Religion, science, politics and philosophy – someone has to talk about them, and it might as well be me.
Oh, and the title of this blog? It’s a mondegreen taken from the hymn, “Gladly the cross I’d bear”.
If only all religious texts could be reduced to the harmlessness of a myopic teddy bear!
Quote of the Week
“What harm would it do, if a man told a good strong lie for the sake of the good and for the Christian church? [...] a lie out of necessity, a useful lie, a helpful lie, such lies would not be against God, he would accept them.” — Martin Luther
Upcoming Events
Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Queensland, Sunshine Coast Branch (VESQ Sunshine Coast). My speech to this group is now online in 2 x 15 minute videos.
Brisbane Skeptics in the Pub - Next meetup 6.30pm, Plough Inn, South Bank. RSVP via Facebook.
Dying with Dignity (NSW). I’ve been invited to speak at the DWD NSW AGM and conference on Saturday, 24 March at the Mechanics Institute theatrette, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney. The event begins at 2.00pm (until 4.00pm) and is open to the public. For more information contact DWD NSW.
My talk will fall, roughly, into three parts. First, I will discuss how the debate on voluntary euthanasia (VE) is distorted by misinformation and urban myths which, too often, emanate from religious sources. I will also note that, on the issue of VE, religious institutions are very much at odds with the views of their congregations.
Secondly, I will attempt to situate the VE debate within a wider context of social policy issues which are similarly influenced and distorted by religious dogma and propaganda.
Thirdly, and finally, I want to talk about how grass-roots activism has been successful in some of these areas and explain how easily dismissed social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter can be powerful resources for grass-roots political lobbying.
Global Atheist Convention Tickets now on sale to the General Public. After the success of the 2010 event, these will sell quickly, so get in early.
Organisations and Campaigns
Reason Australia – Reason Australia is a new national lobby group for the advancement of science, skepticism and secularism in Australian society. Please visit the website and check out our policies.
Writing
The Australian Book of Atheism - Edited by Warren Bonett
The Australian Book of Atheism is edited by my friend, Warren Bonett, of Embiggen Books. I was honoured to be asked to write the first chapter on the history of Australian atheism.
The book is published by Scribe and is available in all good bookstores (including Embiggen Books (Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne), ABC Books, Mary Ryan, Booktopia, Readings, etc).
You can read a review by Peter Kirkwood in The Australian here.
You can hear philosopher, Peter Ellerton and I in conversation about the book at the 2011 Reality Writes literary festival in the following series of videos:
More Articles by Chrys Stevenson
You can find more of my work at Online Opinion, MamaMia, on ABC’s The Drum (Chaplaincy Challenge: A Pre-Hearing Summary) and Religion and Ethics website (States play cat and mouse in High Court Chaplaincy Challenge; Activist Dead Wrong on Voluntary Euthanasia (with Dr David Leaf)) and on the Sunshine Coast Atheists website (Atheist in Wonderland and We Didn’t Start the Fire) .
Social Networking
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel
Contact
gladlybear@yahoo.com.au
Yes if only they could!
Hey Chrys,
Love the Blog, great reading. I can’t wait to read more of your witty and apt views.
Rgs
Adrian