Evangelical Atheists are pissing me off...

[Farnan]

How come too many people here find the need to deal with their own shortcomings by coming here and ridculing others beliefs? Everytime there is a religious post here there are dozens of people jumping on it ridiculing the poster and expressing their supposed superiourity simply because they are atheists. Get the **** over yourselves.

On other parts of the forum people talk how good they think that the EMM is such a good place to discuss, but that is far from the truth. It is an awful place for a debate because people here seem to believe if you don't fit their narrow view of the world then you are subject to ridicule and any serious argument is distracted. That is why I rarely post here. People here need to learn that not everybody agrees with you so get used to it.

I want to note I'm not talking about everybody but a select few closed minded people here whose zeal for atheism matches that of Pat Robertson for "Christianity." You may as well get used to being able to debate contrary opinions without ridicule, that is part of being an adult.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

I think you are only looking at those threads where non-religious people pounce on unbased, outrageous religious claims. I don't think you'll find the same posts to, say, Quetz, Ibn Rushd or Zenith that you will to Lucius Julius or Mansa musa.

[Tankbuster]

I think the main problem is that 90% of the threads here eventually turns into yet another "Does God exist?" or "Is religion necessary?" slugfest.

Tiring For all of us.

But hey, nobody forces you to like the EMM. I, for one, like it. It's one of the few forums I post in.


P.S. Is your topic title a bait strategy or something?

[Oldgamer]

I think you are only looking at those threads where non-religious people pounce on unbased, outrageous religious claims. I don't think you'll find the same posts to, say, Quetz, Ibn Rushd or Zenith that you will to Lucius Julius or Mansa musa.

Please add me to the list.

Also, if you will, define "unbased, outrageous religious claims".

If I were to post a thread in which I stated my complete support for the historic Nicene Creed, I would be attacked just as viciously as someone who creates a thread called "I Love Jesus".

[Farnan]

I see a good deal to Quetz...

I was looking on that reconcilling evolution with God thread when I got upset, but also the "I love Jesus" thread.

Even responding to LC like that is pitiful and wrong (even though I disagree with his actions), just because someone thinks different doesn't give you the right to ridicule him.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Well, firstly, if you want to debate your religious beliefs - arguably the most important and close to heart - then you have to be thick skinned when you realise others have other views and are not afraid to argue back. As to the evolution thread, well some people get what is coming to them and I hope you have no problem with a good tongue lashing to fundie Christians who won't believe in evolution - can't say I've looked at the "I Love Jesus" thread.

In short, tough crap. D&D, exactly what it says on the tin.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Oldgamer, just because there are more people on one side of the argument doesn't mean everyone is out to get you. Personally, I respect you and see you as one of the better EMM posters, a belief I am sure a lot of the more intelligent posters of both groups will agree with. I think the religious minority on the forums will always come under attack, sometimes more harshly than others, and if you take offense then thats your problem. Few debate on such a hot topic too nicely.

[Tankbuster]

Is there a religious minority?? I wouldn't say the religious posters are with less than the irreligious ones...

But religion is definitely a hot issue, so you need to be ready to take a couple of ad hominem's from time to time.
But as far as I can see, the political mudpit has waaaaay more ad hominems. The discussions here are better as well.

[Dayman]

The discussions here are better as well.

We do get the occasional crapfest but most discussions are solid.

[Tankbuster]

We do get the occasional crapfest but most discussions are solid.

Especially compared to the nationalist crap the mudpit is full with. That is sooo hilarious
So many anti-America, anti-Britain, anti-Russia threads...

Sure, we have the occasional theists vs. atheists show-downs, but most of the threads are pretty good.

[Oldgamer]

Oldgamer, just because there are more people on one side of the argument doesn't mean everyone is out to get you. Personally, I respect you and see you as one of the better EMM posters, a belief I am sure a lot of the more intelligent posters of both groups will agree with. I think the religious minority on the forums will always come under attack, sometimes more harshly than others, and if you take offense then thats your problem. Few debate on such a hot topic too nicely.

I appreciate what you've said, Shyam, and I respect you, also.

Atheists and agnostics need to understand the psychological effect of attacking a Christian ... especially a young one ... through the use of a series of ad hominems. Rather than shaming the person into "realizing" that he is in "error", and should modify his faith (or even abandon it), the person will be more deeply entrenched in his beliefs. It is the "martyrdom" and "persecution" effect. Far from being dissuaded from belief in Christ, the Christian is made more effective as a communicator, more skillful as a debater, and more dedicated to his belief-system.

At my age, I've seen it all, and am usually hesitant to even enter debates like the "I Love Jesus" thread ... where Gwendolyn accused me of making an ad hominem against her, then accused me of being obtuse (which is itself an ad hominem). But sometimes, I feel a need to support some of the younger Christians at the site. Also, occasionally, I see an opportunity to make a breakthrough with someone.

I, too, am an evangelist!

[gaius valerius]

What is wrong with evangelical atheïsts? They aren't more wrong than evangelical christians now are they? So christians can argue all they want but we can't reply? As long as you keep it civil and give good arguments I don't see the point? Do we owe respect for religion? Yes, but so does religion for atheïsm. I don't see what you are pissed about. If we all respect each other no problem. If someone is disrespectful that says more about that person then whatever theory/religion he clings to.

[Dayman]

Well, some of the atheists here could learn a thing or two dealing with people. Calling theists "delusional" and "idiots" is wrong.

[Ummagumma]

How come too many people here find the need to deal with their own shortcomings by coming here and ridculing others beliefs? Everytime there is a religious post here there are dozens of people jumping on it ridiculing the poster and expressing their supposed superiourity simply because they are atheists. Get the **** over yourselves.

It's one view against another. As you say yourself, get over it.
I guess it is the other side of the 'Holier than Thou' coin that some throw at Atheists.

[Farnan]

I guess it is the other side of the 'Holier than Thou' coin that some throw at Atheists.

Exactly....

You will not see me disparaging another's religious beliefs, and I believe that Evangelical Atheists are just as bad as the people they claim to oppose in Pat Robertson and those who give a holier than thou belief and go around attacking atheists. Both groups are wrong, but it seems one here is more accepted than the others...

And Ruin read some of my posts before you compare me to Pat Robertson...

[Dayman]

Exactly....

You will not see me disparaging another's religious beliefs, and I believe that Evangelical Atheists are just as bad as the people they claim to oppose in Pat Robertson and those who give a holier than thou belief and go around attacking atheists. Both groups are wrong, but it seems one here is more accepted than the others...

Don't ever go to Richard Dawkins' website...

They're not atheists, they're antitheists.

[Farnan]

Don't ever go to Richard Dawkins' website...

They're not atheists, they're antitheists.

I wouldn't go there...

To me debating religion on the internet is as effective as debating whose the hottest woman in your CAS class with someone living in India. It may be fun but you aren't going to accomplish anything...

Richard Dawkins and Pat Robertson are the same person with a different face.

[Tankbuster]

Richard Dawkins and Pat Robertson are the same person with a different face.

Strongly disagreed.

[Dayman]

Like you said, religion is a heated topic, but cool heads need to prevail or it turns into just a godawful screaming match.

[Zenith Darksea]

I personally have come to prefer Ethos to the Mudpit, I have to agree. It is true that there are religious posters who are considerably less sophisticated than their atheist counterparts. Having said that, I do get the feeling that this leads to an assumption on the part of atheist (and sometimes, bizarrely, theist) posters that the natural order is that anything a theist says must be silly and that anything an atheist says must be intelligent and rational. I can think of several occasions on which I have been told that theists are inherently stupid or uneducated; what is more, I can think of several occasions on which, having demonstrated through my posts (even if I do say so myself) that there are times when atheism can be put in its place, opponents have simply resorted to ad hominem attacks on me.

More curious are those occasions on which I am simply told that what I argue is wrong just because it supports theism, and by that virtue an atheist is apparently allowed to ignore my arguments and evidence. This is not at all true of every atheist here, but just as there are some theists who can be quite silly, there is a fair share of atheists whose posts can, at times, be one sandwich short of a picnic.