard Dawkins
2005 - Brenda and Keith Cornish
The recipient of the Tom Paine Award, chosen by the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc Committee, is in recognition for outstanding promotion of ideals conducive to human contentment and survivability.
The AFA finds no persons more fitting in stature and similitude of character, enough to receive this honour in common, than The Chaser team.
Various world governments have proclaimed rhetorical wars on terrorism, drugs, poverty, hunger etc. The war on terrorism and drugs in particular have been marketed to frighten populations into accepting lavish spending of money and to render citizens compliant to decrees encroaching on civil liberties and human rights. The immensity of death, injury, destruction and harm produced by these so-called wars outweighs considerably alleged benefit to any society inflicted by them.
The Chaser team, seizing the moment, has become a symbol of resistance to the stupidity involved by non-selectively declaring War on Everything. The brilliance of their method has brought into the limelight how power-crazed self-righteous politicos can delude themselves and then attempt to fool the public. The Chasers have given democracy a deserved kick up the bum with a constant reminder of the fragility of the system.
Not many will ever forget the APEC Summit stunt, where in a fake motorcade they managed to slip past the massive security which had been set up in Sydney for the event. There is nothing so sweet as making the Government and their bureaucracies made to look like buffoons! Long may The Chasers reign!
If it were possible for Tom Paine to comment on this award, he would undoubtedly say; “You have all performed above and beyond the call of duty, you have done well. You have shewn that my life was more than worthwhile.”
The recipient of the Tom Paine Award, chosen by the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc Committee, is in recognition for outstanding promotion of ideals conducive to human contentment and survivability.
Western democracies are indebted to Tom Paine for at least two of his works, ‘The Age of Reason’ and the draft copy of ‘The American Declaration of Independence’. The immortal words of Tom in the Declaration draft state:
“We hold these Truths to be Self evident; that all Men are created equal and independent: that from that equal Creation they deserve Rights inherent and unalienable; among which are the Preservation of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
In the year of the Common Era 06 and in line with the positive legacy left by Tom, the AFA finds no persons more fitting in stature and similitude of character, enough to receive this honour in common, than the contemporary authors whose works examine in depth the concept of religion.
In no particular order, popular authors and their books have been: Sam Harris – The End of Faith & Letter to a Christian Nation, Christopher Hitchens – God is Not Great: Why religions spoils everything, Richard Dawkins – The God Delusion, Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Infidel and Michele Onfray – The Atheist Manifesto.
Other lesser known authors but of equal standing in content are also rightfully deserving of this award. Some are: Nikesh Murali – The Atheist Handbook, Tamas Pataki – Against Religion and Michael Kalopulous – The Great Lie.
The above persons and many more not mentioned have made an enormous positive impact on the worlds psyche and have galvanized individual Atheists to resist the ever growing interference by many faiths in social and political affairs. The books have outlined the deficiencies and dangers in humanity continuing to allow un-evidenced concepts to hold sway in how the planet is governed.
If it were possible for Tom Paine to comment on this award, he would undoubtedly say; “You have all performed above and beyond the call of duty, you have done well. You hast shewn that my life was more than worthwhile.”
The recipient of the Tom Paine Award, chosen by the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc Committee, is in recognition for outstanding promotion of ideals conducive to human contentment and survivability.
Western democracies are indebted to Tom Paine for at least two of his works, ‘The Age of Reason’ and the draft copy of ‘The American Declaration of Independence’. The immortal words of Tom in the Declaration draft state:
“We hold these Truths to be Self evident; that all Men are created equal and independent: that from that equal Creation they deserve Rights inherent and unalienable; among which are the Preservation of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
In the year of the Common Era 06 and in line with the positive legacy left by Tom, the AFA finds no persons more fitting in stature and similitude of character, enough to receive this honour than is Richard Dawkins.
Richard Dawkins has promoted evolution by writing many lay-understandable scientific books, been involved in numerous television interviews and produced films presenting evolution in a most outstanding and rational manner. Even with a constant barrage of personal attacks on his character, Richard has not flinched in retreat nor surrendered his integrity to the opponents of rational discourse.
Richard is a household name to his friends and enemies alike and his immovable stance that Atheism is the only way forward for humanity, has been a focal beacon for like-minded individuals and groups.
If it were possible for Tom Paine to comment on this award, he would undoubtedly say; “Richard Dawkins, your achievements are above and beyond the call of duty, you have done well. You hast shewn that my life was more than worthwhile.”
The recipient of the Tom Paine Award, chosen by the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc Committee, is in recognition for outstanding promotion of ideals conducive to human contentment and survivability.
Western democracies are indebted to Tom Paine for at least two of his works, ‘The Age of Reason’ and the draft copy of ‘The American Declaration of Independence’. The immortal words of Tom in the Declaration draft state:
“We hold these Truths to be Self evident; that all Men are created equal and independent: that from that equal Creation they deserve Rights inherent and unalienable; among which are the Preservation of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
In the year of the Common Era 05 and in line with the positive legacy left by Tom, the AFA finds no persons more fitting in stature and similitude of character, enough to receive this honour than are Keith & Brenda Cornish.
As the President & Treasurer of the AFA for many years, Keith & Brenda have gained and retained the sincere respect of all fortunate enough to know them. Their legacy to humanity, now struggling in a morass of superstition, will burst forth in times to come and be a guiding light for future generations.
Decades of persistent, cheerful and intelligent challenging of the status quo regarding matters concerning religion and its ill effects, has made Keith, aided tirelessly by Brenda, a household name amongst the thinking part of society. Letters to newspapers, the public and governments have flowed from his pen in their thousands. Essays and articles written many years past still hold their original sway.
If it were possible for Tom Paine to comment on this award, he would undoubtedly say; “Keith & Brenda, your achievements are above and beyond the call of duty, you have done well. You hast shewn that my life was more than worthwhile.
