I basically came over here to enjoy the company of bhakta yogis and increase my proficiency in bhakti yoga in the process. I find bhakti yoga deeply relaxing and enjoy the bhakti culture, even though I am intrinsically a jnana yogi.
Now , Bhakti is like poetry. You need a lot of sensitivity and delicacy in its practice and expression.
I certainly felt uncomfortable to express my theistic views with the posts and presence of atheists over here who had a condescending,sneering attitude, reflecting intellectual arrogance(though I found the posts superficial and lacking intellectual depth.) and declaring atheistic views now and then rejecting the Hindu deities. In fact the posts put a lot of stress on me by hurting my theistic sensibilities. And I noticed this as the case with the other Bhaktas.
The self-declared atheist was also ripping apart jnana yoga over here in the hinduism forum , contradicting the teachings of the established masters.
I have no issues with atheists, and am a fan of atheists like Bhagat Singh, Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein. I have great affection and love for some of my atheistic friends. The atheist in question has also some good points in some posts when it comes to discussion of cultural practices and Hindu pilgrimage sites.
However there is a conflict of views between theists and atheists , which can result in unnecessary posting and discussion in the Hinduism forum which can be a major waste of time and energy.
For the atheists, if there is no Hindu forum, they can at least go to the atheist forum.
But for the Hindu theists, there is no other forum to go to, to express their views.
And finally, let me say that it is because of Bhakti that most Hindus cling to the religion, as people in general respond more to feeling than to the intellect.
And it is hard to be full of feeling when there is a sneering condescending attitude around, creating ego in oneself.
I hope this thread will lead to the forum members considering these points and making life easier for the Jnana yogis and bhakta yogis so that they can express their views without fear of ridicule and contradiction.