Too many Atheists?

[Dirty Penguin]

I didn't realize there were so many threads on this subject so I apologize. However, maybe that stresses the issues with it? When I first discovered religiousforums.com, I thought myself, "this is incredible, finally I can discuss my passion of comparative religion and learn about others without being heckled by the secular". However, just about every thread I post in, I find an Atheist who is sitting there and just making fun of someone's understanding of God. It's a little disheartening and makes me realize that this forum was a bit of a pipe dream I suppose. I don't agree with all religions, but I don't put it out there every moment of my life. I step back to learn.

I can understand how you feel. When I engage in a debate about the historical Yeshua...I take the side of he never existed because from the way I view the current evidence that's what leads me to my conclusion....

BUT.....

When I engage in a biblical discussion about the life and times of the biblical Yeshua I approach it in a civil manner...with the understanding that we aren't discussing his existence but coming to a common understanding within that particular thread that he did exist and the discussion is about what he said, what he didn't say...maybe what he meant etc....

Not all of us care to treat religions in that manner......:sad:

 

[Dirty Penguin]

But its true in this case. Religion is one of the most polarizing topics this world has ever seen. Look how many wars are fought on religions grounds alone!

Next, put a bunch of immature people who are generally nice in person, but revert to their "I'm anonymous so I can be a jerk" when online and give them an opportunity to join a free forum on the internet about religion.

You're going to have conflict, trolling, etc. It's a fact of the internet. Your choices are to deal with it or move on to another forum. You're not moving your house, your family, or even your chair. Just click on over to another website if this one bothers you so.

Really, that's your only option. And making you aware of that _is_ being helpful.

Here's one of the ways I see it...If you simply want people to agree with you (for the most part)....then one needs to reserve themselves to posting in the (Same Faith) directories here....other than that they can rest assure they will encounter opposition to their perceptions on life, religion and politics if they so choose to post in "general" discussion/debate threads....

 

[Dirty Penguin]

*Points to the title bar in the browser*

"Religious Education Forum"

If that's not the goal then I'm not sure why the proprietors made that the title.

Edit: *Also points to the parent "folder" of the forums*

"Religious Education Forum"

But that's certainly not all that goes on here. We discuss games, music, movies, politics, current events, news...etc...and yes...(religion).... Not directed at you..but for those that assume this is strictly a (religious Forum) are mistaken....

 

[Dirty Penguin]

I often wonder what it must be like to live in a world where religion is the enemy and theists are enemy soldiers aligned against you. I wonder what it's like to hate God with a such a passion as to wish I could "dismantle" all of the religions like a surgeon removes a tumour from an anaethestized human body. Or maybe with no anaesthesia ... :cover:

No one can say I don't try to put myself in the other man's shoes.

This hardly describes Atheist in all (may be a few though)....

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I often wonder what it must be like to live in a world where religion is the enemy and theists are enemy soldiers aligned against you. I wonder what it's like to hate God with a such a passion as to wish I could "dismantle" all of the religions like a surgeon removes a tumour from an anaethestized human body. Or maybe with no anaesthesia ... :cover:

No one can say I don't try to put myself in the other man's shoes.

For many years I lived in the most liberal part of the US. I have know many Atheists and Agnostics. I have never noticed any of them being aggressive for the sake of aggression till I started posting on forums a few years ago. I would also say that there is only a handful on RF who are impolite for self amusement.

In a way I am greatful for this experience. It just goes to show that it is not the belief or lack of belief in any philosophy or world view. Self analyses and effort are the only way to avoid being judgemental and becoming what we hate in others.

 

[Midnight Pete]

For many years I lived in the most liberal part of the US. I have know many Atheists and Agnostics. I have never noticed any of them being aggressive for the sake of aggression till I started posting on forums a few years ago. I would also say that there is only a handful on RF who are impolite for self amusement.

In a way I am greatful for this experience. It just goes to show that it is not the belief or lack of belief in any philosophy or world view. Self analyses and effort are the only way to avoid being judgemental and becoming what we hate in others.

I have come to realize this as well.

 

[linwood]

Hey everyone,
Has anyone noticed how many Atheists there are on these forums? I feel that outnumber the spiritual / religious / whatever people by many. I don't understand why an Atheist would join a religious forum if they were proud and had no intentions of searching for themselves. I just don't see how its a good use of time to be a proud and staunch Atheist and then frequent these forums. Just a thought, what are yours?

I think we need more atheists.

I also think we need to sticky all these identical threads started every other day to the top of the forum to perhaps slow them down.

 

[jarofthoughts]

I often wonder what it must be like to live in a world where religion is the enemy and theists are enemy soldiers aligned against you. I wonder what it's like to hate God with a such a passion as to wish I could "dismantle" all of the religions like a surgeon removes a tumour from an anaethestized human body. Or maybe with no anaesthesia ... :cover:

No one can say I don't try to put myself in the other man's shoes.

Your statement above indicates to me that you don't understand the atheist position at all, and that having discussions with them is probably something you would benefit from.

An atheist can be defined simply as someone who doesn't believe in any god or gods. It does not indicate that the person in question hates religion or the religious. It does not indicate that the person in question thinks of religion or the religious as the enemy. It doesn't even indicate that the person in question wants to remove religion from our society. Of course, some do, but that does not automatically follow from being an atheist.

Hating "God" would also seem rather counter-productive, not to mention a little silly. How can you hate someone that you do not believe exists?
Now, it is entirely possible that many atheists hates the CONCEPT of "God", but hating "God" as if he was a person is ridiculous.

Atheists are not a uniform group, just as Christians or Muslims or Hindus or [insert religion of choice] are not uniform groups.

And while you may try to put yourself in the other man's shoes, I'd say you have yet to succeed in that task.

 

[linwood]

I didn't realize there were so many threads on this subject so I apologize. However, maybe that stresses the issues with it? When I first discovered religiousforums.com, I thought myself, "this is incredible, finally I can discuss my passion of comparative religion and learn about others without being heckled by the secular". However, just about every thread I post in, I find an Atheist who is sitting there and just making fun of someone's understanding of God. It's a little disheartening and makes me realize that this forum was a bit of a pipe dream I suppose. I don't agree with all religions, but I don't put it out there every moment of my life. I step back to learn.

You are posting in the wrong forums if you don`t wish to be challenged.

Stick to the same faith forums and you`ll be good.

 

[linwood]

I often wonder what it must be like to live in a world where religion is the enemy and theists are enemy soldiers aligned against you. I wonder what it's like to hate God with a such a passion as to wish I could "dismantle" all of the religions like a surgeon removes a tumour from an anaethestized human body. Or maybe with no anaesthesia ... :cover:

No one can say I don't try to put myself in the other man's shoes.

Or shoes that are no mans shoes but simply a figment of your imagination.

The emperors new shoes, that`s what you`ve put yourself into.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Your statement above indicates to me that you don't understand the atheist position at all, and that having discussions with them is probably something you would benefit from.

An atheist can be defined simply as someone who doesn't believe in any god or gods. It does not indicate that the person in question hates religion or the religious. It does not indicate that the person in question thinks of religion or the religious as the enemy. It doesn't even indicate that the person in question wants to remove religion from our society. Of course, some do, but that does not automatically follow from being an atheist.

Hating "God" would also seem rather counter-productive, not to mention a little silly. How can you hate someone that you do not believe exists?
Now, it is entirely possible that many atheists hates the CONCEPT of "God", but hating "God" as if he was a person is ridiculous.

Atheists are not a uniform group, just as Christians or Muslims or Hindus or [insert religion of choice] are not uniform groups.

And while you may try to put yourself in the other man's shoes, I'd say you have yet to succeed in that task.

Now that's just mean.

 

[Smoke]

I often wonder what it must be like to live in a world where religion is the enemy and theists are enemy soldiers aligned against you. I wonder what it's like to hate God with a such a passion as to wish I could "dismantle" all of the religions like a surgeon removes a tumour from an anaethestized human body. Or maybe with no anaesthesia ... :cover:

No one can say I don't try to put myself in the other man's shoes.

However, that post indicates that you're not very good at it.

 

[Midnight Pete]

However, that post indicates that you're not very good at it.

Thanks, Smoke. I knew you'd rush to my defense sooner or later.

 

[monta]

I think we need more atheists.

I also think we need to sticky all these identical threads started every other day to the top of the forum to perhaps slow them down.

Or merge them, into one colossal thread of awesome.

 

[tomato1236]

Really there are too many atheists. Probably the best idea is imposing a one-child per atheist rule. On second thought, this may not have much impact on many atheists.

 

[Revoltingest]

Now that's just mean.

Hey, at least I have faith (so to speak) that you'll get better at this forum stuff.
Ain't none of us learn the ropes overnight, so I don't judge you harshly by our little spats.

Really there are too many atheists. Probably the best idea is imposing a one-child per atheist rule. On second thought, this may not have much impact on many atheists.

We'll just proselytize to your children & convert them.

 

[tomato1236]

Hey, at least I have faith (so to speak) that you'll get better at this forum stuff.
Ain't none of us learn the ropes overnight, so I don't judge you harshly by our little spats.


We'll just proselytize to your children & convert them.

Will you take them under your wing and raise them, too? Like Captain Hook?

P.S. I have to say I'm quite an expert at "this forum stuff", so if anyone wants lessons, just let me know.

 

[Smoke]

Thanks, Smoke. I knew you'd rush to my defense sooner or later.

Well, seriously. Your idea of atheists sounds like something you got out of Chick tract. I think you need to meet more atheists.

 

[Nepenthe]

Is this thread about shoes now? I like my shoes. I'm wearing Converse. What shoes do atheists like? I bet they wear stupid shoes.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Well, seriously. Your idea of atheists sounds like something you got out of Chick tract. I think you need to meet more atheists.

I've met plenty of them online. And I am not familiar with the writings of Jack Chick.