Hi team

There are a few burning topics that I would like to hear discussed.  They are:

1. The 2010 Atheist Global Convention that will be held in Melbourne, on 12-14 March 2010.  The theme is "The Rise of Atheism". Speakers include Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, as well as our guest, Kylie Sturgess. Anyone interested in attending? How do people feel about seeing what is required to organise this event, with the aim of organising an Atheist Global Convention in Auckland in a few year's time?

2. How do people feel about an Auckland Atheist Bus campaign?

3. Janet Moses died in October 2007 during a Makutu curse lifting ritual (which was pretty similar to waterboarding, a generally recognised form of torture). Ms Moses drowned and a 14-year-old girl's eyes were injured as people picked at the demons they saw in them.  The five accused all avoided jail with community detention and community work sentences - but I did not hear anyone say anything against the actual superstition involved, which I think was seen as a mitigating factor at sentencing. Should we speak up in these situations, or are cultural sensitivities just too great?

Looking forward to a very interesting meeting. And, of course, a beer.

Cheers,
Stephen Minhinnick