Most Interesting Religious Group on RF

[Vouthon]

Out of all the religious groups represented on RF, which religion do you think has the most interesting members on the forum? I include atheism and secular philosophies in this question, by the by.

"Interesting" can imply nearly anything you want, ranging from insightful and informative to humorous and fun to be around. The point is, the members of this particular group get noticed by you, engage you or draw your attention.

For me, thinking about them as a collective, I'd probably have to go for the atheists/agnostics/irreligious cohort. They are such a prominent contingent in forum discussions and tend to be a witty, diverse lot of folks.

You don't need to identify or single out certain members of your chosen group (there was a past thread for individuals irrespective of creed) but what the heck, I'll do it anyway....

I can call to mind @Sunstone for his incredibly thought-provoking posts and threads, light-hearted humour, evident life experience (I'm a good bit younger than him!) and all-round geniality. @metis whom I really view as part of the Catholic camp but since he straddles the unaffiliated, secular one too, just to say your posts are one of the things that consistently keep me coming back to RF, you are a fantastic and very deep guy @Augustus for his brilliant (really brilliant) insights and deep understanding of the history of ideas. @columbus for being the best "atheist conservative Catholic from hell" I've ever met (you really can't get more interesting than that). Your another Catholic-atheist-agnostic-irreligious straddler too, of course. @Polymath257 for his razor-sharp intelligence and knowledge of quantum physics. @lewisnotmiller for his laid-back Aussie charm and remarkable facility for sage, balanced and well-articulated posts. @Revoltingest for being hilarious and a worthy exponent of his ardently held libertarianism (since I'm so hostile to his political ideology in principle, its a real credit to him that he has managed to make me even a little open to elements of it. I emphasise a little.) @It Aint Necessarily So for consistently making intellectually compelling, very persuasive and undeniably passionate arguments in favour of secular humanism, rationalism and enlightenment philosophy (and for having great cooking skills.)

There are many, many more atheist or ireligious RF members that I could mention. Too many for me to enumerate. But even that short summary, I'm sure, testifies to the rich vitality of this demographic on RF. You can't possibly forget them - and that's to put it mildly!

 

[stvdv]

17 jun 2018 stvdv 011 60
I like best the people who don't believe "My religion/beliefsystem is the best; meaning your's is inferior".

Why? Because with those you can have a conversation. Otherwise it is always more like a monologue. Then I rather talk to myself.

Agnostic I like their view "I can't know whether God exists or not". That seems very true to me. They don't fool themselves.
Christian says basically the same as Agnostic by telling "I believe in God" implying "I can't know for sure". Only Christians prefer to fool themselve "a little".
Humanist I also like. They put in practice what the Bible [and other scriptures] teaches without demeaning others in the process.
Atheists I also like. They keep religious people a bit grounded, down to earth.
Sanathana Dharma I like, because of the teachings of Advaita explaining life using consciousness [without the "loaded" God-formula]
Buddhism I like for "non-violence" as well as common sense "meditate to reach nirvana". No desires is "absolute freedom" IMO
Hinduism I like because they see God in everything. Most who don't understand think they have many Gods, but in reality there is only 1.
Flying Spaghetti Monster reminds me that "All religions are an illusion superimposed on consciousness"
Satanism I didn't know. Few weeks back I read a post and thought "Is she not way to sweet and nice to be a satanist?". So learned they are nice also.
Islam taught me to that God is the one that judges, and humans should stay far from judging. If all follow that we would have Peace on earth.

Living in this DATA age if anyone knew and could proof "God exists" the whole world would know. So obvious it is still not known, still a belief.

 

[David T]

Atheists. They tend to be very passionate about their "non belief" in bad religion. I share the same repulsion, except I am way to naturally numinous to be an atheist and "not believe". A particularly strange conundrum in today's world. But it sure helps the creative process!

 

[England my lionheart]

I like anyone who will engage really, I find abrahmics interesting but not enough of the followers speak for themselves and they just quote texts from their books.

I like Buddhism because it's non judgemental, I also find Hinduism interesting but really they are all interesting.

I don't like to say the best group but atheists tend to be more open and although they wear the same label they can debate and disagree on many things.

 

[David T]

"
Living in this DATA age if anyone knew and could proof "God exists" the whole world would know. So obvious it is still not known, still a belief."

Analog computer. Data was entered, passed over to other individuals and could play back the coding to others. The programming was very flexible. BTW eventually only data 26 symbols were needed. Extremely comPact. Now of course spaces became a part of it as well as various other data symbols. So the age of data driven understanding in modern form. Is about 3,000 years old.

Some of the earliest data entries were ancient stories. These stories like folk music had never been recorded but solely transmitted orally before the analog computer.

Now I am certain that what I say would be challenged as to calling this an analog computer because a co. Outer is more defined as doing processes previously only performed by the brain. But in fact that's mearly a mechanical device like a skilsaw.

So more data never makes anything clearer in context to this particularly topic.. I point to theology as emperical proof.

 

[Jumi]

Most interesting to me are those who don't let themselves be labeled and don't try to put themselves into neat boxes.

 

[Cacotopia]

I don't know there are individuals from every group of believers that I like. I do find that many atheists are witty and funny and more articulate, to which I can only achieve that level of clarity in short bursts. I Like @Armoured and @Jumi cool dudes, even though they are filthy theists(I keed I keed) @stvdv is a thoughtful person, @Audie & @ChristineM , are maelstroms of information and wit, there are too many to name.

 

[ChristineM]

I don't know there are individuals from every group of believers that I like. I do find that many atheists are witty and funny and more articulate, to which I can only achieve that level of clarity in short bursts. I Like @Armoured and @Jumi cool dudes, even though they are filthy theists(I keed I keed) @stvdv is a thoughtful person, @Audie & @ChristineM , are maelstroms of information and wit, there are too many to name.

Oh sir... Unhand me !!! Thanks for the bigup.

Interesting? That's a major list. I'm dyslexic so don't read all posts on a thread i visit, or even most recent ones but some grab my attention.

@Polymath257, ive learned so much from him. @Subduction Zone and @It Aint Necessarily So are mind expanding too. I also find @sayak83, @gnostic, @Audie, @Cacotopia, @Jayhawker Soule, @9-10ths_Penguin, @Quintessence , @Bob the Unbeliever, @Shadow Wolf, @Mock Turtle, @Sunstone, @columbus, @stvdv and @mud are interesting.
And i must not forget @Revoltingest who has made me laugh so often.

 

[Vinayaka]

We have an outdoor 3 day multicultural festival in my city, and usually they have about 90 booths or tents representing countries and cultures from around the planet. There are food tastings, dance, music, dress, and all those good things. I don't go every year, but have gone enough to observe that many people go there to support their own culture, and often don't go a-tasting much. Of course there are also many who will do the rounds, having a sneak peak into many cultures.

Personally, I favour what a couple of others here have said ... people who can dialogue politely and openly, regardless of faith.

 

[Vouthon]

Very, very close in my estimatioms to the atheists as a group, are the Hindus. I would probably say that this group is a tie-in, actually.

@Terese @sayak83 @Vinayaka @Aupmanyav are some stand-out examples, among others IMHO.

Taken as a whole, I have learned so much from each of them and everything I said above about the atheists could be reiterated once more to describe this brilliant contingent of posters, who are a credit to their religion.

 

[sayak83]

Very, very close in my estimatioms to the atheists as a group, are the Hindus. I would probably say that this group is a tie-in, actually.

@Terese @sayak83 @Vinayaka @Aupmanyav are some stand-out examples, among others IMHO.

Taken as a whole, I have learned so much from each of them and everything I said above about the atheists could be reiterated once more to describe this brilliant contingent of posters, who are a credit to their religion.

Thank you!
As a new entrant you are very impressive and erudite.
Going through a busy phase of life now. When I get an opportunity, I will discuss theology of Paul and Augustine with you.. as well as what you think of natural theology.
Hope to continue to read your posts.

 

[Sunstone]

Most interesting group on RF?

Mystics, of course.

But off RF?

Erotic Dancing Girls!

 

[Vouthon]

Most interesting group on RF?

Mystics, of course.

Why didn't I think of that!?

But off RF?

Erotic Dancing Girls!

Who could disagree!

 

[Sunstone]

Why didn't I think of that!?

Especially since you are, hands down, the leading scholar on the subject here -- albeit you confine yourself to Catholic mystics for the most part. Quite ironic you'd forget about that group.

 

[Vouthon]

Quite ironic you'd forget about that group.

It is, I must be having a slow brain day.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

My favourite group is us polyarmourists, and everyone who isn't from New Zealand, which isn't a real country anyway, as everyone knows.

 

[Deidre]

Pagans, and left hand path

 

[Terese]

Very, very close in my estimatioms to the atheists as a group, are the Hindus. I would probably say that this group is a tie-in, actually.

@Terese @sayak83 @Vinayaka @Aupmanyav are some stand-out examples, among others IMHO.

Taken as a whole, I have learned so much from each of them and everything I said above about the atheists could be reiterated once more to describe this brilliant contingent of posters, who are a credit to their religion.

Vouthon I have learned a lot of Catholicism and how similar to Vaishnavism it can be thanks to you. I am also glad to see the prowess of Catholic theology, especially Thomas Aquinas, who i share some views with. So thank you!

 

[Sundance]

@Vouthon, this is a very interesting question! In the time I've been here, I've come across folks with all different perspectives who put them across in ways that have invited both spirited (but amicable) debate and deep internal reflection. Honestly, I can’t specify any particular religious or irreligious group.

 

[Brinne]

In my time of long time lurking I've admired something from every group I've seen.

Muslims in particular for their friendly attitudes, Hindus for the interesting and well thought out posts I see in their DIR, and Pagans for their welcoming attitude and helpful disposition towards others both Pagan and non Pagan.