The Freethought University Alliance, a coalition of over twenty University groups around Australia, is calling on youth atheists, skeptics and humanists to enroll to vote before it is too late.

Under the current rules, the electoral roll could close at 8pm on the same day that an election is called. This means that there may only be a couple of hours for unregistered voters to enroll once an election is called.

The AEC reports that 70 per cent of voters missing from the roll are aged 18-39. Further, a recent survey revealed that more than half of generation Y identify as atheist, agnostic or non-religious.

“There are a number of issues that the citizens of Australia who are motivated by reason will be focused on in this up-coming election” said Jason Ball, President of the Alliance.

“A secular education system, which caters for all students equally regardless of a religious belief, should be central to any education policy in our multicultural, multi-faith society” said Ball. “Reforming the National School Chaplaincy Program, and addressing the exclusion caused by scripture taught in public schools, will be paramount for secular voters”

The Alliance is also calling on all political parties to clearly outline their positions on other issues ranging from prayers in parliament, the tax-exempt status of religious organisations regarding their public benefit, gay marriage and reform for abortion and euthanasia laws.

“For too long, the Australian Christian Lobby has held a disproportionate influence on our major political parties” said Ball. “The time has come for the majority of Australians who believe in secularism, inclusiveness and tolerance to take a stand and make their vote count.”

Click here to enroll with the AEC.

The Freethought University Alliance is rounding up as many skeptical student leaders as possible to attend this fantastic event, with international speakers including James Randi, Simon Singh, Eugenie Scott, George Hrab, Brain Dunning and the entire cast of the Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast!

Early bird registration is now open, and will be available until July 4th – but hurry as these tickets are limited and are selling fast!

A number of great initiatives have been announced by TAM organisers, to help students attend the event, such as:

-$280 discount early bird price. Half can be paid at registration and the remainder must be paid by September 1st. To be eligible for an early bird ticket you must be a subscriber to the Australian Skeptic magazine ($44 hard copy or $22 digital) or be a member of the JREF (US$25).

- $150 reimbursement. Students who register for an early bird ticket can submit an application for $150 reimbursement. Submissions will be accepted soon via the TAM website, and will be judged on merit and special cases. Only x10 available.

- Accommodation Billeting. Come July, students will be able to register to be billeted up with a local TAM attendee, to help save on accommodation costs. All students based in Sydney, please consider registering as a host! Places are subject to availability.

So what are you waiting for? REGISTER NOW!

The Freethought University Alliance, together with the Rationalist Society of Australia, is proud to offer 10 free copies of the journal to each affiliated university club or society. We hope that students will be encouraged to get a copy of the journal for themselves, which is available at any of these locations, or consider joining the Rationalist Society of Australia, which costs only $25 (concession) and includes a one year subscription to the journal, which is published quarterly.

If you would like to request free copies of The Australian Rationalist for your club or society, please send your name, personal address and club/society name to scottsharrad@freethoughtalliance.org.au by Wednesday 9 June.

The new Freethought University Alliance, a coalition of atheist, skeptic, humanist and secular campus groups in Australia, was successfully launched at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne last weekend.

Over 100 students attended the event from 20 different universities from around Australia.

Jason Ball, 22-year-old Arts undergraduate from the University of Melbourne, was elected as President and Victorian State Convener, while Scott Sharrad from Adelaide University was elected for the position of General Secretary and South Australian State Convener.

“It’s my hope that by forming this alliance we’ll be able to work together as a coherent student movement dedicated to promoting science, reason and secular values on our campuses and also in the wider community” said Ball.

Other State Conveners elected included Alex Holmes (ACT), Charo Serventy (NSW), Matt Jacob (WA), Jonothan Meddings (QLD) and Jeremy O’Wheel (TAS)

The Alliance will aim to foster networking between the leaders of the campus groups, allowing them to share ideas to increase their impact and membership base, and to assist students forming new groups.

The launch event was covered by The Age in ‘Atheist Convention’s first secular success‘ (13/03/10) written by religious editor Barney Zwartz.

PZ Myers (left) with some of the freethought student leaders at the launch event (left to right) Jason Ball (University of Melbourne), Emily Vicendese (La Trobe University), Alastair Tait (Monash University), Scott Sharrad (Adelaide University), Callum Tyler (RMIT), Brett Edman (University of Newcastle).

The Freethought University Alliance, a coalition of atheist, humanist, secular and skeptic campus groups from universities across Australia, will be launched at The Rise of Atheism, 2010 Global Atheist Convention.

The Alliance will connect student leaders and help them work together and grow as a collective student movement dedicated to furthering science, reason and secular values in Australian society. The Alliance will provide students with useful advice, resources and networking opportunities, and also support students planning to start new aligned groups on university campuses.

The 2010 Global Atheist Convention is pleased to be sponsoring the launch event of the Freethought University Alliance, to be held at 12:30PM on Friday 12 March 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Special guest PZ Myers, famous atheist and science blogger, will be a guest speaker at the event, which is open exclusively to university students and includes a free lunch.

To register, send an email to jason@umss.org with your name, university and student number.

Places are strictly limited and are filling fast.

Dan became a teenage evangelist at age 15. At 16 he was choir librarian for faith-healer Kathryn Kuhlman’s Los Angeles appearances. He received a degree in Religion from Azusa Pacific University and was ordained to the ministry by the Standard Community Church, California, in 1975. He served as associate pastor at a Friend’s (Quaker) Church, an Assembly of God, and an independent Charismatic church. Dan was a Protestant missionary in Mexico for a total of two years.

See below for his complete Australian tour schedule:

THURSDAY 11th MARCH
10.30am – 12.30pm: Debate at Macquarie University
Cardinal George Pell vs Dan Barker: “Without God we are nothing”

7.30pm – 9.30pm: Dinner/Talk in Bundeena, NSW
“Godless: From evangelical preacher to atheist”

SUNDAY 14th MARCH
Lecture at Global Atheist Convention, Melbourne
“Godless: From evangelical preacher to atheist”

MONDAY 15th MARCH
12noon – 1pm: Lecture at Australian National University
“Should government and religion be strictly separate?”

5.30pm – 7.30pm: Debate at University of Wollongong
Dr Greg Clarke vs Dan Barker: “Is Christianity the one true faith?”

TUESDAY 16th MARCH
11.30am – 1.30pm: Debate at Macquarie University
Dr Greg Clarke vs Dan Barker: “Is the Bible an acceptable guide for morality?”

4.30pm – 6.30pm: Debate at Macquarie University
Dr Chris Forbes vs Dan Barker: “Jesus of Nazareth: messiah or myth/legend”

Do you have a spare bed/couch/mattress?

Do you live near-ish to the Melbourne CBD?

The Freethought University Alliance are looking for people to host interstate student leaders attending the upcoming Global Atheist Convention (12-14th March). The convention, which will feature the likes of Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers, will be an opportunity for atheist student leaders from across the country to meet for the first time to discuss ways to unify and expand our growing student movement.

With the price of registration and travel combined, the cost to attend the convention is already a challenge for many students. However, your kind offer of free accommodation for the weekend could make all the difference. Please help the Freethought University Alliance in our quest to get as many students from all over Australia as possible to attend this spectacular event.

Please email anna@umss.org for more information.