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There are other BAAWA faqs to be found on the net, but this is the first. I am the original founder of BAWAA and proud of it :-) See http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=D10t7y.CEs%40world.std.com.

BAAWA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is BAAWA?

Bad Assed Atheists With Attitude. Founded by Tony Lawrence partly as a joke, but also to firmly indicate a position of total opposition to theism, no matter how benignly expressed. The inspiration came from the BWAHAHAHA! sometimes used to express hysterical laughter.

What Attitude?

Well, it varies. For me, it's the attitude that theists are always wrong (though they may be wonderful people for other reasons) and are being bone-headed idiots with regard to theism. It's the attitude that yeah, they have a right to think whatever idiotic thoughts they please, but that's not going to stop me from commenting upon the stupidity of those thoughts. It's the attitude that while they certainly deserve the respect and consideration due any human on this planet, their particular *ideas* do not deserve respect, and once they are cheeky enough to express those ideas on t.a. or a.a, they are fair game for any insult.

Most importantly, it's the attitude that t.a. or a.a. is a valid place to express these thoughts. Some want to use newsgroups to convert, some want to use them for debate. Those are valid uses, but so is using it as the forum in which to express your disgust with theist stupidity.

Those are my personal opinions, however. BAAWA imposes no party line on your Attitude.

How do I join?

Nothing formal. Just use BAAWA in your sig or wherever you want. No dues. No meetings. No responsibility. Or don't put it in your sig: be a closet BAAWA if you want.

How do I get a title? I see some BAAWA people have titles.

Make one up. BAAWA believes in freedom. We already have a president, but if you want to claim it, go ahead. You might get some nasty comments on your creativity, but hey, you're Bad Assed. You can take the heat.

How do I become a BAAWA Knight?

Practise, grasshopper.

To be a BAAWA Knight, you must impress Stix, who is in charge of BAAWA Knighthoods. Stix alone decides if you deserve Knighthood.

What's BAAWA's official slogan?

Whatever you say it is. Though I really like Dewey Henize's comment:

"[Proud member of BAAWA, and totally opposed to the idea that every idea deserves equal respect.]"

Do I have to be rude and obnoxious?

Naw. That's mostly me. It's just my naturally charming Take No B.S. Attitude. Your Attitude can be wise-cracking, subtle digs, or even Mr. Nice Guy. Though if you are Mr. Nice, I can't imagine why you want to be BAAWA.

Most of us have some limit of tolerance for stupidity. For example, even most of the anti-BAAWA crowd will dispense with civility when confronted with a Bible-thumping, Creationist fool bent on bringing atheists to Jeezus.

BAAWA members just draw the line a little further up the road. For me personally, just expressing a public belief in gods is enough to disgust me. It takes very little more than that to load up my cannon.

Do I have to be an atheist?

Technically, no. If you are a theist with enough intelligence to poke fun at yourself, welcome aboard. You'd gain our undying respect and admiration. Most of the time :-)

How do I get a BAAWA number?

You don't. You may be BAAWA Number 0000000001 if you wish. You may NOT be number 2, or any other numeral.

Why don't we have decoder rings like EAC?

Because we don't need 'em. Say it plain, say it loud.

How do I get a WWABD (What Would A BAAWA Do?) bracelet?

Go to your jeweler or most larger department stores. Pick out a nice Tennis Bracelet. Have it engraved "WWABD". Enjoy.

Is it OK if I think Tony Lawrence is a jerk?

It's OK with me :-)




I recently found a reference ( http://nbierma.blogspot.com/2004_09_19_nbierma_archive.html) that says "baawa" mean child in the Bardi language.

You might find a BAAWA T-Shirt and or Coffee mug at http://www.cafepress.com/wastedinc/170426.

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