Written by Tanya Smith | 29 May 2012

Me with Taslima Nasrin, PZ Myers and Rebecca Watson

I had a great time in Cologne at the 2012 European Atheist Convention The Atheist Perspective & Our Future last weekend.   The speakers were entertaining and informative, with the emotional highlight being Taslima Nasrin's talk about her life in Bangladesh and subsequent exile from her home - it received a well-deserved standing ovation.  PZ Myers encouraged us all to be part of the "third wave" of atheism plus social justice, Rebecca Watson talked about all the different ways women's rights and status are under threat in the US - with the stupidity spreading to Europe - Leo Igwe informed us about witchcraft, superstition and human rights abuses in Africa, Dan Barker entertained with stories of his life as an evangelical preacher, Annie Laurie Gaylor updated us on campaigns to enforce church/state separation in the US and Valentin Abgottspon (who kindly did his talk in English for us monolingual types) talked about his experience of being fired for opposing a cross in his Swiss classroom (I liked his line that played to the stereotype "I don't get angry....I'm stoic.").   Add the amusement and disgust at the descriptions of tantric and exploitative sex practices of a certain Bhuddist sect, Phillip Moller's stories about his experiences as a non-believing German teacher - I really wish I had understood the German, but it was entertaining just to watch him speak! - lots of other interesting talks and the fun buzz of hundreds of rational people enjoying each other's company - and it really was a fun weekend.....and all with the beautiful city of Cologne and stunning weather as the backdrop!  

You can see photos from The Atheist Perspective & Our Future here (thank you Richard Honess of AtheismUK).

Congratulations to IBKA and the organising committee for hosting such a successful convention!

Written by Tanya Smith | 09 May 2012

Last year I met the Vice-President of ATEO (Atheist Esperantists of the World) and she asked me to write a greeting for their Journal.  Seeing my words in Esperanto is quite a novelty for me so I thought I'd share it: 

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Written by Tanya Smith | 23 April 2012

(With the other speakers and the PATAS team in Manila)

It was an honour and a pleasure to be at the first atheist convention in South East Asia on 21 April.  Hosted by the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society (PATAS) in Manila, the convention - titled Filipino non-belief - are you ready for this? - was a lot of fun and a significant step for non-believers in the region.  Dan Barker from FFRF headed the program - it's always great to hear him talk - and it was wonderful to meet and listen to other speakers including Jeremiah Camara, David Orenstein and Norm Allen.  In addition, we heard about about the projects done by PATAS (and it's only been in existence since Feb 2011 - a very busy first year!) and it was very interesting to listen to Red Tani's talk about secular activism by the Filipino Freethinkers.  A lot of work is going into supporting the Reproductive Health bill, which would make contraception more widely accessible.  PATAS' tour of Manila on the following day really showed why this is needed - in slum areas we saw a very high proportion of children and were told that the average family size is 8 - 10.

A big congratulations to PATAS and the organising committee for all their hard work in hosting this seminal event.  It was a great statement in support of atheism and secularism in the Philippines and may there be many more!

Written by Tanya Smith | 15 April 2012

(I got to meet Sam Harris backstage!)

Wow!  The 2012 Global Atheist Convention A Celebration of Reason, held in Melbourne 13 – 15 April, was simply amazing.  Kudos to the Atheist Foundation of Australia and the organizing committee for putting together the largest atheist convention the world has ever seen in such a professional manner.  The program was first class, culminating in a moving tribute to Christopher Hitchens – a video of classic Hitch moments – followed by speeches from Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss (self-described as Hitchens’ personal physicist), then the Closing Panel comprised the three remaining ‘Horsemen’ - Dawkins, Dennett, Harris – and Ayaan Hirsi Ali (who would have been part of the original ‘Four Horsemen’ discussion a few years ago but for a last-minute change of plans).  The four received a standing ovation when they walked on stage.  I listened to their discussion – including Ayaan’s point that it’s racism that underpins the failure to prosecute for the crime of female genital mutilation in Islamic communities in the UK (wonder what would happen if it were little white girls that were being mutilated?) – marveling at being in a room of around 4,000 atheists listening to some of our best.  There were many other excellent talks during the convention – I didn’t get to see all of them but particularly enjoyed ones I did see from Annie Laurie Gaylor, AC Grayling, Leslie Cannold and Geoffrey Robertson, as well as Stella Young's comedy on the opening night.  A special mention for Jason Ball - he talked about the Freethought Student Alliance, which supports explicitly non-religious groups in high schools and universities in Australia.  I wish it had been around when I was at university!  The buzz in the plenary and in the foyer during the breaks – the feel of thousands of atheists having a great time – was awesome.  It was a unique, exhilarating experience.

More personally, I was very pleased that my talk (I’ll add a video if I can!) was well-received on the Sunday morning and that the AAI table was subsequently overwhelmed with people wanting to support us!  We sold out of all our merchandise and it was wonderful that people came up and gave me compliments on my talk, joined up as members and/or donated to AAI.  Thank you everyone!

Written by Tanya Smith | 02 April 2012

In the lead up to atheist conventions in April and May I spoke with Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation on Freethought Radio.  (I'm on from about 21:20.)  See you in Melbourne (13-15 April), Manila (21 April) or Cologne (25-27 May)!  (And while I won't be there personally, AAI will be represented by Stuart Bechman, Treasurer and Director, at Imagine No Religion 2 (18 - 20 May) in BC, Canada.)