Whatever. The moderator agreed that you were being too cute when you tried to sneak the words “silly fairytales” into the middle of your post, so he deleted the whole post; that’s what happens when you try to be too cute. The moderator also agreed that your so-called “thoughtful posts” on your freedom of speech right to say “fairytales” was a derailment that didn’t belong on the “if you were God” thread, so he deleted those, too. And let’s be honest, your final “freedom of speech” post on that thread was nothing more than a rant about how all the posters who ignored your derailing and whining “freedom of speech” posts were hypocritical losers with insecure faith, and worse, so the moderator delayed those insults of yours, too. Instead of whining, why the heck could simply start your own freedom of speech thread, where you could be “on topic” for real? And cut the childish insults. Then you won’t get deleted. Easy. |
Any atheists want to address this semantic question about whether atheists’ insults=conversion? I’m actually open on this. Sometimes down-in-the-mud is just down-in-the mud, where people who have an emotional need to insult/bully others end up. It looks like you just want to keep whining about how you can’t abuse people with impunity, or derail threads, though. |
For the 100th time, I did not say "fairytales", and in fact stated I would not use that language. I don't need insults to make my points. |
Insults are not necessary when discussing one's lack of belief, and anyone who does that weakens their own position and risks not being taken seriously. Please note the very fact that non-insulting posts expressing non-belief were deleted from this very thread. If that doesn't tell you how hard it is to be taken seriously as a non-believer, than nothing will. Using insults just makes being shut down easier. We must take the high road, always. |
Look, the moderator is an atheist. Also, the moderator doesn’t delete stuff just because it’s reported—he wouldn’t have a Political forum if that were the case. Despite your pretense of innocence, you obviously did something. — phony definition of “insult” that you use to justify insulting people. I’ve actually seen posters argue here that “fairytales” isn’t an insult because they insist religion really is fairytales. — derailing a thread with some version of the long whinge you’re posting here, when everybody is telling you to start your own thread. This is why you got deleted? You guys derail all the time (as if you hate to see religious people discussing religion or something), and I guess I’ll pretend to believe that you weren’t insulting anybody. So this is my bet. Notably, you guys are all over the feedback forum, but right now you aren’t there asking Jeff why he deleted your so-called innocent post. |
Who is “we”? Many atheists here just want to abuse with impunity under the cover of anonymity. Which is probably why the moderator is cracking down. After watching the “If you were God” thread, and seeing what was deleted there and why, I think the moderator is doing a pretty good job. Nothing was deleted that I recall except for insults and derailments. Yes, I agree that “thoughtful derailments” that wind up with “you all suck for not responding to my derailments” also need to be deleted. It’s easy to get your own real estate/thread on DCUM. |
Insults are used here, and often. But suppose we play along and pretend you’re the only atheist who doesn’t use insults, legit. Many others here do. So I go back to OP’s question: is an insult an attempt at conversion? |
The bolded was the whole premise of the derailment on the “If you were God thread”. Supposedly the atheist was just expression an “opinion” that religion is fairytales, and wanted to be able to keep expressing that opinion. Moderator did a good job on that one. |
Insults are used because this is the internet, and "no one knows you're a dog" as the saying goes. This topic isn't special. The trick is to rise above. And no, I am not "the only atheist who doesn’t use insults", in fact I don't know any who do, for the reason I listed: Using an insult is a perfect excuse for someone to turn you off. I do admit people on both sides of this issue do. It's like being told we're going to hell - pointless, unprovable, and does not advance any discussion. As for "is an insult an attempt at conversion"? I think that question is a non-sequitur. They are unrelated. I'm more interested in the question: "Is expressing your opinion and statement of belief or non-belief an attempt at conversion"? I would say no, it is not, for either. |
“The trick is to rise above” just excuses the constant insults. No, the moderator didn’t create this forum so one group can insult the other with impunity. The proof is that he deletes the insults. If you “don’t know any” atheists who use insults here, then either you joined this forum today, or you’re part of the crowd that thinks “fairy tales/ Christofacism” aren’t insults but just statements of facts. That’s not an honest position and you know it as well as everybody else here, and as well as the moderator, who deletes all the insults. I doubt very much OP was talking about people who simply say “I’m an atheist.” Nobody here cares—TPK hat’s why you’ve talked about your atheism a dozen times on this thread yet your (insult-free) posts are still up. It’s all about the insults. But hey, stop arguing with me about the purity and “thoughtfulness” of the deleted atheist posts. And stop whining. Just ask the moderator why he deleted these putatively, insult-free, totally on-topic posts. |
Did he explicitly say that? I don't get that impression. |
To some extent. But some religions actively encourage their believers to proselytize. |
He has said that. I’ve been on DCUM way too long. |
Is it a more personal thing with atheists who insult believers, even believers who aren’t proselytizing? What motivates an atheist to insult believers who say, just having a conversation about what they’d do if they were God? It definitely seems aimed at changing minds, at moving people away from religion. |
No, I am not new here, but i was speaking of those I know personally and those I know of in the community.
Now who is insulting? |