The Freethought University Alliance connects student leaders from around Australia to help them work together and grow as a collective student movement dedicated to furthering science, reason and secular values in Australian society. The Alliance aims to provide students with useful advice, resources and networking opportunities, and also support students planning to start new aligned groups on university campuses.
Russell
Blackford is an Australian writer and editor. His formal qualifications
include first class honours degrees in both Arts (University of
Newcastle) and Law (University of Melbourne), and separate Ph.Ds in
English literature (University of Newcastle) and philosophy (Monash
University). His publications include novels, short stories, academic
monographs, and numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed journal
articles on topics within his areas of expertise. His philosophical
interests include bioethics, philosophy of law, and philosophy of
religion. Russell is a Fellow of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging
Technologies, and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Evolution and
Technology. He is co-editor, with Udo Schuklenk, of 50 Voices of
Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009).
Russell is the editor-in-chief of The Journal of Evolution and Technology, an on-line, peer-reviewed journal.
‘Religion’ – A Naturalistic (Non-Supernaturalist) Viewpoint.
David Miller (Atheist Society)
There has often been discussion on whether Atheists are secular people rather than religious people. The problem, it seems to me, is that we tend to conflate ‘religion’ and the ‘supernatural’. Such confusion is normal within our everyday language. The two words have almost become synonymous. I suggest that we begin the attempt to be more precise. Even if our attempts lead us in different directions, it will at least be illuminating.
Please read these terms and conditions.
About Us
The Melbourne Atheists….
We
can understand why primitive cultures believed that invisible beings
controlled what we now call the elements and natural phenomena. With
access to factual knowledge, there is now no excuse for believing in
gods, fairies or any supernatural concept.
We live in a natural universe with known natural laws. Religion, based on belief in the existence of the supernatural, is dependent on the indoctrination of infants generation after generation, by parents brainwashed in religious cultures.
The confrontations and fighting today provide ample evidence of the unstable nature of societies, which endorse religious beliefs.
Infantile concepts seriously hinder the full potential development of humans in a world with problems that require logical thought.
Atheists find their motive for action in the needs and problems of their fellow citizens and consider that the worship of, or reliance on, imaginary supernatural beings to be a useless waste of time, energy and resources.
The Foundation is dependent on a small committee which meets monthly and is open to all members. We maintain a cordial relationship with similar organisations within Australia and overseas and with whom we exchange our magazine, The Australian Atheist.
It is recognised that the non-religious segment in society is on a steep increase but only through such organisations as the Foundation will it be recognised as a movement worthy of notice by administrative bodies.
We welcome feedback from thoughtful people and invite your co-operation and membership.
Our Philosophy
The Melbourne Atheists recognises scientific method as the only rational means toward understanding reality. To question and critically examine all ideas, testing them in the light of experiment, leads to the discovery of facts.
As there is no scientific evidence for supernatural phenomena, atheists reject belief in ‘God’, gods and other supernatural beings. The universe, the world in which we live, and the evolution of life, are entirely natural occurrences.
No personality or mind can exist without the process of living matter to sustain it. We have only one life – here and now. All that remains after a person dies is the memory of their life and deeds in the minds of those who live.
Atheists reject superstition and prejudice along with the irrational fears they cause. We recognise the complexity and interdependence of life on this planet. As rational and ethical beings we accept the challenge of making a creative and responsible contribution to life.
Our Aims
To encourage and to provide a means of expression for informed free-thought on philosophical and social issues.
To safeguard the rights of all non-religious people.
To serve as a focal point for the fellowship of non-religious people.
To offer reliable information in place of superstition and to offer the methodology of reason in place of faith so as to enable people to take responsibility for the full development of their potential as human beings.
To promote atheism.
The
Melbourne Atheist team and members are volunteers who have worked
together to create this site and content for it. The Atheist .NET has
some wonderfully talented people taking the time and working hard to
bring Secular, Humanistic, and generally progressive/non
dogmatic/faithless ideas to the forefront of public attention. Working
for these ideals is a major leap forward and represents the resiliance
and maturation of humanity that is needed to deal with modern day
issues.
Atheism is the lack of belief in a god or gods. Atheism is not the lack of a religion. There are many religions which do not have gods. Buddhism is one such.
How can it be proved that there is no god? Naturally, it cannot. If you think gods can be disproved, try to disprove the simpler idea that invisible angels push the planets around with their wings. If you can’t see them, and they produce effects ident ical to gravity, how can you prove that they are not there?
Humans have created countless gods. Gods are never disproved. They simply no longer have followers. Of course, there are still some gods left who do who have followers for instance YHWH, the god of the Christians and the Jews, and Allah, the god of the Muslims.
Atheism is not anger at a god or gods (this is called ‘apostasy’).
Negative connotations are associated with atheism by many people, thanks to widespread beliefs that atheists lack morals or a sense of personal mission due to their lack of belief in God.
Atheists are simply people who do not have a belief in god. Theists make sence of the world through a belief in god, and therefore the statement ‘I believe in God’ is a statement about them selves, not about reality. It means that at that moment in time, they find it useful to believe there is some sort of higher force which brings some sort of order to their lives that they think they cannot find on their own. When a believer no longer has need for a god, he or she stops believing.
Atheists only have a quarrel with people who claim that everybody should believe in god, because God is an objective fact which is supported by overwhelming evidence that the atheist is deliberately suppressing. This is not the case. There is no overwhelming evidence for god.
This statement outlines the rules covering the Challenge. All applicants must agree to the rules set forth herein before any formal agreement can be entered into. Completing this form is mandatory; there are no exceptions to this rule.
Applicant will declare agreement by signing this form where indicated. Applicant must state clearly what is being claimed as the proof upon which they wish to be tested, and test protocols must be agreed upon by both parties before any testing will take place. All tests must be designed in such a way that the results are self-evident, so that no judging or voting process is required. We do not design the protocol independently of the applicant, who must provide clear guidelines so that the test(s) may be properly designed and carried out.
All applicants must clearly identify themselves properly before any discussion takes place. Applicants must supply John L Perkins with a proper postal mailing address, and an e-mail address – if one is available.
This offer is administered by John L Perkins, and no one may negotiate or make any changes. All correspondence must be written, and will be answered, in English. Upon properly completing this document and agreeing upon the test protocol, applicant will receive the application back, signed by John L Perkins. At that point, the applicant becomes eligible for the preliminary test, which, if successful, will result in the formal test.
THE SIXTEEN OFFICIAL RULES GOVERNING THE CHALLENGE:
I, John L Perkins will pay A$100,000 to any person who can demonstrate any that any religion is true. Religion, for the purpose of this challenge, entails the existence of a supernatural entity, and the doctrines that define the religion in terms of the supernatural entity or entities. Such proofs must take place under the following rules and limitations:
1. This is the primary and most important of these rules: Applicant must state clearly in advance, and applicant and John L Perkins will agree upon, what evidence will be provided, the limits of the proposed demonstration (so far as time, location and other variables are concerned) and what will constitute both a positive and a negative result.
2. Only an actual demonstration of the stated proof, within the agreed-upon limits, will be accepted. Accounts or records based solely on any religious text are not accepted nor considered.
3. We will consult competent technicians when an evaluation of the experimental design is required.
4. Applicant agrees that all data (photographic, recorded, written, etc.) gathered as a result of the setup, the protocol, and the actual testing, may be used freely by John L Perkins.
5. After an agreement is reached on the protocol, no part of the testing procedure may be changed in any way without the further agreement – in writing – of all parties concerned. John L Perkins will not interact with the materials used, nor with the protocol, unless specifically requested to do so by the applicant.
6. In all cases, applicant will be required to perform a preliminary test either before an appointed representative, if distance and time dictate that need, or in a location where a member or representative of John L Perkins can attend. This preliminary test is to determine if the applicant is likely to perform as promised during a formal test, using the agreed-upon protocol.
7. All of the applicant’s expenses such as transportation, accommodation, materials, assistants, and/or all other costs for any persons or procedures incurred in pursuit of the reward, are the sole responsibility of the applicant. John L Perkins will not bear any of the costs.
8. When entering into this challenge, as far as this may be done by established legal statutes, the applicant surrenders any and all rights to legal action against John L Perkins and/or against any persons peripherally involved. This applies to injury, and/or accident, and/or any other damage of a physical and/or emotional nature, and/or financial and/or professional loss, and/or damage of any kind. However, this rule in no way affects the awarding of the prize, once it is properly won in accord with the protocol.
9. At the formal test, in advance, an independent person will be placed in charge of a cheque from John L Perkins for A$5,000. In the event that the claimant is successful under the agreed-upon terms and conditions, that cheque shall be immediately surrendered to the claimant, and within ten days John L Perkins will pay to the claimant the remainder of the reward, for a total of A$100,000.
10. Copies of this form are available free of charge to any qualified person who requests it, or it can be downloaded from the Internet, at this location.
11. This offer is made by John L Perkins, on the behalf of no other person, agency or organisation. Although others may become involved in the examination of claims and may add their reward money to the total in certain circumstances, John L Perkins will carry out the implementation and management of the challenge. John L Perkins will not entertain any demand that the prize money be deposited in escrow, displayed in cash, or otherwise produced in advance of the test being performed.
12. This offer is not open to any and all persons. Before being considered as an applicant, the person applying must satisfy two conditions: First, he/she must have a “religious profile”, which means having been published, written about, or known to the public in regard to his/her religion and claimed proof. This can be established by producing published material that specifically addresses the person’s proof. Second, he/she must produce at least one signed document from an academic who has witnessed the proof, and will validate that these claims have been verified.
13. An applicant can be from or in any part of the world, and gender, age, race, and educational background are not factors for acceptance.
14. This prize will continue to be offered until it is awarded.
15. EVERY APPLICANT MUST AGREE UPON WHAT WILL CONSTITUTE A CONCLUSION THAT, ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRELIMINARY OR THE FORMAL TEST, DEMONSTRATE THE CLAIMED PROOF.
16. This signed form must be accompanied by a brief, two-paragraph description of what will constitute the proof. Upon a protocol being developed, that description may be extended.
PLEASE: Do not burden us with theology, philosophical theories, previous examples, anecdotal evidence or other comments! We are only interested in an actual demonstration of proof.
NOTE: No special rules, exceptions, conditions, standards, or favours will be granted without the mutual agreement of all those concerned – in advance. Any applicant who refuses to agree to meet the rules as outlined here, will not be considered to have ever been an applicant. Only complete agreement with these rules will allow the “applicant” to become a “claimant.” Applicant, by signing, having witnessed and submitting this form, signifies agreement with all of the above rules. Be advised that you should conduct proper tests of your own to determine whether your proof is valid.
This application will be signed by John L Perkins and returned to the applicant by mail after a test protocol has been mutually agreed upon, and a test date and location have been determined.
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Authorised pubic witness:
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(signature of applicant)
Forward to:
The Religious Challenge, PO Box 6004, Melbourne, Vic.8008 Australia.
“Provide any proof that any religion is the true religion. Reward A$100,000.”
Please read the Terms & Conditions
Applications:
The Rationalist Challenge, PO Box 6004,
Melbourne, Vic.8008 Australia.
Second Tuesday Meetup and Melbourne Atheist Society Presentation:
“Atheist Support for Religious Freedom”
Speaker – Lev Lafayette
