Please add your advice for fellow members on how best to keep both to the spirit and the rule against rude treatment of noobs on the Introductions thread. Most often this isn't hard. But sometimes they are want to make assertions of precisely the kind which make us smack our lips and leap up to snatch the treat before its time.
Fortunately it is possible to respond in a manner that is both sufficiently polite and good natured while at the same time sharing a little about yourself. Here I'll share my latest attempt with what I hope will be helpful commentary.
Rule #1: Always include a greeting. Everyone deserves that.
Here I've managed to deliver the greeting and at the same time acknowledge the noob's bravery in coming onto a site so outside his/her comfort zone. Since the noob was happy to share so many assumptions about us it seemed fitting to let him know he might be in for a few surprises.
Rule #2: Self depreciating humor is always best on the intro thread. Personal attacks have no place here.
If you are going to offer any constructive criticism be sure to throw a wide enough net that they can't possible take it personally. By tossing some of my fellow atheists under the same bus, I let him know he is okay with me.
It helps that I truly do not begrudge theists their beliefs. If you really believe the world would be better off without them, you probably won't be able to hide that.
Okay, who else has some more advice to share?
Fortunately it is possible to respond in a manner that is both sufficiently polite and good natured while at the same time sharing a little about yourself. Here I'll share my latest attempt with what I hope will be helpful commentary.
Rule #1: Always include a greeting. Everyone deserves that.
(February 21, 2015 at 12:59 pm)whateverist Wrote: Welcome to a world that does not revolve around what you already believe. Hope the shock doesn't cause you to wig out.
Here I've managed to deliver the greeting and at the same time acknowledge the noob's bravery in coming onto a site so outside his/her comfort zone. Since the noob was happy to share so many assumptions about us it seemed fitting to let him know he might be in for a few surprises.
Rule #2: Self depreciating humor is always best on the intro thread. Personal attacks have no place here.
(February 21, 2015 at 12:59 pm)whateverist Wrote: I would have thought if you've already debated many atheists you would already have a sense of how they think. Most of us aren't at all certain that there is no god. For most of us it is just a silly, fanciful notion which isn't to be taken seriously. There is no need to argue against god belief. You're welcome to it.
If you are going to offer any constructive criticism be sure to throw a wide enough net that they can't possible take it personally. By tossing some of my fellow atheists under the same bus, I let him know he is okay with me.
It helps that I truly do not begrudge theists their beliefs. If you really believe the world would be better off without them, you probably won't be able to hide that.
Okay, who else has some more advice to share?
