I think I have "Dillahunty Syndrome"

[Whateverist]

I'm mostly tolerant so long as people are really listening and thinking about both sides of the conversation. When it seems the other guy isn't really trying, I've got better things to do.

[Jackalope]

I'm mostly tolerant so long as people are really listening and thinking about both sides of the conversation. When it seems the other guy isn't really trying, I've got better things to do.

Yeah, what he said. I'm perfectly content to mind my own business if the courtesy is returned.

[Annik]

One day, I'll gain wisdom and stop ramming my head against brick walls.

You both are inspirations, lol.

[Napoléon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disi...ion_effect

Great wiki page Pad

[Angrboda]

tl;dr



Truthfully, I've always thought the debates on the front lines were and are beside the point. But a lot of that comes from positions on psychology, sociology and philosophy which place such things in a perspective, which, acknowledging the utility of evangelism for both sides, believes the greater battle is to be fought elsewhere, having to do with what it means to be human and social.

That being said, I enjoy the occasional debate. It's a fun way to get your kicks sometimes. And as a person interested in both the human and logical aspects of debate, it can be rather informative. This past week, I debated an individual who believes in fairly classical views of consciousness and free will. His arguments were terrible, but he presented them effectively and I didn't refute them equally as effectively. Live and learn. Everybody at that discussion had a good time (it was an atheist book club), in spite of my failure and the general opinion that the book itself was terrible. Social engagements are more than the sum of their parts. And given that I partake of different features in such debates than, perhaps, most, means I'm often fulfilled.

That being said, what led me to AtheistForums.org and these discussion/book groups was that I was bored and depressed, and in order to enliven my spirits, I started re-reading TalkOrigins.org, sheerly to delight in seeing Creationists skewered. (I'd already read most of TO, so it was purely the visceral thrills which drew me.)

[ElDinero]

Yeah, this resonates with me. I haven't watched the video, but I understand the sentiment. Obviously I barely ever post here these days, and it's because of these feelings, mainly. The thing I have found most frustrating is the refusal of theists to follow their thought processes through to the conclusion and be honest. So when I ask someone straightforwardly 'Do you think it is right or wrong that gay people should be penalised' or 'Do you think it is right or wrong that I should be punished for eternity simply for not believing' and they dodge around the answer, it annoys me. It further annoys me that they are unwilling to contemplate what their internal conflict might mean.

[Napoléon]

tl;dr

It's 5 minutes

---

and be honest

Oh hell yeah, this is certainly what pisses me off more than anything else about debating theists and the like.

[Rayaan]

In my case, as a theist, however, I don't think that I've gotten sick or annoyed of debating in forums yet. It's just that I don't do it as often as I used to before when I first joined almost two years ago. A lot of the things that I want to say have already been said before in some of the older threads. That's the main reason I don't post a lot. Before, I used to jump in and start discussing in almost every thread in the Islamic section. But, now, that has decreased since then as I tend to read them only and then I quietly exit the thread. I do occasionally post something when someone asks a question or when someone wants to know something. But, I try not to repeat the same thing too many times and I try not to reply in a "you're wrong and I'm right" kind of way. I just write out my own opinions and my reasoning, but I can't prove anything.

That said, I do enjoy discussing religion every now and then. I don't think that I'm ever going to get bored of it. Maybe I will, sooner or later, but I don't know. I post in a few Islamic forums as well (one of them which I moderate also). Sometimes I take a break, but then I come back again. And, even while debating in an atheist forum, I did learn many things about Islam which I didn't know before. So, I don't feel that all these discussions are entirely a waste of my time or a pointless endeavor because I find that there is something positive in it for myself, at least.

[Faith No More]

I have found that debating on the specifics of religion is tedious and repetitive. I do, however, still enjoy debating about religion's role in society.

[Napoléon]

Rayaan, why you so cooooool?