I come here not as often as I used to. (I do post once in while, but maybe it's a little too scarce for most members to notice that I'm even coming here). The reason for my reduced participation in the last two years is, essentially, that I am just not motivated to discuss religious themes. I don't think these kind of discussions bring about any significant or positive changes for the most part. It's just the same arguments from both theists and atheists. So, to each his own. I'd rather not waste my time on such fruitless discussions.

But, still, since I've been a member of this forum, sometimes I just feel like browsing the forum briefly from time to time. I go to the politics and current affairs mostly, because of all the weird and crazy things happening in the US election and stuff. But again, I am not interested to read the faith-related conversations in this forum as much as I used to be. It's almost predictable what I'm going to see in there. Meh.

(August 13, 2016 at 6:10 am)robvalue Wrote:

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These are some questions for the theists of all kinds who come to this forum. I'll make it simple and say that for the purposes of this thread, a theist is someone who believes an intelligent force was responsible for the creation of our reality.



1) What are your main reasons for coming to this forum? What do you hope to achieve?

2) For each of the above reasons, where applicable:

A) What kind of techniques have you used to try and achieve your goal?

B) How successful do you feel each of these techniques has been?

C) Are there any other techniques you can think of that you may use in the future?



I'm not going to offer any opinion at all about the replies, unless I'm invited to. I'm just genuinely interested.

Many thanks!

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Answers to your questions.

[I]1) There are a number of reasons, many of them selfish. But, I'm looking for good discussions, and perhaps to make people consider something different and to challenge their preconceptions.

2) Not sure... seems to be an incomplete sentence

A) I don't know that I have a any specific technique, that I'm am purposely trying to employ. I think it's more of a mix.

B) Since there is no specific technique, this question is rather moot. However I have noticed, that taking the same arguments and applying them to other things is not as successful as one might think, in getting others to realize, that they are bad arguments.

C) I mostly just discuss, and while I may pay attention to what type of questions / technique get's better responses, I'm not going for any particular scheme.

Note.... damn it man! Pick a bullet theme and stick with it.

RR: Rob wants you to apply questions A, B, and C to EACH of the reasons you gave as answers to question 1. It's not that hard, really...[emoji848]

Self martyrdom, The ability to tell themselves that they tried to give those pesky non believing evidence wanting heathens the "truth" but they keep rejecting it.

The others are bored poe's who have likely been banned from all the believer boards.

(August 13, 2016 at 8:15 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote: RR: Rob wants you to apply questions A, B, and C to EACH of the reasons you gave as answers to question 1. It's not that hard, really...[emoji848]

Ok... That makes sense.... The i in the original didn't help things though...

Thank you Rayaan and Roadrunner for your answers

(August 13, 2016 at 4:25 pm)Rayaan Wrote: I come here not as often as I used to. (I do post once in while, but maybe it's a little too scarce for most members to notice that I'm even coming here). The reason for my reduced participation in the last two years is, essentially, that I am just not motivated to discuss religious themes. I don't think these kind of discussions bring about any significant or positive changes for the most part. It's just the same arguments from both theists and atheists. So, to each his own. I'd rather not waste my time on such fruitless discussions.

But, still, since I've been a member of this forum, sometimes I just feel like browsing the forum briefly from time to time. I go to the politics and current affairs mostly, because of all the weird and crazy things happening in the US election and stuff. But again, I am not interested to read the faith-related conversations in this forum as much as I used to be. It's almost predictable what I'm going to see in there. Meh.

Whenever I see a Rayaan post it brightens my day. Too many good members have just disappeared without explanation.

Quote:1) What are your main reasons for coming to this forum? What do you hope to achieve?

Testing my faith and nerves against the odds; maybe somebody disprove it for me? 
I hear that many have quite good reasons behind disbelieving, so why not discover my options?

Another reason is the society I come from, it lacking freedom of speech and freedom to discuss religion out in the public.

Quote:A) What kind of techniques have you used to try and achieve your goal? 

Getting close to the people I see decent, and give their opinion a hearing ear. Maybe they'll open my eyes to something I missed.

Quote:B) How successful do you feel each of these techniques has been?

Pretty good; except for some anti-theists here and there, that make the experience harder and more challenging.
But the nice people I knew truly outweigh the bad.

Quote:C) Are there any other techniques you can think of that you may use in the future?

Face to face discussion (not debate).

(August 14, 2016 at 6:29 am)AtlasS33 Wrote:

Quote:1) What are your main reasons for coming to this forum? What do you hope to achieve?

Testing my faith and nerves against the odds; maybe somebody disprove it for me? 
I hear that many have quite good reasons behind disbelieving, so why not discover my options?

Another reason is the society I come from, it lacking freedom of speech and freedom to discuss religion out in the public.

Quote:A) What kind of techniques have you used to try and achieve your goal? 

Getting close to the people I see decent, and give their opinion a hearing ear. Maybe they'll open my eyes to something I missed.

Quote:B) How successful do you feel each of these techniques has been?

Pretty good; except for some anti-theists here and there, that make the experience harder and more challenging.
But the nice people I knew truly outweigh the bad.

Quote:C) Are there any other techniques you can think of that you may use in the future?

Face to face discussion (not debate).

Good answer. You're the kind of theist I like talking to even if we disagree in the end.

(August 14, 2016 at 6:29 am)AtlasS33 Wrote:

Quote:1) What are your main reasons for coming to this forum? What do you hope to achieve?

Testing my faith and nerves against the odds; maybe somebody disprove it for me? 
I hear that many have quite good reasons behind disbelieving, so why not discover my options?

Another reason is the society I come from, it lacking freedom of speech and freedom to discuss religion out in the public.

Quote:A) What kind of techniques have you used to try and achieve your goal? 

Getting close to the people I see decent, and give their opinion a hearing ear. Maybe they'll open my eyes to something I missed.

Quote:B) How successful do you feel each of these techniques has been?

Pretty good; except for some anti-theists here and there, that make the experience harder and more challenging.
But the nice people I knew truly outweigh the bad.

Quote:C) Are there any other techniques you can think of that you may use in the future?

Face to face discussion (not debate).

TBH Atlas, I don't really see how you have tested your faith at all since you've been here.  You seem to avoid engaging in direct, thoughtful discussions related to your religious beliefs in favor of poetry writing and telling atheists they are going to hell.  In order to "test" your beliefs, you have to be willing to listen to other people, no just preach. This is my perception, anyway.  Maybe others have had different experiences with you. But I still think you're a very nice guy, if it's worth anything to you. ?