I'm new here, but I've already seen three people who registered after I did make a few posts trying to argue the existence of god then disappear.
Does it happen often? Have any theists (with the intention of arguing) stayed for more than a few days?
It happens often enough for me to experiment with new ways to make fun of them. I'll test-drive a new route of attack now and then, but I usually don't go into discussions with them expecting to make a new atheist. They don't come here with the intention of being convinced.
From my observation, they tend to come in bunches, just to post for a few days to a week, then disappear. Then there will be a long stretch with out any, then a bunch again. I've joked that these "swarms" must coincide school dates--start of school, bible teacher telling students to proselytize, Christmas break, spring break, start of summer break--but I think that's just conformation bias on my part.
Once in a great while there will be a theist who actually sticks around for a while. Before the forum crash(es) there was a Catholic (Azzizi or something?) who was around a lot. Even these tend to hammer away on 1 topic
The theist that say exactly what they are don't bother me as much as the morons that claim to be atheist then start preaching that there has to be a god. As if they came on here and all of a sudden had a revealation and we are all suppose to see the light.
We had one just last month that called himself a Smurf and spewed alot of nonsense about a reinterpretation of the bible. He claimed to be a Vet Marine, an intellect, among other things. He was exposed. His theory (which wasn't a theory at all) was debunked and I guess he finally was embarrassed to the point of leaving.
Like someone said, "It's nice to have a chew toy once in awhile."
Over 4 years on here, I would say they are somewhat seasonal. Seems to be a few right about Spring break, some after graduation, and some over the summer. I'm guessing the ones that are morally conflicted about going on Spring break and getting laid stay home and troll the internet, looking to justify their lack of physical satiation.
There aren't many theists here at all. If you want to really hone your chops, find a site that is not dedicated to atheism, because it won't have the atheist clique that AF has.
Quote from: "JonathanG"I'm new here, but I've already seen three people who registered after I did make a few posts trying to argue the existence of god then disappear.
Does it happen often? Have any theists (with the intention of arguing) stayed for more than a few days?
They used to be a lot worse. Compared to what we used to have to deal with, the one or two I see every now and agian is
nothing. I guess we're either just not as popular as we used to be, or we intimidate the pants off most of them.
Quote from: "JonathanG"I'm new here, but I've already seen three people who registered after I did make a few posts trying to argue the existence of god then disappear.
Does it happen often? Have any theists (with the intention of arguing) stayed for more than a few days?
I haven't been here that long either, but I have been involved with other forums for quite some time. I cannot put all theists who appear on non-theist friendly forums into one category. Some are well read, patient and worthy of having a conversation with. Others are full of YEC lies, misrepresentations and logical fallacies and are, at best, entertaining.
What bothers me is I would never go to a Christian forum to try and disprove the existence of God.
Quote from: "You Only Live Once"What bothers me is I would never go to a Christian forum to try and disprove the existence of God.
Your "religion" doesn't tell you that you have to convert unbelievers, theirs does. (Or at least, they misinterpret theirs to mean that they have to.)
Quote from: "You Only Live Once"What bothers me is I would never go to a Christian forum to try and disprove the existence of God.
Why does that bother you? You're exemplifying the behavior you wish to see, and that's as much as you can do.
Quote from: "JonathanG"I'm new here, but I've already seen three people who registered after I did make a few posts trying to argue the existence of god then disappear.
Does it happen often? Have any theists (with the intention of arguing) stayed for more than a few days?
They tend to either get the banhammer or post-and-run. There is the occasional non-icomplete-idiot, but that's very rare. We usually just get the traveling salesman type. What a waste.
Quote from: "Thumpalumpacus"Quote from: "You Only Live Once"What bothers me is I would never go to a Christian forum to try and disprove the existence of God.
Why does that bother you? You're exemplifying the behavior you wish to see, and that's as much as you can do.
I think he/she means that theists' evangelical approach is bothersome. Golden rule and all that.
It's no small irony that the really aggressive evangelizers really hate it when someone's knocking on their door.
Quote from: "You Only Live Once"What bothers me is I would never go to a Christian forum to try and disprove the existence of God.
Neither would most christians come here to try and convert us. We just get the christians outliers, and their forums get the atheist outliers.
When I joined there was a Catholic woman here. She remained for a very long time, and was civil enough, but in a passive aggressive way. I think the sole purpose of her life was just to annoy people with her condescending sweetness. Usually, I ignore theists, only engaging them once in awhile. But I was joyful at that woman's exit.
Quote from: "Hydra009"Quote from: "Thumpalumpacus"Quote from: "You Only Live Once"What bothers me is I would never go to a Christian forum to try and disprove the existence of God.
Why does that bother you? You're exemplifying the behavior you wish to see, and that's as much as you can do.
I think he/she means that theists' evangelical approach is bothersome. Golden rule and all that.
I understand that. I just don't understand getting upset about the behavior of others online.
One of the best things I learned from my dad is the understanding that I cannot control the actions of others, but I can control my reactions.
Quote from: "Thumpalumpacus"I understand that. I just don't understand getting upset about the behavior of others online.
One of the best things I learned from my dad is the understanding that I cannot control the actions of others, but I can control my reactions.
Oh I get upset by behavior of others online all the time. LOL
and I could add to this thread that there might be a couple of polytheists still hanging out here. I, for one, am not completely void of all my superstitions - not just yet. I am, however, greatly improved since joining here. lol
I've interacted in forums for more than a year. I'm a theist and a Christian.
Quote from: "gomtuu77"I've interacted in forums for more than a year.
(//http://images.wikia.com/theinternetbox/images/archive/9/9b/20120310162435!Watch-out-we-got-a-badass-over-here-meme.png)
The Great Commission
QuoteThe Great Commission of Christianity is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples that they spread his teachings to all the nations of the world. It has become a tenet in Christian theology emphasizing ministry, missionary work, evangelism, and baptism. The Apostles are said to have dispersed from Jerusalem and founded the Apostolic Sees. Among Christian eschatological views, Preterists believe that the Great Commission and other Bible prophecy was fulfilled in the first century while Futurists believe Bible prophecy will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Christ.
Still taught in church. This is why they come here, and why they have missionaries all over the world.
Quote from: "gomtuu77"I've interacted in forums for more than a year.
I've interacted in forums for more than 7 years. I'm a real online badass.
Quote from: "Hijiri Byakuren"Quote from: "gomtuu77"I've interacted in forums for more than a year.
I've interacted in forums for more than 7 years. I'm a real online badass.
At least 15 years. Back when the internet was primarily text and people preferred ask jeeves to google.
I feel old.
Quote from: "Hydra009"Quote from: "Hijiri Byakuren"Quote from: "gomtuu77"I've interacted in forums for more than a year.
I've interacted in forums for more than 7 years. I'm a real online badass.
At least 15 years. Back when the internet was primarily text and people preferred ask jeeves to google.
I feel old.
How about before the web, then? I guess I should feel archaic.
I think because this is a forum specific to atheism you will not see a lot of theists. Since I am new here what I have read about what activity you have seen so far from theists participating seems about right.
Years ago I did belong to the forum that Salon Magazine had called Table Talk (now defunct). It was a non specific forum and people could talk about anything. There were many rabid religious people there and some of the discussions were quite lively. Many flame wars that were quite entertaining. Also many cogent arguments from atheists. Not so many from theists. It is difficult with dogmatic people to argue with free thinkers. It is like a person in a straight jacket trying to box.
The pattern I have seen consistently from theists is that they have a real problem understanding anything. For the large part they don't even understand what is written in the Bible much less what atheists are saying to them. Many of them either haven't read the Bible or they spew Bible verses like automatons. Once I worked with a very nice guy except for the fact that he had the habit of spouting Bible verses in normal conversations. It was quite annoying.
But the pattern of rigid thinking is not relegated just to theists. I also follow lunatic fringe science forums just for shits and grins and the type of believers there are very similar (actually identical) to religious folks. Delusions are rampant in the human race which at best is amusing and at worst kind of frightening.
I do believe that we are seeing an evolutionary shift in the human psyche. The grip that the supernatural has had over humans for millenia is giving away to rational thought processes. I think science more than anything has made that possible for those who understand it. Of all of the industrialized countries in the world the USA is the last holdout to atavistic beliefs. It will be that way for a while to come unfortunately.
Quote from: "Hijiri Byakuren"Quote from: "gomtuu77"I've interacted in forums for more than a year.
I've interacted in forums for more than 7 years. I'm a real online badass.
2002 was my first 'big' forum. Joined an online sci-fi forum which is now defunct, but managed to get to around 7000 posts or so, my highest total on any forum since.
Nearly getting to that total here now. I'm sure it'll feel awesome. :rolleyes:
Quote from: "Bobbotov"Many of them either haven't read the Bible or they spew Bible verses like automatons. Once I worked with a very nice guy except for the fact that he had the habit of spouting Bible verses in normal conversations
I like to randomly spout bible verses in conversation, especially Ezekiel 23:20 :-"
[spoil:45sue2zp]There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.[/spoil:45sue2zp]
Quote from: "Poison Tree"Quote from: "Bobbotov"Many of them either haven't read the Bible or they spew Bible verses like automatons. Once I worked with a very nice guy except for the fact that he had the habit of spouting Bible verses in normal conversations
I like to randomly spout bible verses in conversation, especially Ezekiel 23:20 :-"
[spoil:1ostbuy2]There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.[/spoil:1ostbuy2]
Somewhat off-topic, but I've always wondered how many Biblical translators get turned off of Christianity just from having to read some of the more obscure parts of the Bible.
The turnover rate must be hideous.
I've never seen an atheist forum that banned theists from debate, but I have seen several religious fora that banned atheists from debating (even when not "proselytizing"). I hypothesize that this is because most theists dislike getting in arguments about the existence of god, whereas we atheists tend to welcome such questions (as long as they don't get too stupid).
I have been a member for about a month. And the crazies have seemed to appear often. Not sure if they are theists but CRAZY for sure. Maybe that's not normal.
Oh, it's slow now, fingers. We sometimes get loonies who start a few threads that each run 20 or 30 pages before someone gets so annoyed with them that they get banned. How many times can you tell someone that his assertion was answered (and demolished) 150 posts ago?
Grace, I think it's because many theists don't like having to think about anything,not just the existence God. Thinking is a foreign concept to them; they'd rather just parrot what their religious leaders injected into them and be blissfully ignorant.
This is me killing myself. Lol. Smilies aren't working w my dumb phone.
Quote from: "Colanth"Thinking is a foreign concept to them; they'd rather just parrot what their religious leaders injected into them and be blissfully ignorant.
Oh, but they do think. They really love thinking of convoluted explanations for how and why their god is responsible for everything good and nothing bad in this world.
Quote from: "Hijiri Byakuren"but I've always wondered how many Biblical translators get turned off of Christianity just from having to read some of the more obscure parts of the Bible.
Not that we can accurately ascertain that but Bart Ehrman does a nice job of explaining how the early transcribers screwed up copying the Bible before Gutenberg.