Godless Business

2.6 – Election time!

Jim, Nigel, and Andrew sit down one Sunday afternoon to talk politics, holy dogs, taking care of your pets after you’re raptured, bigoted politicians, creationism in Queensland, and more.  As a bonus the next door neighbour decides to fire up the chainsaw which set off their yappy mongrel dog just after we started recording.

Stories

I am not anti-religious, I am anti- stupidity.  It is not my fault your religion is stupid.

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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Cynskeptical Cynskeptical

    Firstly, you are slack for not letting me skype in to say hello. Very sorry to all our listeners for not getting to throw in my opinion about some issue about something that I am sure I would have an opinion about.
    Secondly, read briefly over the Secular Party website, and I think one of us ought to stand for election.
    I would do it, but I get stage fright, or at least that is my excuse to get out of it. Besides who would vote for me anyway.

    As for the same sex marriage deal. For those of you who do not understand the same sex marriage thing. First what Jim said is correct. Secondly no one really gives a shit about marriage, especially when referred to within the same meaning and confines of the traditional sense of the word. However as mentioned what the G&L community wants is the rights that are afforded a heterosexual couple, not the marriage part.
    Penny Wong isn't being week I do not think, I think it is a gradual thing, especially in politics where not much happens over night,
    I think it will happen. The government already recognises same sex couples for payments and the like.

    Oh and lastly Sydney is Sydney and I don't really recommend it. Apologies to all who have to live in this place.

    Ollie :)

    PS: May 22nd next year, I am busy that day.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/askegg askegg

      Frankly, I was worried about using WireTap Anywhere with Skype and GarageBand. It seems flakey and unstable – more testing is required. I am sure you will air your views when you are next on the show :)

      I like your "one of us should stand for election, but not me". You may as well said "one of you should stand".

      There is some confusion with the word "marriage". Marriage is currently two things – a religious ceremony and a legal union. I am fine with religions refusing to marry any couple. I really just don't care if they want to act like bigoted asshole children. However, the government is also denying these people legal unions based on….. what exactly? This makes no sense at all.

      Penny Wong is being hypocritical and spineless by not demanding that she should have the same legal rights as any one else in this country. Politics be damned.

    • mare vaporium

      I have to admit I was shocked when you guys reported that a homosexual political leader failed to stand up for her own rights, as well as those she represents. It goes beyond being weak, it is capitulation. Penny Wong should have stood up for her own rights, but even more importantly she should have stood up for the rights who she represents, not just the general constituency, but for her community. I have to agree with Andrew, she is utterly spineless and gives invertebrates a bad name.

      Here in America even if you spend the thousands upon thousands of dollars required to secure legal rights comparable to those the government grants to married heteros at a fraction of the cost, your rights to be with your loved ones are still not secure. Hospitals will still deny you admittance for visits. The government can decide to split you up and place in separate nursing homes when you are elderly. There is no way to gain the tax benefits offered to hetero couples and sometimes even state government programs for married people are unavailable for homosexuals in legally recognized "civil unions" in the states that recognize the union.

      The anti gay marriage groups whine about how we will ruin their marriages, society and churches. They don't care one whit for what we actually want, the legal status. It is simply them trying to stuff us all back into the closet where they think we belong so they don't have to look at us anymore.

      Those churches who peddle the myth that they will be coerced into performing gay marriages know that they are lying to their congregations, they know there are plenty of other churches out there who gladly welcome gays and would happily perform such weddings. They also know there are people out there like me, who are rather anti-religion yet hold a ministerial ordination for just such events.

      Yes, it will be a gradual progress for us to have the same marriage rights as hetero couples, we accept this and understand it. This doesn't mean we will all take it like it is, for if we lay down and wait for progress it will never happen.

      Also, it was a little odd not hear "Shut up, Ollie" even once during the podcast. I hope you're enjoying your vacation!

      Keep up the good work guys.

      • http://intensedebate.com/people/askegg askegg

        Thanks Mare. This is exactly what I am getting at. Equality is for all, not just a select few. To paraphrase "Animal Fram" – no one is more equal than others. Penny's spineless attitude (and everyone else's) does no one any good.

  • Anonymous Atheist

    Regarding "lumps of dirt" origins, that's the Bible creationist claim, not ours! They should've used the "monkeys" simplification if they wanted to talk badly about evolution! ;)

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44 – An Atheist Temple

BBC News – Row over Indonesia atheist Facebook post Priority is to protect marriage | Herald Sun No Fetus Can Feed Us | Unreasonable Faith Alain de Botton: Atheism 2.0 | Video on TED.com

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