Why The Anger?

[Oakleaf51]

If you are not religious, why do you get so heated up at those people that are?

[luna-tic]

There is another way of looking at what you said Mani.
True, there are agreements and disagreements over the subjects, whence the debates.
Just blatantly slagging people off or being derogatory just for arguments sake is also not nice but to be totally honest we've all witnesssed what happens when almost everyone agrees aswell. (It's creepily quiet on here).
All the knowledgeable and serious religious people are the same as all the knowlegeable and serious athiests or not-sures when there's no one to have a debate with because within our own groups (so to speak) we will probably nod, Yes to eachother.

[NJOK]

How unbelievably tiresome.

For what it's worth, I don't believe in God.
I believe that when you die, there is nothing.
I believe that state-funded faith schools are morally wrong. And I believe that letting religious beliefs influence government policy or education is an affront to those of us who don't share those beliefs.

But arguing with people who believe in God about the rationale of their faith is just ridiculous. It's what you grow out of in the schoolyard.

Faith doesn't need to be supported by fact. That's what makes it faith. And, for all my beliefs, you can't disprove the existence of God anymore than believers can prove it. Because it's centred on blind faith and a feeling inside, rather than science.

And wheeling out the tired old arguments about religion causing war or creating division isn't going to shake a true believer's faith. More than that, they could equally point to the many many many people who find strength, hope and moral guidance in their beliefs.

I don't. But good luck to those that do.

Campaigning against religion interfering in our lives is one thing. But trying to score intellectual points by popping someone's religious view just strikes me as pointless and mean-spirited. It's like waking a toddler up on Christmas Day and telling them that Santa is made-up.

But do carry on, kids.

[naomi24]

What an arrogantly patronising little man you are NJOK. If you find the conversation so unbelievably tiresome, be our guest - go elsewhere.

[Philanthro]

You do sometimes find intelligent and interesting discussion in this section but generally not. Most of the questions just encourage those with a faith to put their views across so that they can be humiliated and abused. I can hardly bring myself to even participate on here any more because most of it is just playground stuff. In fact I think it's irresponsible of answerbank to even keep religion and spirituality open because it's really just become a hate forum.

I dont know the answer to the main question but I think it's sad that adults behave in this way.

[Cetti]

.....or even worse Philanthro sworn at, which is why the majority of posters cannot be bothered any more. A shame, as this used to be a very stimulating section.

NJOK Your first sentence sums it up perfectly - and the rest is also spot on. Very well put.

[Philanthro]

When were you sworn at Cetti?

I have noticed quite a bit of bullying and intimidation on here. I did feel sorry for Mani, at one point there were 5 questions on the front page all with his name in the title and all full of personal abuse!! I know some of the views he expressed were a bit radical but thats what the site needs to make it interesting. The way people treated him was totally unacceptable.

[NJOK]

Touch a nerve there, did I, Naomi?

[Oakleaf51]

I think that regardless of age or education, some religious people are maybe new to their faith and still finding their way around. Maybe they haven't even decided on a denomination yet. Then, if thay come on here to ask a question or try to join in a debate, then thet find loads and loads of questions getting fired at them, and the point seems to be to tie them up in knots. So reading the posts is a good idea, but writing them isn't always a good idea.

[Cetti]

That's how it used to be Oakleaf51.

Some of the posts were heartbreaking, but most of us had come to faith the hard way, that is via the occult, clinical depression, disabilities. bereavement, rough childhoods/mariages - you name it, one (or all) had been there, so could empathise with whatever the poster was going through. So were able to give something back to anyone who asked - and always with good manners, plus humour when needed, without the indulgence of verbal gymnastics.

That post was removed Philanthro. Can one get any lower than swearing, especially to a woman, I think not?

[Oakleaf51]

That's what I mean, when somebody is new to there faith and it may be fragile, and it may needs lots of question to be answered as well but it just means keeping reading and reading and hoping that someone else will ask the question because asking questions is sometimes causing offence to som posters.

[yinyang]

Can I answer as a first timer on here?
Firstly ,I am not religious. I try to be a good person and to raise my children to respect and care for others but that is to try and make the world we are currently living in a better place.
BUT I also believe we are very lucky here that people can choose what they want to believe and that no -one has the right to berate or belittle somebody for what they believe. I feel no frustration at your choice, we all take different paths in life.I know many people who find great comfort in their religion, christian or otherwise, and sometimes I envy them that.
There is a mentality out there of 'this is what I believe and anything else is wrong!' but both christians and athiests can be guilty of this. Healthy discussion is good and sometimes having your beliefs challenged can be a positive thing, as you justify them you rediscover how strongly you feel about them. But there is a big difference between discussion and abusive personal attacks and I am suprised at some of the stuff I've read on here.
Here, as in the rest of the world, I wish there could be more tolerance.

[naomi24]

NJOK, no, you didn't touch a nerve with me - you'd have to be pretty bright to do that. I simply think it's nonsense to say a discussion is unbelievably tiresome, and then jump in with both feet. Why bother? However, that aside, it seems the religious here have clearly missed the insult you've thrown at them - and in your eagerness to impress us all with your maturity, so have you - unless of course you intended irony, which I very much doubt. 'Popping someone's religious view is pointless and mean-spirited - it's like waking a toddler on Christmas Day and telling them that Santa is made up'? And our Christian friends welcomed your support. Oh dear.

[Oakleaf51]

I think that before I press the submit button to post I give a bit of thought to how it might be received, maybe make them uncomfortable? Then maybe we should all do this?
Opposing views is one thing, but check mate scenario is another.

[Oakleaf51]

Male

[Cetti]

yinyang Welcome to AB.

Your kind of post is particularly welcome amongst all the bile that is usually spewed out here, particularly against Christians, so please, if and when you feel like it do join in.

I agree with you wholeheartedly, we are so fortunate to worship - or not - as we choose in this country. Probably like you, if someone posts something that is not in line with my particular beliefs I will choose to ignore it rather than engage in a tirade of pompous and extremely rude personal attacks.

Intelligence does not come into it - it's all about respect and kindness.

[Theland]

yingyang - I am a Christian, and would love to discuss my beliefs with you.
Ditto what Cetti has said also.
I haven't posted for a while but hope to do so a little more now, and look forward to your contributions.

[mibn2cweus]

Why are my ears burning?

I have no interest in pandering to beliefs, right or wrong. I�m here to put my beliefs on the block for anyone with an adequate ax to chop asunder. I�m here to learn. I�m not afraid to have my feelings hurt by someone capable of showing me the fallacy of a cherished belief because this is how I gain knowledge and knowledge is a gift with a value that exceeds the price of a little sweat and a few tears.

If and when I offend, please inform me of the nature of the offence so that I may learn to be a more effective communicator. I realize that nothing is gained if the exchange is not mutually beneficial, (this makes me feel a bit worthless at times).

Share the wisdom and if you have not any to give then please take what you need until you do then take some more. If it gets to be a little too much locate the little red box with the X in the upper right hand corner (the one I probably should have clicked on instead of the submit button).