Ethnographic Research (Help please!)

[stretch3172]

Non-denominational.

Most likely means Protestant Evangelical.

You asked for my denomination; I answered. "Protestant Evangelical" isn't a denomination.

[GrandizerII]

Most likely means Protestant Evangelical.

You asked for my denomination; I answered. "Protestant Evangelical" isn't a denomination.

Actually, that was Whateverist who asked.

[stretch3172]

And the answers you get  won’t even represent a significant sample.

I like the Catholic Lady, Atlas, Godscreated, etc, method. They stay, engage, and stand the test of time. Sure, their ideas are different than mine and at times frustrating, but it’s a back and forth transaction sort of thing and they get to experience us in a more personal level. We share, they share, discussion happens, people’s heads explode, personalities show, and filters eventually lose grip. It feels honest. You could start by posting an introduction thread (if you haven’t already) and telling us a bit about yourself.

I know they won't, but they will help me out. Also, I would be happy to engage and debate on a more personal level, but that just wasn't my goal for this particular project. I will do that if you like.

---

1. I don't go on Christian forums, or any forums for that matter, until today. 
2. If that were the case, I wouldn't mind because its a public forum and they are free to say what they want, just as I am free to respond or ignore them.

Well, if you did visit Christian forums you would find that atheism, or often even different Christian views are banned or censored.

We don't do that here (we even have had and have right now theist mods), but that doesn't stop us from getting exasperated.

Well I would disagree wholeheartedly with any Christian who would do that. Also, I understand why it may be annoying to you, but this is a public forum, and you are more than welcome to refuse to answer me or respond how you like.

---

You asked for my denomination; I answered. "Protestant Evangelical" isn't a denomination.

Actually, that was Whateverist who asked.

Apologies. Still learning my way around and I'm incredibly sleep-deprived at the moment.

[Minimalist]

[Jenny A]

And the answers you get  won’t even represent a significant sample.

I like the Catholic Lady, Atlas, Godscreated, etc, method. They stay, engage, and stand the test of time. Sure, their ideas are different than mine and at times frustrating, but it’s a back and forth transaction sort of thing and they get to experience us in a more personal level. We share, they share, discussion happens, people’s heads explode, personalities show, and filters eventually lose grip. It feels honest. You could start by posting an introduction thread (if you haven’t already) and telling us a bit about yourself.

I know they won't, but they will help me out. Also, I would be happy to engage and debate on a more personal level, but that just wasn't my goal for this particular project. I will do that if you like.

---

Well, if you did visit Christian forums you would find that atheism, or often even different Christian views are banned or censored.

We don't do that here (we even have had and have right now theist mods), but that doesn't stop us from getting exasperated.

Well I would disagree wholeheartedly with any Christian who would do that. Also, I understand why it may be annoying to you, but this is a public forum, and you are more than welcome to refuse to answer me or respond how you like.

You are allowed to ask questions and certainly I could ignore them.  But this isn't exactly a public forum.  It, like most special topic internet forums, is not an open democracy.   This isn't the town square.  Like your university, or a church, or club, it has rules, a bureaucracy of sorts, and most importantly it is a community.

We are being rather rude to you, but then, whether you have thought it out or not, you are being rather rude yourself.   Polite people entering a forum generally introduce themselves.  There is invariably a section of the forum just for introductions. And generally polite people come to engage with, not study the members.

[stretch3172]

I know they won't, but they will help me out. Also, I would be happy to engage and debate on a more personal level, but that just wasn't my goal for this particular project. I will do that if you like.

---

Well I would disagree wholeheartedly with any Christian who would do that. Also, I understand why it may be annoying to you, but this is a public forum, and you are more than welcome to refuse to answer me or respond how you like.

You are allowed to ask questions and certainly I could ignore them.  But this isn't exactly a public forum.  It, like most special topic internet forums, is not an open democracy.   This isn't the town square.  Like your university, or a church, or club, it has rules, a bureaucracy of sorts, and most importantly it is a community.

We are being rather rude to you, but then, whether you have thought it out or not, you are being rather rude yourself.   Polite people entering a forum generally introduce themselves.  There is invariably a section of the forum just for introductions. And generally polite people come to engage with, not study the members.

Pardon my lack of etiquette, setting aside the fact that I never go on forums. I was quite polite in my first post, and I have been civil with everyone here. Also, I would be happy to engage other members (as I am doing now). My project is simply a mandatory thing that I desperately need to finish, and as such it has separate goals.

[Jenny A]

Pardon my lack of etiquette, setting aside the fact that I never go on forums. I was quite polite in my first post, and I have been civil with everyone here. Also, I would be happy to engage other members (as I am doing now). My project is simply a mandatory thing that I desperately need to finish, and as such it has separate goals.

Well, you aren't a hit and run poster, I'll give you that. I can't help you though. Far from being 18 to 20 something, I have kids in college. Best of luck.

[stretch3172]

Pardon my lack of etiquette, setting aside the fact that I never go on forums. I was quite polite in my first post, and I have been civil with everyone here. Also, I would be happy to engage other members (as I am doing now). My project is simply a mandatory thing that I desperately need to finish, and as such it has separate goals.

Well, you aren't a hit and run poster, I'll  give you that.  I can't help you though.  Far from being 18 to 20 something,  I have kids in college.  Best of luck.

Thanks! I need it.

[DLJ]

I'll bite.  
(There's a tropical storm going on around me so I'm kinda bored.)

Greetings! 

Hi.  Wassup?

...
Thank you in advance for your time and willingness to help me out with this project! 

No worries.

:rolls up sleaves; clears throat:

Preliminary Background:
What is your age?
In my head I'm 27.  The guy in the mirror looks nearly 70 (get a haircut, dude!).  My passport says that neither of these is true.


What is your current academic status (student, former student, alumnus, etc.)?
Left school at 19.

(If applicable) How far along in your studies are you?
I've never studied.  I was away that day when there was a lesson on How To Study.  
I've never stopped learning, though.

What is (was) your major?
None.
I had a thing for maths and I'm a published poet.  Go figure.

Why are (were) you in college?
I wasn't.

What are your future plans/goals?
None.

Briefly describe your family background.
Welsh father, Austrian mother.  This makes me a mongrel.

Social Structures
Describe your current relationship with your family.
Distant.  Like half a planet distant.

Describe your social life.
None.  Unless you count sexual gratification.
But I enjoy antisocial media like this forum.

Are close relationships with friends/family important? Why or why not?
I don't do "close".  Classic Aspie:  IQ of 155 and no social skills.

Which is more important: the personal life or the professional life?
Neither.  The cerebral life FTW.

Ontological
What is the source of power and success?
Right now, with wind searing through the gaps in the window frame and lightning smiting the ground 30 floors below me, I'd say Zeus and Thor are having a pissing contest to prove who got da power!





Regarding success... 'low expectations' is a virtue.

What is the origin of the universe?
That's an easy one.
A time traveller with a poor sense of humour.  

What is the origin and destiny of humanity?
There was no first human.
It's destiny is to be a footnote in ecological history.

Is there any form of spiritual dimension of reality? If so, briefly describe it.
Nope.  But there is a spiritual dimension of Ethics.  It's called 'wishful thinking'.

Do incorporeal beings exist?
That's a hard one.
Please define 'being'
Please define 'exist'
Please define 'do'.

But literature exists so in that sense Gandalf exists, incorporeally.

How do you define ‘God’?
I don't.  I let the cult-followers or the personal-god believers define their own.  When they do, it's fairly obvious that...


How do you define ‘truth’?
A label (true/false) for a proposition for a given epistemology.

Epistemological
How do you know what is true?
I pay attention to my deception-detectors.

Is there an objective standard by virtue of which one can distinguish truth and falsity, and if so, why is it a reliable standard?
Usually, maths.

Assuming no objective truth exists, how can you correctly form and evaluate truth claims?
By assessing the validity of the epistemology.  There are four major epistemological fails; if I may immodestly quote myself:



Axiology
Are morals and ethics subjective or objective?
Neither.  Metrics are either subjective or objective.  Morals are contextual.

How do you know right from wrong?
The spelling is different.

Can science explain the origin of moral values and concerns? How so?
Yup.  The origin is as explicable as is the immune system / limbic system.  A moral system is simply the cognitive version of those.

How would you describe a “good person”? A “bad person”?
It's easy to tell them apart.  Look at the colour of their hats.
Also, if they belong to a criminal organisation that covers up the systematic rape of children... that's generally considered bad.
Unless you're a pope.  


What would an “ideal society” look like?
China.

Do people act purely out of self-interest?
Nope.  Even Paul Ryan loves his children.

What is the most important moral attribute (i.e. love, justice, equality, selflessness, etc.)? How do you define it?
Courage.
It's the only virtue that can't be faked.

What is mankind’s single biggest problem?
Mankind.
(I was tempted to go for 'womankind' but nah, it's men).

Is there a solution to this problem, and if so, what is it?
Genocide.  
Mother Earth is working on that.

Maybe we should just compile an FAQ of sorts with links to the previous threads since the questions are pretty much the same every time, and are being posted quite frequently these days?

On TTA, we grouped them all into one section so that they could copy each other's answers.

[robvalue]

Preliminary Background:
What is your age? 40
 
What is your current academic status (student, former student, alumnus, etc.)? Former student
 
(If applicable) How far along in your studies are you?
 
What is (was) your major? Mathematics
 
Why are (were) you in college? Love of mathematics, to get a better job
 
What are your future plans/goals? Getting back into work (currently long term sick)
 
Briefly describe your family background. Normal, raised with no mention of religion/atheism
 
Social Structures
Describe your current relationship with your family. Dysfunctional
 
Describe your social life. Limited (due to illness)
 
Are close relationships with friends/family important? Why or why not? Yes. Mental wellbeing, mutual support, sharing experiences
 
Which is more important: the personal life or the professional life? To me, personal
 
Ontological
 
What is the source of power and success? Don't understand
 
What is the origin of the universe? Don't know
 
What is the origin and destiny of humanity? Origin is we evolved, I don't know our future
 
Is there any form of spiritual dimension of reality? If so, briefly describe it. I find that term meaningless
 
Do incorporeal beings exist? Again meaningless
 
How do you define ‘God’? Intelligent creator
 
How do you define ‘truth’? With regard to reality, a statement which stands up to rigorous scrutiny. Absolute truth is always out of our reach, so I won't refer to that
 
Epistemological
How do you know what is true? I use evidence
 
Is there an objective standard by virtue of which one can distinguish truth and falsity, and if so, why is it a reliable standard? Evidence. Anyone can examine evidence to check what is true, giving the best chance of avoiding errors.
 
Assuming no objective truth exists, how can you correctly form and evaluate truth claims? Hypothesis testing with evidence
 
Axiology
Are morals and ethics subjective or objective? Subjective
 
How do you know right from wrong? Emotions and reason
 
Can science explain the origin of moral values and concerns? How so? During our evolution, those who cooperated fared better than those who went solo. This created a natural selection criteria by which caring about others was an advantage.
 
How would you describe a “good person”? A “bad person”? Someone who values the wellbeing of others / someone who doesn't
 
What would an “ideal society” look like? Everyone is happy, free and has access to everything they need
 
Do people act purely out of self-interest? No
 
What is the most important moral attribute (i.e. love, justice, equality, selflessness, etc.)? How do you define it? Selflessness, putting a high value on the wellbeing of others compared to your own
 
What is mankind’s single biggest problem? Superstition
 
Is there a solution to this problem, and if so, what is it? Education