Thursday 29 December 2016

Jehovah's Witnesses
They come to your door in pairs, sprouting their faith mercilessly. Many other Christians see them as a cult, but then aren't all religions cults? This evening we have a former Jehovah's Witness - Paul Grundy - who will tell his life story and experiences as well as the ramifications for him and for others in leaving this religion. He will talk about the theology of this cult and how it works.

Paul will also explain:
How to help Jehovah's Witnesses leave the cult
Findings of the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Future of the Watchtower as a failed doomsday cult. This will incorporate information on how it is structured and financed.















Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html

Our talk events are held at the Function Room at Club Redfern:

2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St
REDFERN, NSW 2000

The entrance is 20 metres across Gibbons Street from Redfern Station under the SPAR sign. You can walk up the stairs, the escalator or use the elevator to the 2nd floor where the club is located. The outside of the venue is shown.

RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/sydneyatheists/events/233492603/

Thursday 22 December 2016

Sydney Atheists' Submission:

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights regarding the operation of Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) including sections 18C and 18D

To:       Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
Date:  22nd December 2016
Re:       Racial Discrimination Act, sections 18c and 18d 



Dear Joint Committee

Thank you for permitting a submission from our group, “Sydney Atheists” in relation to the above issue. Below is our submission approved by the Sydney Atheists' executive committee for your consideration.

Our submission briefly states the following:

·         Who we are;
·         The legislation under review;
·         The mischief;
·         What the Sydney Atheists position is; and
·         Recommendations by Sydney Atheists.

Summary of our Position

Sydney Atheists consider that there should be no changes to Section 18C (1) (a) and (b).

Background - Who we are

Sydney Atheists

“Sydney Atheists” is a non profit organisation of over 1,600 persons based in Sydney. Sydney Atheists have been in existence since 2007. Sydney Atheists are an open and welcoming community for atheists and atheist-friendly people. We have an interest in ensuring that whatever a person’s faith or non-faith, that everyone is treated fairly, equally and without discrimination.

We provide a platform for members and guests to express their views on society including the relationships of atheism and religious faith to the common good.


Legislation

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 s. 18c currently provides as follows;

Offensive behaviour because of race, colour or national or ethnic origin

(1)  It is unlawful for a person to do an act, otherwise than in private, if:
(a)  the act is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people; and
(b)  the act is done because of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the other person or of some or all of the people in the group.

The Mischief

While the objective of this legislation is laudable, there have been instances of mischievous and vexatious cases brought to the courts in relation to sections 18 of the Racial Discrimination Act (“the Act’).  While the courts have taken a pragmatic approach to the interpretation of the legislation and they have dismissed what might be considered to be frivolous and vexatious litigation, people of race, colour or national or ethnic origin should feel physically and socially safe and unthreatened nonetheless.

To a certain extent, the legislation under review seeks to achieve this.  In no way should racism be tolerated and, so to whatever extent necessary, the law should ensure that.


Position of Sydney Atheists and Recommendations

Sydney Atheists understand that some religious groups are seeking to be included in Section 18C (1) (b).

Sydney Atheists consider that there should be no changes to Section 18C (1) (b). We fully endorse the right of individuals or groups to criticise ideas, ideals, philosophies, doctrines and of course religions. We see religions as a subset of ideals, philosophies and doctrines. They are alterable in the minds of adherents. Furthermore, it is our view that most, if not all religions, and their adherents consider competing ones to be inferior to the one that they follow. No religion is universally deemed to have any higher authority than other competing ones.

As a result, religions deserve no more respect than any other ideas, ideals, philosophies or doctrines. They should NOT be protected in the way that people of race, colour or national or ethnic origin are protected. Indeed, society should be free to expose beliefs as inappropriate or indeed fraudulent.

Yours sincerely,

Steve Marton on behalf of the Committee of Sydney Atheists
0450 123 211

moralmovement@gmail.com

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Sydney Atheists interviewed on Radio 2SER about belief and Christmas:

http://www.2ser.com/component/k2/item/26577-sydney-s-atheist-community

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Rationality or Religion - Reflections on the Criminal Justice System

Friday 9th December

It gives us great pleasure to present as our guest speaker this evening Judge Brian Knox
Brian Knox is a former judge of the NSW District Court (2005- July 2016) where he worked in the civil, child care and criminal jurisdictions of the Court.

Prior to that he was NSW Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor appearing in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal and the NSW Supreme Court while working in the office of the NSW DPP (2003-2004). Before that he was a barrister and then Senior Counsel at the NSW Bar (1989-2002).
His talk, Rationality or Religion - Reflections on the Criminal Justice System starts with the evolution of law from religious beginnings and then addresses the emphasis placed on a practice of insisting on 'contrition' and repentance in the context of criminal law which to the speaker is all a bit dubious. 
As in so many areas of the criminal law we spend a lot of time blaming people. The way it works really is a throwback to concepts of original sin and Old Testament concepts of divine wrath.
Those moralistic, punitive concepts and approaches underpin the law. They are easier for those in authority to pursue rather than focusing on evidence based approaches to what works for the wider societal good , in particular, the need for different kinds of education.


Amongst the questions that Judge Knox will answer are:

How and why have our laws evolved from the biblical texts?
What influence do those texts have on the laws of the past and present?
What is and what should be the influence of the church, monarchs, government and the people on our laws?
Are punishments of value and are they successful? Do they deter?
How and why should they be applied?
What is the impact of circumstance on criminality?


Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html
Early bookings and payments can be made at www.trybooking.com/NWLD
Our talk events are held at the Function Room at Club Redfern:
2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St
REDFERN, NSW 2000
If you are a member of our Meetup group, please RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/sydneyatheists/events/231239223/

Saturday 22 October 2016

Coming out of Bangladesh - a Muslim and Hindu find atheism



Friday 11th November

Over the last two years many secular and atheist Bangladeshi writers and bloggers have been hacked to death by Islamic extremists who will not tolerate any questioning of Islam. Many such people fear for their lives both in and outside of Bangladesh regardless of their original religion. Our speakers this evening have escaped this threat.
Shakil and Shubhajit are formally Muslim and Hindu. They will discuss life in Bangladesh, their path to atheism, the impact on their social and family relationships, the history and position of religion in the country and the place of atheists in Bangladesh.
The takings from this evening will be donated to people / organisations like our speakers, who are trying to escape the predicaments that they find themselves in. This is an evening not to be missed.
Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html

Coming out of Bangladesh - a Muslim and Hindu find atheism



Over the last two years many secular and atheist Bangladeshi writers and bloggers have been hacked to death by Islamic extremists who will not tolerate any questioning of Islam. Many such people fear for their lives both in and outside of Bangladesh regardless of their original religion. Our speakers this evening have escaped this threat.
Shakil and Shubhajit are formally Muslim and Hindu. They will discuss life in Bangladesh, their path to atheism, the impact on their social and family relationships, the history and position of religion in the country and the place of atheists in Bangladesh.
The takings from this evening will be donated to people / organisations like our speakers, who are trying to escape the predicaments that they find themselves in. This is an evening not to be missed.
Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html

Wednesday 28 September 2016

 Mentalizing - Are humans rational?


It gives us great pleasure to present as our guest speaker this evening Margie Stuchbery who is a Senior Clinical Psychologist.
Margie's talk this evening will be: Mentalizing - Are humans rational? Mentalizing refers to the capacity to hold heart and mind in mind, both for the self and for others. It is a mental capacity that develops in the first years of life and onward and we all move in and out of it all the time. But deficits or interruptions to mentalizing capacity result in misunderstandings at best, and serious mental health issues at worst. It is not surprising that deficits in this fundamental social capacity underlie many of the difficulties that bring people in for psychotherapy.

Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html

Tuesday 20 September 2016

Dr Ben Goldacre

Sydney Atheists have two premium tickets for Dr Ben Goldacre which we are making available through a silent auction. They are premium tickets valued at $99.00 plus Ticketek processing fees. Please send your bids to contact@sydneyatheists.org. The first to bid the full price will get these excellent tickets, otherwise they will go to the highest bidder




The event is at Enmore Theatre on Sunday the 25th of September at 6.30pm.

To find out more about the event you can go to: https://www.thinkinc.org.au/events/ben-goldacre/#anchor




Thursday 8 September 2016

Committee Announcement

Caroline Wykamp has retired from the position of Secretary for personal reasons. In her place, we have offered the position to Devesh Sharma who we welcome to the committee.

The Committee of Sydney Atheists now comprises:

President - Steve Marton
Vice President - Jessica Nissan
Secretary - Dev Sharma
Treasurer - Semih Ilhan
Assistant Secretary / Treasurer - Mohamed Farahat
Public Relations Officer - Thomas Kraemer
Public Officer - Michael Beecham
Technical Officer Timothy Graham

Sunday 14 August 2016

Come hear about and see some of the greatest atheist minds at a talk and film by New York Filmaker Chris Johnson
Only one event in Sydney exclusively with Sydney Atheists



Tickets at the door or pre-purchase at https://www.trybooking.com/LQNC 

Tuesday 2 August 2016

To find out more about the mark "No religion" campaign go to: 

http://censusnoreligion.org.au/

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Thursday 14 July 2016

Escaping Hinduism – The holiest of cows!


Devesh Sharma who was born in India, and came to Australia during his early childhood. While juggling both the ‘untouchable’ Indian culture, and the modernity of Aussie culture, he had formed a view that religion was just a giant shady pyramid scheme.
But he couldn’t escape… mainly because he couldn’t pay rent as a child.
He has chanted all the mindless holy chants, and has received the equivalently mindless results!
And finally, he has ‘reincarnated’ himself, and understood that he was actually an atheist all along.
Come join Devesh for a light-hearted talk on the ‘peaceful’ scam of Hinduism.

Entry fee is $5.00 for members and $10.00 for non-members of Sydney Atheists. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html
Our talk events are held at the Function Room at Club Redfern:
2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St  
REDFERN, NSW 2000

Saturday 25 June 2016

The Spectrum of Sexuality in People with and without disability - Friday 8th July





Beth Davis is a Relationships Counsellor and Sexuality Educator. She has been a Christian, Agnostic and Atheist; married, widowed, married, divorced and is presently a single atheist Relationships Counsellor and Sexuality Educator.

Synopsis: People have been historically put into boxes according to their sexuality, ability and marital status. Gay people were physically abused, people with disability were put into institutions and older single women were regarded with suspicion. We are now aware of the diversity of individuals and appreciate the spectrums that life presents.

Beth has had experience in working with and meeting a range of people including: single gay people with disability; married people using wheel chairs out of bed and having sex in bed; single guys on the Autism Spectrum using a sex worker; and people with intellectual disability living together and/or planning to marry.

RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/sydneyatheists/events/229248319/

Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html

Our talk events are held at the Function Room at Club Redfern:

2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St
REDFERN, NSW 2000


Saturday 21 May 2016

Iran - Islam to enlightenment

Friday 10th June
Amin will discuss what life was like growing up and maturing in Iran, his interactions with others and attitudes to various internal and external issues. Amin will discuss being drafted into the police, what that was like, how that impacted on his beliefs and general attitude to life and how this affected his family, friendships and relationships. Amin will reveal some of the mystique of the fascinating country of Iran.

Amin will also discuss the transition to Australia and other matters of interest.



Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html

Our talk events are held at the Function Room at Club Redfern:

2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St
REDFERN, NSW 2000

RSVP at Sydney Atheists http://www.meetup.com/sydneyatheists/events/229248186/
or Young Sydney Atheists http://www.meetup.com/Young-Sydney-Atheists/events/230628994/

Tuesday 10 May 2016

Sydney Atheists Musical Performance
Shelley Segal from Melbourne is one of Australia's foremost Atheist singer / songwriter performers. This will be her final performance in Sydney before she moves to the USA. If you love the voice of Adele mixed with atheist themes, you'll love Shelley.
Friday 20th May at Club Redfern (on the second floor)
Entry: Sydney Atheist Supporter Members / Pensioners / Students $15.00
Non members $20.00
Book and buy tickets at https://www.trybooking.com/LEQR (surcharges apply)


Shelley's singing / songwriting credits include:
The Global Atheist Convention
AHA's annual conference
The American Atheist Convention
Skepticon
Apostacon
Sacramento Freethought Day
London Secular Conference
First Statewide Secular Conference in Alabama
Anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
The Freedom From Religion Foundation
First ever Alberta Secular Conference
Reasonfest in Kansas

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Science & Technology: Deep Space Exploration Part 2


Our very own Thomas Kraemer holds a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering.
As a Researcher for NASA at Princeton University’s Electric Propulsion and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory, Thomas was actively involved in the development of non-conventional Space Thruster Systems before returning to “down to earth” devices like Gas Turbines and Steam Turbines for Power Generation.
Topic:
In his Talk Thomas will outline the challenges and technological hurdles which we will need to overcome in order to reach other solar systems or even alien galaxies.
Utilising his broad knowledge of the topic, Thomas will focus on the newest developments in Space Thruster technology and speak about the energy systems required to power them, before he will venture into the unknown, explaining and exploring such bizarre ideas as “Thermo-Nuclear Propulsion” and “Beamed Core Anti-Matter Rockets.”
Prepare yourself for some weird stuff!
 Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to: http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html
ntry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:

Our talk events are held at the Function Room at Club Redfern:
2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St
REDFERN, NSW 2000

RSVP at  http://www.meetup.com/sydneyatheists/events/228968183/

Sunday 20 March 2016

Upcoming Event 

Pluralistic Ignorance Towards Atheists



Dr Peter Jonason will explore research as to why some people like atheists in private but less in public.
Across three US studies, the impact of perceived social norms on attitudes and positive behavioral intentions towards atheists and religious believers were investigated. Reported attitudes, reported acceptability of expressing positive and negative attitudes, and reported positive behavioral intentions disproportionately favored religious believers over atheists. However, participants reported a higher likelihood of engaging in positive behaviors towards atheists when the threat of public scrutiny was limited, indicating that the social norm in the U.S. may be suppressing privately held, positive behavioral intentions that would otherwise support atheists, creating a state of pluralistic ignorance. Other factors will also be discussed. 
Dr. Jonason earned his B.A. in Communication Science and Political Science and his M.A. in Communication Science from the University of Connecticut. He earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from New Mexico State University. Since 2011, he has been in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology at Western Sydney University. He has authored more than 75 publications during his career; 20 in 2015 alone. In 2014 he won the IgNobel award in psychology and in 2015 he served Visiting Scholar positions at Lomonosov Moscow State University and the University of Western Ontario. 
Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html 
Our talk events are held at the Function Room at Club Redfern:
2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St
REDFERN, NSW 2000
The entrance is 20 metres across Gibbons Street from Redfern Station under the SPAR sign. You can walk up the stairs, the escalator or use the elevator to the 2nd floor where the club is located. 

Please RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/sydneyatheists/events/228197616/

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif visit with Julie Bishop

Dear Julie Bishop,

As the President of Sydney Atheists, I would like to bring your attention to the millions, yes millions of Atheists in Iran.

In Iran it is against the religious laws to become an atheist. Such behaviour is considered as apostasy and blasphemous, and any such declaration by a former Muslim risks at the least lost work opportunities, isolation, imprisonment and potentially death. As such, Atheists have to hide their beliefs

I understand that you either have or will raise the issue of Baha'is in Iran. That is to be commended. Please be aware, however, that the number of Atheists in Iran is far greater than the number of Baha'is and their suffering is at least as bad. Indeed, the Iranian theocracy looks more kindly on any godly belief than on the denial of gods.

We have a very significant number of Persian (Iranian) Atheists in our community. They fear for those of their family and friends still in Iran. They also fear for their safety should they exercise and express their freedom of belief or non-belief in Shia Islam and wish to visit their families and friends in that country.

I plead with you on behalf of Atheist Persians in Iran, Australia and around the world to encourage the Iranian Government to allow freedom of belief, conscience and tolerance in Iran.

Thank you,

Steve Marton
President Sydney Atheists

Tuesday 19 January 2016

11th March Talk

Understanding the Science of Climate Change


Sydney Atheists welcomes Dr Dennys Angove who will present "Understanding the Science of Climate Change." 
Dennys will discuss:
The Structure and significance of the atmosphere,
Energy balance and the greenhouse effect, 
Global warming and trends in Green House Gas concentrations,
Some modelling outcomes and a review. 
Dennys will conduct a generous and challenging question time.
Dennys was a researcher in vehicle emissions catalysis and the atmospheric chemistry of emissions at Macquarie Uni. He has worked as a CSIRO atmospheric chemist for the last 15 years and has presented an atmospheric chemistry module at UTS for the last 10 years. His personal involvement is now dictated by worrying changes occurring in the troposphere so he decided to get involved in trying help people understand the science. He is currently active in professional societies and a volunteer for the Citizen’s Climate Lobby.
Entry to this event will be $5.00 for supporter members of Sydney Atheists and $10.00 for non supporter attendees. Annual Supporter membership is only $20. To become a supporter member, please go to:http://www.sydneyatheists.org/p/donations-and-membership.html
Dinner is available from 5.30pm whilst the talk will begin at 7.00pm. As there will be limited table space, it is preferable to have meals in the restaurant section of the club before entering the function area, though bringing drinks in will be fine. Please have your meal in the adjacent lounge areas where there is a variety of food and drinks including Australian and Chinese meals - see the menu selection at:  http://www.clubredfern.com.au/dining 
Our talk events are held in the Function Room at Club Redfern: 
2nd Floor, 159 Redfern St 
REDFERN, NSW 2000
The entrance is across Gibbons Street from Redfern Station under the SPAR sign. You can walk up the stairs, the escalator or use the elevator to the 2nd floor where the club is located.
To RSVP, please go to:  http://www.meetup.com/sydneyatheists/events/226206905/