Cat Got Your Tongue?

[Napoléon]

I joined this forum because, at quite a young age you always get judged for expressing views, and many people my age aren't interested in speaking about the big questions in life. My mom and dad aren't very interested either, my mom's a christian at heart but doesnt really follow the bible. I don't speak much about my thoughts because she often get's quite defensive. My dad couldn't care less.

So i guess in real life i'm the same person, but you'd have to ask me my thoughts on things before i'd give them to you, that's just the way it is i suppose.

That's why i'm enjoying this forum, as it's a place where i can express my thoughts without being instantly judged.

[Rayaan]

This website, atheistforums.org has nearly 40 pages of members that have never made a post. SOME of them have been members since 2009. It made me curous. One, why would anyone sign up to a discussion forum to say nothing when you can view the threads just by stopping by?

Well, it's because some people may have different reasons for signing up. For example, they might sign up thinking that there could be other sections in the forum which non-members cannot see, or they might sign up thinking that they're going to post something (but then they forget to do so), or they don't feel interested anymore, or they don't like their username, or they get busy with something else, and so on. There may be even be lurkers amongst them although I think they would visit the site rarely (since they don't post), and one of our members, an active one, tried to make them come out of their shells in this thread.

How many "speaking" members are vocal about their opinions in real life?

I'm less vocal in real life, especially in regards to my faith, because I don't even meet that many atheists in real life.

And speaking of real life, we will always be disadvantaged online when it comes to getting a 'full' picture of what a person's character is like because we cannot see the non-verbal dimensions of each other's personality such as facial expressions and body language. Nevertheless, I still think there is definitely a lot of things we can learn about what somebody is like even from how they post in a forum. There are things like how much information they give away about themselves, which topics they chose to reply to, what they don't reply to, the tone they appear to take, how short/long/seemingly thought-out replies they make, etc. So, I think forum discussions go some way at least in giving a sense of what a person is like.

How bout it ... are you a bitch to deal with in real life or are you an introvert who needs this site as a way to vocalize your true thoughts and feelings? (I'm willing to guess a couple)

The latter, except that I wouldn't say that I need it but rather that I use it (since the site is already available), as one of the many ways of expressing myself, as well as to learn from others.

[fr0d0]

Is it because they're afraid of how others will react to their views? or are they afraid that other people will judge them because of those views ??

No it's apparently because they find the subject a bore. They just don't get it, or why they should be interested in it. You get judged for being religious, sure. The other way around is quite fashionable... speaking of the areas where I've lived.

[thesummerqueen]

I'm the same online as I am in real life...I think the only difference people notice is I smile a lot more in person. I like to laugh.

I know some people have joined and then quit because they felt they didn't have much to offer... Sad, really - when you start engaging people you learn a lot.

[ib.me.ub]

Is it because they're afraid of how others will react to their views? or are they afraid that other people will judge them because of those views ??

Both. Thats how people are.

But as Frodo pointed out, many people are not interested. 'I don't care' comes to mind, but you know as well as I do that they think about it.

"Never talk about religion or politics" is a good motto to stand by. Not in any great depth anyway, unless you are a very calm, collected and measured individual.

[Cinjin]

Is it because they're afraid of how others will react to their views? or are they afraid that other people will judge them because of those views ??

Both. Thats how people are.

But as Frodo pointed out, many people are not interested. 'I don't care' comes to mind, but you know as well as I do that they think about it.

"Never talk about religion or politics"is a good motto to stand by. Not in any great depth anyway, unless you are a very calm, collected and measured individual.

I don't like that motto though. I mean, yeah it is probably a good one but its not any fun.

Seriously, what conversation is more fun than politics and/or religion? Maybe sex comes the closest, but even that's not very good because most everone likes sex. Who's going to debate that?!?!

You know?

[Zen Badger]

The thing I like about a forum is that it gives you the chance to debate with other people who want to debate with you.

It's hard to find that in real life.

[tackattack]

@Zen - Well sometimes they want to...

Maybe there should be more debate clubs, our school didn't have one.

[thesummerqueen]

Our school had one - those people were idiots.

I've been friends with a guy for nearly a decade now who's a real treat to argue with. He never takes anything personally in the end, and he'll stick to his guns no matter the point that he's arguing just because he likes it. (And apparently many times because it amuses him to piss me off...fucker...) I think that's the key - not taking it personally when someone disagrees, even if the argument gets passionate. More people would be willing to debate things in person if they were more assured of not dealing with ad hominems and general hurt feelings.

Also, it's easier to collect your thoughts in the manner you wish when you're typing them out.