Why did "Why so many Atheists" thread got deleted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Mr. Steele - if you are on the side of atheists and do not want to support balanced discussions and positive turn around in the Religion forum that could have resulted from the thread that you deleted, why don't you rename the Religion forum into Atheist forum?
Others, besides me, told you numerous times that atheist are derailing every topic on the Religion forum and you chose to ignore those complains. Most religious people of all faiths have left and the forum has lost its purpose. With you deleting this thread that could have been a turnaround in the way things are discussed, why simply not rename the forum to Atheism forum and open another forum called Belief forum where religious people of all faiths can congregate.

Op here again - Mr. Steele, I stand by my request. Atheists have completely and I mean completely taken over the Religion forum. It is impossible to have a conversation from a believers' perspective with other believers. I just glancing at "Why I love God" topic and someone said that religious people have Stockholm Syndrome. These insults are daily and have become normalized and accepted. Coupe of months ago I tried having a conversation about role of Satan. After one page the discussion turned highly political because of atheists. I asked you to clean up the thread from political posts, which you kindly obliged. Atheist are either political, ideological, or aggressive, or all three. It would be nice to have conversations without having to request moderation all the time. I strongly suggest you give them forum of their own called Atheists: for political and ideological musings about religion. Religious people have expressed their wish to freely discuss their beliefs without being derailed and trolled. I suggest the forum called Belief: for matters of faith, for believers. Thank you.

Or...just remove Religion from Recent Topics.

OP here - I don't think that would help. We have "regular" atheists on the Religion forum that are hell bent on destroying every topic. I find that a strange obsession. Atheism and Belief forums would clearly describe the difference. I think Atheism forum should have description that states: political and ideological discussion about religion and atheism.

My only suggestion would be to call them Atheist and Religious Forum, as opposed to Belief. Belief implies a belief in Jesus, and there are many religious people who don't follow that but are still strong adherents to their own religions.

OP here - not it doesn't. It implies belief in whatever your religion calls you to believe in. It implies that you are an adherent and practitioner of that fait and wish to discuss matters of faith rather than politics and ideology.

OK, then....based on that, I'd be fine with leaving it as Belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Mr. Steele - if you are on the side of atheists and do not want to support balanced discussions and positive turn around in the Religion forum that could have resulted from the thread that you deleted, why don't you rename the Religion forum into Atheist forum?
Others, besides me, told you numerous times that atheist are derailing every topic on the Religion forum and you chose to ignore those complains. Most religious people of all faiths have left and the forum has lost its purpose. With you deleting this thread that could have been a turnaround in the way things are discussed, why simply not rename the forum to Atheism forum and open another forum called Belief forum where religious people of all faiths can congregate.

Op here again - Mr. Steele, I stand by my request. Atheists have completely and I mean completely taken over the Religion forum. It is impossible to have a conversation from a believers' perspective with other believers. I just glancing at "Why I love God" topic and someone said that religious people have Stockholm Syndrome. These insults are daily and have become normalized and accepted. Coupe of months ago I tried having a conversation about role of Satan. After one page the discussion turned highly political because of atheists. I asked you to clean up the thread from political posts, which you kindly obliged. Atheist are either political, ideological, or aggressive, or all three. It would be nice to have conversations without having to request moderation all the time. I strongly suggest you give them forum of their own called Atheists: for political and ideological musings about religion. Religious people have expressed their wish to freely discuss their beliefs without being derailed and trolled. I suggest the forum called Belief: for matters of faith, for believers. Thank you.

Or...just remove Religion from Recent Topics.

OP here - I don't think that would help. We have "regular" atheists on the Religion forum that are hell bent on destroying every topic. I find that a strange obsession. Atheism and Belief forums would clearly describe the difference. I think Atheism forum should have description that states: political and ideological discussion about religion and atheism.

My only suggestion would be to call them Atheist and Religious Forum, as opposed to Belief. Belief implies a belief in Jesus, and there are many religious people who don't follow that but are still strong adherents to their own religions.

OP here - not it doesn't. It implies belief in whatever your religion calls you to believe in. It implies that you are an adherent and practitioner of that fait and wish to discuss matters of faith rather than politics and ideology.

Is active participation in fasting required to participate on this forum? Just trying to clarify.

Huh? Do all religions require fasting, or was that a sarcastic question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Mr. Steele - if you are on the side of atheists and do not want to support balanced discussions and positive turn around in the Religion forum that could have resulted from the thread that you deleted, why don't you rename the Religion forum into Atheist forum?
Others, besides me, told you numerous times that atheist are derailing every topic on the Religion forum and you chose to ignore those complains. Most religious people of all faiths have left and the forum has lost its purpose. With you deleting this thread that could have been a turnaround in the way things are discussed, why simply not rename the forum to Atheism forum and open another forum called Belief forum where religious people of all faiths can congregate.

Op here again - Mr. Steele, I stand by my request. Atheists have completely and I mean completely taken over the Religion forum. It is impossible to have a conversation from a believers' perspective with other believers. I just glancing at "Why I love God" topic and someone said that religious people have Stockholm Syndrome. These insults are daily and have become normalized and accepted. Coupe of months ago I tried having a conversation about role of Satan. After one page the discussion turned highly political because of atheists. I asked you to clean up the thread from political posts, which you kindly obliged. Atheist are either political, ideological, or aggressive, or all three. It would be nice to have conversations without having to request moderation all the time. I strongly suggest you give them forum of their own called Atheists: for political and ideological musings about religion. Religious people have expressed their wish to freely discuss their beliefs without being derailed and trolled. I suggest the forum called Belief: for matters of faith, for believers. Thank you.

Or...just remove Religion from Recent Topics.

OP here - I don't think that would help. We have "regular" atheists on the Religion forum that are hell bent on destroying every topic. I find that a strange obsession. Atheism and Belief forums would clearly describe the difference. I think Atheism forum should have description that states: political and ideological discussion about religion and atheism.

My only suggestion would be to call them Atheist and Religious Forum, as opposed to Belief. Belief implies a belief in Jesus, and there are many religious people who don't follow that but are still strong adherents to their own religions.

OP here - not it doesn't. It implies belief in whatever your religion calls you to believe in. It implies that you are an adherent and practitioner of that fait and wish to discuss matters of faith rather than politics and ideology.

Is active participation in fasting required to participate on this forum? Just trying to clarify.

Huh? Do all religions require fasting, or was that a sarcastic question?

On the deleted thread OP said that only people who actively participated in fasting and praying could provide meaningful input to religious topics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there were a lot of thoughtful replies and responses from Atheists.

It did devolve into "I don't believe you, here's why you're really here" completely ignoring those responses, and presuming bad intent.

There were at least a couple responses by people of faith that actually read and understood the atheist responses, but it was overrun by (some) people so insecure in their faith that they couldn't digest alternative ideas or viewpoints.

Please. The atheist responses on that thread are easily categorized.
1. Let me ignore the thread topic and tell you why I’m an atheist
2. Oh goodie, another chance to troll believers
3. If you don’t like my bad behavior, it’s because you’re insecure in your faith, not because my derailments and trolling are making it impossible to have a conversation (see above).
4. Some thoughtful replies by atheists that could be counted on one hand.

Only a tiny percent of the atheist participants on that thread actually wanted to join a discussion on the thread topic. Wish the moderator had left it up so this would be evident.

Case in point.

Exactly.

NP. I'm not religious. You atheists are acting like a bunch of jerks. Too bad Jeff deleted a thread that would have spoken for itself.

And here come the ad hominems/name calling. But let me guess, "the atheists started it."

Exactly. When they complain on the next thread they will say how victimized they were on this one. They make up crap constantly just to bolster their story.

Drama queens.

Saying you atheists are acting like a bunch of jerks is "name calling" and ad homineming you?

Show us where the priest touched you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Mr. Steele - if you are on the side of atheists and do not want to support balanced discussions and positive turn around in the Religion forum that could have resulted from the thread that you deleted, why don't you rename the Religion forum into Atheist forum?
Others, besides me, told you numerous times that atheist are derailing every topic on the Religion forum and you chose to ignore those complains. Most religious people of all faiths have left and the forum has lost its purpose. With you deleting this thread that could have been a turnaround in the way things are discussed, why simply not rename the forum to Atheism forum and open another forum called Belief forum where religious people of all faiths can congregate.

Op here again - Mr. Steele, I stand by my request. Atheists have completely and I mean completely taken over the Religion forum. It is impossible to have a conversation from a believers' perspective with other believers. I just glancing at "Why I love God" topic and someone said that religious people have Stockholm Syndrome. These insults are daily and have become normalized and accepted. Coupe of months ago I tried having a conversation about role of Satan. After one page the discussion turned highly political because of atheists. I asked you to clean up the thread from political posts, which you kindly obliged. Atheist are either political, ideological, or aggressive, or all three. It would be nice to have conversations without having to request moderation all the time. I strongly suggest you give them forum of their own called Atheists: for political and ideological musings about religion. Religious people have expressed their wish to freely discuss their beliefs without being derailed and trolled. I suggest the forum called Belief: for matters of faith, for believers. Thank you.

Or...just remove Religion from Recent Topics.

OP here - I don't think that would help. We have "regular" atheists on the Religion forum that are hell bent on destroying every topic. I find that a strange obsession. Atheism and Belief forums would clearly describe the difference. I think Atheism forum should have description that states: political and ideological discussion about religion and atheism.

My only suggestion would be to call them Atheist and Religious Forum, as opposed to Belief. Belief implies a belief in Jesus, and there are many religious people who don't follow that but are still strong adherents to their own religions.

OP here - not it doesn't. It implies belief in whatever your religion calls you to believe in. It implies that you are an adherent and practitioner of that fait and wish to discuss matters of faith rather than politics and ideology.

Is active participation in fasting required to participate on this forum? Just trying to clarify.

Fasting is a vital component of many, many religions (almost all of them). Practicing one's faith makes you an active participant in that faith. Discussing political and ideological role of religion in the society does not constitute a discussion about faith. Example: someone who believes in reincarnation posted a specific thought in "Why I love God " thread and was told they have Stockholm Syndrome. While I don't believe in reincarnation as I am of different faith than that person I understand how that opinion is derived from one's active participation in their faith. So, I do think that there is a clear difference between Believers and Atheists and each should be given their own forum to discuss pertinent topics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there were a lot of thoughtful replies and responses from Atheists.

It did devolve into "I don't believe you, here's why you're really here" completely ignoring those responses, and presuming bad intent.

There were at least a couple responses by people of faith that actually read and understood the atheist responses, but it was overrun by (some) people so insecure in their faith that they couldn't digest alternative ideas or viewpoints.

Please. The atheist responses on that thread are easily categorized.
1. Let me ignore the thread topic and tell you why I’m an atheist
2. Oh goodie, another chance to troll believers
3. If you don’t like my bad behavior, it’s because you’re insecure in your faith, not because my derailments and trolling are making it impossible to have a conversation (see above).
4. Some thoughtful replies by atheists that could be counted on one hand.

Only a tiny percent of the atheist participants on that thread actually wanted to join a discussion on the thread topic. Wish the moderator had left it up so this would be evident.

Case in point.

Exactly.

Wish the thread were still up so people could read exactly how you guys behaved on it.

I behaved fine in it, I responded to OP's question, I engaged in zero name calling. And now I'm being told again, "I don't believe you, here's what really happened" as pp proved by being dismissive again. Some people are so resistant to hearing differing ideas, that they immediately assume mal intent.

So many of you think that ”behave fine” means responding to every and all thread topics with, “I’m an atheist because...” and “religion is fairy tales.” Wish that thread were still up so we could see this in action.

What's wrong with someone telling you why they're an atheists? It was pertinent to OP's question. For me, I mentioned that I take an interest in religion because I come from a mixed religious background/family, and it caused rifts in our family. And that I find the "loyalty" to a particular religion, or how people draw their conclusions, interesting. It's personal and not disconnected from my own identification to being an atheist. I truly fall to understand how someone's anecdote is irrelevant - it's *completely* relevant.

As for the latter, I did not read every post (but like 75% of them) and I never, ever saw someone post "religion is fairy tales."

What I did repeatedly read, are a lot people lump summing Atheists as one lump, monolithic other, and not responding to people individually. You can see that in this thread as well.

The thread question was “why are you here?” It wasn’t “why are you an atheist?” If the answer is, “I’m here because I want to talk about myself,” or “I’m here because I’m proselytizing for atheism,” then you need to own that, and respond directly to the thread question.

This happens every day on so many threads, where some subset of atheists thinks the answer to any question is to talk about themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there were a lot of thoughtful replies and responses from Atheists.

It did devolve into "I don't believe you, here's why you're really here" completely ignoring those responses, and presuming bad intent.

There were at least a couple responses by people of faith that actually read and understood the atheist responses, but it was overrun by (some) people so insecure in their faith that they couldn't digest alternative ideas or viewpoints.

Please. The atheist responses on that thread are easily categorized.
1. Let me ignore the thread topic and tell you why I’m an atheist
2. Oh goodie, another chance to troll believers
3. If you don’t like my bad behavior, it’s because you’re insecure in your faith, not because my derailments and trolling are making it impossible to have a conversation (see above).
4. Some thoughtful replies by atheists that could be counted on one hand.

Only a tiny percent of the atheist participants on that thread actually wanted to join a discussion on the thread topic. Wish the moderator had left it up so this would be evident.

Case in point.

Exactly.

NP. I'm not religious. You atheists are acting like a bunch of jerks. Too bad Jeff deleted a thread that would have spoken for itself.

And here come the ad hominems/name calling. But let me guess, "the atheists started it."

Exactly. When they complain on the next thread they will say how victimized they were on this one. They make up crap constantly just to bolster their story.

Drama queens.

Saying you atheists are acting like a bunch of jerks is "name calling" and ad homineming you?

Show us where the priest touched you.

Is that supposed to be funny? Thousands of children were raped by religious leaders and you like to joke about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there were a lot of thoughtful replies and responses from Atheists.

It did devolve into "I don't believe you, here's why you're really here" completely ignoring those responses, and presuming bad intent.

There were at least a couple responses by people of faith that actually read and understood the atheist responses, but it was overrun by (some) people so insecure in their faith that they couldn't digest alternative ideas or viewpoints.

Please. The atheist responses on that thread are easily categorized.
1. Let me ignore the thread topic and tell you why I’m an atheist
2. Oh goodie, another chance to troll believers
3. If you don’t like my bad behavior, it’s because you’re insecure in your faith, not because my derailments and trolling are making it impossible to have a conversation (see above).
4. Some thoughtful replies by atheists that could be counted on one hand.

Only a tiny percent of the atheist participants on that thread actually wanted to join a discussion on the thread topic. Wish the moderator had left it up so this would be evident.

Case in point.

Exactly.

Wish the thread were still up so people could read exactly how you guys behaved on it.

I behaved fine in it, I responded to OP's question, I engaged in zero name calling. And now I'm being told again, "I don't believe you, here's what really happened" as pp proved by being dismissive again. Some people are so resistant to hearing differing ideas, that they immediately assume mal intent.

So many of you think that ”behave fine” means responding to every and all thread topics with, “I’m an atheist because...” and “religion is fairy tales.” Wish that thread were still up so we could see this in action.

What's wrong with someone telling you why they're an atheists? It was pertinent to OP's question. For me, I mentioned that I take an interest in religion because I come from a mixed religious background/family, and it caused rifts in our family. And that I find the "loyalty" to a particular religion, or how people draw their conclusions, interesting. It's personal and not disconnected from my own identification to being an atheist. I truly fall to understand how someone's anecdote is irrelevant - it's *completely* relevant.

As for the latter, I did not read every post (but like 75% of them) and I never, ever saw someone post "religion is fairy tales."

What I did repeatedly read, are a lot people lump summing Atheists as one lump, monolithic other, and not responding to people individually. You can see that in this thread as well.

The thread question was “why are you here?” It wasn’t “why are you an atheist?” If the answer is, “I’m here because I want to talk about myself,” or “I’m here because I’m proselytizing for atheism,” then you need to own that, and respond directly to the thread question.

This happens every day on so many threads, where some subset of atheists thinks the answer to any question is to talk about themselves.

The OP asked “why are you here?”. I answered for myself. Am I supposed to answer for others?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there were a lot of thoughtful replies and responses from Atheists.

It did devolve into "I don't believe you, here's why you're really here" completely ignoring those responses, and presuming bad intent.

There were at least a couple responses by people of faith that actually read and understood the atheist responses, but it was overrun by (some) people so insecure in their faith that they couldn't digest alternative ideas or viewpoints.

Please. The atheist responses on that thread are easily categorized.
1. Let me ignore the thread topic and tell you why I’m an atheist
2. Oh goodie, another chance to troll believers
3. If you don’t like my bad behavior, it’s because you’re insecure in your faith, not because my derailments and trolling are making it impossible to have a conversation (see above).
4. Some thoughtful replies by atheists that could be counted on one hand.

Only a tiny percent of the atheist participants on that thread actually wanted to join a discussion on the thread topic. Wish the moderator had left it up so this would be evident.

Case in point.

Exactly.

NP. I'm not religious. You atheists are acting like a bunch of jerks. Too bad Jeff deleted a thread that would have spoken for itself.

And here come the ad hominems/name calling. But let me guess, "the atheists started it."

Exactly. When they complain on the next thread they will say how victimized they were on this one. They make up crap constantly just to bolster their story.

Drama queens.

Religious person here. Like OP, I so wish that thread were still up, so everybody could see you guys in action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I believe in God, but not in Church rites, so I post like an atheist on those types of threads.

In my mind that thread did not deserve to be deleted and provided interesting insight into why people are interested in religions.

However the OP of that thread is probably the annoying poster who creates topics merely for people who think exactly like her, and who then proceeds to complain incessantly when differing viewpoints are offered.

So in that sense, the entire thread can also be viewed as a troll post, because the OP often tends to act like one.

I didn't even read that thread (this one discussing it is interesting!), but how would you know that the OP of that thread is the same poster as OPs of other threads? Quite an assumption. I could go over to the Politics forum, where one after another thread is started by a liberal looking to anger conservatives. (The one yesterday about "belligerent conservatives" is a prime example.) I doubt it's the same OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Mr. Steele - if you are on the side of atheists and do not want to support balanced discussions and positive turn around in the Religion forum that could have resulted from the thread that you deleted, why don't you rename the Religion forum into Atheist forum?
Others, besides me, told you numerous times that atheist are derailing every topic on the Religion forum and you chose to ignore those complains. Most religious people of all faiths have left and the forum has lost its purpose. With you deleting this thread that could have been a turnaround in the way things are discussed, why simply not rename the forum to Atheism forum and open another forum called Belief forum where religious people of all faiths can congregate.

Op here again - Mr. Steele, I stand by my request. Atheists have completely and I mean completely taken over the Religion forum. It is impossible to have a conversation from a believers' perspective with other believers. I just glancing at "Why I love God" topic and someone said that religious people have Stockholm Syndrome. These insults are daily and have become normalized and accepted. Coupe of months ago I tried having a conversation about role of Satan. After one page the discussion turned highly political because of atheists. I asked you to clean up the thread from political posts, which you kindly obliged. Atheist are either political, ideological, or aggressive, or all three. It would be nice to have conversations without having to request moderation all the time. I strongly suggest you give them forum of their own called Atheists: for political and ideological musings about religion. Religious people have expressed their wish to freely discuss their beliefs without being derailed and trolled. I suggest the forum called Belief: for matters of faith, for believers. Thank you.

Or...just remove Religion from Recent Topics.

OP here - I don't think that would help. We have "regular" atheists on the Religion forum that are hell bent on destroying every topic. I find that a strange obsession. Atheism and Belief forums would clearly describe the difference. I think Atheism forum should have description that states: political and ideological discussion about religion and atheism.

My only suggestion would be to call them Atheist and Religious Forum, as opposed to Belief. Belief implies a belief in Jesus, and there are many religious people who don't follow that but are still strong adherents to their own religions.

OP here - not it doesn't. It implies belief in whatever your religion calls you to believe in. It implies that you are an adherent and practitioner of that fait and wish to discuss matters of faith rather than politics and ideology.

Is active participation in fasting required to participate on this forum? Just trying to clarify.

Huh? Do all religions require fasting, or was that a sarcastic question?

On the deleted thread OP said that only people who actively participated in fasting and praying could provide meaningful input to fasting topics.

Fixed that for you. Not OP and don’t necessarily agree with her, but at least let’s be honest about what she said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I believe in God, but not in Church rites, so I post like an atheist on those types of threads.

In my mind that thread did not deserve to be deleted and provided interesting insight into why people are interested in religions.

However the OP of that thread is probably the annoying poster who creates topics merely for people who think exactly like her, and who then proceeds to complain incessantly when differing viewpoints are offered.

So in that sense, the entire thread can also be viewed as a troll post, because the OP often tends to act like one.

I didn't even read that thread (this one discussing it is interesting!), but how would you know that the OP of that thread is the same poster as OPs of other threads? Quite an assumption. I could go over to the Politics forum, where one after another thread is started by a liberal looking to anger conservatives. (The one yesterday about "belligerent conservatives" is a prime example.) I doubt it's the same OP.

OP here - I have never even once posted in Politics forum because I have zero interest in it. I have stated that Believers of all faiths would want to discuss topics of faith from a standpoint of a practitioner of their faith. Atheists are interested in ideological and political aspects of religions and should have a forum of their own for that.

[Anonymous]

Suggestion for Jeff:

While I never read the "atheist thread," it apparently was a very active topic of discussion and one that many posters felt strongly about. May I suggest that before you arbitrarily decide to delete a very active thread without warning, you post directly into the thread that you will be deleting it in 30 minutes (or 15 or whatever) to give your posters a chance to provide input into the decision? You will have the final say of course, but perhaps there will be aspects to that decision that you have not considered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there were a lot of thoughtful replies and responses from Atheists.

It did devolve into "I don't believe you, here's why you're really here" completely ignoring those responses, and presuming bad intent.

There were at least a couple responses by people of faith that actually read and understood the atheist responses, but it was overrun by (some) people so insecure in their faith that they couldn't digest alternative ideas or viewpoints.

Please. The atheist responses on that thread are easily categorized.
1. Let me ignore the thread topic and tell you why I’m an atheist
2. Oh goodie, another chance to troll believers
3. If you don’t like my bad behavior, it’s because you’re insecure in your faith, not because my derailments and trolling are making it impossible to have a conversation (see above).
4. Some thoughtful replies by atheists that could be counted on one hand.

Only a tiny percent of the atheist participants on that thread actually wanted to join a discussion on the thread topic. Wish the moderator had left it up so this would be evident.

Case in point.

Exactly.

Wish the thread were still up so people could read exactly how you guys behaved on it.

I behaved fine in it, I responded to OP's question, I engaged in zero name calling. And now I'm being told again, "I don't believe you, here's what really happened" as pp proved by being dismissive again. Some people are so resistant to hearing differing ideas, that they immediately assume mal intent.

So many of you think that ”behave fine” means responding to every and all thread topics with, “I’m an atheist because...” and “religion is fairy tales.” Wish that thread were still up so we could see this in action.

What's wrong with someone telling you why they're an atheists? It was pertinent to OP's question. For me, I mentioned that I take an interest in religion because I come from a mixed religious background/family, and it caused rifts in our family. And that I find the "loyalty" to a particular religion, or how people draw their conclusions, interesting. It's personal and not disconnected from my own identification to being an atheist. I truly fall to understand how someone's anecdote is irrelevant - it's *completely* relevant.

As for the latter, I did not read every post (but like 75% of them) and I never, ever saw someone post "religion is fairy tales."

What I did repeatedly read, are a lot people lump summing Atheists as one lump, monolithic other, and not responding to people individually. You can see that in this thread as well.

The thread question was “why are you here?” It wasn’t “why are you an atheist?” If the answer is, “I’m here because I want to talk about myself,” or “I’m here because I’m proselytizing for atheism,” then you need to own that, and respond directly to the thread question.

This happens every day on so many threads, where some subset of atheists thinks the answer to any question is to talk about themselves.

The OP asked “why are you here?”. I answered for myself. Am I supposed to answer for others?

You didn’t answer the thread question. Your answer, apparently, is “I come to the Religion forum to talk about my atheism.” Which would have been a fine, appropriate answer if you had given it. Can you see the difference?

The upshot is that so many religion threads get clogged with “I’m going to tell you why I’m an atheist” no matter what the thread topic is.

Nobody has asked you to respond for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there were a lot of thoughtful replies and responses from Atheists.

It did devolve into "I don't believe you, here's why you're really here" completely ignoring those responses, and presuming bad intent.

There were at least a couple responses by people of faith that actually read and understood the atheist responses, but it was overrun by (some) people so insecure in their faith that they couldn't digest alternative ideas or viewpoints.

Please. The atheist responses on that thread are easily categorized.
1. Let me ignore the thread topic and tell you why I’m an atheist
2. Oh goodie, another chance to troll believers
3. If you don’t like my bad behavior, it’s because you’re insecure in your faith, not because my derailments and trolling are making it impossible to have a conversation (see above).
4. Some thoughtful replies by atheists that could be counted on one hand.

Only a tiny percent of the atheist participants on that thread actually wanted to join a discussion on the thread topic. Wish the moderator had left it up so this would be evident.

Case in point.

Exactly.

Wish the thread were still up so people could read exactly how you guys behaved on it.

I behaved fine in it, I responded to OP's question, I engaged in zero name calling. And now I'm being told again, "I don't believe you, here's what really happened" as pp proved by being dismissive again. Some people are so resistant to hearing differing ideas, that they immediately assume mal intent.

So many of you think that ”behave fine” means responding to every and all thread topics with, “I’m an atheist because...” and “religion is fairy tales.” Wish that thread were still up so we could see this in action.

What's wrong with someone telling you why they're an atheists? It was pertinent to OP's question. For me, I mentioned that I take an interest in religion because I come from a mixed religious background/family, and it caused rifts in our family. And that I find the "loyalty" to a particular religion, or how people draw their conclusions, interesting. It's personal and not disconnected from my own identification to being an atheist. I truly fall to understand how someone's anecdote is irrelevant - it's *completely* relevant.

As for the latter, I did not read every post (but like 75% of them) and I never, ever saw someone post "religion is fairy tales."

What I did repeatedly read, are a lot people lump summing Atheists as one lump, monolithic other, and not responding to people individually. You can see that in this thread as well.

The thread question was “why are you here?” It wasn’t “why are you an atheist?” If the answer is, “I’m here because I want to talk about myself,” or “I’m here because I’m proselytizing for atheism,” then you need to own that, and respond directly to the thread question.

This happens every day on so many threads, where some subset of atheists thinks the answer to any question is to talk about themselves.

The OP asked “why are you here?”. I answered for myself. Am I supposed to answer for others?

You didn’t answer the thread question. Your answer, apparently, is “I come to the Religion forum to talk about my atheism.” Which would have been a fine, appropriate answer if you had given it. Can you see the difference?

The upshot is that so many religion threads get clogged with “I’m going to tell you why I’m an atheist” no matter what the thread topic is.

Nobody has asked you to respond for others.

I did directly answer OP. A couple of times.