Atheist Age

Atheism: a ‘broad church’ writes Catherine Deveny

© The Age, Fairfax.

Atheism is a broad church, by Catherine Deveny – our very own “atheist eye candy”:

What were we going to talk about all weekend? Nothing? Could we scientifically prove the existence of Richard Dawkins? What does an atheist scream during sex? “Truth, evidence and reason?” We’d heard them all.

We atheists were in heaven at the Rise of Atheism Convention held last weekend. More than 2500 people, who for many years had felt like the only atheist in the village, were suddenly luxuriating in a free-thinking soup. There were enough people who looked like Trekkies and scoutmasters for The Chaser boys to say, “Welcome to the Global Atheist Convention, or Revenge Of The Nerds 4,” and for all of us to laugh.

There were loads of great lines. I loved Sue-Ann Post’s take about religion being like going without the lobster in favour of the invisible dessert; A. C. Grayling’s “Religion and science have a common ancestor – ignorance”; Dan Barker, ex-minister, now atheist, who spoke about his debate with Cardinal George Pell.

“The debate topic was ‘Without God we are Nothing.’ Maybe without God he is nothing.”

Funniest line of the weekend? “Here’s a two-word argument against religion: Senator Fielding,” from ABC’s science guy and confessed ”congregational hedonist” Robin Williams. He was referencing Fielding’s appearance with Dawkins on Q and A last week. Watching Fielding, a creationist, speak, Dawkins looked as if he was witnessing a talking cat.

And no, we didn’t all agree on everything. But we were all open to rational debate.

When any topic is off limits for rational thought and critical analysis, it infects the way we think about everything.

Becoming an atheist, I’ve become fascinated by religion. When I was a believer I was very uncomfortable discussing or reading about religion because so much of what I read conflicted with my fundamental beliefs.

When you no longer believe, it’s fascinating to look under the bonnet and see how it all works.

Full article here

Tags: Church/State, Critical Thought, General, Rise of Atheism, Skepticism