Any evidence of getting anywhere?
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realthinker
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Any evidence of getting anywhere?
Post #1I've been scarce on the discussion board here lately as work has heated up, but I know that every time I'm back I see many of same posters. Many of you have been here for long enough that I'd expect that some sort of community has developed. As that has gone on, has it been a string of individual topics that offer no progress? Or within that community of regulars has any level of understanding come about that might have moved the debates into new levels of sophistication? If so, can you describe that?
If all the ignorance in the world passed a second ago, what would you say? Who would you obey?
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Zzyzx
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Post #2
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Realthinker,
Welcome back. Your contributions are missed.
During my nine months as a member there appear to be changes in the forum – perhaps it represents development of the “community” you mention. However, it seems more like “neighborhoods”, separate from one another, touching frequently, conflicting at times.
Some theists appear to have developed a “fundamentalist neighborhood” that attempts to “defend the faith” at all cost and on every occasion possible – and attacks non-theists and liberal theists with equal vigor. They seem to promote a protective and angry neighborhood.
“Liberal” (tolerant or non-fundamental) Christians often appear to be much closer to non-theists than to fundamentalists in their attitudes and arguments. They seem to prefer a peaceful, cooperative neighborhood. Several thinking, moderate theists present reasoned arguments – but they represent the minority of Christian posts.
Non-theists seem to have developed camaraderie and an informal coordination of efforts to dispute theist claims. They seem to have a calm but purposeful demeanor – attempting to discourage the spread of fundamentalist neighborhoods.
There is a decided lack of strong theist debaters, particularly among fundamentalists. As I was told when I suggested that theists be recruited from religious college students and faculty to provide a more challenging environment, “Those that have the ability do not have the time and those who have the time do not have the ability”.
The familiar claims are being made about invisible super beings and magic tricks. The expected requests for verification are still met with, “you can’t prove me wrong” (if any response it made at all). Basically, it is a case of religionists making claims, non-religionists asking for verification and either no verification being provided or scriptural quotations being made in the absence of evidence.
Maybe there is no real change at all.
What do you think from the perspective of returning after an absence?
Realthinker,
Welcome back. Your contributions are missed.
During my nine months as a member there appear to be changes in the forum – perhaps it represents development of the “community” you mention. However, it seems more like “neighborhoods”, separate from one another, touching frequently, conflicting at times.
Some theists appear to have developed a “fundamentalist neighborhood” that attempts to “defend the faith” at all cost and on every occasion possible – and attacks non-theists and liberal theists with equal vigor. They seem to promote a protective and angry neighborhood.
“Liberal” (tolerant or non-fundamental) Christians often appear to be much closer to non-theists than to fundamentalists in their attitudes and arguments. They seem to prefer a peaceful, cooperative neighborhood. Several thinking, moderate theists present reasoned arguments – but they represent the minority of Christian posts.
Non-theists seem to have developed camaraderie and an informal coordination of efforts to dispute theist claims. They seem to have a calm but purposeful demeanor – attempting to discourage the spread of fundamentalist neighborhoods.
There is a decided lack of strong theist debaters, particularly among fundamentalists. As I was told when I suggested that theists be recruited from religious college students and faculty to provide a more challenging environment, “Those that have the ability do not have the time and those who have the time do not have the ability”.
The familiar claims are being made about invisible super beings and magic tricks. The expected requests for verification are still met with, “you can’t prove me wrong” (if any response it made at all). Basically, it is a case of religionists making claims, non-religionists asking for verification and either no verification being provided or scriptural quotations being made in the absence of evidence.
Maybe there is no real change at all.
What do you think from the perspective of returning after an absence?
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Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
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achilles12604
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Post #3
Considering the fact that people have been having the exact same debate for thousands of years, I am not too surprised that you have noticed little movement over the last 9 months.
We shall hash these issues until the world comes crashing down around us.
Doesn't mean we can't learn a little along the way however.
We shall hash these issues until the world comes crashing down around us.
Doesn't mean we can't learn a little along the way however.
It is a first class human tragedy that people of the earth who claim to believe in the message of Jesus, whom they describe as the Prince of Peace, show little of that belief in actual practice.
