Ethnographic Research (Help please!)

[GrandizerII]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

[chimp3]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

To the OP: Refute them right here! See how clever your ways are!

[rskovride]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

I am curious also. Probably get an answer along the lines of  "we just want to understand the atheist from their point of view". But really means, the better we can understand the atheist, the easier we can convert them to a life a servitude to Stalin of the skies.

[Minimalist]

Maybe we should Sticky a thread that says "ATHEIST WORLDVIEW"

It will have one post which says "All fucking gods are phony, especially the one you think is real."

Then they can just read the post and stop annoying us with their silly shit.

[The Valkyrie]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

Okay, you got me.

I'm really an undercover scientologist who has been making a study of atheists for rhe past 20 years.

I'd appreciate if you could all answer my questions.

Gay porn or straight porn?
If Hitler was an atheist, aren't you letting the side down by not being like him?
Do you prefer Tom Cruise orJohn Travolta as a spokesman for my cult, ummm, I mean church?
Muslims: yes or no?
And the most important question of all:Toilet rolls, over or under?

[GrandizerII]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

Okay, you got me.

I'm really an undercover scientologist who has been making a study of atheists for rhe past 20 years.

I'd appreciate if you could all answer my questions.

Gay porn or straight porn?
If Hitler was an atheist, aren't you letting the side down by not being like him?
Do you prefer Tom Cruise orJohn Travolta as a spokesman for my cult, ummm, I mean church?
Muslims: yes or no?
And the most important question of all:Toilet rolls, over or under?

Wait, you're David Miscavige?

---

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

I am curious also. Probably get an answer along the lines of  "we just want to understand the atheist from their point of view". But really means, the better we can understand the atheist, the easier we can convert them to a life a servitude to Stalin of the skies.

Yes, it's not out of mere academic interest in the psychology of atheists. It's just a step to finding effective means to answer and attempt to convert atheists.

[stretch3172]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

The purpose of this particular project is to describe the worldview of atheists and agnostics in their own words, such that any atheist or agnostic could read it for themselves and honestly say that it does their view justice.

[GrandizerII]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

The purpose of this particular project is to describe the worldview of atheists and agnostics in their own words, such that any atheist or agnostic could read it for themselves and honestly say that it does their view justice.

But what's the point?

[Jenny A]

People doing real research usually give real names, credentials,  and the name of the institution they are working for.

This is not going to be published. It is simply a "practice" project required by my program at Columbia International University.

Ah, so for us it's truly a complete waste of time. But if you actually want to learn something about atheists, I have a few suggestions. 

You shouldn't  just want to know if we have a good relationship with our families, you should also want to know if we've told our families we are atheist.  Also you should  want to know if coming out changed our relationship with our families and just how religious or not our families are. You might also want to know what the family religion is.  We have ex Muslims, Jews, Hindus , etc. here.  

Better not to assume we all have or are getting college degrees. 

Country of residence and origin is important.  This is a rather internationally flavored forum. Europe is mostly secular .  The U.S.A. not so much though it's more and less so depending on where in the country you are.  And then there are theocracies where atheism is a crime, a capital one in several places.  Not to horn in on the whole martyr thing, but it is so.  

You might ask the same questions of theists for comparison.

[J a c k]

I'm really curious about what the real purpose behind these surveys of atheists is. What are you students of Christian apologetics trying to accomplish exactly? Do you like discuss the answers in class and then find clever ways to "refute" them?

The purpose of this particular project is to describe the worldview of atheists and agnostics in their own words, such that any atheist or agnostic could read it for themselves and honestly say that it does their view justice.

Bold for emphasis.
Good luck with that. We’re not an organization, organized religion, cult, etc. The only thing we have in common is our lack of belief in gods. Other than that, we’re all our own little world. We’re all different and have different views on just about everything. If we coincide, it’s not because we’re atheists, though there could be correlation. Being an atheist means nothing more than the lack of belief in any gods. That’s it, dude.