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 Thu, 23 May 2013 19:50:57 GMT vBulletin 25 http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg AFA Forums http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums 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 Joan http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18364&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 21:15:27 GMT A bit disappointed in the P.M. last night at the Christian school in western Sydney, she was doing so well, she's so articulate, but unfortunately when you're a committed atheist you should not be expressing obeisance to Christianity for political expediency. The Corey Bernardi clone that mentioned gay marriage and "where does it stop" what is he implying? that homosexuals are lower on the scale of humanity, right next to apes marrying! I could see by her face she wasn't happy, her intellect would be far superior and she could have handled it better by making him look like the fool that he is, also the young ex-pupil that stood up and talked about "Christian values" and she replied that she has those values!! In my experience most Christians have false values with their beliefs in sin, compared to just plain, decent humanists. ]]> Politics Joan http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18364 Hey there. http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18363&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 13:08:35 GMT I'm Josef. I'm 25 and from Brisbane. I became an atheist when I was about 18. The irony was not lost on my parents nor I when, upon renouncing whatever latent or lingering propensity I had for religious faith, I received a copy of Christopher Hitchens's God Is Not Great for Christmas. I had, of course, already begun down a path of reevaluation of both religion and the entire concept of a supreme and intervening creator. But it, I suppose, crystalised in or for me after reading some of the so called New Atheists like Hitchens and Dawkins and Harris. And whilst I have my own objections to and criticisms of, some of their positions and propositions they did, nonetheless, play a pivotal role and shall we say, the consummation of my non-belief. So I just thought I might happen upon a forum with like-minded non-believers to continue this, I won't say journey, better perhaps a continuing awakening, of which I am happy to have begun.

Cheers. ]]> Introduce Yourself Josef.K. http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18363 My suggestion for an Atheist T-Shirt http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18347&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 01:18:07 GMT Hi All,

Just a suggestion for an Atheist T-Shirt :-

"God is Love" - 1 John 4:8

"Love is not jealous" - 1 Corinthians 13:4

" God is a jealous God" - Exodus 34:14

Oops !! Checkmate Christians!!

Any thoughts?

Cheers ]]> General Chit Chat About Atheism austinmetropolitan http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18347 Have we got any pilots here? http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18346&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 22:46:37 GMT I am in training for PPL, but cant fly at the moment due to surgery. In the mean time, decided to buy some cessna controls from saitek and a copy... I am in training for PPL, but cant fly at the moment due to surgery.

In the mean time, decided to buy some cessna controls from saitek and a copy of microsoft flight sim. I can beleive how realistic it is. ]]> Off Topic AndyP http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18346 Insane Asylum Mafia Day 2 http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18338&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 22:09:42 GMT Good morning everyone and welcome to the sun room - I thought we'd enjoy some lovely sunshine and potted plants as we make our voting decision today.

Being wheeled into the sun room are Threat and Rhys, having spent the night recovering in the ...er, recovery room. Be gentle with them - they remember their former personalities, but keep in mind that they are someone totally different now.

Unfortunately, it seems some of you have been taking matters into your own hands overnight.

The guards found Djarm67 wandering the halls in a disoriented state, apparently having been shocked - one of the guards discovered his taser was missing, so that explains that.

Anyway, the shock seems to have erased his first personality. Djarm67 was an Independent Schizophrenic Patient. I'm sure he can tell you all about what that entailed.


The final piece of bad news is that we discovered Requiem vitae in one of the old abandoned treatment rooms. He'd been subjected to some pretty hideous electric shock therapy - not just shocked, but tortured, by the looks of it.

The shock has had the same effect as it did on djarm - his first personality has been wiped. Requiem vitae was town vigilante, a Helpful patient.



"Rollcall!"

Sunning themselves in the sun room this morning:
wolty
prudie
djarm67 (killed as indie, on 2nd personality)
Godless Infidel
dilbadoon
tjarm69
Rhys (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
Requiem vitae (killed as town, on 2nd personality)
Threat (lynched as town, on 2nd personality)
Lord Blackadder
borealis
askegg

Day 2 is 12 (and a bit) hours long. Nightfall will be at 9pm AEST tonight.
 ]]> Mafia Game Forum Bolero http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18338 Pastor T B Joshua http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18337&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 15:20:00 GMT There's a name to keep in mind;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22595573

Quote:
Police say they were overwhelmed by the large crowd when a stampede killed four people at a church in Ghana's capital, Accra, on Sunday.
Quote:
Thousands of people flocked to the evangelical church for "holy water", which they believed had healing powers, leading to the crush.
Quote:
The church is run by prominent Nigerian preacher TB Joshua.
Quote:
He is one of the wealthiest and most popular evangelical clerics in Africa and his Synagogue Church of All Nations claims it can perform miracles, such as curing blindness.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14406818

Quote:
At least three people in London with HIV have died after they stopped taking life saving drugs on the advice of their Evangelical Christian pastors.
Quote:
The church is headed by Pastor T B Joshua, Nigeria's third richest clergyman, according to a recent Forbes richlist.
So not only do they espouse thier idiocy in Africa, but they export it to other countries, countries where the population really should know better. Keep your eyes open, coming to a suburb near you any day now! ]]> News and Current Affairs stevebrooks http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18337