spin

Aww, don't be such a wet blanket, Petey. Why don'tcha let the kids have a bit of fun?


spin

A Stable Flux

I think the unique and valuable contributions to the field would be more of an interest in religious studies in Australian communities. In Australia there is, for the majority, such a passive understanding of the New Testament gospels which is perpetuated only by churches. I don't think I need to inform anyone on this forum of the disparities between mainstream Christianity and mainstream biblical studies. Around 70 percent of Australians called themselves Christian on our national census, so it would be worthwhile if Australian communities had some real exposure to the quality academic understandings of the Bible at a grassroots level.
It's true that this doesn't advance the field of religious studies by contributing innovative new theses, but it helps make religious studies relevant to society, which is in my eyes a valuable contribution.

mountainman

Dear Readers,

It has been more than seven months since the concept of an Australian meeting was originally floated for expressions of interest. I thought I would post the concept again this month (November) in order to gauge the level of interest of prospective contributors and/or attendees. East coast preferably, perhaps next year? Either repond to this thread or PM me with expressions of interest.


Best wishes,


Pete

yalla

I have only just seen this thread and feel it necessary to counter the widely spread fallacy that Australia is 'down under'.

In fact, as every well educated person knows, those who have not been brainwashed by 'eurocentrism', Australia is not only 'on top' but is the very pinnacle of 'on topness' [except for New Zealand which we conveniently will ignore]. In fact [well its nearly a 'fact'] our southern most state, the island of Tasmania [which some Aussies leave off our maps sometimes cos its a place we find a trifle embarassing on occasion] is the 'toppest' inhabited place there is if we exclude penguins.

"Proof" I think I hear some of you demand, and rightly so for a sceptical [ we are still sceptics here aren't we, its hard to keep up with the times?] site.
Here it is.
Look it and weep you 'down under' northerners, finally put in your proper place.

http://flourish.org/upsidedownmap/

premjan

Tierra Del Feugo is even topper by a little bit.

yalla

Who?

[I ignore facts that do not fit my hypotheses].

ps Blimey premjan, you were quick, I had barely finished typing!

youngalexander

Which is 'Under Down Under':devil1:

Ps: sorry Pete, the way it's going, the Mods might place this thread 'Under Elsewhere':devil3:

GakuseiDon

I'd meet for a beer and a chat. A formal meeting, though, probably not (though that would depend on which scholars were coming.)

youngalexander

Certainly, have to be Melbourne, or the Australian Skeptics Conference city which next year is Brissie!

mountainman

Dear Yalla,

Thanks for the objective orientation exercise.

Youngalexander's vote is for Melbourne, where the Yarra River flows upside down. Where are you yalla and GakuseiDon? GakuseiDon (Melbourne as well?) makes a good suggestion about an informal chat over a beer. My default location would be Sydney - the northern beaches but if you guys are in Melbourne then maybe we can meet at Bells Beach when I next go surfing there? When is that 50 year storm due Bhodi? Alternatively, there is the option of some mid-way point such as Albury/W on the Hume, or maybe on the coastal track such as the picturesque Eden. What other options exist? Who else is interested?

Best wishes,


Pete