Thanks again to all, and for all the advice and help. The format here is a little different than I'm use to, so I'm sure that I will make some mistakes in posts and format, and ask for forgiveness in advance.

As I said, I am interested in discussion. I have learned, to stay away from generalizations, and even try to stay focused on what is being said, rather than trying to jump to conclusions about where the other is going. I will try to be direct, and honest in my replies. I've also learned to ignore the ignorant and angry posters who really aren't interested in discussion. I've found this helpful in the past.

(September 30, 2015 at 6:39 pm)RoadRunner79 Wrote: Thanks again to all, and for all the advice and help. The format here is a little different than I'm use to, so I'm sure that I will make some mistakes in posts and format, and ask for forgiveness in advance.

As I said, I am interested in discussion. I have learned, to stay away from generalizations, and even try to stay focused on what is being said, rather than trying to jump to conclusions about where the other is going. I will try to be direct, and honest in my replies. I've also learned to ignore the ignorant and angry posters who really aren't interested in discussion. I've found this helpful in the past.

You stick to that and you will do just fine here

(September 29, 2015 at 6:32 pm)Whateverist the White Wrote: Welcome. I'm eager to ask you if you hold your theistic beliefs with as much agnosticism as I do my atheism. I'll go check to see if you have started any other threads yet. But make yourself to home.


Oh and I meant to ask if you intended to spell out what a "reformed protestant" is in the sense you're using the words.

I would consider myself fairly confident in my beliefs, and I do try to research others claims (as well as my own) to see if they have a solid foundation. So while it is difficult to gauge your agnosticism, I don't think that I would describe myself that way in regards to theology. However I do consider myself skeptical, and do think that when doubting a claim, that agnosticism is the correct position. I also believe that we can hold evidence in tension, while still be skeptical.

I haven't started any posts yet, but was thinking about a discussion about the mix I have seen between modern and post modern philosophy. I have seen it used by Christians and atheist, an inconsistency, between beliefs that they wish to hold and those they want to oppose. When they want to oppose something, they become very modernist, demanding extraordinary proof. Then on the other hand, when in a corner, they pull out the post modernist view, and claim that nothing can really be known. There is a mixture of the two that must be held. Both philosophies are harmful to discovering truths in their extremes. But is the inconsistency, that I find to be rather slippery in discussion.

(September 30, 2015 at 6:42 pm)lkingpinl Wrote:

(September 30, 2015 at 6:39 pm)RoadRunner79 Wrote: Thanks again to all, and for all the advice and help.  The format here is a little different than I'm use to, so I'm sure that I will make some mistakes in posts and format, and ask for forgiveness in advance.

As I said, I am interested in discussion.  I have learned, to stay away from generalizations, and even try to stay focused on what is being said, rather than trying to jump to conclusions about where the other is going.  I will try to be direct, and honest in my replies.  I've also learned to ignore the ignorant and angry posters who really aren't interested in discussion.  I've found this helpful in the past.

You stick to that and you will do just fine here

I agree! This sounds very promising. If there's one mistake theists make on this board more than any other it's treating all atheists like a hive mind. Those that take the time to get to know us tend to be the ones that don't subscribe to such nonsense.

I'll give you one more tip, one which some of our theists seem totally unable to grasp. Many of the atheists on this forum, myself included, would not become Christian even if it was all true as claimed. Those that fail to grasp this think we would sign up instantly if they could just convince us about the evidence. There are several reasons for this, which will vary for each atheist with such a position.

(September 30, 2015 at 7:55 pm)robvalue Wrote:

(September 30, 2015 at 6:42 pm)lkingpinl Wrote: You stick to that and you will do just fine here

I agree! This sounds very promising. If there's one mistake theists make on this board more than any other it's treating all atheists like a hive mind. Those that take the time to get to know us tend to be the ones that don't subscribe to such nonsense.

I'll give you one more tip, one which some of our theists seem totally unable to grasp. Many of the atheists on this forum, myself included, would not become Christian even if it was all true as claimed. Those that fail to grasp this think we would sign up instantly if they could just convince us about the evidence. There are several reasons for this, which will vary for each atheist with such a position.

Oh I agree Rob, don't come here in hopes of reaching people to convert them.  Come to discuss, learn and build relationships.

You bet In case it wasn't clear, the tip was for our newcomer, I'm fully aware you don't make such rookie mistakes

Atheists just sit back and let science and reality do the deconverting for us! No need to lift a finger...

Welcome to the forum. You automatically seem like you will be a good fit.