Comments | lillobo: AACON 2011!

lillobo

AACON 2011!

Apr 25, 2011 20:15

I just came back from the American Atheists Convention in Des Moines, Iowa. And what an amazing time it was! So many topics--and the speakers: Tom Flynn, Jamila Bey, PZ Myers, Lawrence Krauss, Eddie Tabash, Greta Christina, JT Eberhart, Matt Dillahunty to name a few... They were all awesome, and for me, I really learned something about myself ( Read more... )

politics, road trip, issues, cool people, atheist

Comments 5

riseabove April 26 2011, 15:17:16 UTC

Interesting.

I have mostly no problem identifying as an Atheist, now. I did for years and years, because of where I lived, and because of past reactions I've received. It was a lot of years studying MANY religions before I realized that none of them "fit" for me. Now, I have no problem with other people believing whatever they way - a god in the sky is just as mythical as a pink unicorn in a forest in England (actually I'd be more apt to believe in a unicorn, than a god beyond the clouds, but you get my point.) I am vehemently not an Anti-Theist, which is the group (in my experience) that most atheists get lumped into. Which is sad, to me ( ... )

lillobo April 27 2011, 00:28:47 UTC

The problem with the "No Religious Preference" tag is that if something happens to you, you are still sent to a chaplain, who could be of any faith, because, according to your tags, you have "no preference". What atheists want, of course, is no chaplains at all, or at least, one who is trained in humanist principles, so that chaplain isn't putting his beliefs on you. After 9/11, the Army really pushed the chaplain thing, especially after the rise in suicides. The increase of chaplains were, unfortunately, of an evangelical persuasion. Not exactly someone I'd want to talk to.

But I'll post some more pictures! We had a few protesters there, and on Saturday, there were groups from two different churches outside the hotel that were arguing with EACH OTHER over us! It was announced to us inside and we all got a real kick out of that! lol

riseabove April 27 2011, 00:36:07 UTC

Yeah, I can understand that. Humanist training would be nice. Not seeing that happening anytime soon, but it'd be nice!

LOL @ arguing with each other bahahaha

eclyptical April 27 2011, 20:32:20 UTC

Cool stuff!

lillobo April 28 2011, 02:02:15 UTC

Thanks! It was a fun weekend!