(August 21, 2011 at 3:47 pm)Ace Otana Wrote:

(August 21, 2011 at 3:11 pm)Cinjin Wrote: god I hope you're talking about cigarettes.

'Fags' is British slang meaning 'cigarette'.
He's a Brit. Clocked on the moment he said "Ta".

I'd have thought NHS and BBC would have been a clue, as well. I'm actually English actually, old darlings.

"But I'm living in Schotland, Mish Moneypenny"

Changes everyfink, dunnit?

(August 21, 2011 at 4:02 pm)Godnose Wrote: I'd have thought NHS and BBC would have been a clue, as well. I'm actually English actually, old darlings.

"But I'm living in Schotland, Mish Moneypenny"

Changes everyfink, dunnit?

You jolly buggery bugger! Bloody hell! I Banned a fellow Brit! May her majesty forgive me.

So, where's ya from. London? Harlow? Buggerton?

Sorry about that - changed me mind

I'm a highschool drop out God. Nothing wrong with being "uneducated". Religious institutions have nothing to offer that isn't available elsewhere, and the assumption that they demand, or imply, by their very existence, is something you wont find a lot of sympathy for among atheists.

(August 21, 2011 at 2:17 pm)Godnose Wrote:

(August 21, 2011 at 12:55 pm)Tiberius Wrote:

(August 21, 2011 at 12:18 pm)Godnose Wrote: It's free at the point of use, like the NHS. Or the BBC.

Except that we pay for the NHS in our taxes, and you have to pay the BBC for a TV license in order to watch it...

That's what "free at the point of use means".

Then you could argue that practically everything is "free at the point of use". Paying for something and using it are usually different events.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: Frankly my experience as atheists is not really very pleasant, I find they tend to be a pretty supercilious bunch who rather look down on ordinary folks like me, somewhat like toffs look down on what they regard as oiks. They seem to think if you aint been to university or can't talk in some kind of clever speak then you got no right to be an atheist - but still not allowed to be religious of course.

You seem like you have a rather large chip on your shoulder (or perhaps a whole bag of McCains). There are some very intelligent people on this forum and I won't pretend to be one of them but I really do think the idea that you are being looked down on because of a lack of vocabulary or similar reasons is a construct of your own imagination.

I think the problem is more that with the questions you ask, you don't like the answers you receive so you dismiss them offhand.

It also doesn't help to tar everyone on the forum with the same brush and you really need to either explain what this 'atheist dogma' is supposed to be or drop it as it seems to just be something you use to make snide comments.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: Oh, the topic went out the window yonks ago IMO. I'm finding they usually do after about 5 or 6 posts. I reckon no-one really wants 'em, they just wants to lark around. I'm not averse to a bit of larkin' around meself, as it happens, but I do see it as a bit of a weakness.

You perpetuate it by ignoring genuine responses to the topic when they are made.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: Whenever I start a new topic, I genuinely do intend it to be a proper discussion - in fact that's the whole proper reason what I came to this site for.

Prove it.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: Cos it p1ss lonely being an atheist round here - I mean, there's plenty of folks I can get on with, but it never seems to take long before I discover they're into one daft religion or another. Particularly since I had to start this no drinking a few years ago, so I have to go to coffee mornings and stuff and mostly that stuff's all connected with religion. Not overtly necessarily, but it's usually organised by churchy people and the thing is always in the air. I'm reasonably vocal about my atheism but don't want to ram it down people's throats when basically they are being pretty good to me.

Just because the support you get doesn't come from atheists does not mean that atheists do not provide the same support. The question you posed is whether there is something religion provides that secularists do not and the answer is no.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: The fact is, people on this forum seem convinced that religious institutions have nothing to offer, but I can tell you I would be pretty darn p1ssed-off isolated round these parts if I was to rely on the atheists for my socialisation.

Nobody said they have nothing to offer. The point is that they have nothing unique to offer.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: Frankly my experience as atheists is not really very pleasant, I find they tend to be a pretty supercilious bunch who rather look down on ordinary folks like me, somewhat like toffs look down on what they regard as oiks.

As evidenced by your poor treatment of atheists. You came in here (apparently) with the idea that atheists are assholes and the way you have interacted thusfar is evidence of that bias. We're not here to change your mind. We're here to have discussions. If you can't do that without being snarky, that is not our fault. When you are impolite, you will find that most people are rude back.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: They seem to think if you aint been to university or can't talk in some kind of clever speak then you got no right to be an atheist - but still not allowed to be religious of course.

That is an incorrect assessment. We don't run around telling people they are not allowed to be atheists. However, we are rightfully offended when a person, such as yourself, comes in and starts making all kinds of blanket statements, insults and pure lies about atheism and atheists in general.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: instead of doing your best to put people like me down all the time you should be bending over backwards to welcome us into the rarified air of your blooming company. Cos its only when the ordinary folks change that any real social change can take on.

We are ordinary folk. That being said, speaking for myself, bending over backwards isn't my style. It is up to you to be able to handle social situations. I'll not hold your hand.

(August 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm)Godnose Wrote: Phew! Sorry about that. Bit of a rant there. And now I don't bloody want to be banned any more...

Just kiddin' about that, BTW

Seriously, if you really want to be banned, you can request that. If you are completely honest about it, please contact a member of the staff in a private message and we will be happy to assist you.

Sorry - changed my mind.

(August 21, 2011 at 5:01 pm)Godnose Wrote: Sorry - changed my mind.

Terrible habit you have there.

(August 21, 2011 at 5:01 pm)Godnose Wrote: Sorry - changed my mind.

And you ignore the rest of my reply. Odd for someone who is here for discussion.