For us to have a thread that does not turn into a God vs Atheist bicker fest?

We all have different views and every last one should be respected.

Everyone knows where everyone stands at this point. so there is no need to keep on saying that you do or do not believe in god. WE ALL FUCKING GET IT, so instead of pointing out how stupid you think someone's view is(over 9000 times), why not just choose to stay out of it?

This board has gone to total shit and ALL of us are to blame here and we ALL need to grow the fuck up and act like adults.

And yes, I DO mean YOU too.

I'm sorry, I just have a dickhead personality. But, yeah, you make a point. We should all try to discuss, rather than attack.

Isn't that the whole idea of discussion boards? I realize people are gonna get fired up when a touchy subject such as spiritual beliefs, it always happens. If you cant take the fire, get out of the kitchen.

Its a religious board, atheism vs God will always come up, especially since there are several devoted atheist constantly monitoring this forum. I blame their curiosity to learn more about what they dont understand.

I can't blame their curiosity. That is normal and good, sometimes that curiosity will lead to God, sometimes it will push them further away. I may argue, call names, and get pissy, but I respect damn near every member here, no matter their beliefs.

Posted by Mr_Fiend Isn't that the whole idea of discussion boards? I realize people are gonna get fired up when a touchy subject such as spiritual beliefs, it always happens. If you cant take the fire, get out of the kitchen. Its a religious board, atheism vs God will always come up, especially since there are several devoted atheist constantly monitoring this forum. I blame their curiosity to learn more about what they dont understand.

There is a difference between difference of views and what has been going on in here over the past month and you know it. Discussion and disrespect are two different hings. The past few weeks have been heavy on disrespect and little to no proper discussion.

Posted by maypost The past few weeks have been heavy on disrespect and little to no proper discussion.

Well I certainly apologize to anyone I might have disrespected. But, being afraid to offend someone is the last thing on my mind, and at the same time, I dont want to personally hurt anyone either.

Every last one of the regular posters is guilty, myself included. I think we all need to step back and listen more and bicker less.

That's all I'm saying

Yeah, it's been a little repetitive in here lately, but I don't think it has been out of control or offensive. I think everyone who participates has a fairly thick skin. Sure, it is important to not get personal, but I can't respect every belief that I read.

I do sincerely try to be personally respectful, and of course, like all sinners, I fail from time to time, but what is the point of the board (and the internet in general) if not to argue like children?

Posted by maypost And yes, I DO mean YOU too.

It's okay. I know you don't really mean me.

The hateful and vindictive bickering is the reason I gave up on this board. I hadn't dropped myself yet and when I saw a post started by May I couldn't help but take a peek.

And for the record I am all for a HEALTHY debate. What I observed a month or so ago was not.

Posted by Samurai

Nice. But yeah, I agree.

Its a religious board, atheism vs God will always come up, especially since there are several devoted atheist constantly monitoring this forum. I blame their curiosity to learn more about what they dont understand.

Don't you mean atheism vs. theism? Oh wait. Sorry.

The point I was trying to make is that this used to be an interesting board. We used to debate ideas. These days every thread turns into the same boring argument and we have switched from debate to picking apart people's words and taking cheap shots(on both sides). It's no longer thought provoking and has become boring and stale.

But my question has been answered. It is not possible for this board to have civil discourse. Thanks for the info.

Posted by maypost The point I was trying to make is that this used to be an interesting board. We used to debate ideas. These days every thread turns into the same boring argument and we have switched from debate to picking apart people's words and taking cheap shots(on both sides). It's no longer thought provoking and has become boring and stale. But my question has been answered. It is not possible for this board to have civil discourse. Thanks for the info.

you'll get over it or die with it.

I haven't really been posting much on here as of late because of this. and if i do its just to make a joke or bc i get annoyed at that one guy, whats his name...the christian guy that says weird things, then contradicts themselves. whatever. but yeah the more involved with this thread i got the more i realized there is no debating religion.

has anyone been converted or "saved" via this board?

i doubt it. politics you can debates(at least with reasonable people). In politics you can discuss using statistics and history. but here its so personal you can't ever make progress with anyone on either side.

I met Mutant Mandias and explored with him, going into he knew i believed in god and i knew he didn't. In my mind part of meeting him was to talk about our views and see what i could learn from. but it never came up. not even remotely. (i take that back, i said bless you when my wife sneezed and i remembered the thread where saying bless you was brought up and laughed and sorry madias) The only thing i can see this board being used for is for moments of hypocrisy or huge revelations, ie Westboro Baptist, religious genocide, finding noahs ark, etc etc etc.

Just my two cents. I do have to say that i feel like i have become friends with more of you on here than i have on any other board. Ive hung out with mandias, sam is on my Live friends list, Dave is in my UE in the NC group, maypost looks like tom green and makes me happy. tek and i have, i feel, come to an understanding and i no longer get mad or annoyed at any of his post.

that being said, thank god for this board! hahah

Why can't we all just agree on Pastafarianism?

I think the only thing we ALL agree on is that you have yet to provide anything of substance.

Posted by maypost But my question has been answered. It is not possible for this board to have civil discourse. Thanks for the info.

ditto.

I will be removing myself from this board when I get back in front of a computer (on phone).

If anyone starts or wants to start a private board to discuss atheism, theism, higher-powers, the universe, karma, etc or have civilized chats about why we don't understand or agree with those beliefs let me know.

No hard feelings or anything and enjoy the spirited "debates" here just minus a whiner.

And look for me in other private boards or posting my travels on the main boards. As I will do the same for all of you.

Wow....it's just not that serious.

It's tiring with everything turning into athiests vs. christians... but discussing religion in depth is hard - there's so much to know about the esoterica and history of the various religions that just riffing off the top of your head is a challenge.....well for me anyway.

Well, people just have to start posting on something different. Threads started about evolution are obviously going to turn into an atheism vs christianity argument. There's quite a lot of different religious beliefs to discuss, but no one has brought anything up.

Posted by MonkeyPunchBaby I met Mutant Mandias and explored with him, going into he knew i believed in god and i knew he didn't.

Actually, my biggest problem is the way people define "god." I absolutely do not believe that there is any consciousness with plans, desires, or capability to take action, but beyond that, I am open to what I would consider a spiritual aspect to existence.

And that is the kind of thing that leads to the majority of bickering on this board - misunderstanding and miscommunication. If the topic is one thing, and someone posts a comment, there will invariably be at least one thing in the comment which assumes some idea/concept in a way that they don't even realize is possible for someone else to think about differently.

Bah, I don't think I'm being clear. It's 9:30 am and I'm in Vegas. Clarity is not everything it's cracked up to be.