So...guess I'm the new guy

[Whateverist]

Yes, welcome aboard. Mind if I pry?

We all come here for various reasons so I'd like to know yours. I think my original motivation was to argue for atheism as the absence of any operative belief in gods but I also like to argue against hard atheism. I think it is just as fraught with epistemic difficulty to argue from "I don't happen to believe that .." to "everyone should believe, as I myself do, that ..".

For me it isn't a question of probabilities. I find absolutely no evidence and have heard no argument which make the existence of the Christian god the least bit likely to my way of thinking. But do I have an argument or any evidence to make the negative case against the existence of God? No, and that makes me a level 6 atheist. There are level 7 atheists here on this forum who think there is reason to know gods do not exist. But they would generally prefer to argue that the honus is on those who wish to argue for the existence of gods.

So are you a level 1 Christian theist who thinks there are good arguments and ample evidence which should convince all right thinking people to believe in your god? Or are you a level 2 Christian theist who finds he does have an active belief in God, but recognizes that there isn't anything to be said to convince a right thinking person to join you in your belief?

[Annik]

Welcome. :3

[Cinjin]

hey new guy.

We have many theists here. They come and go and sometimes just go, but unlike the christian forums, you get full rights around here. Just don't shove your god down everyone's throat and you'll do fine.

[idunno]

Thanks to all for the welcome. I feel like Hitchens at Biola. I assure you that I don't intend to shove my God down your throat (I don't see that being effective, otherwise I would :p )

Whateverist, I'd say I'm here to try and clarify Christianity a bit. For instance I see someone started a thread on theological fatalism(absent that terminology), which I'll likely chime in on later. I think there may be a level 3 Christian which you might add to your pool of options. In regards to the classical arguments for the existence of God, I think it comes down to a disagreement of presuppositions. For example I believe that morality is objective, though I can't really make an argument supporting this so I don't intend on presenting the moral argument. Generally, an atheist would hold that morality is subjective. This is just how arguments are for the most part, one can find an argument sound while another doesn't. Since a premise is deemed true if it lines up with reality, I suspect that we'll probably spend some time talking about that. I'm not of the opinion that atheists are stupid or irrational, some are but so are some theists. I treat people as individuals and hope others do the same.

Not sure if this has made sense. To the coffee maker!

[Mister Agenda]

Sounds like you're willing to treat us with a modicum of respect, idunno, which bodes well for your future here. Welcome. If it helps, one of our admins is a theist and one of our most respected members.

[idunno]

I do try to be respectful but there are times when my facetious alter ego takes over. Thank you for the welcome good sir.

[Napoléon]

If it helps, one of our admins is a theist and one of our most respected members.

Rayaan is too cool to be muslim. He's undercover I'm sure of it.

Anyway, welcome idunno. Have a good time and don't take it too personal when you get your beliefs challenged, but I'm sure you already know to do that

[idunno]

I'll keep that in mind Napoleon, thank you.

[Vincenzo Vinny G.]

I'll keep that in mind Napoleon, thank you.

Also keep in mind dat youse wrong, ya got dat?

You ain't gonna convert us! Neverrrrrrrrr!

[Napoléon]

Also keep in mind dat youse wrong, ya got dat?

You ain't gonna convert us! Neverrrrrrrrr!

Calm down.