The Atheist Obsession with Insulting Christians

[Randy Carson]

How can you not see that the article in the OP is a. confirmation of what I've been saying and that b. the problem is you atheists and not me.

Do you honestly believe that if you joined CAF or any number of Christian forums for the sole purpose of discussing the arguments for and against the existence of God, you would be subjected to the kind of vulgarity and disrespect that is routinely spewed at theists here? At CAF, I'd be banned in a heartbeat if I posted anything like the stuff that Minimalist and others say DAILY here. And it's not because he makes such strong arguments, either. I wish he would, but he seems to have gotten off the train of reason long ago.

Look, I'm not saying that you haven't received rude comments from people who ought to have behaved better in the past - either here or IRL - but the fact that you moderators not only allow this childish behavior but participate in it says all we really need to know about AF, doesn't it?

It's NOT a discussion forum. It's a place to mock religion, and that's what you want it to be.

Randy, 

I've not been a part of all of your threads so I can only speak from my personal experiences here.  In my first week I debated Rob on morality and at the end of the discussion where we reached an impasse we agreed to disagree and he thanked me for the great discussion and even gave me a rep after.  We have had many such discussions on various topics where even when someone vehemently disagrees with my points, the resulting discussion is still polite.  I've had Min throw out his typical attacks, but he was attacking what I believe and not me for believing it.  That's ok, he's entitled to his opinion.  Perhaps making comments like "who's the cupcake now?" are not the best course of action to show people you are trying to engage with them.  

You cannot guarantee that atheist ideas at CAF would be well received as you suggest.  In fact I may even be so bold as to predict that most people here would probably be banned in a week there the moment they start swearing or calling some of the points "crazy" or "stupid".  One thing I like about this place is freedom of expression for ALL.  That is the epitome of a great discussion place is everyone is free to bring up and discuss anything.  Asking what others think about an idea you present is a way to start a discussion, but telling others why what you state is correct and anything counter is wrong is way to stop discussion and start flaming.  Present an idea and get opinions on it and express what you think.  Take Shuffle for example.  He's started multiple threads asking questions to theists on what we think of this or that.  It started lots of discussion with varying ideas.  They were good topics.  Even when I don't agree with someone, I don't tell them they are wrong, because that paints me as condescending or superior (as others have pointed out), I simply state what I think and so I don't agree with their position.  Simple.  Hell, I've flat said I don't take evolution as a fact but I haven't been attacked for it because of how I present my thoughts and how I respond to others.

Um...yeah. Swearing is not allowed at CAF.

Arguing...strenuously...for one's position is, however, as long as you are polite about it.