http://gdayworld.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/04/16/gday-world-227-david-silverman-from-american-atheists/ Here’s a link to the G’day World Episode I just recorded. This is an Australian-based podcast that has been focusing a lot on the growth of religious powa down unda.
Generations of ServiceMurderer Dies in PrisonSomething OldSomething NewSo Help Me Nobody -- Court affirmationsSix Myths about MMOHSeparation of Church and State, A RebuttalSchool Prayer FAQsSchool Prayer Decision (Madalyn Murray O'Hair)Spirits, Souls, and ClonesSponsor the ShowSusan B. AnthonyTestimony to US Civil Rights CommissionTexas State PageThe 10C's V. NeutralityThe Atheist: Madalyn's BiographyThe Battle is JoinedThe Battle of PhiladelphiaRushdie Missing from Book FairRock of Ages and the Age of RocksRobert OwenMythicist PrizeNativity - The origins of the Birth of JesusNazareth, Faith, and the Dark OptionNo More Ham -- A look at several Black Atheist LeadersNoahs Flood -- DebateOdd InquiriesOn WeddingsOther Gods that Look a LOT Like JesusPledge of AllegiancePledge of Allegiance - Dave's LetterPre-Christian Christmas Stories with Other GodsRaising Children Without GodRed Herring Rushdie IRed Herring Rushdie IIReligion Tax Office OpenedRoadside CrossesRobert G. Ingersoll The Black Atheists of The Harlem RenaissanceThe Cons of Charitable ChoiceTo Bash or Not to BashTom Cruise Pushes for FBI Funding for ScientologyTop Ten Atheist MythsVolunteers NeededWas Jesus a Jew?Was Jesus InventedWatch the Words!Wedding VowsWhat is the object of life? by Grant AllenWhat is Wrong with a Few Harmless Prayers?What to ask Preachers and MissionariesWhere Jesus Never WalkedWhite House Expands Faith-Based InitiativesWho are the freethinkers?Why I am an Infidel: Luther BurbankWhy is Religiosity so Hard to CureWhy the Truth About Nazareth is ImportantTill Death Do Us Part?Thomas Alva Edison: An Introduction by Frank Zindler Thomas Alva Edison: 1911 Columbian InterviewThe Creator BillThe DisappearanceThe Enlightenment, Freemasonry, and The IlluminatiThe Final Taboo: Electing AtheistsThe Good Old DaysThe Hon. Atheist Governor: Culbert L. Olson.The Inconsistency of TheismThe Kiwi QuestionThe Logic of Death by George J. Holyoake The Myth of Nazareth, Does it Really Matter?The Question of Atheists HospitalsThe Roots of AtheismThe School Prayer DecisionThe Science of CreationismThe Wild World of CreationismTheopolitics of the Rushdie CaseThomas Alva Edison 1910 NYT InterviewWinning an Unwinnable DebateChristianity, Its Nature and Influence on Civilisation by Charles Watts Christians in UniformCircuit Court Rules for "Aphorisms"Congress Rushes to preserve Clergy Tax BreaksContradictions in the BibleConvencion en espanolConvention 2010 ScheduleCourt Probing Parsonage TaxCowardice of the WestCreation Science and the FACT of EvolutionCreationism: Reversing ScienceCreator Bill TextDave's Favorite Biblical InconsistenciesDebate: Is Creationism Science (Zindler / Gish)Did Jesus Exist?Edwin C. Walker: American AtheistErnestine Rose: A Troublesome FemaleCharles WattsCase is Solved12 Further Fictions from the NTA Declaration of Mental Independence, by Robert Owen Abner KneelandAgainst the 10 Commandments in PublicAgnosticism: The Basis for AtheismAims and PrinciplesAlabamaAmerican Atheists Legal PhilosophyAn Atheist's Guide to MohammedanismAtheism by O'HairAtheism: Madalyn Murray O'Hair 1962 speechAtheist Director Wins Creche CaseAtheist MusiciansAtheist StationAtheist WeddingsBiblical ContradictionsBigotry Worst Against AtheistsEthics Without GodsFCC Religion HoaxMoslem Violence in BrittainInterview: Douglas AdamsJames Lick Jesus MythKeep Politics Out Of The Pulpit or Lose Tax-Exempt Status: Opinion Kentucky Homeland Security LawsuitKersey GravesLessons from The Satanic VersesmaMA Church Dismayed over DisplayMaculate Deception: The "Science" of CreationsimMangasar Magurditch Mangasarian Mary Faker Eddy -- Christian ScienceMOMormonismInaccurate Founding Father QuotesHurricane Katrina Boosts FBIGod on OUR MoneyFree WillFrom the Mouths of CreationistsFundamentalismFunerals - Dying an AtheistGeorge J. Holyoake - The last man in England tried for Atheism George J. Holyoake by Madalyn Murray O'HairGod in OUR PledgeGrant Allen How Jesus Got a LifeHang the Commandments -- All 30 of ThemHubert Henry Harrison: The Black Socrates aboutlawatheismFaith of the Founding Fathersreligionpoliticsyouth & familymilitarymediaLibraryeventsStoreJoin & Supportorphans
I can assure everyone there is ‘no growth of religious powa down under” These people are money grubbing idiots. Sucking gullable people into a religious sect to rob them of their money. These turkeys want to be the next Benny Hinn. Churches have never been emptier, and the only way the religious establishment survives hear is running their schools, hospitals, and old folks homes. I don’t know anyome who is an outed xtian, and I have a wide circle of friends. Hillsong I beleive has a bit of a following down in Sydney, but by and large the vast majority of Australians ignore religion completely.
Australians are a secular lot, although most can’t be bothered even discussing it, so rediculous is the conept of religion and the sky god.
Apparently the Australians are exporting their xian crazies to the USA:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6549595.stm
Great, like we really need any more of them over here… (if its true)
To Alexatheist
I wasted 5 minutes of my life to read that article and I note that far from being an export, “Ken Ham left australia 20 years ago” to start his BS ministry about creationism. Dare I contend that perhaps he found fertile ground to set up his deceitful delusion amongst the millions of gullable xians in the US and especially in South America.
Aus exports are limited to mineral and animal products, {of the eating kind}, and this guy would have found little following in this tiny secular country with a pop of only 20 million.
Speaking of which, has anyone tried eating kangaroo? It’s strong and gamey and a bit like venison. Low in fat and cholesterol, its better for you than beef and horsemeat. We export millions of tons for pet food. Poor Skippy – but they are in plague proportions here and in the outback. We are in drought at the moment and some country towns have had mobs moving thru town grazing on front yards ! (Hope I haven’t upset any animal libs or vegetarians)
Now if only we could keep American xian crazies out of Canada. If there are any Canadians down there gulling the faith-sufferers, maybe we can arrange an exchange.
One I could do without is Focus on the Family’s Praise106.5 which is located near the border in rural Washington, specifically to access over 2 million Canadians in SW British Columbia.
Dave’s appearance on G’Day World was great! Listen in folks, if you haven’t done so already.
I e-mailed Dave directly about his topic of “putting a face to the label” (why he prefers “atheist” over “secular humanist” as a self-i.d.) but I’d like to briefly state why I don’t use “atheist” as a primary self-i.d.
For me, when someone asks me what religion I am, or otherwise as the subject comes up, I tell them I’m a Humanist. That usually provokes the response “Humanist? What’s that? I’ve never heard of a Humanist”. Then I can tell them that a Humanist (note I don’t say secular humanist; it’s redundant IMO) is a person who believes in people first, in putting the welfare of humanity above all other considerations, who believes in love as the most powerful of all human emotions, who treasures the arts and the sciences, who looks to humans to solve human problems, who doesn’t believe in superstitious supernatural nonsense, and so forth. This answer will usually lead to the further question “…then you don’t believe in God?”. That’s when I can tell them no, in that regard I’m an atheist. I also make it clear that I don’t consider Humanism to be a religion for me, but rather a philosophical whole-world view.
By saying in all honesty and candor that I’m a Humanist I’ve aroused their curiousity and have already defused potential animosity by not leading with the concept of atheism. The more I lead people to discussion on the very positive aspects of humanism the easier it is for them to digest the fact I’m not a believer in the god idea. It often makes for more fruitful dialogue.
But I’m proud to be an atheist. I’m glad that I reject supernaturalism; it’s the only sensible thing to do. And I’m not shy about “blaspheming” ignorant, oppressive, hateful religious beliefs and belief systems. I can manage to ridicule nonsense without (intentionally) ridiculing the person believing in such nonsense. And like David Silverman, I’ll go to prison before I give up the right to do so.
I actually burst out laughing…Atheism is perfect…?
Sheesh…where’s that thread about ego’s?
All religions have been proven wrong time and time again…? Wow…what a claim. Please prove Christianity is wrong?
99% of the New Testement predates Jesus by 100’s and 1000’s of years?
Hmmm…what’s the 1% that’s original?
Washington never kneeled before a cross? How in the world would you know that?
I wonder what light weights you’ve debated about American History…?
What a distorted view of how religion shaped America…
From an earlier thread…
All and all it reminded me of a 60’s lovefest…but I can agree that most places you talk are probably somewhat hostile towards you…
But then again that’s why you get paid the big bucks…
barf – retch – puke – gag – heave – ad nauseum ad nauseum ad nauseum –
Just read phreddy’s post.
Must … Take … Shower … (grunt)
Well bugger you phreedie I thought Celebrant’s thoughts were on the money… I wouldn’t be lost for words and punch the stupid prick in the mouth if I used that approach on the rare, very rare, xian I meet… Those that have’nt been caught fucking alter boys that is… As over 100 catholic priests and ‘brothers’ have been CONVICTED of here since 1995…
Most new aquaintances embarras (initially) me by coming out as atheists & come to shake my hand… particularly the friends of a couple of gay mates of ours … I don’t have the omnicient loquaciousness (?) and literacy that most Americans have compared to us dumb Aussies have but I ask this: where’s preedyisadumbarse when you need him…?
Aussie
“Those that have’nt been caught fucking alter boys that is”
One of the primary utilities of religion is that it offers a place where sociopaths can hide in the open. Typically the sociopath works their way into a religious community by using religious language only (its amazing that talk is all that is needed to win their confidence) and once “inside” uses the congregation as a human shield against the prying eyes of law enforcement and the public at large.
Now. What’s Phreeky Phreedy’s sociopathic compulsion? Care to venture a guess or two?
I think that he is roughing up hookers in the evening and is working his way up to a Ted Bundy style killing spree.
Thanks What
“…it’s amazing that all that is needed is talk…
Religion is all talk and NO empirical evidence. No physical actions. Can I borrow from another contributor “absence of evidence is evedence of absence”. I love that. I’ve stolen it for my next discussion with a religious desparate.
Can I add in this last post before I retire for the night how sad and devastated I, my family, and all of Australia are for the dreadful VT tradgey your wonderful nation has suffered, and what you are to endure over the next however many weeks & months for what is a terrible aberration of a human being’s behaviour. I have a son in uni in Denmark, a daughter accountant in Uk, a daughter who is an officr in our Navy in the Gulf, and two sons in other states of Australia, so I know what it’s like to have your kids away from home. President Bush’ exaltation of a compassionate god and so-on is so inadequate for what has happened I could no longer watch it on tonight’s news.
But the thought’s of all rational citizens of our globe are with you, and remember Aussies have stood with you (USA) for over 100 years in every global conflict, and feel the pain as you do.
Our thoughts (but not our prayers) are with you all.
Phredumb,
We will prove Christianity is wrong soon as you prove Jesus even existed. We cannot prove that faeries are wrong. You find a faerie then we will work on the problem. Common sense should tell you Christianity is wrong. The unproven assumptions should prove it.
Aussie,
Thanks for the kind words. I can’t imagine what a horror this tragedy is for those directly affected by it. There really are no words…
On a lighter note, I’ve been to a number of countries for my work and I have to say there were few countries in which I felt more warmly welcomed than in Australia. I loved every minute I was there.
jshanewhit
Hmmm…it was Dave’s claim in the interview. If he made the claim then it’s up to him to offer proof…
The way I understand it from having listened to him on his G’Day World interview, what David Silverman was saying is that the *concept* of atheism, dis-belief in all forms of supernaturalism which necessarily includes the god idea, is unflawed logically; i.e. not only does the conclusion logically follow from the premises, but the falsifiable premises are also demonstrably true. Therefore, the argument is both sound and valid, i.e. a flawless argument.
One of the premises of atheism is that the supernatural is necessarily impossible. For this to be disproven would only require a single instance of supernaturalism demonstrated. For supernaturalism to be demonstrable it must be shown that the natural laws of the universe, reality, can be suspended at will. Not one single observable, verifiable, repeatable demonstration of supernaturalism has ever occurred in the experience of humankind. It has never been the case that anyone can falsify reality. It has never been the case that magic has been shown to be a manifestation of reality. It has always been the case that the laws of physics, as we understand them so far, invariably hold true and have never suddenly ceased to apply.
I could go on, but I hope you get the picture. Atheism, as a belief system holding that the supernatural is necessarily impossible therefore gods, which by definition are supernatural entities, are also necessarily impossible, is a logically perfect (flawless) belief system.
Christians claim that they have a god idea and yet after two thousand years not one speck of evidence, absolutely no proof. Science has proven the claims of christians to be wrong time and time again. By contrast, the claims of atheists have been supported by proof time and time again.
Stupid is the only thing christianity has.
Comment from: rna2dna
Again I’ll ask…show me the proof that makes your statement true…
Celebrant Prince…
Atheism has nothing to do with the supernatural. It has everything to do with “claiming” there is no such thing as a deity…
a : a disbelief in the existence of deity b : the doctrine that there is no deity
http://webster.com/dictionary/atheism
Phreedm:
Are you sure that’s a road you want to go down. You are kidding, right? You can’t possibly believe that the last 500 years of scientific discovery hasn’t directly proven certain Christian claims patently false?
This is going to be too easy…here?s just one:
The timeline of the bible places the age of the earth, and the universe itself, at roughly 6000 years old. A COMPLETELY FALSE CLAIM. Science has shown, through the geologic record, that the earth is just SLIGHTLY older. And if you don’t “believe” the data gathered through the MANY different processes for dating the earth, then just turn to the stars. If the earth was only 6000 years old, we wouldn’t be able to see many of the stars in the night sky. Their light wouldn’t have reached us yet. Or, do you not “believe” in the Doppler effect and the speed of light?
Comment from: DVanWechel
Sure…I’m never agianst seeking knowledge. Can you say the same…?
What if the speed of light was much faster…?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/10/991005114024.htm
And if you’re really interested there are many scientific experiments that point to a young earth…but it’s your side of the discussion that wants to restrict the use of science to discover the truth…why?
Phreeky is really running the moron flag up the pole today.
Phreedm,
First off, physicist John Moffat proposed that the speed of light was only much faster MOMENTS after the Big Bang (which you don’t believe happened anyway). So your post is purposefully misleading ? which makes a debate with you impossible.
If his theory is correct, it still wouldn’t even come close to placing the age of the universe at 6000 years old. NOT EVEN CLOSE!
Yup, confirmed. You are mentally ill.
Comment from: DVanWechel
Ah…now when did I say that?
How do you know this to be true? If his theory is correct and the speed of light was much faster…how much faster could it have been?