What was your original reason to become a RF member?

[stvdv]

Maybe I am wrong, but it almost seems like you trying to tear apart spiritual people and make them suffer

I have the opposite experience. The Atheists I met here are not like that. They are very nice people.

 

[stvdv]

I do not understand this.

This, I do not understand. All it takes is a little empathy IMO.

 

[stvdv]

Should Spiritual people respect the Atheists but not be respected back??

IMO, the below line is more according to reality.

"Should Atheist respect Spiritual people and not be respected back??"

 

[Aupmanyav]

I was invited by a member to answer a bothersome Hindu who was bigger than his boots. I fixed him, and then I stayed.

 

[stvdv]

Atheists is just another challenge in my life where I am the one who need to take time to think if I am the one who could change my way of being

I thought, aha Amanaki got it. Well done.

I dont ask Atheists to change That is not my task in life.

Alas, here you lost it again, IMO.

 

[stvdv]

As I said, you didnt ask questions. You cloaked your criticisms in rhetorical questions and that is a form of passive aggression. Look to yourself before concerning yourself with me.

I agree with you. It was not directed at me, but I found it very aggressive belittling etc.

 

[halbhh]

I know some people have been members for years, so maybe you don't recall the true reason you signed in to RF the first time. But if you recall it, Why did you choose RF? And how do you feel about RF today? In my case, I signed in because I was in a mood of searching and when seeing RF discussion from the outside it looked really good. But now a little over a year since I become a member I wonder why I bothered in the first place. In one year the RF has declined a lot in what we discuss and how the discussion goes.

And of course, there is the question that been lingering for some time. Why do aggressive Atheists sign in to a religious forum? I don't mind atheists in general, and I respect you're disbelieve, but why choose a religious forum to discuss? Maybe I am wrong, but it almost seems like you trying to tear apart spiritual people and make them suffer???? I do not understand this. Should Spiritual people respect the Atheists but not be respected back??

To enjoy friendly discussions, and it's been happening a fair amount, so I find myself coming back.

It's true I have to overlook or not put too much attention on when someone tries to slander a religion, say, my own.

I get it that when that happens it's just an individual breaking the Mission Statement of RF (often breaking rule #9).

But, even more ideally, I just forgive them instantly. This is possible to do, if you have aid.

 

[osgart]

For me, I like the social interaction, the chance to refine my arguments, the chance to practice writing skills, the chance to assess arguments to identify and name logical fallacies, to learn from people who process information the way I do (faith-free), to share my favorite ideas, and to observe the spectrum of believers compared to the spectrum of unbelievers in a way not possible outside of forums like this one in order to understand the type and degree of impact of faith on thought, intelligence, and education.

And one more reason, which I get to at the bottom of this post : To oppose the bigotry of Christianity, which I do every time I see atheist bashing from Christians as we see in this thread. I am here to rebut Christian atheophobia, and in doing so, hoping to weaken Christianity a little to return the favor.



Why do aggressive theists start forums called Religious Forums? And why do they start so many atheist-bashing threads? Isn't that what you're doing here? All I see here are criticisms of atheists and you aligning yourself with the religious. Maybe that's why some of us are here..

This is a common meme - we mean-spirited atheists are on the attack against believers without provocation. I think forum rules prevent me from listing and linking these threads, so I won't, but do a study of your own and count the number of threads begun by theists to criticize and condemn atheists compared the the number in the other direction. We're not the ones on the attack

Nor need we be. Once organized, politicized religion is no longer a threat to secular life, we probably will stop even noticing what the religious are doing much less objecting to it. The Druids once had theocratic control over a people that, had they still had that, would be a cause of concern and criticism by all non-Druids. But today, they have no power, and so get no attention. What would Brigid do? How does she feel about abortion?

Yeah, me neither, and that's how I prefer it. When Christianity and Islam become as irrelevant to those not interested in them as the Druids, religion will have become completely irrelevant to atheists, and they will likely cease inhabiting these threads.

And what are spiritual people? This vague term seems to be bandied about as a badge of superiority, the implication being that if you're not perpetually searching, you have been left behind.



I like this forum, especially the software and editing options, but not everything about it. We are not free to be honest with criticisms here.



The West is moving away from religion, which is progress. It is clear to me that man will have had a religious phase that will continue dissipating away until it has the status of flat-earthers and Zeus worshipers, In my estimation, man's religious phase will have been the period between the time when he first developed the intellectual capacity to ask why, and the time when he got his answers. In between, God did it. If you are equating that with moving away from spirituality, then yes, I agree, but as you know, I consider that progress

Once again, spiritual is such an evanescent word with such varied answers as to what it is and how one identifies it that the word really has no definite meaning and I don't know specifically what it is you think that world ois moving away from.



So is all criticism however carefully considered, sincerely believed, and constructively offered an attack? Do you view this post as an attack?

Are you now not attacking atheists by your own criterion for attack - criticism?



Did you mean can't?

We can't stop you from holding your religious beliefs. Nor would most of us want you to. We just want religion confined to the religious. The only religious belief I care about is the belief that somebody has the right to impose their religion on non-volunteers.



I notice that you only find fault with atheists. That's common. The religions have taught whoever will listen that atheists are immoral and that they are moral, both untrue. This is the result of Christian demonizing and marginalizing of atheists:

NEW REPORT CASTS ATHEISTS AS "OTHERS" BEYOND MORALITY AND COMMUNITY IN AMERICA
http://www.freethoughtassociation.org/eNews/200604/enews-aa-minnesotastudy.html

"Atheists have become the ultimate scapegoats in our culture... but the news isn't all bad! A new study by the University of Minnesota Department of Sociology has found that Americans perceive Atheists as the group least likely to embrace common values and a shared vision of society. Worse yet, Atheists are identified as the cohort other Americans do not want to see their offspring marrying!

[snip]

"Researchers concluded: "Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in 'sharing their vision of American society.' Atheists are also the minority group most Americans are least willing to allow their children to marry." Disturbingly, Atheists are "seen as a threat to the American way of life by a large portion of the American public," despite being only 3% of the U.S. population according to Dr. Edgell, associate sociology professor and the lead researcher in the project."

Do you not think that we have a legitimate gripe against people like that, and are entitled to do whatever we can to neutralize their bigotry?



This is what I am talking about. Continual negativity about and to atheists. But you come by it honestly through your religion (see below).

And it is exactly this kind of thinking that makes me anti-theist. As an atheist, I want this continual denigration of atheists to cease, and I believe that I have the right to do whatever I can to oppose the source of all of this demeaning of what is largely a hard-working, law-abiding, decent people trying to support their families and communities being subjected to continual bigotry in the service of a church that feels a need to attack those who can live without it to vaunt itself on the backs of good people.

As I indicated above, this, too, is why I am here - to counter every such attack I see with a scathing rebuking of the source of this hatred, the Christian Bible. Time to get to work.

Look at how much effort is made in that Bible to denigrate those unwilling to submit. Apart from being fit to cast into a lake of fire, according to scripture, unbelievers are lying, corrupt, vile, wicked, abominable, decadent, debauched, godless vessels of darkness in the service of evil, not one of whom does any good, fit to be shunned and to be burned alive forever as enemies of a good god, and the moral equivalent of murderers and whoremongers. Don't believe me? Here's where:

[1] "The fool says in his heart,'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good" - Psalm 14:1

[2] "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." - Revelation 21:8

[3]"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"- 2 Corinthians 6:14

[4] Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ." - 1 John 2:22

[5] "Whoever is not with me is against me" - Luke 11:23

[6] “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” - 1 Timothy 5:8

[7] "They are puzzled that you do not continue running with them in the same decadent course of debauchery, so they speak abusively of you" – 1 Peter 4:4​

How selfish and self-serving is it to spread such hate speech and make the lives of so many good people more difficult and more dangerous for a few dollars more in the collection plate?

And what should we think of a religion willing to do that? Should I consider it spiritual or moral?

Not every spiritual person is against atheism. I am spiritual but atheist.

Do you think every religion is out to impose it's will on everybody? I can only think of a few that don't.

 

[Ancient Soul]

I know some people have been members for years, so maybe you don't recall the true reason you signed in to RF the first time. But if you recall it, Why did you choose RF? And how do you feel about RF today? In my case, I signed in because I was in a mood of searching and when seeing RF discussion from the outside it looked really good. But now a little over a year since I become a member I wonder why I bothered in the first place. In one year the RF has declined a lot in what we discuss and how the discussion goes.

And of course, there is the question that been lingering for some time. Why do aggressive Atheists sign in to a religious forum? I don't mind atheists in general, and I respect you're disbelieve, but why choose a religious forum to discuss? Maybe I am wrong, but it almost seems like you trying to tear apart spiritual people and make them suffer???? I do not understand this. Should Spiritual people respect the Atheists but not be respected back??

As to the first question, I came here because it's more active than some of the other religious/spiritual forums I've tried. But more specifically because there is a wide variety of beliefs presented here, some of which actually have something of merit spirituality wise. That, and I'm not like most others who cringe upon criticism of their beliefs, I instead like how it makes me think about my own beliefs and am sometimes presented with questions that I had not considered asking God before, so this forum helps me strengthen and expand upon my beliefs. Iron sharpens iron as the expression goes!

I also like to help support others truly seeking spiritual answers outside of the oppressive religions.

Now as to the second question, I firmly believe that atheists come to forums to vent their anger over the injustice of constantly being told by the arrogant religious blowhards that they are automatically immoral just for not believing in any God. Which is understandable in itself, but even though I have never felt that way towards any atheist and even sometimes argue on their behalf, I do find it annoying how they keep on venomously attacking my posts just because I believe in God. Now I would not mind a good debate, but all they ever have is "Give me PHYSICAL proof of your SPIRITUAL god, or you are lying!!!", Which is naturally impossible. But that doesn't seem to matter to them, it just seems a "valid" way of venting and trying to tear down the beliefs of those believing in God. It's so boring, annoying, and changes nobody beliefs in God. Same old, same old... over, and over, and over... yawn....

As to your last sentence, I would recommend just not replying to them.

 

[Ancient Soul]

Perhaps the atheists are trying to pay the theists back for interfering in secular life and laws

I gave you "winner" for that post.

There was a fight going on in another froum years ago with a Christian and an atheist over who was "persecuting" who. So before I jumped in the help out the atheist, I checked my facts as I always do. I was surprised to find out that in the U.S., a largely Christian country, atheists are more often denied child custody or even visitation rights in divorce court, just because they are deemed automatically "immoral" and not fit parents. And even in many towns or cities they are not allowed to teach in schools, denied the right to vote, or run for public office. Then there's the general social persecution of atheists in their everyday life. Like if their Christian boss or Christian co-workers finds out they are an ewwww... ATHEIST, I would hate working in that oppressive workplace.

That being said, I do object to their attacking ALL "theists" for the doings of just the Christians. For that is no better than lumping ALL the atheists together. One needs to be careful not to fall into the trap of the saying that "You become like that which you hate."

 

[MonkeyFire]

Perhaps the atheists are trying to pay the theists back for interfering in secular life and laws

Most believers would hate your secularity because if God is true it's nature becomes seriously devilish.

 

[sciatica]

Part of a college assignment :
"Go undercover online and find out the level of animosity between Christians and Atheists."

 

[Ancient Soul]

Part of a college assignment :
"Go undercover online and find out the level of animosity between Christians and Atheists."

I'm done already!!!

For the last 15+ years I've been on forums watching the verbal bloodbath of the Christian vs Atheist crusades.

So where's my diploma?

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I joined in 2006, after my wife joined. She forced me.

Actually, she knows I loves religion and philosophy, so when she discovered it she knew I'd like it.

I've gotten a lot out of it. Discussion and debate is something I value as a tool for shaping my own beliefs and knowledge.

Atheists very often enjoy religion from an academic perspective.

 

[sciatica]

I have done that a few times, but it is kind of not what i want to do, because everyone is entitled to have their own view or opinion. And i don't want to be seen as a person who cant handle a little criticism, But sometimes i want to stand up for those who do not dare say things. (maybe it is wrong of me to do so)?

they ignore it anyway. they think you are too soft

 

[sciatica]

on a forum which allows a thread title "Does God play with himself?" .......so what if a Christian started a thread "Do atheists play with themselves? " ...you dont have a God so I had to write such.

 

[Ancient Soul]

on a forum which allows a thread title "Does God play with himself?" .......so what if a Christian started a thread "Do atheists play with themselves? " ...you dont have a God so I had to write such.

It's interesting how Christians always LOVE to parade around loudly proclaiming to everyone how holier than thou they think they are, yet they have a complete disconnect in their minds that won't let them see how vile they are to others.

Was this really necessary?

On another poorly moderated Internet forum the Christians started over 15, yes, over 15, forum threads to bash and insult me. No Atheist ever did. And for the record, I NEVER even considered doing likewise to the Christians. Nor would I EVER consider using the above language you just did to anyone. So much for your holier than thouness.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I know some people have been members for years, so maybe you don't recall the true reason you signed in to RF the first time. But if you recall it, Why did you choose RF? And how do you feel about RF today? In my case, I signed in because I was in a mood of searching and when seeing RF discussion from the outside it looked really good. But now a little over a year since I become a member I wonder why I bothered in the first place. In one year the RF has declined a lot in what we discuss and how the discussion goes.

And of course, there is the question that been lingering for some time. Why do aggressive Atheists sign in to a religious forum? I don't mind atheists in general, and I respect you're disbelieve, but why choose a religious forum to discuss? Maybe I am wrong, but it almost seems like you trying to tear apart spiritual people and make them suffer???? I do not understand this. Should Spiritual people respect the Atheists but not be respected back??

To talk to other Satanists.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I posted for years (and thousands and thousands of posts) on a site called "Interfaith Forums," which was eventually shut down. So I found RF.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

How’s that working out for you ?
We should organize a party. I’ll bring the beer.

Cheapskate! You know beer costs a lot less than hot women.