An important difference between atheists and true believers

by Hortensia 219 Replies latest social current

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  Band on the Run

  Cofty sends more believers deeply into Christianity b/c he cannot respect that others do not believe what he believes. This is atypical for atheists that I know. What is it here that matters can't be discussed. There are few discussions. Fights a plenty. There is nothing to fight about. We live in Western democracies. People are entitled to their beliefs.

  The way to truly set me in my belief is to make snide and untoward comments about it. It does not friends and supporters.

  No one need agree with anyone else. Clobbering people on the head is not a way to win friends and influence people. There were enogh control nuts in the Witnesses. There is a large Internet audience to bother about theism. School yard bullies.

  There is no way anyone here can enforce a belief on another. Lecturing people is not a way to get votes. When does this control nonsense stop? This should be a place of common cause and experience. No God or Force appointed anyone here as an arbiter for what others believe. The GB can provide that.

  I could see an occasional fight. It happens every single day. No one posts anything profound or illuminating every single day. This board is lot less wacky than it once was. Special fight days could be declared. Are we going to duel each other like Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Not everyone has the same tolerance for fighting.
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  Viviane

  So again, the problem is when atheists act like Christians?
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  cofty

  Cofty sends more believers deeply into Christianity b/c he cannot respect that others do not believe what he believes - BOTR

  Christians share things in common with JWs. They believe irrational things for all the same reasons - parental indoctrination, peer pressure, wishful thinking, fear of death etc.

  Just like the JW cult, facts and evidence are a threat to all but the most liberal forms of christianity. When repeatedly faced with evidence some people face up to it and alter ther beliefs - it really does happen, I happen PMs to prove it. Most react like JWs. They get angry and defensive, they hurl personal insults at the messenger and attack their motives.

  Often that does mean that they become even more ardent believers for a while. That's fine.

  I just wish I had come across somebody like me 19 years ago. I would have hated me and argued for faith with great passion. But I hope reason would have won out and I would not have wasted a further 9 years believing a different set of superstitions.
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  cofty

  You use a lot of pejorative words for somebody trained in law BOTR...

  snide and untoward comments..Clobbering people on the head..control nuts .. School yard bullies....enforce a belief on another... Lecturing people...control nonsense...an arbiter for what others believe.

  I thought you would value objective evidence.
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  Violia

  Atheists DO care what you believe and do try and convert you to their way of thinking. They try and tear down your belief system just as much as true believers . They are both radical.
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  jgnat

  Surely not all athiests, viola. Just as not all ardent believers are compelled to share their faith.

  I get quite evangelical about immunization shots because the factual information is that immunization saves lots of lives. I persist even when populist opinion runs to the contrary. Because I see that some beliefs are dangerous to the well-being of our societies, to the vulnerable and weak.
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  LisaRose

  There are other boards for ex JWs that are more oriented to believers, but this board has many Athiests. If you want someone to confirm yo you that you are entirely correct in your faith, then perhaps you would be happier there. But if you come to this board and discuss belief in God, then, yes, many of the Athiests will challenge you. I think sometimes they could show a bit more tact, but sometimes I think the believers are being mentally lazy in not seriously thinking through their responses.

  It's a discussion board, on religion, it is what it is.
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  Viviane

  Atheists DO care what you believe and do try and convert you to their way of thinking. They try and tear down your belief system just as much as true believers . They are both radical.

  So both belief and lack of belief are radical?
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  Violia

  It is utter nonsense to think this board is only for atheists or only for believers. It is for those leaving or questioning teachings of jws or their family or for anyone who may have questions about jws. There has always been a lively discussion here but no ones rules this board. There are many atheists broads so they can talk among themselves, but they do not wish to, They want to challenge and hurt those who believe. There are many religious boards on the net but many just want to come and try and convert the unwilling. There is a serious lack of tolerance on this board ( leaning to the atheists side) and has been for a long time.

  I came here years ago due to abuse by jws. I found a board that was lively and had all sorts of people here, atheists, religious people of all kinds, and those who enjoyed the spiritualist type religions. Eventually the tarot folks were not even allowed a thread without being ridiculed. Then the religious folks could not post without ridicule. All that was left to post that was acceptable was atheists, sex and fluff threads.

  Tolerance is what is needed. I don't want to be preached to by anyone. I am glad if all can post and if I want to read that thread I will.
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  LisaRose

  It's not that the board is only for Athiests, that is not what I was trying to say.