It's strange, people didn't seem so heavily divided when I joined a couple years ago. I definitely see why SummerQueen left, though I'm not about to follow.

(April 13, 2012 at 2:45 am)Shell B Wrote: Sometimes I think the sense of entitlement is the problem, not negativity or a lack of friendliness. Sometimes, the facts are simply negative. That does not make someone mean, negative, enjoying of conflict, bitchy, unfeeling or anything else. It seems like the only emotion that is acceptable is "Whoopee!" Forget being unemotional. That is just downright unacceptable. Sarcasm, don't even dare!

A debate is a debate. Insulting a person's argument is not a fucking character assassination. I've seen one or two of those around here. Shit, I've even doled one or two out. However, that is rare. To hear some people say it, "boo" is being too damn mean and it happens all the time here. It doesn't. Focus on the negative and that is all you will see.

You don't need to start a bogus poll to complain about certain members.

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(April 13, 2012 at 2:36 am)RaphielDrake Wrote: Also it is a movement of sorts, its a movement towards the ideal that religion should not interfere with our day to day life and that God isn't needed to give us meaning in our lives. I'm sure theres more I could mention but you get the point.

No, it's not. I don't care if religion interferes with people's lives or if people find meaning through god.

Pad's right. This ain't no stinking movement.

I don't think anythings wrong with using sarcasm or negativity just like I don't think theres anything wrong with using fireworks. They're enjoyable in moderation. I just think if you use them too much they loose their impact and all its achieving is pissing people off with the crap load of noise made.

The intelligent design people will be glad to hear that this isn't a movement to stop religion interfering with peoples lives though. I'll let them know they can teach my nephews any time they like, while I'm at it I can tell them that they can use the watchmaker argument in a debate all they like because no-one will mind. Those billboards? Don't worry about it.

I'm... not complaining? It was a genuine poll. One which doesn't seem to of been done before. I thought maybe it should be done if only to show a lack of bias. Do I really have to have some kind of agenda to want to do that?

<--- usually means kidding

(April 13, 2012 at 3:10 am)RaphielDrake Wrote: The intelligent design people will be glad to hear that this isn't a movement to stop religion interfering with peoples lives though. I'll let them know they can teach my nephews any time they like, while I'm at it I can tell them that they can use the watchmaker argument in a debate all they like because no-one will mind. Those billboards? Don't worry about it.

That's SECULARISM. Atheism is non-belief in god. You get secular theists as well.

Quote:I'm... not complaining? It was a genuine poll. One which doesn't seem to of been done before. I thought maybe it should be done if only to show a lack of bias. Do I really have to have some kind of agenda to want to do that?

Not at all. However, the key issue is that atheism itself covers a wide range of social, and political views because itseslf defines nothing but non-belief.
Communities which share similar social and political views may definitely be less prone to bickering, but that doesn't mean atheists are specifically egregious.

Oh, I better wind this up properly, so... FUUUUUU!

Quote:Whether you meant offense or not thats the kind of obnoxious response I'm talking about

Obnoxious? That was me being blunt,not obnoxious. If I had wanted to be obnoxious I would have told you to go fuck yourself.

Atheism is not 'sort of a movement",and cannot be by definition.

Oh, from whence did you get the notion that you have the right not to be offended?

I think it's just because atheists tend to also have other views on society. Misanthropes, nihilists, etc. Personally, I hate most people so I enjoy getting into it.

trolls in with the beatstick: I heard there was a conflict in this thread, how can I insert myself?

I think you have confused atheists with people that enjoy arguing on forums. Atheist forums are not the only forums where you'll find people ready to go on the attack at the drop of a hat. Welcome to the internet. Don't confuse it with reality and please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times.

I am not addicted to conflict and will punch any man who says different.

(April 13, 2012 at 10:59 am)Paul the Human Wrote: I think you have confused atheists with people that enjoy arguing on forums. Atheist forums are not the only forums where you'll find people ready to go on the attack at the drop of a hat. Welcome to the internet. Don't confuse it with reality and please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times.

Bang fucking on.