Attn: Christians, We've Heard Them Already

[Cyberman]

Let's highlight a couple more facts, shall we?

Fact 1 - DP did not "openly endorse STFU replies" to posts by anyone, xtians or otherwise. He advised that new posters ought not to be surprised if their posts attract such replies and to that end proposed a mechanism to circumvent the problem;

Fact 2 - DP, as far as I can determine, did not make his OP in his capacity as a mod but as any other standard member.

[DeistPaladin]

That's exactly what he's doing. Not that there is anything wrong with it of course, there are many more forums I'm a member of who wouldn't even allow Atheists to post freely. But it's still prudent to highlight the fact that a mod openly endorses STFU replies to posts by Christians.

OK, fine, fine, fine. Let's put this to rest.

I do explicitly not endorse telling anyone to STFU or GTFU, as either poster or moderator. If at any time in the past I wrote anything that was taken as an endorsement of said behavior, I do apologize if anyone got that impression for any reason.

My intent in the OP was to create a handy answers list for the convenience of everyone. As it turns out, this is a moot issue anyway since the idea is unworkable for technical reasons and so it has been scrapped.

I do not, however, apologize for the use of the word "cultist". All religions are cults. No special exceptions. Deal with it.

[ideologue08]

OK, fine, fine, fine. Let's put this to rest.

I do explicitly not endorse telling anyone to STFU or GTFU, as either poster or moderator. If at any time in the past I wrote anything that was taken as an endorsement of said behavior, I do apologize if anyone got that impression for any reason.

My intent in the OP was to create a handy answers list for the convenience of everyone. As it turns out, this is a moot issue anyway since the idea is unworkable for technical reasons and so it has been scrapped.

I think the minority Theist community and the majority Atheist community have reached an understanding. Thank you for addressing our concerns. (I'm obviously acting arrogantly as the de-facto head of the theist community )

[fr0d0]

Now will everyone stfu & gtfo

Thanks ;)

[Violet]

Open letter to any new Christians starting threads in this forum:

Please do not present any of the following arguments and think you're offering us anything new or even anything that atheists haven't heard and debunked a million times already. Many of us are ex-Christians and even those who aren't are still savvy enough that we've heard all the endlessly recycled, canned apologetic arguments. If you do offer these arguments, do not expect anything more than irritated GTFO or STFU retorts. Hearing the same tired arguments over and over gets old.

Sure, you've heard these arguments before, and I have too... but the people who make the arguments might not have heard their debunking before, or they may believe it's applicable for <whatever reason>.

But a younger atheist might not have heard these arguments before, or a questioning person may not have heard these arguments before... all *not* debunking them does, in these cases, is strengthens the theist's position in these people's eyes... as well as making the theist feel that you infact have no argument against their argument, whilst at the same time creating a hostile environment that would seem to be stifling discussion and debate to them.

Maybe those who respond with GTFO or STFU... are really the ones who deserve to have an 'open letter' written for them to know that they should just listen to themselves: fuck off, shut up, and move on... because really, hearing the same tired irrelevant responses over and over gets old.

---

I think the minority Theist community and the majority Atheist community have reached an understanding. Thank you for addressing our concerns. (I'm obviously acting arrogantly as the de-facto head of the theist community )

I just think it's funny that I didn't touch this sooner, because I could have shut them right up, first post.

Bah, no doubt they'd have argued some illogical silliness and made fools of themselves... kind of like they did

[Mystical]

I agree with Violet, there's no way around talking about the same things with different people. At the same time though its not unreasonable for a seasoned debator to want to actually get somewhere new with their thoughts. Perhaps there could be an advanced debate forum section? Where both sides review already debated information and move on from there? I know I was certainly very happy and lucky that this forum received my baby atheist ass without being told to do my research--theists and atheists alike.

[Violet]

I agree with Violet, there's no way around talking about the same things with different people. At the same time though its not unreasonable for a seasoned debator to want to actually get somewhere new with their thoughts. Perhaps there could be an advanced debate forum section? Where both sides review already debated information and move on from there?

There is... it's not used very often. Take a look.

http://atheistforums.org/forum-23.html

[Mystical]

GTFO!

[Something completely different]

What happened here?

[Walking Void]

All religions are cults, just "successful". Maybe You would prefer to call them factions?

When Christianity was just a few tens of followers, of course they were discriminated against... funky Hipsters and all...