WTF???

[AngryBiker]

AngryBiker, You approached this whole deal the wrong way... I assume you are here to have a productive experience, to that end you mustn't use dissimulated insults and arrogance (don't get offended, its true, very visible in your posts), because you will prevent any decent conversation. In my opinion you could've got more respect if you simply entered here bearing respect and open mindness towards the subject you brought up. This is a simple advice that you can take or not at your discretion.

I hope you get what I mean..

Fair enough, LastPoet. It does seem to me that atheists are just as vocal, militant and arrogant as evangelicals in promoting their beliefs, or non-beliefs. I don't have a problem with atheists per se. Just quit putting it in my face. I could get on an evangelical website (shudder), change a few words around and have the same conversation and probably get the same response.

[LastPoet]

Double standards does seem to be the order of the day, Biker. It's "their" forum after all.

Its 'our' forum and anyone else that wants to have a decent conversation. We have some theists around that are far more reputable than you do, don't blame us on your own shortcomings.

[Eilonnwy]

Fair enough, LastPoet. It does seem to me that atheists are just as vocal, militant and arrogant as evangelicals in promoting their beliefs, or non-beliefs. I don't have a problem with atheists per se. Just quit putting it in my face. I could get on an evangelical website (shudder), change a few words around and have the same conversation and probably get the same response.

[LastPoet]

Fair enough, LastPoet. It does seem to me that atheists are just as vocal, militant and arrogant as evangelicals in promoting their beliefs, or non-beliefs. I don't have a problem with atheists per se. Just quit putting it in my face. I could get on an evangelical website (shudder), change a few words around and have the same conversation and probably get the same response.

No you wouldn't, by now you would have been banned. You should be thankfull that people gave an honest answer to what you seem to imply in your posts (along with insults, but who gets offended by insults?). Nevertheless, you are free to have any opinions you might have, simply don't get surprised to get the same out of others.

[Scarface]

Double standards does seem to be the order of the day, Biker. It's "their" forum after all.

Its 'our' forum and anyone else that wants to have a decent conversation. We have some theists around that are far more reputable than you do, don't blame us on your own shortcomings.

I see, it's about reputation. Why doesn't that surprise me.

[Eilonnwy]

I see, it's about reputation. Why doesn't that surprise me.

That wasn't the point and you know it. We have had many theists come and go. The ones that go often just preach or came here only to "Play with atheists and tell us we're wrong." The ones that stay actually engage in discussion and respond honestly to posts without making blanket condescending remarks about atheists.

If you came here with an ax to grind about atheists, which is the distinct impression I get from AngryBiker, you won't be given the warmest of welcomes.

[LastPoet]

I see, it's about reputation. Why doesn't that surprise me.

You look sooo cool making those smart remarks, your parents must be proud, Although you could hone your reading compreension skills. So explain to me then how are you going to make decent conversations here with those snide remarks?

PS:

[Tiberius]

Fair enough, Paul. My original post was civil.

Indeed, but then your follow up posts were not:

"Ah, yes. the typical belligerent atheist." [1]

"You and many other atheists are obstinate." [2]

etc...

I did not step in here without the expectation of getting slapped around, as atheists I have met do not like being disagreed with. My er, 'welcome' here has been met with more hostility than anything I have dished out.

To be fair, that is only because you are addressing multiple people. Multiple people can generate more hostility that one; the point was, both sides were doing it.

Adrian called me out for calling one poster 'honey' which is the way we speak here in the American Southeast. I meant no disrespect. I didn't see where Adrian called him out for calling me 'asshole'. You'll forgive me if I take umbrage at the incongruity.

I appealed to both sides to calm down right here: http://atheistforums.org/thread-4593-pos...l#pid90365

You then said you hadn't committed an ad-hominem, which was true, but seeing as the rules state that all insults are banned, I felt I needed to explain the precise reason you were being called out. This was only a clarification of the rules for your benefit; I didn't see the need to clarify the rules for the member who called you an "asshole", given that he was well aware what the rules say.

However, in the same post I clarified the rules for you, and why you had broken them, I mentioned that "some atheists" are guilty of doing the precise thing you were: http://atheistforums.org/thread-4593-pos...l#pid90381

In this forum, you'll find there are good and bad ways to start a conversation. Good ways involve:

- Setting out exactly what your beliefs are, and what your point of the discussion is.
- Asking others to agree / disagree with your point, and add their reasons for doing so.
- Being polite to anyone who responds, even if they try to rip your reasoning to shreds.

The bad ways to start a conversation are numerous, but most of them should be obvious to anyone. Being arrogant and saying your beliefs are the only correct ones, or dismissing people who disagree with you as "nuts" or "deluded", etc. are just a couple.

[Entropist]

One poster called me an 'asshole', not that I care. That same individual later gave me a good answer to my original post after admittedly having 'one beer too many'. I'd like to by him another... I didn't see where Adrian called him out for calling me 'asshole'.

Um, to set the record straight... I never called you an "asshole." That was Minimalist. As things continue on here, he could be onto something.

I believe this is what you took issue to in my post (the second post in the entire thread):

That you fail to grasp this very simple concept means you either (a) fell asleep in civics class or (b) had a crappy civics teacher (probably a coach).

Perhaps this was not the best way to start things off, and for that, I apologize (seriously)-- though there is still the option you had a poor civics teacher.

[RachelSkates]

Wow, I'm enjoying this.