More commentary in The Age

Posted on : 18-10-2009 | By : grant | In : General

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Religion and the Global Atheist Convention sparked more discussion in The Age today, including a comment from Atheist Foundation of Australia President David Nicholls.

Published October 18, 2009

You got it wrong, reverend
THE Reverend Dr Max Champion (Letters, 11/10) made two significant errors in his "defence" of religion's privileged place in society.

(1) ''Atrocities committed by anti-Christian ideologies, such as communism, Nazism and fascism'': there is no logical progression from non-belief to violence. The existence of bad atheists (if Hitler was an atheist - not clear) does not mean their acts were intended to spread non-belief and not every murderer who happens to be religious is furthering religion through murder. September 11, the Spanish Inquisition, right-wing Christians who murder doctors who perform abortions - all examples of evil acts specifically undertaken to further a religious cause. There is no comparable atrocity to further atheism.

(2) ''Nihilistic forces'': what is so "nihilistic" about wanting equality for all? So $4.5 million for the Parliament of World Religions and none so far for the Global Atheist Convention - I know where government money should be going.

BRENDAN BARRATT, Armadale

Published October 18, 2009

You want it, you pay for it
IT WAS interesting that the unhealthy church-state alliance in Victoria and indeed Australia stood together as one in offering apologetics about discrimination based on faith (Letters, Max Champion and Rob Hulls, 11/10).

These two powerful groups cannot grasp the simple equation. If citizens pay taxes - and we all do to varying degrees - we should all be treated equally, at least by the state or those institutions the state financially supports. If religions insist on playing the discrimination game to suit some interpretation or other of the writings of ancient and ignorant nomadic tribesmen, then they must pay their own way for the privilege.

DAVID NICHOLLS, president, Atheist Foundation of Australia

Comments (3)

Russell Blackford said on 18-10-2009

David has nailed it in his letter to The Age - let them discriminate as much as they like, in accordance with their irrational views about "sin" etc. They are entitled to those views, on the basis of freedom of religion.

But thereupon stop assuming that it is in the public interest to use the tax system support bodies with these primitive and discriminatory concepts. Take away their tax concessions and stop giving them government funding for their activities.

Jason said on 19-10-2009
	Fantastic letters! Makes me proud to apart of this organisation!

john said on 22-10-2009
	Spot on David! Well put.