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A question for the religious members. Keep in mind there is no wrong answer. I'm genuinely curious and here's why:
Why are you here?
1. You're not allowed to proselytize on this site. Which means you'll have a hell of a time winning souls for Jesus/Allah - whatever.
2. You have to put up with a lot of mockery from the opposition. Lord knows I've done my fair share of ridiculing you.
3. Favor is going to be partial to the atheists should any dispute arise ... after all it is an Atheist's forum.
4. Several of you (Statler Waldorf comes to mind) seem to not even care about the "christian reputation" you leave behind. Some of you actually strengthen our resolve.
Those factors lead me to one conclusion. You're here because somewhere inside you, no matter how faint, there's a part of you that thinks that we might be right and that you might be wrong. Is that the case? If not, what continually brings a person of faith to these forums?
As a show of good faith, I will answer my own question.
I am here because I have found that most atheists and I are very like-minded. Despite my deistic beliefs, I lean heavily toward atheism on the majority of views and come here to engross myself with like-minded rational people who also dislike/hate revealed religions.
Note: In no way whatsoever am I implying that religious people should not be here. I welcome you all ... even the crazies - at least for awhile.
I'm here to strenghten my beliefs, you all challenge what I believe and that keeps me digging deeper into what I believe. You cause me to look harder and deeper into scripture which strengthens my faith. I've also come to learn more about atheist and I'm glad that I have, to me it shows that I'm growing as a person (christian). I knew coming here I would come under fire but that generally doesn't bother me, I know for certain that I was not having doubts about my beliefs and I knew that conversion would be a lost cause unless God was working in someones life, like tackattack I do not feel that I have to try and convert but want to defend christian beliefs. So much of scripture is misunderstood even by christians that I feel like the things I do understand should be shared. I know some here do not care for me and would like to see me go, that's not my fault so I guess I'll be around for a while yet. Thanks for asking Cinjin Cain.
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.
