Why Are You Here?

[tackattack]

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A question for the religious members. Keep in mind there is no wrong answer. I'm genuinely curious and here's why:

Why are you here?
1. You're not allowed to proselytize on this site. Which means you'll have a hell of a time winning souls for Jesus/Allah - whatever.
2. You have to put up with a lot of mockery from the opposition. Lord knows I've done my fair share of ridiculing you.
3. Favor is going to be partial to the atheists should any dispute arise ... after all it is an Atheist's forum.
4. Several of you (Statler Waldorf comes to mind) seem to not even care about the "christian reputation" you leave behind. Some of you actually strengthen our resolve.

Those factors lead me to one conclusion. You're here because somewhere inside you, no matter how faint, there's a part of you that thinks that we might be right and that you might be wrong. Is that the case? If not, what continually brings a person of faith to these forums?

As a show of good faith, I will answer my own question.

I am here because I have found that most atheists and I are very like-minded. Despite my deistic beliefs, I lean heavily toward atheism on the majority of views and come here to engross myself with like-minded rational people who also dislike/hate revealed religions.


Note: In no way whatsoever am I implying that religious people should not be here. I welcome you all ... even the crazies - at least for awhile.

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There was another thread to this similarly not too long ago, but I really can't be bothered tonight to look it up. I'll address your points then answer your question.
1- It's not my job to when souls. Even if it was, the best way I've found is being a good example, not preaching.
2- I've gotten more ridicule and hatred focused on me from my religious forum than from here.
3- favor favors the fickle. I don't look for disputes just sharing, I don't mind saying "I don't know", "you're right", "let's just agree to disagree", not an issue with me
4- Your resolve is 0 of my concern. If you become more irrational because you experience more irrationality, sounds like a personal issue.

Note: A lot of promintent member are quite vocal about not having religious people here. I personally enjoy the challenge of keeping the pot stirred.

To answer your questions. I originally came here to find out about atheism, challenge my own views, and (to be honest) was concerned with your souls .

I am still concerned with your souls, but it's none of my buisness, unless you want it to be. If I'm not here I can't be open to that reaching out. I've learned a lot about atheism and found that Christians (online majority) are far more closed-minded, irrational and quick tempered than most of the atheists on here. I've gotten lots of clarification on what I believe, why I believe and challenged my faith many times on here. I waas asked to be a mod and eventually accepted, because I felt I could help the community that helped me if I did. That's why I'm here, oh and to continuously clear up misconceptions.

[Cinjin]

To answer your questions. I originally came here to find out about atheism, challenge my own views, and (to be honest) was concerned with your souls .

I am still concerned with your souls, but it's none of my buisness, unless you want it to be. If I'm not here I can't be open to that reaching out. I've learned a lot about atheism and found that Christians (online majority) are far more closed-minded, irrational and quick tempered than most of the atheists on here. I've gotten lots of clarification on what I believe, why I believe and challenged my faith many times on here. I waas asked to be a mod and eventually accepted, because I felt I could help the community that helped me if I did. That's why I'm here, oh and to continuously clear up misconceptions.

Tack, was there nothing in you (not even a miniscule amount) that questioned, or even continues to question your beliefs in your god?

I would dare to say (and of course this is an assumption) that most of us here have questioned what we believe at one time or another.

To drive my point home: I went back to church for a couple of weeks in my mid 20's to see one last time if there was something I missed. I knew going in that it probably wouldn't change me one iota, but I still went. I was right ... it only solidified my disdain for christianity, but the point is, that I did take a look. I just wonder if many of our religious members would own up to this concept if it is indeed true. And perhaps for you it is not the case.

???

[Godscreated]

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A question for the religious members. Keep in mind there is no wrong answer. I'm genuinely curious and here's why:

Why are you here?
1. You're not allowed to proselytize on this site. Which means you'll have a hell of a time winning souls for Jesus/Allah - whatever.
2. You have to put up with a lot of mockery from the opposition. Lord knows I've done my fair share of ridiculing you.
3. Favor is going to be partial to the atheists should any dispute arise ... after all it is an Atheist's forum.
4. Several of you (Statler Waldorf comes to mind) seem to not even care about the "christian reputation" you leave behind. Some of you actually strengthen our resolve.

Those factors lead me to one conclusion. You're here because somewhere inside you, no matter how faint, there's a part of you that thinks that we might be right and that you might be wrong. Is that the case? If not, what continually brings a person of faith to these forums?

As a show of good faith, I will answer my own question.

I am here because I have found that most atheists and I are very like-minded. Despite my deistic beliefs, I lean heavily toward atheism on the majority of views and come here to engross myself with like-minded rational people who also dislike/hate revealed religions.


Note: In no way whatsoever am I implying that religious people should not be here. I welcome you all ... even the crazies - at least for awhile.

---

[tackattack]

Actually I still have doubts.. it's only human to. It's not a miniscule part, it's part of what brought me here, to question those beliefs and to establish if they hold water. My time here has helped me identify the leaks and so far I'm still floating well.

[Eternity]

---

A question for the religious members. Keep in mind there is no wrong answer. I'm genuinely curious and here's why:

Why are you here?
1. You're not allowed to proselytize on this site. Which means you'll have a hell of a time winning souls for Jesus/Allah - whatever.
2. You have to put up with a lot of mockery from the opposition. Lord knows I've done my fair share of ridiculing you.
3. Favor is going to be partial to the atheists should any dispute arise ... after all it is an Atheist's forum.
4. Several of you (Statler Waldorf comes to mind) seem to not even care about the "christian reputation" you leave behind. Some of you actually strengthen our resolve.

Those factors lead me to one conclusion. You're here because somewhere inside you, no matter how faint, there's a part of you that thinks that we might be right and that you might be wrong. Is that the case? If not, what continually brings a person of faith to these forums?

As a show of good faith, I will answer my own question.

I am here because I have found that most atheists and I are very like-minded. Despite my deistic beliefs, I lean heavily toward atheism on the majority of views and come here to engross myself with like-minded rational people who also dislike/hate revealed religions.


Note: In no way whatsoever am I implying that religious people should not be here. I welcome you all ... even the crazies - at least for awhile.

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1. I'm not here to give dawah(never been good at it)
2. "If you can't handle the heat. Stay out of the kitchen" I don't plan on leaving because I'm being hurled insults at. Happens in RL all the time.
3. Depends on the situation. I can understand it being a debate. But if it's something to do with rules then they should get their biasness out of the decision making.
4. Not sure if this is applicable.

I'm here to see why Atheist are so sure of themselves. I'm also here to see how we disagree on things in the Quran. I'm here like Rayaan to give knowledge and to receive it.

You're here because somewhere inside you, no matter how faint, there's a part of you that thinks that we might be right and that you might be wrong. Is that the case? If not, what continually brings a person of faith to these forums?

Yeah and sometimes when I'm not sure I think it grows. But after so I get enlightened and find that my faith is even more stronger. I do though have lingering doubts though not enough to make me stray away. Heck a question you posted got me thinking a few times. Haven't really responded to it yet...

[Cinjin]

I like it. I wish I could get all you to chime in ... if not for anything else, it shows that we have at least one tiny bit of common ground.

Tack, Rayaan and Eternity all admitted to at least occasionally having some doubts about their beliefs ... as most all of us have had at some point. Kudos to the brothers.

G-C, thank you for answering. EDIT CORRECTION: You were the only one so far who did not visit these forums because of some doubts.

Have you ever felt doubts about what you believe? Ever?

[Godscreated]

I like it. I wish I could get all you to chime in ... if not for anything else, it shows that we have at least one tiny bit of common ground.

Tack, Rayaan and Eternity all admitted to at least occasionally having some doubts about their beliefs ... as most all of us have had at some point. Kudos to the brothers.

G-C, thank you for answering. EDIT CORRECTION: You were the only one so far who did not visit these forums because of some doubts.

Have you ever felt doubts about what you believe? Ever?

Yes, that is a human condition and I do not believe anyone that is honest can deny that, again I did not come here because of doubt but to learn and grow as a christian, sorry if that's not the answer you thought it might be, I must be honest no matter what others think.

[Statler Waldorf]

---

A question for the religious members. Keep in mind there is no wrong answer. I'm genuinely curious and here's why:

Why are you here?
1. You're not allowed to proselytize on this site. Which means you'll have a hell of a time winning souls for Jesus/Allah - whatever.
2. You have to put up with a lot of mockery from the opposition. Lord knows I've done my fair share of ridiculing you.
3. Favor is going to be partial to the atheists should any dispute arise ... after all it is an Atheist's forum.
4. Several of you (Statler Waldorf comes to mind) seem to not even care about the "christian reputation" you leave behind. Some of you actually strengthen our resolve.

Those factors lead me to one conclusion. You're here because somewhere inside you, no matter how faint, there's a part of you that thinks that we might be right and that you might be wrong. Is that the case? If not, what continually brings a person of faith to these forums?

As a show of good faith, I will answer my own question.

I am here because I have found that most atheists and I are very like-minded. Despite my deistic beliefs, I lean heavily toward atheism on the majority of views and come here to engross myself with like-minded rational people who also dislike/hate revealed religions.


Note: In no way whatsoever am I implying that religious people should not be here. I welcome you all ... even the crazies - at least for awhile.

---

Even Christ had doubt at one point in time, so anyone who says they never have doubt has a bigger issue, lying. That being said, doubt is not the reason I am on this site. I have learned over the years that the best way to strengthen one's beliefs is to have dialogue with people who have the opposite beliefs. So by discussing topics with atheists it forces me to do research and to figure out exactly why I believe what I believe. Too be honest, Christian discussion forums drive me nuts, they are always too heavily moderated and there is a lot of emotionalism involved that makes discussions very difficult. So I'd just prefer to spend my time solidifying my beliefs in the lion's den :-D

[Cinjin]

I didn't realize this was a "lion's den", but still, your response is understood and appreciated. Thanx.

[Minimalist]

Actually I still have doubts.. it's only human to. It's not a miniscule part, it's part of what brought me here, to question those beliefs and to establish if they hold water. My time here has helped me identify the leaks and so far I'm still floating well.

Better check the bilge pump.