For the Atheists on the Forum

[HelenaMT]

There seem to be a number of atheists on this forum who are very skilled at argumentation and highly intelligent (way more IMO than some published atheist stars like Dawkins or Dennett).

I am intensely curious as to why you come to this forum at all, so I have posted this poll to hopefully find out. Also, is this the only religious forum you like to post on, and why?

 

[COLOS]

I am intensely curious as to why you come to this forum at all, so I have posted this poll to hopefully find out. Also, is this the only religious forum you like to post on, and why?

They’re bored. Supposedly the concept of God has no meaning for them, so it follows that they want to entertain themselves.

 

[HelenaMT]

They’re bored. Supposedly the concept of God has no meaning for them, so it follows that they want to entertain themselves.

Maybe so, but I was hoping to hear something from them. There are many other ways to entertain oneself. Some of the posts are so long and involved that it obviously takes up a lot of time.

Even if boredom is the reason, I would think there would be an underlying reason why THIS is where they seek entertainment, rather than some other sort of forum.

 

[AnAtheist]

Religion affects us all whether we believe in some gods or not. Christianity is an important part of the western culture and history, it has strong influence on conventions and laws, so we all have to deal with it.
And as long as there are misconceptions about godless people like godless equals immoral, there is a need to talk.

 

[Deconi]

Religion affects us all whether we believe in some gods or not. Christianity is an important part of the western culture and history, it has strong influence on conventions and laws, so we all have to deal with it.
And as long as there are misconceptions about godless people like godless equals immoral, there is a need to talk.

BRAVO! BRAVO!

Now…tell your ‘friends.’

 

[cheddarsox]

There seem to be a number of atheists on this forum who are very skilled at argumentation and highly intelligent (way more IMO than some published atheist stars like Dawkins or Dennett).

I am intensely curious as to why you come to this forum at all, so I have posted this poll to hopefully find out. Also, is this the only religious forum you like to post on, and why?

Given the options you provided, I’m not surprised you didn’t get more responses.

There is a phenomenon on CAF that puzzles me. A person will say they are curious about another group, how they think and behave and ask them a question. Then the OP will provide the answer themselves, or people of the OP’s group will provide answers, as opposed to listening to what the other group is saying, or allowing them to provide their own answers.

You poll, is a way of saying “I know why you’re here, but I want to know why YOU say you’re here”, where as if you just asked the question, without the poll, it would seem more open to real answers.

And if other Catholics didn’t feel the need to jump in and answer for the other group, that would make it seem less like there was an agenda, and more like you were really interested in an answer.

None of your options addresses the reasons I come here. And the first response on the thread is a smart alecky one from a non-atheist. I’ve read enough threads like this here to think “why bother, they don’t want MY answer, they want support for their presupposition”

Your response to it makes me think maybe you DO care, but I thought I’d let you know how threads like this, with polls like that, and Catholic responses, can come off to atheists, non-Christians, etc.

Sometimes I don’t have the energy to “go there”, so I don’t bother getting involved.

I came here originally following a link from Jimmy Akins website while I was searching for an answer to a friends question on Catholicism. I was raised Catholic, and thought I knew the answer, but wanted to make sure I had it right before I responded to them, not wanting to misrepresent another faith.

Then I got involved for awhile, working on some of my own issues with Catholicism, I made some friends, and enjoyed the discussions. I may not believe Catholicism is the ultimate truth, but it is fascinating and I have a lot of respect for many aspects of it.

I tend not to post much these days, just reading interesting threads, and jumping in when someone addresses a topic I have knowledge of or asks questions about a group I am part of.

I belong to a number of different religious forums and discussion groups. Discussing religion and spirituality is a hobby of mine.

I am a Natural Pantheist, so most people and most Catholics consider me an atheist since I don’t believe in a deity, but I do practice a religion. So, I’m an atheist, not an anti-religionist.

I have no interest in luring anyone away from their faith, or bashing Catholicism, or proving I’m smarter than the average bear. I just like discussing these topics with other people. I learn how they think, feel and experience life, and about how I do.

Thanks for asking, but more so, thanks for listening to the reply!

 

[Shredderbeam]

To be perfectly honest, I come here for all of the reasons stated above. Yes, there is a side in me that enjoys confrontation, but I do like to develop my own views (finding out why others believe, trying to find other evidence for a God, etc.).

 

[HelenaMT]

You poll, is a way of saying “I know why you’re here, but I want to know why YOU say you’re here”, where as if you just asked the question, without the poll, it would seem more open to real answers.

Sorry, I guess because I like polls,I mistakenly thought more people would respond that way! I* was* hoping people would get more into it in the posts.

I am a Natural Pantheist, so most people and most Catholics consider me an atheist since I don’t believe in a deity, but I do practice a religion. So, I’m an atheist, not an anti-religionist.

I have no interest in luring anyone away from their faith, or bashing Catholicism, or proving I’m smarter than the average bear. I just like discussing these topics with other people. I learn how they think, feel and experience life, and about how I do.

Thanks for asking, but more so, thanks for listening to the reply!

I appreciate it, I guess I am here for the same reasons you are. I’m going to go look up Natural Pantheism. I didn’t know there was such a thing as an atheist religion. Guess I just learned something .