Wanting some feedback from the atheists

[Angrboda]

It's also worth noting, as I believe someone did above, that there may and in my case are differences between whether by theists you mean the type of people who, as a group, decided to leave the forum, as opposed to the larger class which includes Mystic, Little Rik, CDF47, and shit and runners, just to name a few who are not necessarily like that group, and for whom the civil forum section does not or has not been an issue. Nor am I pointing to them as having any shared characteristic.

[Whateverist]

So these questions are for the atheists. Now that AF has this section for civil discourse, I feel I can ask this and get some honest answers from posters who are serious in talking this out.

What are your opinions about us theists in this forum?

I've usually been disappointed to tell the truth, but never in you.  Any theist who feels entitled to badger me to believe as they do I find insufferable.  Exploring points of agreement and disagreement in a respectful way without an agenda is rare, on both sides really but more strikingly on your side.  You are an outlier.

Do you generally like having us here? Why or why not?

Yes but I'd like them more open, reflective and honest.

What can we do to improve and to make it easier/more enjoyable for you to have discussions with us?

I recommend leaving politics out of it.  Religion and politics are probably the two most potentially divisive topics out there.  Finessing our way around one of them is challenging enough.  Maybe we could have a one-at-a-time rule, either make the thread safe for religious belief or political affiliation.  Both would benefit from exposure and focus, I actually have more trouble keeping my center around.  For now, for myself, I just intend to ignore the politically focused ones.  

Are you in favor of this civility section to have more productive discussions with theists and other people of differing views?

As you know, very much so.  Funny how everyone thinks you were the biggest pusher for it, and maybe you were but no one should give me a pass.  I'm at least as guilty.  I hope in time we can attract more theists with dispositions like yours.

What do you hope to gain from productive discussions with theists?

Pretty much like you, I like to identify points of agreement and gently challenge each other in other areas where we may be missing something.

[Catholic_Lady]

Thanks for the answers, guys.

Do yall think an atheist trying to convince someone out of their faith is equal to a theist trying to convert?

Equal as in, both are equally out of line and should avoid doing that?

[Peebothuhlu]

What are your opinions about us theists in this forum?

Hello!

Those few I've seen run the full spectrum from 'Nice' to 'Nutty, but nice' to' Nutty but @-hole'.

Do you generally like having us here? Why or why not?

Uhm.... it's kind of an open forum, no?

The more the merrier.

What can we do to improve and to make it easier/more enjoyable for you to have discussions with us?

Well... for my own self, keeping things 'Short' and simple really helps.

Most times I have little time or rescourses to engage in a long responce (Like now.)

Are you in favor of this civility section to have more productive discussions with theists and other people of differing views?

*Nods* It does sem like a good idea.

Though, I supose, it could also be used for nefarious puroses.

Having met quite nasty 'Passive/Agressive' posters on previous forums said creture could use the "Civlil section" as a cloak ofr sheild to needle away at other forum members.

The problem with the "Spirit of the law against the letter of the law" as it were.

What do you hope to gain from productive discussions with theists?

That's the great thing about interacting with people.

You never know where the entwined thoughts of two folks might/will end up.

So, really... No fixed idea. We'll find out when we et to the other end of any discussions!

(Yay! My experiment with quoting WORKED! *Does happy dance* )

Not at work

[Fireball]

Thanks for the answers, guys.

Do yall think an atheist trying to convince someone out of their faith is equal to a theist trying to convert?

Equal as in, both are equally out of line and should avoid doing that?

Interesting.

Answer to Q1- I have experienced a very small number (as in zero) of atheists going door to door proselytizing, so no. Atheists responding to conversion attempts or threats of eternal damnation (looking at you, GC and Neo, the Bossy Twins), "convincing out of faith" would be an expected outcome, but certainly not attempts at conversion.

Answer to Q2- since atheists are in general not proselytizing non-belief, I would say that the religious in general are way out of line. I like you, C_L. You are openly honest, and the only religious person I have ever positively repped, here or elsewhere.

[Peebothuhlu]

Thanks for the answers, guys.

You're welcome!

Do yall think an atheist trying to convince someone out of their faith is equal to a theist trying to convert?

Uhm... depends? When I end up in a chat about theology... It's the 'Other guy' whut started it, honest.

Equal as in, both are equally out of line and should avoid doing that?

Not sure how. Once the can-o-worms is opened, is kind'a hard stuffin' 'em back in'a can.

Not at work.

[LadyForCamus]

So these questions are for the atheists. Now that AF has this section for civil discourse, I feel I can ask this and get some honest answers from posters who are serious in talking this out.

What are your opinions about us theists in this forum?

I like you guys; meaning our core, resident theists that Vulc mentioned earlier.  

Do you generally like having us here? Why or why not?

Absolutely.  I enjoy discussing dissenting positions, because I enjoy challenging my own positions. I always learn something from someone in those types of conversations, even if it’s a small thing.  I love my fellow atheist peeps here, but we do agree on a lot of things.  It leaves me with an itch that needs scratching, so to speak. 

What can we do to improve and to make it easier/more enjoyable for you to have discussions with us?

I think, generally speaking, you guys do what you do just fine.  I think both sides of the isle could work on less hostility, and knee-jerk insults.  It’s a team effort.

Are you in favor of this civility section to have more productive discussions with theists and other people of differing views?

Well, I was...lol.

What do you hope to gain from productive discussions with theists?

i simply enjoy exploring different ideas and positions.  If both interlocutors are honest with each other and themselves during the discussion, and if I can learn a new fact about a subject that I didn’t know before and vice versa, that to me is successful dialogue, even if noone’s mind is changed.

[CarveTheFive]

What are your opinions about us theists in this forum?

I dislike you

Do you generally like having us here? Why or why not?


No. There’s religious people EVERYWHERE I go already.


What can we do to improve and to make it easier/more enjoyable for you to have discussions with us?

Don’t post.

Are you in favor of this civility section to have more productive discussions with theists and other people of differing views?

Nope. I get 100% differing views 100% of the time every second of the day as soon as I step outside.

What do you hope to gain from productive discussions with theists?

Nothing.

[SteelCurtain]

Do yall think an atheist trying to convince someone out of their faith is equal to a theist trying to convert?

I think if a person entered into a conversation or engaged a stranger with the intent of convincing someone out of their faith, then yeah, that's shitty.

But I'd echo the disparity here---atheists are generally on defense. I have never gone door to door nor do I have plans to. Even Anthony Magnabosco is professedly not trying to change people's minds, in fact he says that's the worst approach. Instead, make people confront their own epistemology.

So, yes, all things being equal, it's just as bad. But we can't equivocate---while I'm sure you could find a street corner atheist telling people their are wasting their time, I could find 10 Westboro Baptists that make that guy look like just another hippie.

[CarveTheFive]

Do yall think an atheist trying to convince someone out of their faith is equal to a theist trying to convert?

Religious people are far worse and should stfu