Here's the thing: when entering an unfamiliar situation, doesn't it make sense to get the lay of the land first?
I lurked (meaning I read various threads in this forum before signing up for an account) for over a week in order to get a feel for the people and how things were done. After I made my account, I posted a new thread in the Introductions subsection, and gave a bit of my background and why I decided to come here. From there, I simply engaged with people. Sometimes harshly, sometimes regrettably, but always honestly, and always in a manner in which I could be best understood.
Etiquette does exist online. It's not much different than real life etiquette, except that rebukes are generally swift and harsh.
Would you simply hand your treatise to a stranger on the street with no introduction? If not, then why would you think doing it online was sufficiently different?
I'm not trying to brow beat you on this, but, if you're actually trying to be truthful with us, it's something you need to understand. As intentionally loosely moderated as the forum is, how other people perceive you and engage with you is essentially the same as real life. The question I asked earlier - would you behave this way to your family or friends? - was designed to reframe your perspective.
This is a community of people from different backgrounds, spread across the world. We have some members well-versed in philosophy, others less so. But, given the nature of the forum, this is not an academic-driven space. It's main purpose is to be a place where atheists can safely gather and interact with their fellow heathens, as well as with people from myriad faiths. And while the philosophy section is obviously for philosophical discussions, anyone is free to participate (which is why there were so many calls for simpler language).
So, if you're not simply trolling, why not make an introduction thread (in the Introduction subsection) to tell everyone about yourself, why you're here, etc.?
I lurked (meaning I read various threads in this forum before signing up for an account) for over a week in order to get a feel for the people and how things were done. After I made my account, I posted a new thread in the Introductions subsection, and gave a bit of my background and why I decided to come here. From there, I simply engaged with people. Sometimes harshly, sometimes regrettably, but always honestly, and always in a manner in which I could be best understood.
Etiquette does exist online. It's not much different than real life etiquette, except that rebukes are generally swift and harsh.
Would you simply hand your treatise to a stranger on the street with no introduction? If not, then why would you think doing it online was sufficiently different?
I'm not trying to brow beat you on this, but, if you're actually trying to be truthful with us, it's something you need to understand. As intentionally loosely moderated as the forum is, how other people perceive you and engage with you is essentially the same as real life. The question I asked earlier - would you behave this way to your family or friends? - was designed to reframe your perspective.
This is a community of people from different backgrounds, spread across the world. We have some members well-versed in philosophy, others less so. But, given the nature of the forum, this is not an academic-driven space. It's main purpose is to be a place where atheists can safely gather and interact with their fellow heathens, as well as with people from myriad faiths. And while the philosophy section is obviously for philosophical discussions, anyone is free to participate (which is why there were so many calls for simpler language).
So, if you're not simply trolling, why not make an introduction thread (in the Introduction subsection) to tell everyone about yourself, why you're here, etc.?
"I was thirsty for everything, but blood wasn't my style" - Live, "Voodoo Lady"
