1 – What is your age, gender, location?
22, a man, Birmingham/United Kingdom
2 - How often do you visit the forum / post on the forum?
Most days
3 - Do you ever meet any other members IRL/AFK (Away From Keyboard)? If so, in what context (other atheist group meetings/socials, other shared hobbies or interests unrelated to atheism)?
Haven't yet but wouldn't be against it. If it's relevent, I have gone to meet people I've met on another forum than this one.
4 - Do you feel Atheist Forums offers a sense of community?
Yes to a large extent. Supportive and engaging conversations
5 - Do you have any access to an IRL/AFK atheist community? If so, how does it differ from what you get out of Atheist Forums?
Aside from having some real life atheist friends, no, nothing official or organised
6 - Do you find it easier to communicate and voice your opinions online on the forum, than offline face to face? Has participation here made it easier for you to talk about belief, perhaps helped you prepare for such conversations?
Initially, yes, I found it hard in real life. Having a sense of validation on here made it easier in real life. I'm at a point now where I'm as open about my opinions in real life as I am online.
7 – Does being part of Atheist Forums affect your offline social life? If yes, how?
No.
8 - Do you think there's a downside to communicating online rather than just offline?
Conversations aren't as spontaneous or contextual. I feel real life conversation is better for developing social skills. The forum does leave me feeling like I've had decent social interaction though.
9 – What do you think is the best aspect of communicating in Atheist Forums?
Friendly atmosphere for the most part.
10 – Do you communicate with any Atheist Forums member via off-forum messaging service (Messenger, Skype, Whatsapp)? If so how many, how often, in depth conversations or small talk?
None so far, but again I wouldn't be against it
12 – Any other comments or thoughts?
No.
22, a man, Birmingham/United Kingdom
2 - How often do you visit the forum / post on the forum?
Most days
3 - Do you ever meet any other members IRL/AFK (Away From Keyboard)? If so, in what context (other atheist group meetings/socials, other shared hobbies or interests unrelated to atheism)?
Haven't yet but wouldn't be against it. If it's relevent, I have gone to meet people I've met on another forum than this one.
4 - Do you feel Atheist Forums offers a sense of community?
Yes to a large extent. Supportive and engaging conversations
5 - Do you have any access to an IRL/AFK atheist community? If so, how does it differ from what you get out of Atheist Forums?
Aside from having some real life atheist friends, no, nothing official or organised
6 - Do you find it easier to communicate and voice your opinions online on the forum, than offline face to face? Has participation here made it easier for you to talk about belief, perhaps helped you prepare for such conversations?
Initially, yes, I found it hard in real life. Having a sense of validation on here made it easier in real life. I'm at a point now where I'm as open about my opinions in real life as I am online.
7 – Does being part of Atheist Forums affect your offline social life? If yes, how?
No.
8 - Do you think there's a downside to communicating online rather than just offline?
Conversations aren't as spontaneous or contextual. I feel real life conversation is better for developing social skills. The forum does leave me feeling like I've had decent social interaction though.
9 – What do you think is the best aspect of communicating in Atheist Forums?
Friendly atmosphere for the most part.
10 – Do you communicate with any Atheist Forums member via off-forum messaging service (Messenger, Skype, Whatsapp)? If so how many, how often, in depth conversations or small talk?
None so far, but again I wouldn't be against it
12 – Any other comments or thoughts?
No.
"Adulthood is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an airplane" - sarcasm_only
"Ironically like the nativist far-Right, which despises multiculturalism, but benefits from its ideas of difference to scapegoat the other and to promote its own white identity politics; these postmodernists, leftists, feminists and liberals also use multiculturalism, to side with the oppressor, by demanding respect and tolerance for oppression characterised as 'difference', no matter how intolerable." - Maryam Namazie
"Ironically like the nativist far-Right, which despises multiculturalism, but benefits from its ideas of difference to scapegoat the other and to promote its own white identity politics; these postmodernists, leftists, feminists and liberals also use multiculturalism, to side with the oppressor, by demanding respect and tolerance for oppression characterised as 'difference', no matter how intolerable." - Maryam Namazie
