What has AtheistForums.org meant to you?

[The Reality Salesman01]

I had never joined a forum before. I don't remember the day I stumbled upon this site. I don't remember making my first post. I had a desire to discuss things that were scrutinized in America, and I think I was just looking for a place that would welcome Taboo. I was just looking through some of my first posts, and noticed how this place fostered my intellectual growth in a way I never would have anticipated. There are so many intelligent members here who, while unaware, have been like teachers to me. Everyone has contributed something to my outlook that I didn't have before joining. Thank you.

Since joining, there have been a few periods that I've been away for a week or two, but I always come back.

Every time I do, I'm reminded of how much I love this place, and the members that bring it to life. I can't count on one hand the amount of people outside of this forum that would even understand half the conversations we have here. This forum is one of the few outlets I have that allow me to discuss, and address the things that not only drive me crazy, but many of you too.

I'm thankful for the Theists on here, because without them, it wouldn't be as much fun. I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread dedicated to expressing our appreciation to AF.org.

What makes this place special for you?

[Jackalope]

The new friends I've made. That's what keeps me here.

[The Reality Salesman01]

I usually get sappy when I've had too much wine. I'm pretty sure that's what motivated Jesus to say all those nice things too. Take comfort in knowing that I at least have no hidden agenda!

[Ryantology]

I actually do not even remember how I found this place. I had not been far from my "disinterested agnostic" phase but for a few months before I came here.

If I had come around here ten years ago or so (and I know that would not have strictly been possible), I would have been alongside the likes of Drich and company. Though, I imagine the beatdowns I would have received, and the ones I would have watched them receive, would have turned me around more quickly than it happened on its own. It would have really not taken much more than seeing one of them talk about how children deserve to be skewered and slaughtered and enslaved because God gave the order. That kind of thing was a major blind spot for me, but then again, I was never really much for the Bible even when I thought I believed what it said. For instance, I was never a Genesis literalist. To interpret Genesis literally would be to admit that the whole thing was obviously wrong. I now realize that one must make excuses for not taking it literally.

[The Reality Salesman01]

I didn't know you used to be a Christian too? I'll admit, it was something I was ashamed of sharing. But now, I see it as something that gives me additional insight to the crazy things they (and I) used to say. I was raised Christian, and before joining this site, I too would have been the epitome of the deluded Apologist. I don't regret it anymore. The tougher the road, the greater the destination. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.

Only recently did I begin to think about why I take such joy in dismantling the insanity of Theists. When I was a child, anytime I had questions, they were all too often stifled by the likes of people like Drich, GC, or others. They had no problem polluting the mind of a child with their insanity. Now that I've explored the world, I find it to be a kind of cruel irony that they come into this place with smiling faces, pretending to defend "reasonable truths of kindness". It's quite poetic really. While it's true, people like them once had manipulative control over me, their tactics are useless now, and it is them that looks foolish while they remain blinded by their ignorance.

[Minimalist]

This is a fun place and even shitting on the theists is for my personal amusement.

Belief is nonsense can be freely ridiculed here. And they sure as shit provide multiple opportunities.

[Esquilax]

This is my little hangout spot when I'm online. Lots of great people, and sufficiently silly ones that I've always got something to argue about. I appreciate that in a forum. I found this place through FSTDT (I think it was a Stat post, but I can't remember anymore) and got to liking it.

They even made me a mod!

[Fruity]

I made friends here. They mean something to me. There are some people here who are very special to me. AF is my place to visit them.

[downbeatplumb]

It opened my eyes to the level of delusion that still exists out there.
Most chrsitians of my aquaintance have been of the indistinguishable from atheist kind. The ones who accept evolution and the old universe and just go to church on sunday for a bit of a sing so it came as a bit of a shock when I came accross a real dyed in the wool creationist on this site.

[max-greece]

I was a member of an audio forum for years. They had a hidden forum where we could discuss anything (politics, religion and so on). I started to get bored of it about the time I discovered just how many atheist videos are on you tube. One thing led to another and I googled atheist forums and this one came up.

Been overdoing the posting ever since. Learnt shit-loads in my time on here though - mainly how unoriginal I really am and how arguments I developed in my head have all been long established.

At times I like the theists and I times they just depress the hell out of me. They definitely do add a huge amount to the forum but some of their posts ought to come with a warning (and a sick bag).