Comments on: From Balticon http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon A Blog of Atheist Thought Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:51:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: phreedm http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36000 phreedm Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36000 From Balticon<br /> <blockquote>Why is it that there are more Atheists at Science Fiction Conventions than there are at Atheist conventions?</blockquote><br /> <br /> Great question. I asked a similar question when I was President of the local PTA. Why would parents say that a 7 PM meeting was to late for their kids, and yet take them to the kids softball game that started at 8?<br /> <br /> I guess it comes down to what most people find important...<br /> From Balticon

Why is it that there are more Atheists at Science Fiction Conventions than there are at Atheist conventions?

Great question. I asked a similar question when I was President of the local PTA. Why would parents say that a 7 PM meeting was to late for their kids, and yet take them to the kids softball game that started at 8?

I guess it comes down to what most people find important…

]]> By: ForensicAtheist http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36003 ForensicAtheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36003 <blockquote>Why is it that there are more Atheists at Science Fiction Conventions than there are at Atheist conventions?</blockquote><br /> <br /> Maybe because people know about the sci-fi conventions more than they know about atheist ones? I knew all about Star Trek, LoTR conventions, etc...before I even knew American Atheists existed. I wish AA would do more advertising, then maybe the numbers would go up. However, now that I know about the atheist conventions I plan on going to as many as I can...$$ permitting of course.

Why is it that there are more Atheists at Science Fiction Conventions than there are at Atheist conventions?

Maybe because people know about the sci-fi conventions more than they know about atheist ones? I knew all about Star Trek, LoTR conventions, etc…before I even knew American Atheists existed. I wish AA would do more advertising, then maybe the numbers would go up. However, now that I know about the atheist conventions I plan on going to as many as I can…$$ permitting of course.

]]> By: lacy http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36012 lacy Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36012 Paranormal restraining orders? If it's on the internet it must be true! I'll have to get one. I think Big Foot is stalking me. Paranormal restraining orders? If it’s on the internet it must be true! I’ll have to get one. I think Big Foot is stalking me.

]]> By: udonman http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36027 udonman Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36027 Well Dave when I finally get my sorry self to an anime convention I plan on handing out fliers for American atheist and the flying spaghetti monster I would think there would be a willing audienece. Well Dave when I finally get my sorry self to an anime convention I plan on handing out fliers for American atheist and the flying spaghetti monster I would think there would be a willing audienece.

]]> By: TomSD http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36034 TomSD Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36034 Science Fiction, like most fiction, is entertainment, little or nothing more. I have hear it described as ?brain candy?. People like to be entertained, especially when it allows them an escape from an unwanted reality. <br /> <br /> Atheism, on the other hand, IS the unwanted reality. I have never been to an atheist convention, but I imagine it is much like this blog: people coming together because of the need for kindred spirits, or because they see that something important needs to be done. I suspect happy nonbelievers who are good at connecting with those around them or do not see their unbelief as something important probably do not get involved either place.<br /> <br /> When I went to church, it seemed more than half entertainment: singing, feeling good about yourself and your future and so on. Perhaps we need to find ways to focus on the positive emotions and make nonbelief something enjoyable. Even the humor here tends to be of the darker sort. Not that I make any claims to having added any entertainment value?<br /> Science Fiction, like most fiction, is entertainment, little or nothing more. I have hear it described as ?brain candy?. People like to be entertained, especially when it allows them an escape from an unwanted reality.

Atheism, on the other hand, IS the unwanted reality. I have never been to an atheist convention, but I imagine it is much like this blog: people coming together because of the need for kindred spirits, or because they see that something important needs to be done. I suspect happy nonbelievers who are good at connecting with those around them or do not see their unbelief as something important probably do not get involved either place.

When I went to church, it seemed more than half entertainment: singing, feeling good about yourself and your future and so on. Perhaps we need to find ways to focus on the positive emotions and make nonbelief something enjoyable. Even the humor here tends to be of the darker sort. Not that I make any claims to having added any entertainment value?

]]> By: maddogstu http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36035 maddogstu Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36035 My wife once made the GALACTIC mistake of getting me star trek convention tickets instead of Ozzy Ozborne concert tickets once. I still have a hard time even comprehending this.. Lets be clear.<br /> -Ozzy<br /> -NFL<br /> -ComicCon<br /> -Monster Truck<br /> -Star Trek Con<br /> -Atheist Con<br /> -Christian Con (Although I think I could make this fun, with some danger to my life though.)<br /> My wife once made the GALACTIC mistake of getting me star trek convention tickets instead of Ozzy Ozborne concert tickets once. I still have a hard time even comprehending this.. Lets be clear.
-Ozzy
-NFL
-ComicCon
-Monster Truck
-Star Trek Con
-Atheist Con
-Christian Con (Although I think I could make this fun, with some danger to my life though.)

]]> By: CascadiaEventHorizon http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36037 CascadiaEventHorizon Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36037 maddogstu, I agree, American Atheists should try to spice up its conventions. <br /> <br /> Maybe regular intermissions with topless nuns, or something. maddogstu, I agree, American Atheists should try to spice up its conventions.

Maybe regular intermissions with topless nuns, or something.

]]> By: maddogstu http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36039 maddogstu Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36039 Ahmen... er..whatever we say. Ahmen… er..whatever we say.

]]> By: bart http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36061 bart Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36061 My guess would be that there is an extreme Left bias at Atheist conventions making it uncomfortable for Objectivist-types like myself to come. Also, there is a disturbing tendency towards extremism at the conventions. Michael Newdow is a self-righteous jerk, not a hero. I don't live my life worrying about 'Ten Commandments' monuments or mangers at Town Hall so long as I get my building permit. If the broadcast face of atheism were the more measured type that represents the vast majority of American atheists and agnostics rather than some clown with too much facial hair and a whole closet of axes to grind we'd be far better off. My guess would be that there is an extreme Left bias at Atheist conventions making it uncomfortable for Objectivist-types like myself to come. Also, there is a disturbing tendency towards extremism at the conventions. Michael Newdow is a self-righteous jerk, not a hero. I don’t live my life worrying about ‘Ten Commandments’ monuments or mangers at Town Hall so long as I get my building permit. If the broadcast face of atheism were the more measured type that represents the vast majority of American atheists and agnostics rather than some clown with too much facial hair and a whole closet of axes to grind we’d be far better off.

]]> By: maddogstu http://atheists.org/blog/2006/05/27/from_balticon/comment-page-1#comment-36069 maddogstu Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-36069 Hmmm, Maybe AA can get Ozzy to perform at a convention?<br /> <br /> Dreamer Lyrics<br /> "Im just a dreamer, who dreams of better days<br /> Your higher power may be God or jesus christ<br /> It doesnt really matter much to me<br /> Without each others help there aint no hope for us"<br /> Hmmm, Maybe AA can get Ozzy to perform at a convention?

Dreamer Lyrics
“Im just a dreamer, who dreams of better days
Your higher power may be God or jesus christ
It doesnt really matter much to me
Without each others help there aint no hope for us”

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