Theists on atheist forums

[SteelCurtain]

I will say this, as frustrating as it is, we atheists can do a better job of leaving emotion out of our discussions for the most part. Focus on the discussion not ad hominem remarks.

I would tend to agree with this, except I refuse to treat every conversation like a formal debate. I am an emotive person. I like to use words which express that. If every conversation on this board was just automatons riffing exposition at each other, I don't think I'd stay.

[JuliaL]

I vote 'yes' without reservation.
I constantly try my worldview and beliefs regarding reality against everything I experience.
Even the most obtuse and dogmatic theist is grist for the mill.
I probably harbor some deep seated desire to convert others because I think my way is true and useful (otherwise why should I keep it?)
But it is also thrilling to observe other perspectives to see how any particular piece of the puzzle fits, even if it totally changes the picture.

[Cato]

I would tend to agree with this, except I refuse to treat every conversation like a formal debate. I am an emotive person. I like to use words which express that. If every conversation on this board was just automatons riffing exposition at each other, I don't think I'd stay.

Fuckin' 'A'!

[Homeless Nutter]

I voted "Other", as I did not read the OP, before voting.

Because I'm a rebel...

Soooo... What are we talking about?


EDIT: Read the thing. Yeah - "Other" was the right choice after all.

I can't say I particularly enjoy - per se - much of the predictable and/or contrarian nonsense that some of the theists post on the forum.

But I'm happy that they're here - if only to bear witness to my tireless awesome wit.

[Whateverist]

Voted yes and I don't mind getting a wide cross section of them.  Of course I prefer the thoughtful ones, but that is true regardless of whether they believe in gods or not.  

Favorites from the past include Jacob, Michael, Fr0d0 and Perplundy.  Sometimes I wonder what we could do to encourage the better ones to stay.  How about you, CL.  Are you being treated well?

[Napoléon]

I would tend to agree with this, except I refuse to treat every conversation like a formal debate. I am an emotive person. I like to use words which express that. If every conversation on this board was just automatons riffing exposition at each other, I don't think I'd stay.

Ditto.

I for one make no apologies for calling a spade a spade. If someone comes here with the same recycled bollocks and simultaneously shows a lack of respect in doing so, they deserve a few insults IMO.

I see a lot of people calling that an 'ad hom', but like Steel alludes to, that's assuming you're treating every discussion on here like it's a debate.

[tonechaser77]

I will say this, as frustrating as it is, we atheists can do a better job of leaving emotion out of our discussions for the most part. Focus on the discussion not ad hominem remarks.

I would tend to agree with this, except I refuse to treat every conversation like a formal debate. I am an emotive person. I like to use words which express that. If every conversation on this board was just automatons riffing exposition at each other, I don't think I'd stay.

I understand your point and can agree. I'm speaking mostly of people (myself included) who get so damn tired of the mental gymnastics / back-n-forth that they just say fuck it and go off on rants about how stupid theists are etc. It's so easy to to jump down that rabbit hole because of the frustration level. I'm trying not to be that person. 

[SteelCurtain]

I understand your point and can agree. I'm speaking mostly of people (myself included) who get so damn tired of the mental gymnastics / back-n-forth that they just say fuck it and go off on rants about how stupid theists are etc. It's so easy to to jump down that rabbit hole because of the frustration level. I'm trying not to be that person. 

Yeah, I think I caught a little bit of that from your post. It's certainly hard not to jump down that hole (that's what sh...) and I would argue that there isn't much of a place to generalize to all theists. But I can certainly make the case for specifically calling certain theists' actions stupid or worse.

[Ashground]

Depends on the theist

Just as it depends on the atheist/agnostic

Regardless of beliefs, some people are a pleasure to speak with and some people are rude/aggressive/confrontational to the point that every time you see their avatar you groan.

But don't get me wrong, I think being cheeky or irreverent makes life happier.

Maybe it's just communicating in such an abstract way (forum) that makes us think it's okay to be rude. For example if Minimalist and Randy Carson went bowling - and theism/atheism never came up - there's a chance they'd become friends, not too likely online.

So for me it's more about attitude  than beliefs. Hope that answers your question!

[AFTT47]

I will say this, as frustrating as it is, we atheists can do a better job of leaving emotion out of our discussions for the most part. Focus on the discussion not ad hominem remarks.

I agree big time. My one criticism of this forum is that there is too much of that and worse still, general remarks like "theists are idiots" which is simply untrue.

As to the poll, I voted yes but it's not so much enjoyment as it is that I see it as a necessity. Contrary viewpoints is what drives discussion. Like any other atheist who is a veteran of forums like this, I do tire of the theist who loudly barges in and proclaims he will demonstrates the folly of atheism and then dazzles us with Pascal's Wager . Yeah, we never considered that argument before. Even then though, it helps the recent deconverts even as us long-time atheists roll our eyes. So yes, I consider theist members a valuable part of the forum and I wish they were treated better.