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RE: Know any other atheist forums?
December 30, 2013 at 7:40 pm
Just to reiterate what others have already said - you joined at a time when there's a lot of weirdness going on. I joined a number of forums nearly three years ago and stuck with this one because it's lightly moderated and is less hostile to theists than the others I looked at - such as it is.
Then they put me on staff - not one of the best moments of judgment, admittedly.
We don't censor opinions, and generally let things be - until they get disruptive. Things get heated sometimes, but there's usually good discussion to be had.
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RE: Know any other atheist forums?
December 30, 2013 at 8:08 pm
You probably should just join Mensa.
My ignore list
"The lord doesn't work in mysterious ways, but in ways that are indistinguishable from his nonexistence."
-- George Yorgo Veenhuyzen quoted by John W. Loftus in The End of Christianity (p. 103).
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RE: Know any other atheist forums?
December 30, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Do respectful and intelligent discussions about religion anything even exist on the internet? ..If they happen they certainly don't last more.than 5 mins.
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RE: Know any other atheist forums?
December 30, 2013 at 8:21 pm
The only other atheist forum of ever been on is The Thinking Atheist forum
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RE: Know any other atheist forums?
December 30, 2013 at 9:36 pm
I don't know about any weirdness this winter (I've only been a member about 5-6 months) but I've seen a lot of good discussion by a lot of very respectful and knowledgeable people in these threads. I've started some threads asking what most in these forums might consider boneheaded or obvious questions and have yet to fall under the wrath of anyone calling me an idiot and wondering why, as an atheist, I don't already know the answer. (With one exception, but it was a theist doing the name-calling and to be fair I kind of started it...)
Not everyone is going to live up to your perfect expectations for a discussion forum and as far as I've experienced the only discussion forums that maintain high levels of "civility" or "politeness" are also heavily moderated and any good conversation that gets going ultimately gets squelched right when it gets interesting (i.e. heated)
My motto in any discussion forum is "you get what you give" and if you come into the forum blasting everyone for being assholes and accusing people of not being able to have a respectful conversation than don't complain when they tell you to fuck off. If you stick around then start some threads and participate in them; set the tone of the conversation you want to have and don't get into a hissy fit when people don't follow your rules for behavior.
There are good people in these forums. Stick around and you'll find them, it doesn't take long.
Teenaged X-Files obsession + Bermuda Triangle episode + Self-led school research project = Atheist.
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RE: Know any other atheist forums?
December 30, 2013 at 9:51 pm
You're fairly tolerant, but you can't tolerate the aggressiveness and such of us.
Ironic much?
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RE: Know any other atheist forums?
December 30, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Thanks for the replies so far. I could have waited, felt things out, and established an identity here before making a post like that, but I figured I'd save myself some time. Googling for forums will get me a list of forums: I was more interested in hearing members' experience. If people have tried other forums and found this one more friendly and open to opposing views, that's good to know.
I've been on other forums (not atheist forums) so I understand they are prone to drama. That's just not what I'm here for. I appreciate hearing that this is a weird time on this one, and I get that any forum will change over time as members come and go.
My suggestion was not meant as an insult, or to change anyone's behavior to suit my desires. I was pointing out what seem like inconsistencies between the rules and many of the posts I've seen. If the forum is lightly moderated and its rules are often ignored, I can live with that. My expectation for the forum is simply that it is predominantly populated by atheists. I have no doubt that there are many fine people who are members here.
I don't mind heated discussions. I just don't think calling people assholes, dicks, cunts, idiots, fuckwits, douchebags, etc. ever contributes to a worthwhile conversation. At the same time, I have a very thick skin online.