Keeping R&S Civil

[AB Editor]

Afternoon.

We've noticed it's got a bit "rough" in here recently.

We'd like this section to be accessible to all without fear of being "ambushed" by members who simply disagree with them.

Please remember calling someone an idiot (or similar) is very unlikely to aid the changing of their perspective.

We're not asking you to change what you say - we're asking you to change the way you say it.

In other news: we now have a small "welcome box" between the "enter a question" box and the questions below. Suggestions welcome for things we could pop in there.

All the best,

Ed

[mibn2cweus]

Kiki-frog
lol, duncer, if that's your view of God, then your God is indeed a vengeful God.

There are loads of people of various faiths that see their God or Goddess as being loving, and accept that as humans we are just not capable of seeing the full picture. Which is probably where some of the born again atheists get a bit muddled as they seem to think that all religions are to be taken literally by their adherents.
10:01 Sat 15th Sep 2012

The problem is not that atheists take religion seriously, it's that so many believers do.
We didn't start the fire . . . but someone needs to put it out.

[Kiki-frog]

mibn - why? that really does sound disturbingly evangelical

[Duncer]

lol, duncer, if that's your view of God, then your God is indeed a vengeful God.

I was being tongue in cheek Kiki, but I do remember hearing this preached as a sprog, along with fire, brimstone and the gnashing of teeth. No mention of virgins awaiting me in heaven though, which is a pity, as therre are precious few of legal age down here?

[ladybirder]

IMO R&S is without doubt the best section on AB and I would hate to see it 'toned down'. The most articulate, elegant, intelligent and persuasive posts can be found here, indeed so much so that at least three people I know of have been moved to change their beliefs directly through what they have learned from these threads.
Any of us can get a mauling on any section of AB so if you can't stand the heat ...
I don't think one section should be singled out because of name calling. Is it really worse here than elsewhere? I trust we are not doing this because religion is involved.

[mibn2cweus]

Kiki-frog
mibn - why? that really does sound disturbingly evangelical
16:05 Sat 15th Sep 2012

Kiki - "...disturbingly evangelical"?

Precisely! It's those who don't find evangelicals disturbing we should all be concerned about.

[sandyRoe]

Ladybirder, I have to know. Have these three people you mentioned found a renewed faith through following R&S, or lost what they had?

[jomifl]

Sandy, some questions you should never ask if you are not going to like the answer.

[sandyRoe]

My heart leapt when I read Ladybirders post. Could it be that some words I typed here had helped a sinner towards redemption?
If not, I'll just keep on trying to spread the word.

[ladybirder]

Sorry sandy, no, the other way round, one was me but I was agnostic, now atheist. I think Ummmm might have been the same if I remember correctly. I'm sure she'll let me know if I'm wrong.
The other example where debate has changed somebody's beliefs, that I can remember, wasn't in R&S but in News, so sorry about that. I didn't realise until I just found it. It was when Jackthehat won whiskeryron over to her way of thinking in the thread below at 18.45 on Monday 9th April. In my defence the thread would not have been out of place in R&S.

http://www.theanswerb...uestion1122053-6.html

Sandy, keep trying, you never know:-)

[sandyRoe]

I never expected it to be easy but it sometimes seems a sisyphean task.

[Duncer]

Keep pushing that stone Sandy, your reward awaits.......

On the downside, it's all uphill from here. :-)

[AB Editor]

"What we need in this world generally is a lot less respect for other people's opinions. It's staying quiet that allows bad things to happen."

Yes, but you're not doing anything about it though are you? You're not marching the streets with a placard, you're not writing to your MP, you're not running for office to bring about change...

You're having a natter on the internet...

And, that being the case, I'd like you to be able to do it without being rude to one another.

[AB Editor]

Beso, "Which bit doesn't contribute to the debate?"

The bit where the book gets called "magic" - it's intentionally said to wind up the other party.

You know this.

[AB Editor]

"As has already been said, the problem is that some (but by no means all) religious people take offence whenever they perceive that their theological world-view is being questioned."

I am not saying that this isn't true, sometimes.

I am also saying that I've seen you at the front of the pitchfork carrying rabble when it's time to lynch a Christian. Sometimes.

I am merely asking for civility. As you're a rational human being you should easily be able to see both perspectives.

[sunny-dave]

I hope you have your kevlar jockstrap on today Ed ... and the nomex anti-inflammatory undies ...

[naomi24]

//The bit where the book gets called "magic" - it's intentionally said to wind up the other party.//

Actually, I don’t think that’s true at all. I think it’s a genuine opinion. When wooden sticks are cast upon the ground and become live snakes, and people walk on water, and clay models of birds are transformed into living creatures by blowing upon them, looking at it rationally, I consider all of that to be as a result of nothing more than magic tricks.

[ummmm]

Domino walked on water; he's a magician.

[vascop]

//Yes, but you're not doing anything about it though are you? You're not marching the streets with a placard, you're not writing to your MP, you're not running for office to bring about change... // AB Editor

That's very presumptuous on your part. I am active as well, always have been.

[vascop]

I have written 5 letters to my MP this year already which are related to the subjects we discuss here, eg bishops having guaranteed seats in the House of Lords, teaching Creationism in schools etc

[jomifl]

An opinion that the bible is a 'magic' book has at least as much validity as the opinion that the universe was created by an omniscient, omnipotent, being who loves us all except when we are being dismembered an cast into the eternal flames of hell.