Why am I here?

[Brian37]

I've considered. Not happening Brian.

What is not happening? If you never give up on your god belief, I can live with that. But if you advocate violence, and I hope you don't, I would treat you NO different than any Christian or Jew or Hindu or Buddhist. THE WORLD DOES NOT NEED MORE VIOLENCE.

[Simon Moon]

Your arguments have been provably shown to be fallacious.

More annoying denial chirping.

Not denial.

A simple fact.

I have, several times over the years, taken your arguments for a god point by point, and have pointed out every fallacy you have used. It is not that difficult. Your arguments are like a 'how to' on how not to create a logically sound and valid argument.

And I am not the only one who has done this.

[Mystic]

I'm not going to confirm that Simon, I simply don't believe that.

[Succubus]

Can't you put this stuff in a personal journal or something. This is so bizarre to me.

Or a sticky thread that I'll know not to click.

[Seraphina]

Islam seems true at the moment, but I haven't confirmed by reason every part of the Quran. And don't know if it's consistent yet.
So I'm not sure in that respect.

So this paragraph seems reasonable. If this was the main idea of a thread, it might do very well on an atheist forum.

Why? "Islam seems true..." this comes off as an honest statement. Then you might expound here. What makes it seem true? What gives you doubts? Being suspended in doubt between two possibilities "God exists" or "God doesn't exist" is a position that any atheist worth his or her salt has placed themselves in... at least as an intellectual exercise. Some of us (the agnostics) found no good reason to believe "God exists" and so do not believe in God. Others have found it reasonable to conclude "God doesn't exist" and so they adopted that conclusion.

If someone wants to accept the conclusion "God exists," I'm fine with that. I respect it. But they need to show the ability to put themselves in a state where they can examine both possibilities. I've seen you make posts that demonstrate that you have this capacity. I like you, MK. I think you are honestly seeking the truth, and that's what it takes to earn my respect for one's intellectual position-- nothing more, nothing less.

It is a problem when there are those short-lived theists who come to the forums claiming "they know the truth" and "we do not know." Upon close inspection of these individuals, it becomes clear that they are incapable of suspending themselves in doubt between the two options. Ergo, I don't take them as capable of having an honest intellectual discussion about such things.

You are different. You ARE capable. And I like that. And I think you have a place here. I'd hate to see you go. The problem you have is that you sometimes post esoteric stuff that is of no interest to nonbelievers, agnostics, believers or really anybody except hardcore spiritual seekers. There has to be some kind of new age Sufi forums out there for you to post that stuff and have some really interesting conversations with people. To expect a good conversation here shows that you are inconsiderate; you completely ignore the atheistic position which is stated again and again on these boards. If you want to post an esoteric thing, at least take some time to explain why someone who adopts the atheistic position ought to take it seriously.

Or better yet-- don't. Only discuss certain things here, and save the esoteric things for new age/Sufi type forums (which I'm sure exist somewhere).

Regardless, I think you and I are having a nice discussion about the foundation of knowledge and values in the other thread, so I hope to see you over there.

+1
You win the Post of the Day.

-Teresa

[The Valkyrie]

Why are you here?

Well I suppose I had to explain it one day.

You see, one night, your mummy and daddy decided they loved each other very much and...

...well, the rest apparently involves birds getting stung by bees and then a long wait that culminates in a visit from a stork.

[Whateverist]

You are here to fulfill all the prophesies and bring on a new era of religious joy on earth.

---

Yeah, no, I'm just fucking with you. Nice to see you with some perspective and sense of humor.

---

[Minimalist]

You can't. You are too afraid to go my layer of understanding and solve it if it's wrong,  you won't go that deep, so if I am wrong, it won't be you to do it.
I am certain of God, but not certain of Islam, and am exploring religions still.

Actually, I think your delusions require serious medical attention.

[LadyForCamus]

I have no earthly idea why you’re here, MK. You seem to want to convince us that a god exists, but you don’t seem at all interested in learning what might be persuasive to us, or why.

For example...your endless quoting of the Quran despite the fact that you have been told by many atheists over several years that we don’t find holy texts persuasive because they are simply claims, not evidence. But, instead of actually listening to us, and thinking about it from the perspective of a yet-to-be convinced non-believer, you just tell yourself if you scream it loud enough someone will hear The Truth.

Atheists: “We don’t have any reasons to think the Quran is true.”

MK: “That’s nice guys. Anyway, Quran says...so, it’s a proof!”

That is a one-sided conversation, dude. We’re listening to you. You aren’t listening in return, and that’s disrespectful. You think you’re smarter than us, and that it’s your job to lead our way. That is intellectual dishonesty at its finest.

[*Deidre*]

I explored Sufism, MK. It's pretty fascinating in its own way. I like studying world religions, just to see what different cultures believe.

I would say, maybe take a break with stressing over searching for a while. Take it from someone who used to stress about it. One day you'll wake up, and you'll find a path that you feel at peace with. No need to sweat it.