Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 10, 2011 at 3:33am

Thank you. I will clarify, Pahu, a beleiver, posted a topic that was huge yesterday "science proves god" (I can link if you wish) but basicly I attempted to come to common ground as he was obviously proselytizing, copy paste statements and blatent ignorence of science/history. I was nice in a shitstorm of pissed off atheists. I would have been a real ass if he would have come at it from a negative stance but he didn't, this was the best way he knew to get his point out. Yes I disagree with him, however being a dick is counter productive especially in theistic eyes.

 

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Permalink Reply by AKICKTOTHEEYE on July 10, 2011 at 5:09am

Asinine thought comes in many forms. People of all viewpoints get their panties in their ass and feel the need to poke out their chest. How dare an atheist take the high road and be a rational, aware, informed and understanding human being to a fellow human being... shame on you.

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 10, 2011 at 6:20am

You actually have no idea what that means to me. Thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Sin on July 10, 2011 at 5:48am

Perhaps you could provide a link to the post in question so that people can judge for themselves the context.

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 10, 2011 at 6:38am

I can't seem to be able to link it. it's a major topic in this category "Science proves god" I'm page 9.

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 10, 2011 at 7:27am

My sol reason for joining TA was to be able to have open (civil) dicourse with individuals regardless of the background. I am finding that if I don't phrase things correctly or get some obscure fact right I'm now relegated to one of those other compartmentalized groups. Based off of the comments, there are always those who think similar to me. But I must say I'm disappointed in those that made me wright this in the first place. Shame on you, You only bolster the negativity we already have by social dogma.

To reiterate, I am an atheist. I hate what religeon has the potential to do, I will be the first person to stand up for basic rights, however, if it is out of sincere questioning I don't take offense. And to be fair pahu was only proselytizing but he was only kind about it. thus no offence to me, yes he copy pasted most of it and faced with facts rejected them what else is new? Being a complete ass to that person only refuels the theist.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Smith on July 10, 2011 at 7:32am

People are people and some people are "dicks" no matter what they believe or think.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher on July 10, 2011 at 7:46am

I have to think about it like this:

Most people who ascribe to "atheism" probably grew up in some religion. At some point in their life, they realized what the rest of us did, that it didn't add up. So now they have to fight for why they believe what they believe. I have had many conversations where I got up and walked away because the Christian did not want to listen to what I was saying. Maybe that is their way of "winning" but in my book, if you can't have a civil conversation, then why are you talking?

Second, in a world where the only interaction most people have is through their keyboard, it has become commonplace to attempt to lambast someone online. It gives us no real accomplishment other than to read our posts and think better of ourselves. For example, I am a Yankee fan. Yesterday Derek Jeter hit his 3,000th career hit. That's pretty amazing by anyone's standards! I congratulated him online (as if he would read it) and an old friend who does not like the Yankees "disliked" it. I am only congratulating him on his accomplishments. If you don't like a team/idea/whatever sometimes it's best to just keep your mouth shut. If someone put in 30 years for a company I was boycotting (none come to mind) I wouldn't say "congrats on sucking."

A phrase I used ALL the time in the Army was, "opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and most of them stink." A place like this, al you can do is ignore the assholes and enjoy the rest of us who can actually be civil.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Lewis on July 10, 2011 at 11:59am

Epi, I admire your optimism in attempting to converse with a hard core xtian, but keep in mind talking with a xtian is akin to trying to shout through a key hole to a person in the other room who has a band playing in the background.

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Permalink Reply by James on July 10, 2011 at 2:19pm

I agree that having a rational polite discussion is the path to take. Those who go in looking for a fight are being counterproductive in my opinion. I was brought up Catholic, but being able to understand were they are coming from isn't why I prefer level headed discussion. Far too many theists assume us to be combative and close-minded. But I feel we should take the higher road. If we start right off being what they expect then we get nowhere. But if we defer from that path we can hopefully change the false perception of us, show that we really do know what we're talking about, and maybe even plant some seeds of doubt along the way. But I think we can all agree that 'being an ass' will get no one anywhere.

 

As for the thread in question... I have to agree that I wasn't a fan of some of the comments. Instant dismissal without explanation can come up a bit short. While his (copy &paste) argument fails miserably, just saying it does can seem close minded. Even though it was probably as waste of time, I was happy to see people explaining why it failed. Obviously, it is worse still when someone persists in outright attacks. I will however say that this ilk is not the majority from my experience. But the few can give the rest a bad name. That's why it is important to counteract this perception when we can.

 

Cheers!

 

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Permalink Reply by MikeLong on July 10, 2011 at 5:04pm

I fully agree that confrontation will only harden your opponent's stance. There's nothing wrong with trying to understand what motivates him then working from that perspective.
If a theist says, "How can you possibly think there is no God? Just look around you." Use his awe in your reply.
HOWEVER, when someone posts, "Science Proves God" (followed by screeds of nonsense), the only rational response (to me) is to totally ignore the troll. He's obviously not interested in a real discussion - no matter how polite he might be.
I was really disappointed that so many took his bait.
So how did it turn out in the end? Was he deconverted? (joke)

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 11, 2011 at 2:05pm

Agreed. It was butchered science, and over all ignorence of modern scientific knowledge.

I however, don't think he was trolling, he just thought this was some gem of information we haven't heard yet, I even know the site he copy pasted from, I used to use it when I was resarching myself, (ironiclly became an atheist from it)

I have no idea how it ended I chocked it up to a cyclical argument from willful ignorence beligerent atheist sharks smelling blood.

I'm sure he did (de)convert going to wright the next "god delusion"

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