I'm interested in what else you do in Oz in support of your non religious views? Atheists etc are scattered in Oz as far as I can see. Some Aust orgs but unless your are close, like Sydney or Melbourne, not much help. I would like to feel part of a Australian atheist movement, but that's not so easy. Wondering if any of you are connected. My connections are global, obviously this site, openly secular.org, the Dawkins website, and I've been looking at Atheist Republic recently. I really do think internationally about the subject, and Australia really is a growing secular but still a more forthright atheist movement here would be a good g. Thanks.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I joined the sceptics group at MeetUp. Only managed to turn up once tho I always meant to return.
MsDemeanour
Level 8
Apr 15, 2018
0
I am in synch with the other comments here. Aussies are very laid back. We all hate all politicians, but voting is compulsory so we vote for the git we hate the least. Many people marry in a church, get their kids christened, have a church funeral. Purely out of societal habits. It is expected.
I am not an agnostic, I am an atheist, I firmly believe there is no god. I tell people I am a heretic because I chose not to believe as I was taught and raised. Heresy is a burnable offense, but hey, this is Oz, people don't care. I do vote against religious beliefs so support parties with secular agendas. In other parts of the world there may eventually some great secular revolution, in Oz, religion is dying out, fewer people now claim to be religious. But is happens as an evolution not a revolution.
Rugglesby
Level 8
Apr 12, 2018
1
Just thinking that just as most Australians don't take their religions to extremes, compared say to the US, secular minded Australians likewise aren't so animated in their secularism to be part of formal organisations or be activists. I guess it cuts both ways.
David1955
Level 8
Apr 12, 2018
2
I don't think there is discrimination toward the non-believers like there is in USA. Often they dare not mention at work they're atheist for fear of getting the sack. I can't imagine that happening here unless you're an arch deacon or something
@MsDemeanour yes,some of the stories some atheist members here in the US tell of being afraid to say they are atheists is very disturbing to me.
@MsDemeanour Certainly there is not necessarily commonplace daily intrusion into the majority of people's lives that seems to occur there. Even ongoing scandals regarding paedophilia by clerics have only garnered passing reports and locally many of those are simply opportunities to attack Catholics conveniently forgetting the Proddy dogs and their nefarious activities.
But with regard to being attacked because of none belief @MsDemeanour It is hard to tell. Since moving to the religiosity of Victoria my life has been interfered with in no small manner. Initially I put this down to residual anger on my part arising from being crippled by a hit and run motorist, resulting in increased bluntness on my part. That and now living amongst people having the climatic wisdom needed to farm in a semi arid region compared to my relatively industrialised city wisdom and education in a different country has led to many differences of understanding.
Having read articles here about research that shows the discrimination and irrational beliefs by thing odbotherers in the character of none believers I am now wondering if I have been wrong in my beliefs. Certainly if I apply Occam's Razor to my experiences, religion can be brought front and centre into the guilty
seat. Experiences have included being lied to about the application of law in this state, the condition of a property prior to renting it, the abuse allowed in law by a supposedly religious body renting its property, the attempt to continue that abuse outside of the law by that body, the xenophobia thought to occur through being a foreigner more likely to be because I do not worship any of their imaginary gods, the protection of hypocritical god bothering politicians, police and magistrates. Religion is pervasive throughout decisions made in this country and State of Victoria.
I've never been the herd animal, not even the black sheep, more of a lonely wolf. I live in an area of more or less, but rather more, shallow spirituality of all nuances but the organised religious one. I call this the airy-fairy land. here I can proclaim my heathendom til the cows come home & no one cares.
walklightly
Level 8
Apr 12, 2018
2
Yeah, I get that. I'm not either. I'm not big on clubs and associations and so on, as I can stand people splintering and bickering in groups. I'd like attend an atheist event, like when Dawkins or someone arrives, but any affiliation I would be interested in would be loose.
I was once told but have never checked it out - "in Russia it is said that when the wolf mates it does so for life".
At the political level there is the Reason Party (formerly the Australian Sex Party) have a read of their policies includes "Central to the Party’s principles are the notions of secular government, equality and freedom both of and from religion."
Personally I was treasurer of the Atheists and Agnostics at UWA, most university's have something similar. Live in a country town at the moment so not dreadfully active in that field but since even the Jehovah's Witnesses here are more enthusiastic about helping you deal with feral cats than actually expecting to convert you it would be a moot point.
Kimba
Level 7
Apr 12, 2018
1
There is also the "Secular Party" I think it was formerly the Atheist Party.
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