(September 20, 2015 at 11:30 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote:

(September 20, 2015 at 10:56 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: I think the real problem has finally dawned on me...this isn't a forum for discussing Christianity.

It's just a forum for bashing it.

No one's handcuffed you to the doorknob, Cupcake.

Of course not. But if I were a cupcake, I wouldn't have joined to begin with.

Conversely, do you have the stones to take your pathetic arguments AGAINST theism to CAF?

Who's the cupcake now?

(September 21, 2015 at 12:04 am)Parkers Tan Wrote: I come here to discuss religion and other topics, not be preached at or slurred, and while I respect your live-and-let-live outlook, when someone gives me what-for I make my feelings plain ... no matter their faith or lack thereof.

But there's not really that much discussion going on, is there?

If atheists and theists were actually politely discussing IDEAS, this thead would not have gained such traction.

(September 21, 2015 at 12:35 am)Neimenovic Wrote: ....like I said, Randy. You absolutely deserve the responses you get. You made your bed, so don't come complaining.

How so, Nemo?

You of all people know that I have tried to politely discuss the questions and objections that are raised against theism and Christianity. You gave me a list of questions that you wanted me to answer, but in the end, you got pissed off and ended our dialogue before we made to the end of your list. The fact is, you just didn't like the answers you were receiving, and it was easier for you to go back to the snarky comments than to refute what I was saying.

Was that what I "deserved"?

Randy, if you're so disappointed with the level of discussion on this forum, you know where the log out button is. I can pretty much guarantee the situation isn't going to change to something more acceptable.

(September 21, 2015 at 12:53 am)rexbeccarox Wrote:

(September 20, 2015 at 7:51 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Ok ya'll, I get that you guys don't agree with the way Randy presents himself and his views around here, but this is just getting painful to watch. Ganging up on someone and calling them nasty names is never warranted, imho. A few of these posts are just getting to the point of being character assassination. This is a real person here, with a wife and kids, and other loved ones. Let's not forget that.

Uhhh... Randy started the thread we're currently in called "The Atheist Obsession With Insulting Christians".

How can you net see that, a. it's flamebait, and b. it's calling atheists nasty?

What could you possibly expect would happen in this scenario? And what does his personal life have to do with anything? every one of us has a personal life.

How can you not see that the article in the OP is a. confirmation of what I've been saying and that b. the problem is you atheists and not me.

Do you honestly believe that if you joined CAF or any number of Christian forums for the sole purpose of discussing the arguments for and against the existence of God, you would be subjected to the kind of vulgarity and disrespect that is routinely spewed at theists here? At CAF, I'd be banned in a heartbeat if I posted anything like the stuff that Minimalist and others say DAILY here. And it's not because he makes such strong arguments, either. I wish he would, but he seems to have gotten off the train of reason long ago.

Look, I'm not saying that you haven't received rude comments from people who ought to have behaved better in the past - either here or IRL - but the fact that you moderators not only allow this childish behavior but participate in it says all we really need to know about AF, doesn't it?

It's NOT a discussion forum. It's a place to mock religion, and that's what you want it to be.

Let's nip this in the bud. Ain't nobody interested in listening to the parroted position of RCC members over at the RCC forum. Don't try and insinuate that just because people haven't been and posted over there (and I'm sure it's a good group of people) that somehow that gives your position here more validity.

You seem to continue with the charade that your views and 'arguments' have merit and should be met with some sort of constructive critique. I haven't checked out all your threads or indeed arguments so I'm sure there's some validity to that view, but for the most part you are a plagiarising   proselytizer Who has zero credibility with any of the membership here. Nobody particularly cares about anything you have to say or any of the views you forward.

Nobody gives two craps about what you think about the forum or its membership, either. We are an open forum who are very liberal with allowing people to present their arguments. Nobody is stopping you doing this, and equally nobody is going to enforce that people who respond to you do so so as not to offend your sensibilities. We do not censor theists (otherwise there'd be none on here), and we only take action when the need arises (eg. Plagiarising other people's work and not giving citation). Just look at Drich, the guy who lied to a blind girl to 'test' her and has wished for people to contract illnesses. And guess what, still a member. Being an asshole isn't against the rules. Neither is 'bashing' religion. You have no authority to tell people what they *should* or shouldn't do.

But please continue believing the problem is anything/one other than you. I'm not going to respond to any more of these threads unless I receive a report or have to do so in an official capacity.

(September 21, 2015 at 1:03 am)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote:

(September 20, 2015 at 10:56 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: I think the real problem has finally dawned on me...this isn't a forum for discussing Christianity.

You're right. You're absolutely right. This isn't  a forum for discussing Christianity.

Congratulations, Randy, you finally got one right!

This is a forum for atheists to gather, learn about each other, socialize, point out interesting things to one another, joke with one another, and discuss all sorts of topics (the dominant religions of the world being one of those).

It's only your arrogance and self-centeredness that tells you it should be for discussing your  religion.

We atheists tend to work toward being open toward people who differ in opinion, and thus we welcome theists here in a way that is not, repeat not,  reciprocated by the theists, who almost universally treat us like shit wherever they hold dominant social control. The internet is one of the first times in all of history where we are relatively free to speak our minds openly, aside from private gatherings in homes (ironically akin to Christianity, in its early years). This is our free space, for the first time since the spread of Christianity and its repressions 1700 years ago.

And yet, you invade our sanctum, you abuse our hospitality, and then you try to play the victim card  when we don't welcome your self-righteous OneTrueFaith™ proselytization with open arms. 

This is our house. Polite guests are welcome, regardless of their personal opinions. But the moment you start to tread on us, the moment you start to think you are superior to us, or need not respect us, you can expect a shitstorm of hostile rhetoric coming back your way. And you will deserve every fleck of it.

You can stuff that "victim card" schtick where the sun don't shine, dude. That's not the point of my OP.

Nor am I some sunny little evangelical who expects you all to say the sinner's prayer with me because it's all just so obvious that Christianity is true. No, I expect some hard-nosed give-and-take, and I was hoping for some honest discussion of the issues. Atheism has some strong arguments, and I have to face them. But theism has some good arguments, too...despite what you may have heard from the low-information atheists in this forum.

But forgive me if I've invaded one (and only one, btw) subforum of YOUR HOUSE (the idea of which contradicts what others have said about this being a public forum) which was set up ostensibly for the purpose of discussing Christianity and then ACTUALLY ATTEMPTING to discuss Christianity.

Oh, I see where I went wrong...this subforum is where atheists gather to mock Christianity...not to discuss it.

Perhaps the sign on the door needs to be changed to reflect what Tiberius, Cthulhu Dreaming and others really envision.

(September 21, 2015 at 1:33 am)Parkers Tan Wrote:

(September 21, 2015 at 1:03 am)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote: You're right. You're absolutely right. This isn't  a forum for discussing Christianity.

Congratulations, Randy, you finally got one right!

This is a forum for atheists to gather, learn about each other, socialize, point out interesting things to one another, joke with one another, and discuss all sorts of topics (the dominant religions of the world being one of those).

It's only your arrogance and self-centeredness that tells you it should be for discussing your  religion.

We atheists tend to work toward being open toward people who differ in opinion, and thus we welcome theists here in a way that is not, repeat not,  reciprocated by the theists, who almost universally treat us like shit wherever they hold dominant social control. The internet is one of the first times in all of history where we are relatively free to speak our minds openly, aside from private gatherings in homes (ironically akin to Christianity, in its early years). This is our free space, for the first time since the spread of Christianity and its repressions 1700 years ago.

And yet, you invade our sanctum, you abuse our hospitality, and then you try to play the victim card  when we don't welcome your self-righteous OneTrueFaith™ proselytization with open arms. 

This is our house. Polite guests are welcome, regardless of their personal opinions. But the moment you start to tread on us, the moment you start to think you are superior to us, or need not respect us, you can expect a shitstorm of hostile rhetoric coming back your way. And you will deserve every fleck of it.

qfmft

I really admire your way with words, Rocky.

"Rocky".  Now why didn't I think of that?

(September 21, 2015 at 8:32 am)Randy Carson Wrote:

(September 21, 2015 at 12:53 am)rexbeccarox Wrote: Uhhh... Randy started the thread we're currently in called "The Atheist Obsession With Insulting Christians".

How can you net see that, a. it's flamebait, and b. it's calling atheists nasty?

What could you possibly expect would happen in this scenario? And what does his personal life have to do with anything? every one of us has a personal life.

How can you not see that the article in the OP is a. confirmation of what I've been saying and that b. the problem is you atheists and not me.

Do you honestly believe that if you joined CAF or any number of Christian forums for the sole purpose of discussing the arguments for and against the existence of God, you would be subjected to the kind of vulgarity and disrespect that is routinely spewed at theists here? At CAF, I'd be banned in a heartbeat if I posted anything like the stuff that Minimalist and others say DAILY here. And it's not because he makes such strong arguments, either. I wish he would, but he seems to have gotten off the train of reason long ago.

Look, I'm not saying that you haven't received rude comments from people who ought to have behaved better in the past - either here or IRL - but the fact that you moderators not only allow this childish behavior but participate in it says all we really need to know about AF, doesn't it?

It's NOT a discussion forum. It's a place to mock religion, and that's what you want it to be.

Randy, in my experience most Christian forums will ban you simply for being a atheist. I was banned from Christianforums.org immediately and on worthy Christian forums they don't ban you out right but they only allow you access to one subforum.

(September 21, 2015 at 8:32 am)Randy Carson Wrote:

(September 21, 2015 at 12:53 am)rexbeccarox Wrote: Uhhh... Randy started the thread we're currently in called "The Atheist Obsession With Insulting Christians".

How can you net see that, a. it's flamebait, and b. it's calling atheists nasty?

What could you possibly expect would happen in this scenario? And what does his personal life have to do with anything? every one of us has a personal life.

How can you not see that the article in the OP is a. confirmation of what I've been saying and that b. the problem is you atheists and not me.

Do you honestly believe that if you joined CAF or any number of Christian forums for the sole purpose of discussing the arguments for and against the existence of God, you would be subjected to the kind of vulgarity and disrespect that is routinely spewed at theists here? At CAF, I'd be banned in a heartbeat if I posted anything like the stuff that Minimalist and others say DAILY here. And it's not because he makes such strong arguments, either. I wish he would, but he seems to have gotten off the train of reason long ago.

Look, I'm not saying that you haven't received rude comments from people who ought to have behaved better in the past - either here or IRL - but the fact that you moderators not only allow this childish behavior but participate in it says all we really need to know about AF, doesn't it?

It's NOT a discussion forum. It's a place to mock religion, and that's what you want it to be.

Randy, 

I've not been a part of all of your threads so I can only speak from my personal experiences here.  In my first week I debated Rob on morality and at the end of the discussion where we reached an impasse we agreed to disagree and he thanked me for the great discussion and even gave me a rep after.  We have had many such discussions on various topics where even when someone vehemently disagrees with my points, the resulting discussion is still polite.  I've had Min throw out his typical attacks, but he was attacking what I believe and not me for believing it.  That's ok, he's entitled to his opinion.  Perhaps making comments like "who's the cupcake now?" are not the best course of action to show people you are trying to engage with them.  

You cannot guarantee that atheist ideas at CAF would be well received as you suggest.  In fact I may even be so bold as to predict that most people here would probably be banned in a week there the moment they start swearing or calling some of the points "crazy" or "stupid".  One thing I like about this place is freedom of expression for ALL.  That is the epitome of a great discussion place is everyone is free to bring up and discuss anything.  Asking what others think about an idea you present is a way to start a discussion, but telling others why what you state is correct and anything counter is wrong is way to stop discussion and start flaming.  Present an idea and get opinions on it and express what you think.  Take Shuffle for example.  He's started multiple threads asking questions to theists on what we think of this or that.  It started lots of discussion with varying ideas.  They were good topics.  Even when I don't agree with someone, I don't tell them they are wrong, because that paints me as condescending or superior (as others have pointed out), I simply state what I think and so I don't agree with their position.  Simple.  Hell, I've flat said I don't take evolution as a fact but I haven't been attacked for it because of how I present my thoughts and how I respond to others.