A more serious and considered reply to my original post here...
I've been an atheist pretty much since I entered double figures in age. The whole concept of gods and devils and spirits...that grown adults can still fervently believe in such trite - and murder others in the name of it - is to me one of the most disturbing things about our species.
I joined this forum for three main reasons:
- I was sick to my back teeth of religious lunatics apparently running riot on the internet and around the world, tired of people forfeiting their critical thinking faculties in favour of groupthink and spewing their nonsense as justification for committing the most despicable acts. I've had enough of this cancer on humanity, and I want to push back against it.
- I also joined to remind myself that despite our differences in ideologies and opinions, we are all human, and are all capable of good and evil no matter what label we choose to affix to ourselves. I know, it kind of contradicts my first reason somewhat, but I make a conscous effort to not tar people with the same brush. I really like some of the religious people here, despite them believing complete and utter tosh
- I was looking for a general forum that was preferably populated by clever people, so I might learn some things. I decided on an atheist forum and so far have not regretted it for a moment. I've learned some things about physics thanks to Alex K, picked up some frankly magnificent insults and added dozens of words to my vocabulary. Then there's the general history, politics and science discussions...
This community is mostly excellent, and I'm very happy I joined.
I've been an atheist pretty much since I entered double figures in age. The whole concept of gods and devils and spirits...that grown adults can still fervently believe in such trite - and murder others in the name of it - is to me one of the most disturbing things about our species.
I joined this forum for three main reasons:
- I was sick to my back teeth of religious lunatics apparently running riot on the internet and around the world, tired of people forfeiting their critical thinking faculties in favour of groupthink and spewing their nonsense as justification for committing the most despicable acts. I've had enough of this cancer on humanity, and I want to push back against it.
- I also joined to remind myself that despite our differences in ideologies and opinions, we are all human, and are all capable of good and evil no matter what label we choose to affix to ourselves. I know, it kind of contradicts my first reason somewhat, but I make a conscous effort to not tar people with the same brush. I really like some of the religious people here, despite them believing complete and utter tosh
- I was looking for a general forum that was preferably populated by clever people, so I might learn some things. I decided on an atheist forum and so far have not regretted it for a moment. I've learned some things about physics thanks to Alex K, picked up some frankly magnificent insults and added dozens of words to my vocabulary. Then there's the general history, politics and science discussions...
This community is mostly excellent, and I'm very happy I joined.
If you have any serious concerns, are being harassed, or just need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me via PM