#i am not the most religious person out there

[quantomeno]

I've been following this matter for a while now (a quick search of newspaper articles showed it's been floated since mid last year, and I remember having to use my passport to verify my age on my gmail (it's not the account I use for tumblr, the account has my name in the address, so it's already pretty clearly me, so I was begrudgingly okay with it but am still annoyed my other account now can't watch age restricted youtube videos unless I tie it to my identity)). It's a vexed issue.

The first thing I'd like to point out is that the person quoted in the above post ("I am 100 percent etc") is Keith Pitt, a member of the Nationals who was resources and water minister under Morrison. I feel this is important because while he'd definitely be someone who'd vote in support of the measure, he's not a member of the party in power, let alone a Cabinet minister. His opinion is not necessarily that of the Prime Minister ― Anthony Albanese ― and it makes it seem like what he's talking about is what the government is planning to do.

What is the PM actually saying they'll do?

To be honest, I don't think the government knows yet. From what I can gather, there has been no suggestion by the PM that they would force people's accounts to have their real names. The Age a few days ago reported this:

"Australia’s eSafety commissioner has instead recommended a “double-blind tokenised approach”, whereby information would be provided to a verifying third party that would certify the user’s age to social media platforms without revealing details about the child. The details of the plan are being worked through by a trial of age-verification technologies."

(the "instead" is in reference to the current practice of social media platforms asking people if they over 13, which I'm sure most people realise would stop pretty much no child)

In that same article though they also said "the government has not unveiled key details, including the technology that would be used to keep children out". So I think there is quite a bit of time before anything is going to be written into law.

While I don't think your name will be "slapped onto your tumblr account" (if that does end up being what they do I would actually delete my tumblr, I really do not want that), there is still the question of privacy being invaded in that the government would (I think? I'm not a tech expert in the slightest) be able to connect you to your account.

Keep in mind that we are close to an election (there's been whispers it could be May next year), and this is an issue that (as the Keith Pitt quote shows) both of the major parties seem to mostly agree on. A cynical view is that the PM is talking tough to neutralise the issue so it can't be attacked by the opposition for not protecting children. The fact that both are talking about it does however suggest it will eventually come to pass (unlike other complicated legislation that was touted as 'essential' but then got shelved after being too hard to get through (naming no names i.e. Scomo's religious discrimination bill).

The other point to discuss is that while I really do enjoy people not knowing who I am on tumblr (and people in my life not being able to know I'm on tumblr), I also don't really think kids should be on social media (or at least not in the way they currently are). I avoided social media (I only had a facebook account I barely touched) until I was an adult (and even then I waited a while) and I'm quite glad, mostly because I think I'm a lot more mature. On the other hand, while I didn't interact with people, I grew up in a time when you could browse most platforms without an account, so it's not like I wasn't exposed to things on the internet. And then there's a bit of a moral panic about the internet, which can be a bit overblown at times. But then I'll hear a 14 year old I know mentioning stuff that makes me think he's kind of obsessed with growing muscles and I wonder if he's seeing these sorts of things online. I mean, there's a lot of garbage on the internet. But there's a lot of really useful things too... it's complicated and I'm not settled on an opinion yet.

Kids really do need to learn better internet practices and behaviours, but there are also kids in primary school with social media accounts. I mean, what does a 12 year old do in their life that they need the world to see? (don't answer that it's rhetorical, I'm sure there are plenty of 12 year olds doing interesting things worth showing off, but I mean, beyond messaging friends, 12 year olds don't really need to be communicating with strangers on the internet). Note too it's specifically social media (the definition is given by OP but it's anything where the main purpose is share content or talk to a wide audience of people. Things like games with chat stuff are also being looked into.

I'm also a bit of a luddite and think kids should read more. I'm not actually trying to convince people the ban is good, I'm just thinking aloud here. The whole thing feels rather heavy-handed, brute-force, and there's every chance kids will still find ways around it. I don't think this is the ideal solution, but I do feel there is a problem to be addressed.

But yeah, do tell your local member that you are concerned and want to make sure your privacy is kept safe. Just be aware of who your member is and their/their party's stance (all Labor MPs vote with the party, Liberals and Nationals can vote against their own party, so they may not all be in agreement). The Greens are opposed to it. I am not sure what the teal independents think of it.

You may also want to contact some senators from your state, not just your MP.

As for the contents of the letter, maybe something like:

Dear Mr/Ms/Dr (whatever title they use) surname MP,

I am a resident of your electorate (electorate name). (Maybe say a little bit about yourself, just what you think is relevant to the letter or your arguments).

I am writing to you to discuss the proposed social media ban for children. I am concerned (explain what/why you are concerned).

(Try to keep it brief, but also try to be personal)

State what you want your MP to do. Ask them to reply to your letter.

Sincerely,

your name.

You may want to mail the letter rather than just emailing. This page from Oxfam I just looked up five minutes ago has some nice tips.

Hey Aussies, do you want your real name and ID slapped on your tumblr account? If the answer is fuck no, our gov’s got a upcoming legislation for banning 16 year olds and under from social media even WITH parental consent. And by “Social Media”…

The code defines social media as electronic services that meet the following conditions:

The sole or primary purpose of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end users

The service allows end users to link to, or interact with, some or all other end users

The service allows end users to post material on the service

Such other conditions (if any) as are set out in the legislative rules.

So. You know. Just the entire fucking internet. They even named youtube as banned, god forbid kids out in the bush get access to LGBTQ+ communities online when they could be watching adds for sportsbet.

I am 100 per cent supportive of eliminating bullying and fake information from online platforms. The easiest way to do that is to be able to utilise existing laws, and the easiest way to do that is to ensure there are no fake accounts. Your digital, online life is your real life. If you want to make comments, that's fine, but it should be as you, as a verified account. This means everyone knows who it is that makes those comments, that you can be found and prosecuted under existing laws, just as you would if you express those opinions in a newspaper, for example, or you went on to a television station and said something similar.

Contact an Aussie senator about this shit. They’re trying to slide it under all the USpol news.

[xclowniex]

Thoughts on whereserpentswalk? I know they're controversial on jumblr and you seem trustworthy

Tagging them as whilst I will answer, I don't like talking behind peoples backs. I also did reach out to get the okay to post as it does deal with someone's identity. @whereserpentswalk

I'm not sure 100% why they're considered controversial as I have never heard of them before. I'm like 90% sure this is in reference to them being a pagan jew aka ethnically jewish and religiously pagan.

Because Judaism is an ethnoreligion, the topic of being ethnically jewish but not practicing judaism and instead another religion is a complicated and nuanced one. Each jew has their own opinion on this, two jews 3 opinions type deal.

Obviously, if you worship or idolize any deity or similar category, besides Hashem, you are not longer practicing judaism. They do not claim to be practicing judaism, so I and hopefully everyone else should have no issue with that specific bit.

In regards to whether or not they can still call themselves jewish.

Overall, I don't really care? Like there are so many other intracommunity topics which matter more than this in my own opinion.

The only thing which doesn't fall into this are messianic jews, because whilst a lot are lead to believe they are ethnically jewish, most aren't. And the religion wasn't started by jews. Like jews didn't start believing in Jesus and that's how it came about. It was started by non ethnically jewish Christians who decided they were the real jews, which is where the misleading of messianics as a whole being ethnically comes from. I'm sure there are messianics who have jewish blood as nothing is impossible when it comes to types of people believing in a certain religion, but the majority of messiancs do not have jewish blood.

But whereserpantswalk is pagan not messianic so like again, doesn't fall into that.

I'm going to be speaking very general here and not directed at whereserpantswalk.

Like besides messianic jews being the exception, I don't super care.

I myself dabbled in paganism when I was a teen and exploring religion. I don't really talk about it much not because I dislike paganism or think it's bad or anything. I just had religious psychosis surronding it as I am a diagnosed schizo so don't really like to talk about that point of my life online mainly for my safety as some people may use it to try to trigger an episode.

Drawing from my own experiences from that time which I am willing to share, my jewish culture was still important. I grew up orthodox and that doesn't all just go away. Same thing if you grow up reform.

I still participated in secular versions of the Jewish holidays. I still held Jewish values. I still did things certain ways because I was raised jewish, and that doesn't really just go away.

To give like a definitive answer, if someone born Jewish and converts out of Judaism, gets rid of all ties to Jewish culture, including secular Jewish culture. Because Judaism is an ethno religion, I personally don't see any point in continuing to refer to yourself as Jewish. It is a tribe. If you turn your back on the tribe completely and cut all ties, then you are no longer part of the tribe. If you still keep some connection then to me personally I do see a point in calling yourself ethnically jewish as you are still connected to the tribe.

Overall, I don't really care. Like I know I've said this a bazillion times already. The majority of jews are either religious or secular. I see no point in kicking up a fuss about a tiny group of jews.

I believe in inclusive judaism, where people with varying attachment to the tribe are welcome as long as they have some or want a connection to the tribe and convert properly.

This isn't like some hard, set in stone opinion I have. There are more important topics at hand right now like genuine jew fakers than someone with jewish blood who practices paganism.

[stevie-baby]

dear god i cannot lose another friend to a military man who just wants to get paid more and move out of the barracks 😭

[toxinoire]

As a Catholic I absolutely agree to this.

Because yes, Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity, Son of The Father. But did we forget He's also called Son of Man? In some masses they say something within the lines of "became man" because while He's very much Holy, He still lived with the humans on earth, He spent childhood to adulthood here on earth. AND my favorite part about Him, is that to teach people he tells them cute little stories that have much deeper meaning.

What's so hard to understand about that?

do you guys think jesus, the son of a carpenter, smelt the wood of the cross & temporarily thought of home

[deva-arts]

☆ Nathaniel Wilson ☆

I Really Like Nathaniel because the guy embodies Hope and Positivity without forcing it down the gullets of everyone around him.

He looks like he'd be a pleasant individual to actually be around at 7 am. Even before his coffee. [ Sera should be too, she doesn't seem like an unbearable person to be around in La Matinée ( the Morning ) . But still, she is alot grumpier than her other half. ]

With that said. Insert Happy music here. Nujabes or Smth.

Submitted by @mettamorphoses!

Love the way you drew Nate here! such a clean style and serious face :> He's my favorite little quadfocal guy... friendly, polite, and a good conversationalist! You're absolutely right, he's one of the easiest people to get along with. It's almost like he knows exactly what to say to people.

Sera isn't grumpy so much as she is disinterested and dismissive. She heads to work without bothering to make small talk besides a basic "Hello." if she passes you by. Not the worst outcome, really, if silence doesn't bother you.

[autumnalhalcyon]

Im like holding back tears typing this, bc i just came out as nonbinary to my parents and i just,,

dmsdkdjsjdjDnskdndkdjfksjd,,

Parental Redemption Arc Complete?????

im v happy ;u;

[livingcuttingboard]

I am what these small minds and broke backs and tough hands

Fear

I am the whisper amongst the village crowds,

I am the intrusion in the peacefulness of a cemetery,

I am the black rot that rips away the innocent,

I am the stagnant water, which ranks of poison,

I am the child stealer,the oath breaker,the demon maker,the pariah, the sinner, the whore, the unholy,

Your God has hurt me so,

Your God has named me so.Your God has made me so.

Yet you came,a halo on your head, stagmatas tainting your hands, an echo of pituful prayers spoken to the lonesome walls of a shroud to your voice,

And your God seemed merciful.Oh, so loving and kind and grand and so owned and so cherished.

And you have led me,

You, like your shepherd, have walked a path I could help but try and follow.

I trudged,I walked,I stayed and listened and cried in the rhythm of a song that was not venom but golden and sweet.

Like you,Golden and sweet, honey-like

I am not honey,I am not sweet and golden and loving.

I am what your God used to be.

Perhaps he did make me in his image,

Perahps he made you in his image too,

But he is an old thing of skies.And he is grand,

And he is loving,

And he is venom,

You are the sweetness of him,

You are the gold of him,

Scraped off his skin, you are the goodness of him,

I am what was left,

I am the hate of his bone.

I am the rage of his flesh,

I am the burning of his blood,

And I am salt, and your a honey,

Those are not flavors to be mixed,

They are to stay away, as tradition tells me,

Tradtion is what you worship,

Tradtion is what I abhor,

For if not for it, we would have been

A whirlwind of taste,

Intertwined and strong,

I have always been weak in mind.

You have always been weak in flesh.

 

We could have been strong, my honey

Only tradtion forbade us  

[parachutingkitten]

what does LDS mean?

It refers to my church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You may know us better by our old nickname "Mormons" ;)

[echthr0s]

just remembered that I saw the trailer for the Crow reboot at the theater and uhhh. that shit looks pretty tight actually

[anyataylorjoys]

Someone really trying to lecture me telling me it's important to know where your coworkers stand on political topics. LMAOOOOO it is always better to NOT know. I do not need to know these people on a personal level. It has always been a general rule that you are not to speak of politics or religion in the workplace and now people suddenly think it's something that should be done? In this political climate??? Do not assume you know people's lives, the environments in which they work or live to lecture them as to why it's their "duty" to find out as much as possible about the people you work with. I go to work to get my pay and then I go home. I am not here to make friends or allies, I am not here to socialize and get to know the people I have to see every day which makes it harder if I can't stand them. It is always better to keep relationships professional so you don't have to dread being around people. Discussing heated topics causes drama, which leads to bad blood, which then leads to people trying to get you fired etc. "Politics is a big part of ones' personality" right, and I suppress my personality at work as most people should do. Have you never heard of a "work personality"? These people only need to know me professionally, as do I, them, because it is difficult to maintain a professional relationship when you know too much about people. I choose to not, and that does not taint my moral character.

[spaceaudio]

boston2 anniversary is kind of crazy

[nomaishuttle]

ALSO sry im so talkative today idk whats gotten IN to me but anyways. its sooo crazy 2 me that ppl have other birthdays that arent the sake day as my birthday like obviously i know ppl do but its crazy to me. bc january 13th is like My birthday ykwim. like its such a good day to have a birthday on so beautiful 1/13/2005 gods specialest girl was born ykwim.

[fiomeras]

I could've been just some guy whos normal but i had to be the number one target for demons in this household apparently! The house has been smoked with incense twice and our avocado tree had to be cut down because there was some guy in it who decided to call it home. Awful!

[lavender-ghosting]

fuck. i’m giving away a bunch of my old books, and i didn’t even think about it, and my dad just saw i was giving away my old bible.

we’ve discussed exactly one time a few months ago the fact that i’m not christian anymore, and we all kinda tried to ignore it after that. after they had to console me and assure me that they still loved me. while i sobbed and tried to tell them how badly i wish i could believe in god just for their sakes, and how hard it was that i didn’t.

it’s a new thing for them. so it’s understandable the pain and hurt i could see cross his face. i could feel it.

i have to move away from christianity for so many reasons, but it sucks how tightly my whole family is wrapped around christianity so that there really isn’t an escape. i’m always going to feel that guilt. i’m going to be a disappointment.

[fingertipsmp3]

My allergies are acting up soooo bad I feel like I can’t open my eyes all the way. Just walking around with lidded eyelids constantly like a teenage boy who is absolutely blazed outta his tiny mind (or is pretending to be)

[echokelly]

"i got stoned and watched jerma clips" "i got stoned and scrolled through tiktok" WELL I got stoned and just watched music videos for TWO HOURS i think i just became an npc for a bit