Always glad to see an engineer. I come from a long line of engineers; my dad has Chemical and Nuclear Engineering BSc degrees, and a Master's in Process Engineering, with parts of a doctorate.
Just wanted to reiterate the comment about "the New Atheists". I don't know what the hell that is or is supposed to be (I've had it defined for me, and near as I can tell it either refers to a couple of assholes whom Christians seem to think speak for all of us, or else it refers to any atheist who is no longer forced by threats of violence to stay quiet and/or deferential to the dominant faith-group), but as others pointed out to you, it can be seen as an irritating thing to say. I doubt you meant it as an insult, but unfortunately for you we've had a recent string of (now banned) people who have come here and started by calling attention, politely, to the "problems of New Atheism", and before long devolved into posting pictures of hell with giant font telling us that's where we're going, etc.
You will find, quite simply, that if you treat us like people, we'll return the favor. You're welcome to use strong arguments, but the moment you start committing fallacies and/or relying on bad data as part of your premise, you can expect sharp correction (we do this to one another, as well, often quite stridently), and if you persist on using demonstrably false data or questionable sources of information, it will quickly turn to simply saying not-nice things about you.
So, welcome to AF, and I hope you turn into one of the cool theists we have here. I like the ones we have but we can always use a few more.
Just wanted to reiterate the comment about "the New Atheists". I don't know what the hell that is or is supposed to be (I've had it defined for me, and near as I can tell it either refers to a couple of assholes whom Christians seem to think speak for all of us, or else it refers to any atheist who is no longer forced by threats of violence to stay quiet and/or deferential to the dominant faith-group), but as others pointed out to you, it can be seen as an irritating thing to say. I doubt you meant it as an insult, but unfortunately for you we've had a recent string of (now banned) people who have come here and started by calling attention, politely, to the "problems of New Atheism", and before long devolved into posting pictures of hell with giant font telling us that's where we're going, etc.
You will find, quite simply, that if you treat us like people, we'll return the favor. You're welcome to use strong arguments, but the moment you start committing fallacies and/or relying on bad data as part of your premise, you can expect sharp correction (we do this to one another, as well, often quite stridently), and if you persist on using demonstrably false data or questionable sources of information, it will quickly turn to simply saying not-nice things about you.
So, welcome to AF, and I hope you turn into one of the cool theists we have here. I like the ones we have but we can always use a few more.
A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
