Open discussion of the Christian Why We're Here thread
May 4, 2018 at 12:52 pm
(This post was last modified: May 4, 2018 at 12:56 pm by Whateverist.)
So I'd prefer this thread be only for actually discussing points brought up in the Christian-only why-we're-here discussion thread or for evaluating particular posts they make there.
We're not under any special requirement to be civil here, but I would prefer that jokes for the sake of jokes, expression of ones dissatisfaction at being left out of the xtian club house, or venting of one's feelings about it all remain in one of the earlier threads which ultimately led to the one of interest here.
I don't anticipate following any technical discussion in that thread concerning scripture. But I wanted a place to share my response to their initial statement of why they're here.
C_L's first post was exactly what I would have expected and dove tails with what she has said elsewhere. She is mostly interested to understand the thinking of people who think differently than she does. While she admits she'd be delighted if anyone adopted her beliefs (presumably to share in the satisfaction she thinks contributes to her own happiness), she doesn't think it is a realistic expectation. My impression is that she is actually more motivated to earn our respect than to convert us. I think she would like for us to question any overly simplistic stereotypes we may have about believers.
It strikes me that her reasons are laudatory and realistic. Like a lot of others here, I am admittedly a big fan. But then, like her, I have no illusions of converting believers to atheists through anything I say or do here. If that were to happen I would only hope that the decrease in cognitive dissonance would be worth the price of surrendering the world view they seem to like so much. Really, I think it is the experience of the private relationship with a mysterious, wise and helpful other which they are most loath to lose and which would account for the dissatisfaction some genuinely seem to feel about it.
The case of Jacob(smooth) a very popular member who rarely posts any more comes to mind. He posted this very in depth response to my request for some biographical background. Jacob's autobiography He essentially de-converted from the Christian faith he had when he came here, though my impression was he might have come here to do that on some level. Looking back, he seems to have found a way to acknowledge some benefit in having been raised in the faith even though that all seemed based on a lie in retrospect. Or so it seems from this thread he started.
We're not under any special requirement to be civil here, but I would prefer that jokes for the sake of jokes, expression of ones dissatisfaction at being left out of the xtian club house, or venting of one's feelings about it all remain in one of the earlier threads which ultimately led to the one of interest here.
I don't anticipate following any technical discussion in that thread concerning scripture. But I wanted a place to share my response to their initial statement of why they're here.
C_L's first post was exactly what I would have expected and dove tails with what she has said elsewhere. She is mostly interested to understand the thinking of people who think differently than she does. While she admits she'd be delighted if anyone adopted her beliefs (presumably to share in the satisfaction she thinks contributes to her own happiness), she doesn't think it is a realistic expectation. My impression is that she is actually more motivated to earn our respect than to convert us. I think she would like for us to question any overly simplistic stereotypes we may have about believers.
It strikes me that her reasons are laudatory and realistic. Like a lot of others here, I am admittedly a big fan. But then, like her, I have no illusions of converting believers to atheists through anything I say or do here. If that were to happen I would only hope that the decrease in cognitive dissonance would be worth the price of surrendering the world view they seem to like so much. Really, I think it is the experience of the private relationship with a mysterious, wise and helpful other which they are most loath to lose and which would account for the dissatisfaction some genuinely seem to feel about it.
The case of Jacob(smooth) a very popular member who rarely posts any more comes to mind. He posted this very in depth response to my request for some biographical background. Jacob's autobiography He essentially de-converted from the Christian faith he had when he came here, though my impression was he might have come here to do that on some level. Looking back, he seems to have found a way to acknowledge some benefit in having been raised in the faith even though that all seemed based on a lie in retrospect. Or so it seems from this thread he started.
