3
Craig Reucassel and Julian Morrow from The Chaser will headline the Saturday night entertainment at the Global Atheist Convention to be held in Melbourne next March.
As well as Craig and Julian, the Convention’s Friday and Saturday night events will feature an impressive line-up of entertainers, including: Age columnist, Catherine Deveny, ex-Mormon comedian, Sue-Ann Post, Melbourne illusionist, Simon Taylor and YouTube sensation, NonStampCollector, whose mantra is ‘if atheism is a religion then Not Collecting Stamps is a hobby’.
The Chaser team, who once famously depicted agnostics nailed to question marks, has a fine record of holding nothing sacred – including religion.
Convention organiser, David Nicholls, says, “Apart from being hugely entertaining, we believe that comedians and performers are absolutely integral to disseminating our message that religion’s role in Australian society and politics needs a massive overhaul.”
“In the course of Australian history, cartoonists and comedians have defined Australian identity and values far more than any politician or clergyman,” Nicholls explains. “Irreverent comedy has always been crucial in popularising progressive ideas and toppling ‘sacred cows’. Comedians like Craig and Julian cut through the bullshit of tradition and authority and give things we hold sacred a well-deserved kick up the bum.”
The Atheist Foundation of Australia holds that no institution or opinion, secular or religious, should be off-limits when it comes to scrutiny, parody or even ridicule. If an idea or belief is so fragile that it cannot withstand an assault by comedians, it is surely a concept which is past its time.
"That's why we'll spend most of our time taking the piss out of atheists," Julian Morrow explained.
Fantastic addition to Saturday night....looking forward to it even more now!
I can only agree wholeheartedly with David Nicholls above. No idea, silly or otherwise, should be shielded from scrutiny and ridicule as deserved. One can only welcome with open arms "The Chaser" contribution.
> If an idea or belief is so fragile that it cannot withstand an assault by comedians, it is surely a concept which is past its time.
Hear hear. I've had too many conversations with people — many times not discussing anything to do with religion — who assert that some topics or people just should not be laughed about.
“To label any subject unsuitable for comedy is to admit defeat.” —Peter Sellers
> "That's why we'll spend most of our time taking the piss out of atheists," Julian Morrow explained.
Yes! We'll be looking forward to it.