(September 18, 2023 at 7:00 pm)Data Wrote:

(September 18, 2023 at 6:23 pm)SuperSentient Wrote: People will often cling to communities of like-minded people, whether that be religious, political, philosophical, fanbase, etc. Especially in this age of the internet where you can easily connect with niche communities that you may not have been able to find in-person. Atheist communities often express contempt towards religion (anti-theism) and there is a correlation to more naturalistic views of the world/metaphysics as well as political affiliation. I wouldn't fault anyone for making that connection. The reasons are often connected to many being ex-Christian, ex-Muslim, etc, many are still in their religious communities (and "closeted" so to speak), and so there is a lack of these like-minded people and no places to vent or voice their opinions on the matter (without some community repercussions anyways), so the internet is an attractive (and anonymous) place for that. Many will form their opinions there, and you will then have that community of like-minded people. 

My simple two cents.

Well spoken.

I don't fit anywhere. In the "real world" that's great. I prefer to be alone. I'm able to do that almost completely. I understand hatred for theism or atheism. The Bible makes use of hatred in various ways. I hate just about everyone and everything. In a righteous sense, meaning specifically that I want nothing to do with it. An unrighteous application of hate from the Biblical perspective is to wish harm upon someone or something. I never do that. While I think blowing off steam can be healthy I don't think harboring contempt for something, whether it be theism or atheism or whatever, is healthy.

When I first got online in the mid 1990s unbelievers would accuse me of hiding behind anonymity. I started posting my real street address, email, name and phone number on forums I posted on.

It certainly can be. I personally try to maintain a composure in online conversation that I would carry in real life with another person. It's easy to curse someone out behind the keyboard while in a face to face few would be able to maintain that level of vitriol.

(September 18, 2023 at 7:08 pm)Ahriman Wrote:

(September 18, 2023 at 7:03 pm)Data Wrote: I forgot to leave the footnote I footnoted. Oh well. 

You and I don't really know if God will do solve mankind's problems. I have faith. You do not.

Well I have faith in God, and also in myself. I don't just blindly expect God to take care of everything.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! The meek will inherit the earth and live forever in peace upon it ring any bells?

(September 18, 2023 at 7:07 pm)Data Wrote:

(September 18, 2023 at 7:01 pm)SuperSentient Wrote: Since I don't know the context here, I am in no position to judge the moderation of this forum. 

But I would be surprised if an atheist forum was so readily banning religious visitors (in a biased manner), you know how many debate-hungry atheists are on Reddit? Just go make a post on r/debateanatheist and you will see what I'm talking about. There is no shortage of atheists to argue with on Reddit if you are seeking that. A bunch of debate-bros.

Bloody hell, Reddit is the worst! They will shadow ban you or ban you even if you're atheist for disagreeing with anything they say. If you disagree on which brand of ketchup is the best they will swiftly boot you. I was never banned there because I got out before that could happen. All about silencing debate and free speech over there. Dregs of society.

I have had some bad experiences with r/atheism I'll admit, but I think as long as you are mindful of the rules and courteous to the conversation, you should be fine. Although your disagreers will probably find a reason to hate you regardless.

(September 18, 2023 at 7:18 pm)Data Wrote:

(September 18, 2023 at 7:08 pm)Ahriman Wrote: Well I have faith in God, and also in myself. I don't just blindly expect God to take care of everything.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! The meek will inherit the earth and live forever in peace upon it ring any bells?

I don't care about that because I'm not a Christian.

(September 18, 2023 at 7:16 pm)SuperSentient Wrote: It certainly can be. I personally try to maintain a composure in online conversation that I would carry in real life with another person. It's easy to curse someone out behind the keyboard while in a face to face few would be able to maintain that level of vitriol.

That's true. I usually respond in kind. And that tends to make me feel bad about myself, primarily because I allow it to happen. I lose control and I stoop to their level. It can depend on the context for me, as well. I get more out of civil discourse, but sometimes that isn't the language being spoken. And other times that's pretense. I don't get that with you, for example, but I do sometimes get that people are being disingenuous for their own sake. If the best I can do is tell someone to piss off then I will do that. Sometimes I get that it's their frustration and I sympathize with that and try to ignore it and try to have a civil discussion.

(September 18, 2023 at 7:24 pm)Ahriman Wrote:

(September 18, 2023 at 7:18 pm)Data Wrote: Whoa, whoa, whoa! The meek will inherit the earth and live forever in peace upon it ring any bells?

I don't care about that because I'm not a Christian.

Ahhh, that was stupid of me to assume that. I apologize. 

Do you mind my asking who your God is?

(September 18, 2023 at 7:19 pm)SuperSentient Wrote:

(September 18, 2023 at 7:07 pm)Data Wrote: Bloody hell, Reddit is the worst! They will shadow ban you or ban you even if you're atheist for disagreeing with anything they say. If you disagree on which brand of ketchup is the best they will swiftly boot you. I was never banned there because I got out before that could happen. All about silencing debate and free speech over there. Dregs of society.

I have had some bad experiences with r/atheism I'll admit, but I think as long as you are mindful of the rules and courteous to the conversation, you should be fine. Although your disagreers will probably find a reason to hate you regardless.

That's what I don't get. I don't get upset with disagreement I get upset at stupidity. Obstinance. Being confronted with ideological differences can be frustrating because they become such a part of us, and it's as difficult for me to be corrected as anyone else. I'm talking about rudeness and hate for the disagreement itself. Especially when free speech is involved. That I don't get. It's a thin line I suppose.

(September 18, 2023 at 7:29 pm)Data Wrote:

(September 18, 2023 at 7:19 pm)SuperSentient Wrote: I have had some bad experiences with r/atheism I'll admit, but I think as long as you are mindful of the rules and courteous to the conversation, you should be fine. Although your disagreers will probably find a reason to hate you regardless.

That's what I don't get. I don't get upset with disagreement I get upset at stupidity. Obstinance. Being confronted with ideological differences can be frustrating because they become such a part of us, and it's as difficult for me to be corrected as anyone else. I'm talking about rudeness and hate for the disagreement itself. Especially when free speech is involved. That I don't get. It's a thin line I suppose.

I take issue with echo chambers and lack of critical thinking that can come from this, but at the same time, it's not really all a free speech issue. Many communities require strict moderation to continue existing as they do or they just get overrun by dissenters. If a feminist space tolerates angry men coming on to debate and as a result, women just leave because they don't want to deal with it, then the quality of your unique community is degraded. 

This may not be a problem here, but it is a problem some communities face.

(September 18, 2023 at 7:15 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: Unofficial PSA - This isn't reddit.  This isn't Twitter or X or whatever.  This isn't all the other forums/platforms where people post things.

Here at AF we do not...do.not.ban.people.for.being.theist.

You'll need to put that on a sound byte for those who cannot read.

She tried to sell me parts for my Zod!