Proselytism and Atheism (Jesus, follower, choice, experience, atheist)

[Autodidact]

There is no heaven or hell, fortunately, so supposed gods like you believe in cannot torture people for eternity.

Well, a philosophy based upon strong emotion but no evidence, how unusual.

Jesus never came the first time, so he sure can't come a second.

I don't believe any god exists, but no gods I've read about are very loving, either they're murderous avengers, or raging lunatics.

What does love have to do with Christianity? Atheism, other philosophies and/or religions are capable of as much or more love.

So sending people to hell is a show of love? I think I'll pass on your god. .... if ANY theist were to consistantly post such argumentative drivel, they'd be banned by now. Just looking for equality folks.

Maybe this is just one of those things that I'm seeing differently because I'm on the other side. My perception is that, for example, theists are constantly telling me that there is a Hell, and occasionally that I'm looking forward to burning in it. They state this not as a belief, but as a fact.

The second statement may have been completely accurate, depending what it was responding to.

The third one, again, Christians are constantly stating what Jesus did, said, thought, wants and watches on TV, as if it was of interest to me. Often I respond that is not true. How is this different?

Is commanding your followers to go back and kill all the babies NOT a murderous avenger? Is Atheism NOT capable of love? How is this proselytizing? And if a Christian is saying that their loving God sends atheists to Hell, I have to agree that is self-contradictory. I just don't see any of these arguments as inappropriate in any way.

Just as I type a theist just told me that I'm going to sow what I reap (for living as a lesbian.) Is that argument acceptable to you? I think it's dumb, but not impermissible.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

Just as I type a theist just told me that I'm going to sow what I reap (for living as a lesbian.) Is that argument acceptable to you? I think it's dumb, but not impermissible.

Again... I would not permit those types of "attacks" on you... I don't think they have any place here... but I understand it's just my opinion.

In love,
S

ps You being a lesbian is just fine with me.

[Autodidact]

Thanks Scott. Again, it's hard to be objective. My perception, from the atheist side, is that these and similar arguments are frequently made here, but maybe that's because one only notices what bugs one, you know?
What about the common "argument" made by Christians in debates about the existence of God that "The fool sayeth in his heart that there is no God." Again, it's a dumb argument, but it's also obnoxious.

I have whole threads in which I'm asking the theist in question over and over again to focus on the argument, and not me or my way of life. Sometimes they find it impossible.

Again, just today I have a post from nawab saying that unrepentant gay people will be "buried with the people of Lut," whatever that means, but it doesn't sound nice, and it's not a logical argument, just a threat.

I don't think that asking people to use reason instead of unsupported assertions is off base.

One of my common gripes about theists around here is that they dodge difficult questions. When I frame a question that I think skewers their argument, they usually just ignore it until I ask them to please answer it 3, 4, even 5 times. uss_d just did this to me, and ended up never answering the question. (How did Judas die.) He'll probably continue to go around the net asserting that the Bible contains no contradictions.

A common one they ignore: They assert X Bible passage as supporting their position. I reply: "Why do you believe the Bible?" Silence. Anything about how they know that God...whatever. "How do you know?" silence. I think it's rude, frankly.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

What about the common "argument" made by Christians in debates about the existence of God that "The fool sayeth in his heart that there is no God." Again, it's a dumb argument, but it's also obnoxious.

When I was on the staff, I wouldn't allow it... so I continue to support my position.

A common one they ignore: They assert X Bible passage as supporting their position. I reply: "Why do you believe the Bible?" Silence. Anything about how they know that God...whatever. "How do you know?" silence. I think it's rude, frankly.

The only comment I can offer is that when it's in the BIBLICAL debates forum, questions and comments about the validity of the Bible or the existance of God should be reserved for another thread.... outside of that forum, I believe those theists should reply or shut up.... but when in the middle of a Biblical debate an atheist troll does a "drive by" with something like "it's all fairy tales anyhow" that deserves swift penalty as well.

Peace,
S

[Dirty Penguin]

Originally Posted by Bouncing Ball

I strongly doubt it as atheists come here to talk about religious things. It is religious forums and not religions forum. But thanks for making us feel welcome anyways

Anyways, there are idiots on both sides, but I don't think we'll ever get over that, appareantly..

Thanks.......exactly what I wanted to say....

[logician]

I have a comment that the mods may not partularly like, but these are the only forums I've ever been where mods post regularly, and some even try to get you into rather heated arguments. That's not what the job of a mod is. On every other forum I've been on, the mods almosts always ONLY posted to keep order and that was it.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[fantôme profane]

I hope this doesn’t sound like too much of a suck up, but I have to say that the mods on this board do a spectacular job. Actually most of the time I completely forget who the mods are, and I think that speaks well of them. I find the tone of this board much more civil than other similar boards I have visited, and yet I don’t find it overly restrictive. Of course the mods participate in discussion, why would anyone become a mod if they weren’t interested in the topics being discussed? But I have never seen a mod try to use their position to try to bully someone or to try to impose their own viewpoint.

[ChristineES]

I take every post (including my own) as an opinion. If an atheist comes on says "there is no god" then that would be an opinion. If a theist were to come on and say that everyone was going to hell except them that would, too, be an opinion. That is what I have learned to do here.
There are some facts, too: 1. The earth is pear shaped 2. Every person has a different opinion from others 3. Everyone is entitled their own opinion. 4. if you don't allow others to have an opinion then how can you have your own?

*I find the majority of people on here very respectful and if someone is not the mods do a pretty good job and doing something about it. I thank them all for it, both past and present mods.