May 31 2015 Unilab Bayanihan Center
Pasig, PATAS (Philippine Atheist and Agnostics Society) unveiled another
breakthrough in Atheism here in the Philippines and Abroad! PATASCON 2015
wrapped the month of May for the Atheist and Agnostics Society by bringing the
Most Respected and Distinguish Personalities that moves and shakes Atheism here
and abroad. PATASCON 2015 centered on how to break through or coup with Social
Pressure, Blasphemy and Religious Stigma (and stigma the LGBT Community
experience), with speakers such as Bill Flavell, David G. McAfee, Red Tani, and
many more! The speakers was allotted time to talk about their subject or
category which they got through smoothly even with the minimal time given.
Let’s take a recap on their splendid talks!
BILL FLAVELL
Bill Flavell is an international
freethought group consultant and speaker from the United Kingdom and a close
friend of mine online. He’s talk is about Strategies on How to Break Through
with Reasons and Humanisms. I was expecting a little bit of avoiding tips
with theists but Sir Bill thought us how to “Talk and Socialize with
Believers”. He urged us Filipino Atheists to talk to believers properly to
achieve understanding.
David McAfee
David McAfee is an American author, journalist, and Religious studies
graduate. Cited as one of the new writers bringing new mainstream books about
atheism to the mass market. Author of "Disproving Christianity and Other
Secular Writings" and "Mom, Dad, I'm an Atheist: The Guide to Coming
Out as a Non-Believer" and his newest Masterpiece The Belief Book. His
talk is about How to Come Out as an Atheist. Well he just elaborated on how
to be accepted and like Sir Bill Understanding, A question was asked from the
audience, I’m an Atheist for quite a time now but I still go to church but I don’t
pray but I receive communion and I do this to socialize. Is this okay? And his
answer was AMAZING! He said that was brave and that person is strong and should
keep it up, so during his talk I realized, you could lose friends when coming
out as an atheists but atheism does not have the rule or regulation to do
Theistic stuffs like church so you could eliminate the chances to lose your
friends with this understanding in short Atheist are Atheist not JERKS.
RED TANI
Red Tani is a Filipino Personality
cause of his Secularism, He is the founder of the Filipino Freethinkers an
empire for Filipino Secularism and Freethought. His talk was about Status of
secularism in the Philippines. Red Tani is one of the Most Vocal and I can
say a PRIMARY SPONSOR OR CRUSADER of the RH BILL. The Roman Catholic church I
can say envy him cause of his Powerful and Undisputed mind that he use during
Debates and Interviews about the RH BILL. He pointed that Atheist shouldn’t be
offensive nor defensive, he said recording, taking pictures and posting it
online is more effective. And he stressed that we should not “BURN CHURCHES’’
and Atheist shouldn’t be a dick.
Forgot to elaborate, I was an Usher of PATASCON 2015. Just want to share
my fun experience, I went to the Con Center early as for instructions. I’m the
one to welcome and assist Distinguished Guest and luckily the Speakers. I was
amaze at them, they were so nice and down to earth. I’m proud that I assisted
Red Tani, Jason Sylvester, Bill Flavell, Erik Manalastas and THE David McAfee
and almost all sponsors from all round the world. Just wanna share this story,
I saw Sir David falling in line for his lunch although they
were designated waiters for them nut he insisted and still fall in line.
As he get his meal some asked him for a picture so I volunteered to bring his
food to the Speakers Table and he agreed to my proposal so I brought his food
to the speakers table, at the speakers table Red Tani and Bill Flavell was
having a conversation. Sir Red looked at me and grab his bag to his lap and
told me if I want to seat in the middle of him and Sir Bill. I was so happy
that moment Sir bill smiled at me and we shake hands and told me that finally
we met in the flesh. Thank you Doc Tess for being nice to us during the Con and
Sir Ric and Kuya Mark. The Con was really well organized with the leadership of
Ma’am Tess Termulo, Kuya Mark and Sir Ric Caliolio, I’m excited for the
reinvention of PATAS like what Sir Ric told during his Closing Remarks. I hope
I could be a part of that reinvention, this is the start of my Physical Support
to PATAS I’m looking forward to the next event. KUDOS TO PATAS, USHERS,
PARTICIPANTS, SPEAKERS, SPONSORS AND THE ORGANIZERS FOR PATASCON2015!
