Data for the 2011 Australian census shows that the percentage of the Australian population who stated ‘No religion’ is up from 18.7% in 2006 to 22.3% in 2011. Interestingly, the number of gay couples who reported no religion is 48% compared with 21% straight couples.

But I guess that is not too surprising given the way religion has treated gay people. The name faggot is derived from the peices of wood used to burn them at the stake.  I’m more surprised at the fact that there are 52% of gay couples who still subscribe to woo.

I’m working on them. I have an idea for a gay atheist float in next years Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. A gorgeous guy in a loin cloth tied to a stake and writhing voluptuously as pretty flames lick at his feet . And maybe a sign say"For God so loved the world…”

But maybe not…a bit too overpowering for the young people watching. It woudl shock the churches, though. Anyone havwe any other ideas for getting the message across? Got to work on that 52% of gay couples and the 79% of striaght couples.

I would suspect that the larger percentage of gay unbelievers is due to exactly what you have said - religion treats them badly. Which leads me to suspect that if religion treated them equally, the percentage would be closer to the straights, meaning a clear majority of gays would be believers. In fact, if religion treated everyone with love and respect, I suspect that over 90% would be believers across the board. But that apparently ain’t gonna happen.

You may be right, Bruce. I think religion does itself a great disservice by making enemies of people. But maybe religion needs enemies to survive. Maybe for them there has to be bad guy to set themselves against. I do not think this is necessary for true spirituality and goodness to survive.

I wish all theists were like you,Bruce. I don’t care what people want to believe about life after death. I just don’t feel that it is right for them to make me their enemy. I am not forcing anything on them.

And that makes me think about other people on PR. The Tony_Cs, the BMs, the Clays etc and other intolerants who just fly in, drop their bombs and disappear. Some folks don’t appreciate my frankness in respect of my sexuality. I don’t care. I am not a fag who agrees to shut up and be thankful he’s allowed to live. I do not question the legitimacy of their obvious heterosexuality. And they need to understand that, although I am gay,  I am as normal as they are.

Other folks here find my strident opposition to organised religion confronting. They need to think about the great harm traditional abrahamic religion does. Some, like you, Bruce, are cognisant of this and yet can see a way to be good AND maintain their religion. I wish they were all like you.

And some folks just hate atheists and gays per se. They also hate folks of different color, race, religion, social status… Such people hate difference. For them, non-conformism to their view of the world is a sin. And yet, I even care about these people.  But they need to be brought up sharp and made aware of the harm their narrowness and consequent inhumanity does in the world and, eventually, will do to themselves. For we are all different. If I am here for anything, other than personal enjoyment, it is to help them see that.

You’re a good guy, Bruce.

I seem to be being nice to everyone tonight. Can’t imagine what’s wrong. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been on the turps tonight as I usually do on fridays. Tomorrow’s another day.

Die fröhliche Wissenschaft (Rob) - 29 June 2012 01:57 AM

I’m working on them. I have an idea for a gay atheist float in next years Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. A gorgeous guy in a loin cloth tied to a stake and writhing voluptuously as pretty flames lick at his feet . And maybe a sign say"For God so loved the world…”

But maybe not…a bit too overpowering for the young people watching. It woudl shock the churches, though. Anyone havwe any other ideas for getting the message across? Got to work on that 52% of gay couples and the 79% of striaght couples.

Rob, how about:

A sequened-gowned drag Barbara Streisand belting out People on a float spattered with costumed gay couples depicting various life-situations that over-lap gender boundaries (eg, a same sex family with kids, bride and groom, doctor/janitor, sports star/business executive, ballet dancer/maid, etc, etc), under a big rainbow banner at the top that reads: Not Religious, Now - Just Lucky.
       

People,
People who need people,
Are the luckiest people in the world
We’re children, needing other children
And yet letting a grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside
Acting more like children than children
Lovers are very special people
They’re the luckiest people in the world
With one person one very special person
A feeling deep in your soul

Says you were half now you’re whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
With one person one very special person
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world…

Answerer, I LOVE it!

Problem is it would need a cast of thousands and, frankly, I wouldn’t have the patience or energy to organise it. The last one I organised was for our Sydney gay and lesbian scuba diving club “Bottom Dwellers”. It was huge - dozens of mermaids and sea nymphs, and Neptune all centred around a recreation of the Birth of Venus by Botecceli.  It was a hit but it nearly killed me so I might pass the idea on to someone who can manage it. It’s a great idea and the Babs song would be a winner with the gay crowd for sure. So thanks for the idea and keep an eye out for the next Sydney Gay and Lesbian mardi Gras parade in March 2013.