School Chaplaincy
The Sunshine Coast Atheists have been keen supporters of the High Court Challenge against Federal funding for the National School Chaplaincy Program. This case was heard in Canberra from 9-11 August and a decision is expected in late 2011 or early 2012.
Legal costs are being met by the plaintiff, Ron Williams, with assistance from public donations. If you can manage a small (or large!) donation, please visit the High Court Challenge website for details.
Sunshine Coast Atheist, Chrys Stevenson was in Canberra to support Ron Williams and has written a series of reports on the proceedings:
L to R: Maria Proctor (Qld Humanists), Ron Williams, Chrys Stevenson (Sunshine Coast Atheists)
High Court Challenge: We Arrive in Canberra
High Court Challenge: Last Man Standing?
High Court Challenge – Day 1: The Hearing Begins
High Court Challenge - Day 2: Scintillating Boredom
High Court Challenge – Day3 (a): Terrible Consequences
High Court Challenge – Day 3 (b): The ‘Master’ Speaks
Reason Australia – National Lobby Group
The Sunshine Coast Atheists are currently involved in setting up a network of similar organizations across Australia for the purposes of advancing the cause of secularism and reason. This national umbrella group of freethought organizations is called Reason Australia. It will operate as a national lobby group. Reason Australia will launch officially next month. In the meantime you can read about Reason Australia and our policies here: Reason Australia Website
Religion in Schools
The Sunshine Coast Atheists are happy to advise and assist parents having issues with the unwanted intrusion of religion into their children’s education – whether that involves school chaplaincy, religious instruction classes, programmes such as Shine and Strength or the teaching of creationism in the classroom.
We work closely with the Australian Secular Lobby the Back in the Act team which specifically promotes secular public education in Queensland and the Secular Public Education Lobby.
Australian Marriage Equality
The Sunshine Coast Atheists support Australian Marriage Equality. If you do, too, please say “I Do” to same-sex marriage by letting your local politician know. There’s an easy online pro-forma letter here (with room to add your own story). Please do this by 24 August as politicians will be reporting back to Parliament on feedback from their electorates after this date.
Cults
The Sunshine Coast Atheists can source assistance and support for people involved in or damaged by cults and/ or the families of cult victims. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the Cult Information and Family Support network direct. People concerned about the local group, the Sunshine Coast Christian Fellowship, may wish to read this article, from the Sunshine Coast Daily, this blog post, or visit the Streetcar Forum – an on-line Cafe for Ex Brisbane Christian Fellowship and other CF Members – a place to talk, a place of support.