Freethought & Rationalism Archive

LLaurieG · 10-10-2002, 05:08 PM

(Laurie) This is a general question to the moderators' management. Will the Secular Web and/or Internet Infidels be gathering officially at some specific hotel, or organizing anywhere beforehand as a group to march? Is there an Internet Infidels banner? There ought to be. "We don't believe -- we VOTE -- and we're computer literate!"

I've also recently learned that factionalism exists among different atheist organizations. For the record, I think this is stupid and sad. Yet I've also been quite encouraged reading the GAMOW board. So far I've emailed with three other married women who, like me, will be attending the March solo clear from California. That's some atheistic dedication!

PS: Moderator, feel free to move this post to whichever board is most suitable for the query.

Toto · 10-10-2002, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LLaurieG:
. . .
I've also recently learned that factionalism exists among different atheist organizations. . .

<holds head> Why can't rationalists just get along?

Hi Laurie - this is a good forum for secular activism, and you will find a number of previous threads on the issue.

Unfortunately, I will not be traveling from California, but it's good to hear that some people will be.

Your idea for a banner is interesting.

Alonzo Fyfe · 10-10-2002, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LLaurieG:
I've also recently learned that factionalism exists among different atheist organizations. For the record, I think this is stupid and sad.

Personally, I think that factionalism is a good thing.

Think about it in evolutionary terms. We have different people, pursuing different objectives and different means. Everybody THINKS they know the one true best way to get things done and that everybody else, who thinks differently, is wrong.

The best way to find out is to allow each to pursue their own dreams and ambitions. Those who are right will succeed, those who are wrong will fail. And the best will emerge.

If we were to say, instead, "all atheists should sing the same tune, all atheists should march to the same drummer," what if it was a bad tune or the drummer was marching us all off of a cliff?

To avoid this, it is best to have some diversity -- some differences -- some people marching in a different direction.

However, I do distinguish between constructive opposition and destructive opposition. Consider several teams attempting to win a race by climbing to the top of a mountain. Constructive opposition inspires each of the teams to do their best to get to the top of the mountain. Destructive opposition, on the other hand, tries to win by pushing other teams back down the mountain. The former practice is to our mutual benefit. The latter practice, to our eternal detriment.

crazyfingers · 10-10-2002, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LLaurieG:
Will the Secular Web and/or Internet Infidels be gathering officially at some specific hotel, or organizing anywhere beforehand as a group to march? Is there an Internet Infidels banner? There ought to be. "We don't believe -- we VOTE -- and we're computer literate!"

I don't know. I will be there and I know that two Secweb high-ups will be there, but as to a banner, etc..I don't know. It is something that I have also been wondering.

I'll try to find out.

Sushi X · 10-10-2002, 07:56 PM

I'm 15. I live in the D.C. area, so I can get a ride there. I can't get my own hotel room yet (obviously). CAN I STILL COME? PLEEZ?

galiel · 10-10-2002, 10:00 PM

The moah the merriah. I'm driving to D.C. from the Bahston arear.

Shake · 10-11-2002, 10:43 AM

Sadly, I am unable to attend. But I've got an idea about how to find others from the SecWeb: <a href="http://www.infidels.org/infidels/products/shirt.shtml" target="_blank">everybody wear the SHIRTS!</a>

DarkDruid · 10-12-2002, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alonzo Fyfe:
However, I do distinguish between constructive opposition and destructive opposition. Consider several teams attempting to win a race by climbing to the top of a mountain. Constructive opposition inspires each of the teams to do their best to get to the top of the mountain. Destructive opposition, on the other hand, tries to win by pushing other teams back down the mountain. The former practice is to our mutual benefit. The latter practice, to our eternal detriment.

Too bad the latter is a hell of alot easier to do.

As far as II goes, I think we should have a banner, sorta to tell the people in the march to visit. Maybe they could sponor a refreshment stand or something to get their name out.

I would like to go. Anybody in New Mexico?

Sushi X · 10-12-2002, 08:45 PM

Hey, is anyone gonna be selling merchandise afterward? I'd like to get the an Atheist pendant, but they're too damn expensive online (shipping and handling).

marylandnaturegirl · 10-13-2002, 09:05 AM

Internet infidels and other godless types are welcome to join in some of the events that my internet group (Religion Free Washington DC) is coordinating.

The Friday Night buffet is sold out so we are having a get together, at either a restaurant or a coffee house (so even teens can come) at a place nearby where all the GAMOW people will be staying in Arlington.

Also, on Saturday from 5:30 to 7pm we will have a Single & Godless event for singles obviously. It will also be in Arlington near the same hotel. Then at 7pm people can go to the GAMOW event at the Hilton Inn. Then after the GAMOW Sat nite events winds down, singles that are still up for socializing can meet up at Polly Esthers Dance Club which is on 12th Street between F& G. Nearest metros to Polly Esthers are Metro Center and Gallery Place. This dance club is usually open until at least 2am and sometimes 3 or 4 am.

We are going to suggest that singles can wear a special colored ribbon (Perhaps a black ribbon and a white ribbon put together) to designate us as the Single Godless people. You could wear that ribbon as much as you wanted to any of the weekends events you want to. This might assist in meeting new people.

I have another yahoo group that is coordinating that event
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SingleAtheists" target="_blank">Single Atheists Yahoo Group</a>

Perhaps the internet infidels could have their user handle on a name tag and have it say (ii) somewhere. Or simply wear something on you that has a little ii ?

For me I'd have the black ribbon/whiteribbon and put the little ii on the ribbon. :-)

Or perhaps internet infidels could add have their own color designation. LOL. So if you have black white and blue you are a single internet infidel, but if you just have blue you'd be a internet infidel only. ha ha! Well just an idea!

This is starting to sound like the Dr. Zeus story where the creatures starting getting different stars on their chests.

Anyhow, please stay tuned for the final details of the get togethers. They are not officially endorsed by GAMOW so they are informal and go at your own risk as the yahoo groups coordinating them are not official organizations in the real world.

Our local D.C. group is
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/religionfreedc" target="_blank">Religion Free Washington DC Zone</a>

Also, as far as the competitiveness between different godless organizations, I find it disenheartening and utterly frustration. Too much pride and not enough "coming together" and working with eachother for common goals. Too much worry about us vs. them and who has more members and doing it "my way of the highway". It is pretty pathetic.

I belong to another godless organization that shall remain nameless, but they refused to endorse the godless march because they felt they weren't consulted with enough advance notice about it and weren't asked to give feedback before the march was named etc. So petty. There are hundreds and hundreds of godless types of organizations and this regional group got bent out of shape for not being "consulted" way ahead of time. Give me a break. Too much pride and red tape in many organizations and too much wanting to "out do" the other groups to make their organizations look better.

So much for cooperation. United we stand, divided we fall.

****Details about the final locations of above mentioned events will be posted at a later date. Stay Tuned **********

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: marylandnaturegirl ]

10-10-2002, 05:08 PM	#1
LLaurieG Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: So. California Posts: 116	Are Internet Infidels organizing somewhere for the Godless March? (Laurie) This is a general question to the moderators' management. Will the Secular Web and/or Internet Infidels be gathering officially at some specific hotel, or organizing anywhere beforehand as a group to march? Is there an Internet Infidels banner? There ought to be. "We don't believe -- we VOTE -- and we're computer literate!" I've also recently learned that factionalism exists among different atheist organizations. For the record, I think this is stupid and sad. Yet I've also been quite encouraged reading the GAMOW board. So far I've emailed with three other married women who, like me, will be attending the March solo clear from California. That's some atheistic dedication! PS: Moderator, feel free to move this post to whichever board is most suitable for the query.

10-13-2002, 09:05 AM	#10
marylandnaturegirl Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Metro Area Posts: 151	Internet infidels and other godless types are welcome to join in some of the events that my internet group (Religion Free Washington DC) is coordinating. The Friday Night buffet is sold out so we are having a get together, at either a restaurant or a coffee house (so even teens can come) at a place nearby where all the GAMOW people will be staying in Arlington. Also, on Saturday from 5:30 to 7pm we will have a Single & Godless event for singles obviously. It will also be in Arlington near the same hotel. Then at 7pm people can go to the GAMOW event at the Hilton Inn. Then after the GAMOW Sat nite events winds down, singles that are still up for socializing can meet up at Polly Esthers Dance Club which is on 12th Street between F& G. Nearest metros to Polly Esthers are Metro Center and Gallery Place. This dance club is usually open until at least 2am and sometimes 3 or 4 am. We are going to suggest that singles can wear a special colored ribbon (Perhaps a black ribbon and a white ribbon put together) to designate us as the Single Godless people. You could wear that ribbon as much as you wanted to any of the weekends events you want to. This might assist in meeting new people. I have another yahoo group that is coordinating that event <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SingleAtheists" target="_blank">Single Atheists Yahoo Group</a> Perhaps the internet infidels could have their user handle on a name tag and have it say (ii) somewhere. Or simply wear something on you that has a little ii ? For me I'd have the black ribbon/whiteribbon and put the little ii on the ribbon. :-) Or perhaps internet infidels could add have their own color designation. LOL. So if you have black white and blue you are a single internet infidel, but if you just have blue you'd be a internet infidel only. ha ha! Well just an idea! This is starting to sound like the Dr. Zeus story where the creatures starting getting different stars on their chests. Anyhow, please stay tuned for the final details of the get togethers. They are not officially endorsed by GAMOW so they are informal and go at your own risk as the yahoo groups coordinating them are not official organizations in the real world. Our local D.C. group is <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/religionfreedc" target="_blank">Religion Free Washington DC Zone</a> Also, as far as the competitiveness between different godless organizations, I find it disenheartening and utterly frustration. Too much pride and not enough "coming together" and working with eachother for common goals. Too much worry about us vs. them and who has more members and doing it "my way of the highway". It is pretty pathetic. I belong to another godless organization that shall remain nameless, but they refused to endorse the godless march because they felt they weren't consulted with enough advance notice about it and weren't asked to give feedback before the march was named etc. So petty. There are hundreds and hundreds of godless types of organizations and this regional group got bent out of shape for not being "consulted" way ahead of time. Give me a break. Too much pride and red tape in many organizations and too much wanting to "out do" the other groups to make their organizations look better. So much for cooperation. United we stand, divided we fall. **Details about the final locations of above mentioned events will be posted at a later date. Stay Tuned ******** [ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: marylandnaturegirl ]</p>

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10-10-2002, 07:56 PM	#5
Sushi X Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 86	I'm 15. I live in the D.C. area, so I can get a ride there. I can't get my own hotel room yet (obviously). CAN I STILL COME? PLEEZ?

10-10-2002, 10:00 PM	#6
galiel Banned Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Eastern Massachusetts Posts: 1,677	The moah the merriah. I'm driving to D.C. from the Bahston arear.

10-11-2002, 10:43 AM	#7
Shake Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Folding@Home in upstate NY Posts: 14,394	Sadly, I am unable to attend. But I've got an idea about how to find others from the SecWeb: <a href="http://www.infidels.org/infidels/products/shirt.shtml" target="_blank">everybody wear the SHIRTS!</a>

10-12-2002, 08:45 PM	#9
Sushi X Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 86	Hey, is anyone gonna be selling merchandise afterward? I'd like to get the an Atheist pendant, but they're too damn expensive online (shipping and handling).

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