That’s What Your Mum Said

I had the best weekend. At a conference. With speakers. And seating plans. And conference food.

How does this happen you may ask?

I purchased tickets (expensive, gold-version tickets that allowed us to sit right at the front in the elite section) to the Global Atheist Conference in Melbourne.

This was a one stop shop for all of my intellectual crushes, and I added quite a few to the list by the end of the weekend. Peter Singer, P Z Myers and  Richard Dawkins were joined by A C Grayling (a new favourite), Catherine Deveny, Jane Caro, Phillip Adams, Taslima Nasrin (heartbreakingly inspiring), Sue-Anne Post (heartbreakingly hilarious), Dan Barker, Ian Robinson and the awesome comedians Jamie Kilstein, NonStampCollector, Julian Morrow and Craig Reucassel. Too. Much. Good.

Richard Dawkins looking bamboozled - around 300 people lined up with books to sign!

The most wonderful thing about this gathering was that I finally felt at home. I was finally around people who understand the way I think and what I believe in (truth, for all of those that are curious) and didn’t screw their noses up when I proclaimed that I don’t believe in the supernatural nor religion in all its guises.

All of the speakers had excellent points and most spoke clearly, concisely and confidently about their beliefs (or lack thereof) and their experiences of religion. Some of the greatest insights came from the speakers who had experienced religion first hand. Sue-Ann Post grew up in a Mormon household (and is now a lesbian comedian), Dan Barker was an evangelical preacher (fascinating) and Taslima Nasran has been banned from her home nation for speaking out against the oppression of women under the Islamic religion.

Poor photo of Peter Singer

Of course my favourite was Peter Singer. He talked about the ability of human beings to be ethical without religion and he was a joy. I raced up after his speech to get my book signed and was far too excited. I told him I liked his glasses. He looked at me like I am special.  I am mortified I said this to one of the centuries greatest minds, but I plan on stalking him out again and asking something more intelligent like “Dr Singer, who should win the latest season of ‘So you think you can dance”?

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the conference and a lot of commentators poo-pooing the idea of atheists gathering together (apparently it is like herding cats). We have every right to come together and enjoy each others company. We have every right to cheer and shout and drink far too much and relish being alive. Heck, we paid for it (no government funding for us; a recent church gathering in Melbourne received between $4 and $5 million).

'The Ethics of What We Eat' by Peter Singer and Jim Mason

I’m not going to rant. I do truly believe, though, that religion has a lot of badness to answer for. I also believe that I should not be funding their tax breaks and perks with my hard-earned income. Honestly, I would rather fund our ridiculously ailing health system, or free, secular education for all, or even just better public transport.

I would recommend an atheist gathering to all, regardless of your beliefs or stance on freedom of religion. The people are welcoming and the food is great and the ideas are freely flowing and open. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my precious time.

I always assumed my stomach was made of steel with regards to things I see, hear or smell. Until this week.

I managed to finish reading a novel called ‘Wetlands’ by Charlotte Roche. Her first publication, ‘Wetlands’ is the story of a young woman and her mental, family, physical and hygiene issues. The author does not hold back, which is normally something I thrive on;  shock me and I will love you. However I have discovered I do have a line and Charlotte Roche crossed it! I spent many pages attempting not to throw up (my imagination is vivid and I find the written word moves me far more than the moving image) and I was introduced to some wholly new concepts.

Charlotte Roche

Honestly, if you are like me and think that you can’t be shaken, read this book. Although I am disgusted, I am also really impressed and respectful of the author that fucked with my head! If you have a weak stomach, do not even attempt this. No way jose.

The delectable Liz tagged me to do this meme, and as it is my first I am would be honoured! To be honest, I have been racking my brain and I have had trouble; I am not a very interesting person. Ha, these should be fascinating…

one. I only have two true talents.

I can make my tongue into a three-leaf clover, and I can bend my thumb at a 90 degree angle behind my hand. It freaks people out, and for that I am thankful.

two. I get inappropriate crushes quite often.

My first ever was Anthony Hopkins. I saw him in ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and that was it – wrong love. Peter Singer is the most recent, being all smart and the like. I am going to a conference in March that he is speaking at, and needless to say I will be wearing a new dress, heels and some red lippy.

three. Besides the partner, my one true love is books.

I have been obsessed ever since I could pick them up. Testament to this fact is the reading awards I received every year from kindergarten onward (I dug them out of my special box only a week ago) and also the many, many books we have in our home. I plan on making a library the first room I design when we purchase our own space on this earth.

four. I have four siblings.

This is quite an old photograph, but it shows me (fourth out of five), my oldest sister, my second oldest sister, the third sibling my brother, and the youngest sibling my sister. Don’t be fooled by the cross; we aren’t church-going folk, but it was a very important event that happened to be held in a church. For a large family with large gaps (ages 41, 39, 36, 26 & 24) we are insanely close. I know I could count on any of them at any time, and this is some wonderful knowledge. They are champs.

five. I attended a new-age christian church when I was a teenager and smitten with a young man who was a staunch believer.

I don’t want to go into this too much except that to say I was naive and it was  a very educational experience. To be honest, I have never experienced hypocrisy and judgment in such high doses. It sent me on the beginning of the trip to atheism and taught me to question everyone and everything they say.

six. I don’t want children and I don’t envisage this changing. Ever.

I imagine this one is a little controversial, but hey, that is what the internet is for, isn’t it? Let me explain myself before you get upset and tell me it is my duty as a woman to have a child, or that I would be a really good mother so I have to have them (heard it all before noobs). I am fully aware of the fact that parenting is THE hardest job in the world, and frankly, I don’t want it. I have been proclaiming ever since I was aware of my female bits and their uses (around 11 or 12) that I don’t want children, and this has never wavered. It has actually led to the ending of some relationships due to the partner attempting to convince me that I was totally wrong, or being unable to accept my choice. The current (and hopefully forever-long) partner feels the same as me which is refreshing and wonderful. We are very open to whatever the future may hold, and I have also made it clear to everyone involved that if my little sister couldn’t conceive I would carry for her, but other than that I am just not that way inclined. Don’t hate me.

seven. I am a dyed-in-the-wool atheist.

I love this world, it is fracking awesome and fascinating and mysterious and fantabulous. I just don’t believe in a guy in the sky; I believe in science and the universe. Humans are an arrogant and ignorant race and if only we could open up our minds to the fact that we are small and inconsequential. We don’t need a deity looking over us to have meaning in our lives. Religion has a tendency to be very, very dangerous and damaging despite the ideals of being kind to thy neighbour and such. I would rather live by Bill and Tedism; …”Be excellent to each other… party on dudes”. Simple but effective.

I would like to tag Sarah Hannah, Elizabeth, Em, Miss Katie, Amalie, Chickie Little and Kez to partake in the randomness.