I'd like to be part of these meet-ups too~

But my two cents, if everyone is like-minded there would be no point in the discussion, unless of course someone decides to be the devils advocate. But truth be told, I prefer arguments as they lead to more questions and require more proof every time the discussion heats up. Without these there would be no discussion. They would be like weekly gathering at church, where someone tells everyone else their views and everyone says Amen. Kinda pointless if you ask me.

Nice idea actually. I am imagining a room full of skeptics right now.

I doubt sceptics would agree on everything. We have a common believe but never an all encompassing belief. It is no religion. There will be no preaching. Just honest discussions. Make new friends, hang out just have a good time with people you can talk about things. We all can find the group that disagrees with you, look all around us... This group is in sharing our common solidarity for causes that you and I care for.

Thanks for the interests. I need more people. Perhaps I'll set up an official presence, a name for a club. A presence online and have these regular meet ups.

That would be just awesome. Finally getting to meet the philosophers of Phd School would be a treat indeed.

I STRONGLY believe there is no god. Religion is a guild to control the herd of "sheeps".

I am a closet atheist, sadly. Is a no no to say it out loud to your friends... you know what you gonna get if you do so.

And I'm very much a leftism, no war but peace, a bit like Gandhi. I believe Venus Project is a solution for the future.

Anyone knows who first created religion? The Roman Empire from what I've read. Not sure tho.....

I'm not super uber pro in such subjects, maybe because I don't think too much about it, I tend to sit in the middle.... so pls spare me...

This post has been edited by Meis: Jan 17 2012, 05:48 PM

I think you're not looking back far enough.

As far back as the first human who looked up the sky and wondered what was up there. Of course it was used as a way of explaining a lot of things, such as natural disasters etc. The night sky can be quite a magical sight for those early humans that didn't know anything about astronomy.

But in terms of Civilizations, pretty sure it existed even way back with the Sumerians, Egyptians and Athenians. Pretty well documented, I believe everyone knows about all these civilizations. Rome really was a late comer.

It is commonly debated that the American civilizations were one of the earliest(at the moment that title goes to the Sumerians).

Although we chose no religion but an understanding for the reason why is where we stand, not just plain rejection without reason. My understanding of it came from Britannica Encyclopedia documentation that describe religion as a form of control before human civilization created politic and constitutional law, our existence can be either random or intentional but when people suffer, they generally ask why? So religion provide the answer and consolation.

If you have seen unjust and gained the understanding of scientific analytic manner of thinking, you tends to doubt and create your own answer than that of god's will. If parent did not force a child to practice before knowing what it is, the child is likely to follow without questioning, if one feel offended when challenged, it wasn't god's will but self esteem, the things that one believe is ultimate law of the universe.

There are more religious people than the not, they can claim that it is religion that keep the world in order, agree or not is not important as long as no genocide against the non believer.

No one disbelieve Venus Project except the zeitgeist movement, don't have to declare you believe in progress because no one will object openly even though they are destructive. Simply support a movement without a tangible solution is blind believing and it is not a place to house only the non believer, if that is the agenda, which country will fund it? Communist?

This post has been edited by 3dassets: Jan 19 2012, 02:12 PM

Shamanist here.

Not sure where I should stand in this topic. We are hated by most of the religions today (We hate them too) and are forgotten by most believers and non-believers alike.

We dont have a god, but we do believe in nature as our mother and we do worship elements that exist in the nature that made us what we are today.

So... call me anything you like and count me in if there is such a gathering. Just sounds fun.

cheers peeps.

Someone who believes in the Gaia theory. Interesting. I'm currently thinking of a name for the group, to set up an online presence.

its not that hard to find people lie this. almost everyone who swings, party and lies believes in no god. its just the awkward feeling you got for saying something taboo in the public

Right.... And we know for a fact that people who believe in a god don't swing, party or lie.

The Roman Empire @ Gentile created Catholic Church.

The funny thing is that Jesus is not a Catholic and there is no confession booth in Bible. The confession booth is fraud. That's why we see most Christians who had found the truth converted to Islam.

But you all need to have God. Being atheist is a bad bad thing to do. God knows best.

posting to indicate interest - although i'm not in the klang valley, so meeting with me would probably be hard

No worries. Just need supporters.

Can come and join us at UndiMsia chats every month at Pusat Rakyat Loya Burok http://www.google.com.my/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...6dGg_haEsrg2o1w

Your god sent you here or you just cannot resist thinking its a devil's cult? Since only your god know atheist is bad, how do you know? Didn't your religion educate you to mind your own business? Not like we gather here to destroy you. If god gave us the choice, then not our fault. Muslim says Allah is the only god, does that mean yours is fake? They also say only Muslim go to heaven the rest go to hell, you must be offended and that is why fighting a no ending war.

So, religion is a bad bad thing.

This post has been edited by 3dassets: Mar 7 2012, 03:26 PM

First and foremost, I suppose that you're trying to bring about an informal social event (e.g. “An Evening with Frags & Friends”) to promote fellowship and social-networking among skeptical inquirers, critical thinkers, and other like-minded people.
(1) My pastor friend used to hit, “How hard does your life compare to the temptation you have successfully resisted?” However, it's interesting to know that each new post of this thread gives you an opportunity to become a better writer in something you believe, is essential to pursuing the truth, no matter how hard it is.
(2) Your example of approach, however, seemed different. In what circumstances specifically do you really need to announce your rejection of faith in a casual atmosphere, in order to make convincingly strong arguments based on good reasons and scientific evidences? Becoming a Critical Thinker / Skeptical Inquirer often provides a consistent reminder of how frequently casual discussions may go unwarranted and lead us away from that goal of thinking critically.
(3) It seemed that your purpose is to allow group participants to have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality. People might wonder, “What kind of concrete is that concrete?” Have you ever wondered, what is the real rewarding objective behind the meeting? Enhancing the skill of recognizing “Entice the tiger to leave its mountain lair” argument when you hear it in some replies, will not only help you to avoid being led off-topic, it will help you to become an effective reagent of righting that wrong.
(4) Perhaps, you can appeal to some good reasons in Keynote form to inspire participants to think like a philosopher, helping them become more accomplished critical thinkers and develop the analytical tools needed to make better personal decisions about important issues. You can also encourage people get a clearer picture of their strengths so they can make career moves that will put them to their best use. They will get in touch with their needs so that they can seek out environments and roles in which they’ll feel most happy. And they’ll come to better understand their weaknesses so they can try to prevent or avoid some pitfalls along the way.

— Tossing out a reasonable brick to get an enthusiastic jade.

I’m an atheist, but I’m not the kind of atheist you see every so often, cussing and not being reasonable.
Have there been any real known sightings of god? Nope, as long as anybody knows, there’s been sightings by people on drugs, being high, and stuff that’s not good for you.

My point is simple and clear, wars are never started because of atheists. Atheists dont fight amongst themselves and murder innocents because they disagree with each other. Atheists don’t have conflicting religious stories and beliefs. Atheists are not scared to admit they are wrong if scientifically proven where followers of God have unnatural trouble and conflict, almost like a trigger or a switch, to admit there are other possibilities out there.

The truth is… The time of religion is and has always been selfish and dark. Religions will continue to fight forever ruining the lives of those caught in its wake. This is but a small underlying reason why atheists consider themselves to be the so called “intellectual elite” and its true… just look around you with your own eyes…im Agnostic and i can see that Atheists are the smarter people here… even if they are a little obnoxious sometimes but aren’t we all…

…except Buddhism, Taoism, The Baha’i Faith, Hinduism and any other religion with non aggressive followers who don’t obnoxiously scream at people to read their followings…lol

Thank you.

Lesswrong's gatherings are not limited to the USA. You can organise a lesswrong gathering in Malaysia! I would be more than happy to attend.

Join Malaysian Atheists, Free-thinkers and Agnostics, MAFA (https://www.facebook.com/groups/22863906024/), an organisation which gathers skeptical Malaysians online, and IRL occasionally. It works like lesswrong.

This post has been edited by adalovelace: Mar 16 2012, 09:02 PM