Introduction

[ManMachine]

So, it's been implied to me on numerous threads that unless I introduce myself I will continue to be insulted, regardless of the fact that all I'm trying to do is having a respectful, honest conversation about things that I've been finding when exploring many different sciences.

Doesn't seem to be a great way to have a community, but whatever... I understand, from a psychological perspective, that it's extremely easy to be an asshole to other people when you have nothing but a screen to interact with.

With no further delay, I am an agnostic 32 yo female (most people keep referring to me as a "he"...why is that?). I have a MA in Psychology and I'm a licensed clinician. I have been studying "consciousness" in it's many aspects for over 10 years. I am fascinated by psychoneuroimmunology (referring to such things as placebo effect and miracle-type healings), hypnosis, and psychiatric and behavioral genetics. I specialize in working with addicts and trauma victims and, in particular, I'm currently interested in how "spiritual experience" (including psychedelic experiences with ayahuasca and ibogaine) have resulted in statistically high recovery rates for people with these issues.

To go further, I was raised by Christian fundamentalists and realized at a young age that I didn't buy any of the doctrine that was being fed to me. At that point, I engaged in comparative religious study, exploring what other belief systems had to say about the nature of reality, conscious experience, etc. Although I found some of it interesting, there was nothing that answered my questions. In grad school I was lucky enough to be in a program that allowed me to design my own curriculum (with guidance of mentors) and I focused on trying to understand consciousness from a scientific perspective. I explored many fields of study through this process including neuropsychology, psychoneuroimmunology, energy psychology, psychiatric and behavioral genetics (focusing in epigenetics), quantum physics, astrophysics, vibrational medicine, basically anything I could possibly explore that would give me a better understanding of consciousness that didn't involve "god" and "the soul". I finished grad school 3 years ago, but I never stopped my explorations as it seems that every day something new is revealed that conflicts with something that was was "known" to science prior and often it is mind-blowing stuff.

I currently label myself agnostic (although I generally hate labels), but I do so to acknowledge that, as a result of my studies, I'm not sure what opinion to form regarding the nature of reality, whether there is intelligence to it's design, and whether there is an influencing intelligence. A lot of what I've explored leads to me think there is a possibility, but I have no intention of claiming I am aware of all the variables or the "truth".

I have come here to discuss the things I've been exploring and the thoughts that have resulted from my explorations with others who I assume to have more confidence in their own perspective than I do (atheism- "no god"- right?). I'm interested in getting feedback that is convincing enough to sway my own perspective, but I understand that I may not be realistic in assuming this could happen.

I wish I could say it's nice to meet all of you, but honestly, I don't think there has been a single responder to anything I posted that was even the slightest bit respectful. Everyone immediately jumped to attacking my intelligence, making accusations that I was trolling, shaming me for, they claim, misunderstanding and making claims about atheist perspective (straw man), and making me feel generally unwelcome.

Well thanks, you've been less than helpful. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't that.

Making assumptions about 'atheists' is not the way to go, it will get people's backs-up. Outside of the rejection of a belief in deities, there are no other assumptions you can or even should make about atheists.

You don't demand respect, you earn it.

MM

[fr0d0]

QFT

Did anyone start that cry baby thread yet?

[ignoramus]

That's a little harsh.
I reckon she's one of us.... On a bad first date...
Hopefully, one day, when we are all friends, we can all laugh about it...
It's Friday and time for a cider!

[sswhateverlove]

Then maybe you should have lurked a little more... gotten to know the people around here a little.

You know, you could be learning about the community as a whole, but instead you're lashing against most suggestions as to actually *how* you can get along here. I've seriously tried with you, and so have a lot of others... I even posted in a mod thread about how I'd like to see you become a valuable member... but you just push and push.

This is the Intro forum, and I'm a mod, and I really am squeezing the rules here, but just a little advice (again): try not to be so combative; try to ease into the banter here. You're obviously pushing a lot of buttons; maybe you should reflect on why that's happening.

Hmm... My motives were not to lurk. My motives were not to learn about the community as a whole. My motives were to have an intellectual discussion about very specific things I had previously written. If you do not think I'm a "valuable member" because you think I "push and push", that says more about you than it does about me. My pushing has been defensive, not combative. I'm pushing buttons because people don't like my opinions. It's to be expected. I'm not here to make friends (though some people have been nice), I'm here for intellectual debate. If anything, I've consistently avoided personal insults, name-calling, and other harsh words, unlike other "valuable members"? of the forum.

I know it's not just me to blame, because I recognize there are sympathizers and people that have seen this happen over and over to other people who come on here. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to take your shaming to heart.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

QFT

Did anyone start that cry baby thread yet?

I think you've already started it haven't you, frods?

Instead of having to go through this circus act with so many new members, as so many mods keep on complaining about, why don't you either change your attitude, change the rules, or make it a public notice on the new member sign up page. I'm certainly sick of your whining.

[rexbeccarox]

Ok. I tried. I'm done.

Welcome, OP... Have a wicked good time here.

[Losty]

Hmm... My motives were not to lurk. My motives were not to learn about the community as a whole. My motives were to have an intellectual discussion about very specific things I had previously written. If you do not think I'm a "valuable member" because you think I "push and push", that says more about you than it does about me. My pushing has been defensive, not combative. I'm pushing buttons because people don't like my opinions. It's to be expected. I'm not here to make friends (though some people have been nice), I'm here for intellectual debate. If anything, I've consistently avoided personal insults, name-calling, and other harsh words, unlike other "valuable members"? of the forum.

I know it's not just me to blame, because I recognize there are sympathizers and people that have seen this happen over and over to other people who come on here. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to take your shaming to heart.

You're not here to make friends? Well then why are you surprised that you haven't been accepted well? Honestly, we aren't sitting around here waiting to serve people who wish to have debates about beliefs. Yes sure, there are those of us who will debate you. Some are excellent at it. I just want to remind you though that this is called atheist forums for a reason. This is our community. A place for us to be welcome. If you're not intending to make friends, the odds are you won't find many. Maybe you should go off to a religious debate forum. I haven't read any of your threads besides this one. You know why? Because I don't know you. If you think you have a new idea on the internet...you're most likely wrong. I don't read super long boring threads about god and other ish I couldn't care less about, unless it is written by a poster that I value. Generally that doesn't mean I have to like you just that I have to know you.


Also, I apologize if any of this makes no sense. It's like 5 something in the morning here. Umm...where was I?

Oh yea, this shouldn't be new. I don't understand why this is surprising. You come to a new place where no one knows you and you don't bother to say hello. Instead you immediately jump in with a "you people think this" and "this is why you're wrong". You don't need a disclaimer for that. Anyone with common sense should know that they won't be received well like that. Imagine that you're in a Christian cafe just having a coffee with your friends when along comes some guy you don't know who starts babbling on about the lack of evidence for god. You're going to be like, "who are you and why are you bothering us?"
It's kind of the same idea here.

[Ben Davis]

from the UK. Would you like a cup of tea to go with Luckie's biscuits?



I have to say that I saw some of your other threads before I saw this one and couldn't help thinking 'If only she'd created an intro thread...'.

Now that I've said 'hi', I'll wade in. See you on the boards

[Keri]

Hmm... My motives were not to lurk. My motives were not to learn about the community as a whole. My motives were to have an intellectual discussion about very specific things I had previously written. If you do not think I'm a "valuable member" because you think I "push and push", that says more about you than it does about me. My pushing has been defensive, not combative. I'm pushing buttons because people don't like my opinions. It's to be expected. I'm not here to make friends (though some people have been nice), I'm here for intellectual debate. If anything, I've consistently avoided personal insults, name-calling, and other harsh words, unlike other "valuable members"? of the forum.

I know it's not just me to blame, because I recognize there are sympathizers and people that have seen this happen over and over to other people who come on here. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to take your shaming to heart.

Regardless if you're here to make friends or not, it's called courtesy and being polite in introducing yourself.

Also, I've noticed that you've completely ignored a good majority of the welcoming responses to you on this intro thread. If you can't manage a simple thank you, then a thumbsup/kudos goes a long way.

With that said, welcome (again), if you plan on sticking around I hope you enjoy your time here.

[fr0d0]

Tea. How civilised.