intro

[Bibliofagus]

I win!

[Poison Tree]

I win!

Were you betting on how many pages this would go?

[Bibliofagus]

Were you betting on how many pages this would go?

I guess I mean I feel that these intro threads of theists are too long, too detailed and whatnot. Either invite them into the actual forums, or ban them straight away.

Oh and hi claymore!

[frosty]

It is glaringly obvious that every Theist that comes to this forum has one of two (2) goals, or objectives in mind. They are:

1)Truthfully see the Atheist, Agnostic, Skeptic side to things and perhaps lose their pre-existing beliefs in the process.

2) Use this forum and it's user-base as a way to sharpen their "debate skills", and try to challenge everybody in an attempt to validate their already pre-existing beliefs. These beliefs may be in danger/weak, and websites like this are a great place to challenge people that represent what these people fear they might really think but do their best to suppress. Therefore, they attack it in response.

It's obvious OP fits into #2.

[stromboli]

It is glaringly obvious that every Theist that comes to this forum has one of two (2) goals, or objectives in mind. They are:

1)Truthfully see the Atheist, Agnostic, Skeptic side to things and perhaps lose their pre-existing beliefs in the process.

2) Use this forum and it's user-base as a way to sharpen their "debate skills", and try to challenge everybody in an attempt to validate their already pre-existing beliefs. These beliefs may be in danger/weak, and websites like this are a great place to challenge people that represent what these people fear they might really think but do their best to suppress. Therefore, they attack it in response.

It's obvious OP fits into #2.

Sort of. Every theist that comes on here does so from a position of moral superiority wherein they can school us. They also think that we are a bunch of simplistic idiots that don't have a clue about their beliefs. We are in their eyes morally and intellectually inferior.

[Nam]

This is a good read:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/04/16/new-study-shows-that-even-atheists-think-atheists-are-immoral/

-Nam

[The Skeletal Atheist]

Hello, Claytojar.

I posted earlier in this thread but you either didn't see my posts or ignored me, but that's not what I'm here to talk about. What I'm here to do is give you some advice. Listen to it or don't, but here is my advice: abandon this thread. Theist intro threads are an invatation for the swarm to attack you from all sides. I don't blame them at all because they are here to test both your conviction and the way you post. You see, as others said we are use to theists, particularly Christians and Muslims, doing nothing other than trying to convert us to win another brownie point for whatever God/gods that particular theist happens to believe in.

My suggestion is, that if you truly want discussion, then you should start threads in the appropiate sections of the forum. Going off just the intro and a few posts (I will admit that I haven't read the rest of this thread, because I've grown bored of the swarm response) you have several intersting topics to start:

1. Why you think the Earth, and indeed the universe is only 50,000 years old, and the evidence for such a young age.
2. Morality. What are your views on it?
3. What are your views on how to interpret the Bible?

If you stick to this intro thread you're going to be attacked from all sides, and will have to deal with multiple debates in one thread. We've had intro threads stretch more pages than this before just because the OP wouldn't start a specific threa about his/her idealogy. And we've had multiple posters here leave because they were endlessly mocked after posting stupid things over and over again.

If you truly believe in your religion, and you truly think that some good will come out of conversing with us, then I encourage you to start threads about the specifics of what you believe in. Ignore the flames, but consider the points raised by those who flame. If you're not ready for that then leave, go to some atheist or theological forum that mandates some "no hurt feelings" policy. This forum is the gauntlet, and if you're not ready you can go and let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

Realize that in general we won't respect your beliefs. Personally this is not meant as any disrepect towards you as a person. In general, and this is talking about me as an individual poster, I will respect you as long as you respect me and don't post something so dumb that it leaves me in wonder of how you
managed to operate a computer.

Anyways, I'm not a mod or anything, so what you do based off this advice is up to you.

[Nam]

^he doesn't understand "in general".



-Nam

[The Skeletal Atheist]

^he doesn't understand "in general".



-Nam

Lol. I'm trying to throw him a bone here. I took pity in that post. If he doesn't heed my advice then that's his choice.

[stromboli]

He's ignored several of my posts, won't actually debate anything and you could throw him a grenade and he would simply tap dance away from it. Pretty pathetic, all told.

[claytojar]

Whatever age you deem appropriate to inform your child there is no Santa clause, tooth fairy (sorry apa), and Easter bunny. I think all magical beings that have zero evidence in support of existing, should be dealt with at the same time. It's one conversation about many characters that all require essentially the same answer. Picking and choosing some over others could be confusing for children. God absolutely positively belongs in that conversation, and god is where I'd start!!!

So you're saying that Christians should tell their children there is no God ? That's really not reasonable to say a parent should tell their child there's no God when they live their lives in service of God, that would real confuse a child. We can pretty much prove the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause and what not are not real, keep the kid up all night and show him/her that nothing is going to show up to give you something for nothing, well guess there is a trade off with the Tooth Fairy, who's not going to show.

[stromboli]

So you're saying that Christians should tell their children there is no God ? That's really not reasonable to say a parent should tell their child there's no God when they live their lives in service of God, that would real confuse a child. We can pretty much prove the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause and what not are not real, keep the kid up all night and show him/her that nothing is going to show up to give you something for nothing, well guess there is a trade off with the Tooth Fairy, who's not going to show.

No, you are supposed to point out to your children that they have the right to choose for themselves, which is what I did. Your religion teaches that you will believe or you will die, and then over time provides a shifting landscape of what is correct and what isn't. Slavery used to be the norm, back in the day. Now its gays and LGBT. Atheists are evil. Oh wait, the Pope says we're not. All based on a framework of unprovable faith.

The same attitude of believing without proof is why religion is a playground for predators. People in a position of authority can use their position to coerce and intimidate. There are a multitude of examples, some of which I have already provided and you have ignored. Utah is considered a white crime capitol because it is full of gullible Mormon believers that will buy into a scheme simply because someone will identify as a Mormon and call them brother or sister. Look up the word skeptic; that is what we are. We don't buy into a belief system without proof. Which would you rather have, gullible kids or skeptical ones?

[PopeyesPappy]

So you're saying that Christians should tell their children there is no God ? That's really not reasonable to say a parent should tell their child there's no God when they live their lives in service of God, that would real confuse a child. We can pretty much prove the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause and what not are not real, keep the kid up all night and show him/her that nothing is going to show up to give you something for nothing, well guess there is a trade off with the Tooth Fairy, who's not going to show.

So Clay, by that standard we ought to be able to keep a kid up all night praying for a miraculous cure for amputees, and when it doesn't happen by the next morning it should proof that Jesus is not what you claim he is.

[claytojar]

Sort of. Every theist that comes on here does so from a position of moral superiority wherein they can school us. They also think that we are a bunch of simplistic idiots that don't have a clue about their beliefs. We are in their eyes morally and intellectually inferior.

I believe I've answered all your posts, the ones specific to Bible verses or events, I did not answer in the affirmative because this is not the place for it and as so as you guys quit bring conversation here I will get to the other areas. I try not to be rude and answer what's asked. Though I've already learned there's 2 people I will ignore in discussions until their attitude changes and I've seen their are those that good discussions can happen. This place gives me a feel for what to expect. Like some here will use the you can't spell, then throw out the word and why, because they have no further argument to make.

[claytojar]

Hello, Claytojar.

I posted earlier in this thread but you either didn't see my posts or ignored me, but that's not what I'm here to talk about. What I'm here to do is give you some advice. Listen to it or don't, but here is my advice: abandon this thread. Theist intro threads are an invatation for the swarm to attack you from all sides. I don't blame them at all because they are here to test both your conviction and the way you post. You see, as others said we are use to theists, particularly Christians and Muslims, doing nothing other than trying to convert us to win another brownie point for whatever God/gods that particular theist happens to believe in.

My suggestion is, that if you truly want discussion, then you should start threads in the appropiate sections of the forum. Going off just the intro and a few posts (I will admit that I haven't read the rest of this thread, because I've grown bored of the swarm response) you have several intersting topics to start:

1. Why you think the Earth, and indeed the universe is only 50,000 years old, and the evidence for such a young age.
2. Morality. What are your views on it?
3. What are your views on how to interpret the Bible?

If you stick to this intro thread you're going to be attacked from all sides, and will have to deal with multiple debates in one thread. We've had intro threads stretch more pages than this before just because the OP wouldn't start a specific threa about his/her idealogy. And we've had multiple posters here leave because they were endlessly mocked after posting stupid things over and over again.

If you truly believe in your religion, and you truly think that some good will come out of conversing with us, then I encourage you to start threads about the specifics of what you believe in. Ignore the flames, but consider the points raised by those who flame. If you're not ready for that then leave, go to some atheist or theological forum that mandates some "no hurt feelings" policy. This forum is the gauntlet, and if you're not ready you can go and let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

Realize that in general we won't respect your beliefs. Personally this is not meant as any disrepect towards you as a person. In general, and this is talking about me as an individual poster, I will respect you as long as you respect me and don't post something so dumb that it leaves me in wonder of how you
managed to operate a computer.

Anyways, I'm not a mod or anything, so what you do based off this advice is up to you.

Yes I saw your post, I did not realize I didn't answer it or I could have intended to and got side tracked, like you say the longer I stay here the larger the swarm will get, but I feel I should answer as many posts as I can. If people will just wait I will soon be able to participate in other discussion. I was on AF.org for over 4 years and know what to expect, in that time I only started a few treads and nothing about religion, I find those people start and join in when I feel they are a good place to be. Your advice is appreciated, I thank you and believe me I want to get into other discussions.