Hi guys, newbie here

[Whateverist]

This forum works best when people commit to civil, friendly dialogue and drop the gratuitous insults.

I can do civil, but I do not care for friendly.

I tend to not use profanity.

Why the fuck not?

Welcome, agnostic newb. I'm an agnostic atheist too. For me, the "agnostic" part is the more important as it goes to the regard I have for keeping clear on what I really know. The "atheist" part is just one of many a-'s which flow from that regard. I'm also a-unicornist, a-leprechaunist and a-othersillystuffist. But if someone walks through the saloon door with a unicorn on a cross, I'll probably just keep that stance to myself unless a need arises to mention it.

[justin]

Welcome from South Carolina brother.

[pocaracas]

Welcome Wes!
Enjoy this corner of the web.
It's not completely free of loonies, but they do give us some insight into the loonies out there.

[Ben Davis]

Hi Wes, fellow Brit here.

I know exactly how you feel. I'm an analyst yet find that there are people in my industry, one which holds the practical & accurate application of logic & reason as minimum requirements, who believe all sorts of nonsense in their private lives. Although this tends to be a minority, the majority simply don't raise any challenge when those nonsensical opinions intrude on work.

I consider this to be a side effect of british 'tolerance'; 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything'. Although that approach is fine most of the time, there are lines we should draw. I don't let off at work very often but I have confronted people's beliefs on the grounds that my peer group should all attempt to practice our critical reasoning skills as often as possible. Also when people have said things publically which are so shocking (e.g. discriminatory, laughably ludicrous) that I couldn't help myself.

I've found that my example has increased the number of people who now feel comfortable in raising such challenges so I feel more than a little pride in that. It has effected my reputation across the industry; enhanced it with most people but there are still those who think that I should always keep my mouth shut.