Why are there so many threads/posts in the religion forum that trash/troll religion?

[Anonymous]

I don't visit this sub-forum very often, but as a relative outsider here, I can't help notice how many threads, and posts within topic threads, that denigrate, belittle, or troll religion.

I don't understand this.

It's akin to people seeking out groups of people having conversations about sports, and constantly interjecting about the weather. I don't get it.


If the forum is devoted to conversations about various religions, then it stands to reason that that's the baseline for everyone involved. The assumption that everyone in the thread or forum is there because they are already a person of faith to begin with, and are there to discuss matters related to that. So I can't wrap my head around why there are posts on almost every thread calling religion nonsense, or denying the very existence of God.

I mean, if you feel that way, and religion isn't relevant to you, then why seek out a forum dedicated to the discussion of religion, by religious people, to pop into and argue the fundamental nature of the forum topic itself?

It's weird. I don't understand it.

[Anonymous]

Who said you have to be religious to post here? If you’re confident in your beliefs you should be able to defend them if someone questions them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't visit this sub-forum very often, but as a relative outsider here, I can't help notice how many threads, and posts within topic threads, that denigrate, belittle, or troll religion.

I don't understand this.

It's akin to people seeking out groups of people having conversations about sports, and constantly interjecting about the weather. I don't get it.


If the forum is devoted to conversations about various religions, then it stands to reason that that's the baseline for everyone involved. The assumption that everyone in the thread or forum is there because they are already a person of faith to begin with, and are there to discuss matters related to that. So I can't wrap my head around why there are posts on almost every thread calling religion nonsense, or denying the very existence of God.

I mean, if you feel that way, and religion isn't relevant to you, then why seek out a forum dedicated to the discussion of religion, by religious people, to pop into and argue the fundamental nature of the forum topic itself?

It's weird. I don't understand it.

It is weird. It’s like the people posting on parenting threads that they are so glad they are childfree. Fine, but we’re not talking about being a parent or not. We’re talking about issues people who are already parents face. If I wanted to be an atheist, I have had plenty of exposure to atheism, but it doesn’t appeal to me. I can accept someone else has no interest in God. Why can’t they accept that I do?

[Anonymous]

Because non-believers -- while the fastest growing religious category -- are still a minority fighting for rights and acceptance.

Because open forums are not meant to be echo chambers.

Because disagreement is not "trashing".

Could go on...

[Anonymous]

I see more bickering about Catholics, points of theology, or disparaging of people who have other “unacceptable” beliefs by rigid nutcases than anything else in this forum.

[Anonymous]

Village atheists being village atheists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's akin to people seeking out groups of people having conversations about sports, and constantly interjecting about the weather. I don't get it.

It's more like seeking out people having conversations about sports and interjecting that sports suck

[Anonymous]

I suspect that any discussions about religion, including the existence or not thereof, are supposed to be held in the Religion subforum -- or else Jeff will move them here. I will ask.

I rarely if ever post here. I just saw this on Recent Topics. I would suggest that if Jeff doesn't expect only believers to post here -- and if this is offensive or disturbing to you -- that you find a site with different rules, or start your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's akin to people seeking out groups of people having conversations about sports, and constantly interjecting about the weather. I don't get it.

It's more like seeking out people having conversations about sports and interjecting that sports suck

No, it's more like people seeking out conversations about politics, or sports, or schools, and finding that people have different points of view about those subjects.

There are many different religions and religious perspectives out there and a forum like this is a place to discuss them.

A better question might be why would you expect everyone to agree about religion when there are so many different religions and when people switch religions so frequently?

[Anonymous]

Jeff clarified his expectations for the site in this thread:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/0/802575.page#14981486

I am not going to cut and paste, in order to avoid taking out of context. I also had an embarrassing number of typos.

It's worth reading to note his comments about being willing to assess posts about validity of religion (as being off-topic) when an obvious believer starts a thread about religious answers to a question. I hadn't thought about it; it was helpful to read.

[Anonymous]

Yeah it’s obnoxious so I don’t engage with the atheists.

I also don’t like sports and think football is net harmful to society but I don’t insert myself in football conversations. I can tell when conversations aren’t about me and my views.

[Anonymous]

Nice that there isn't an unspoken football fan requirement to be president of the US, or achieve other levels of office in many contexts. Not all, but many -- vocal believers in religion are overrepresented in political office.

Religious beliefs and judgments based on whether you avow them or not are pervasive in US culture, in ways that sports are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nice that there isn't an unspoken football fan requirement to be president of the US, or achieve other levels of office in many contexts. Not all, but many -- vocal believers in religion are overrepresented in political office.

Religious beliefs and judgments based on whether you avow them or not are pervasive in US culture, in ways that sports are not.

Don’t worry I didn’t miss the fact that you’re one of the obnoxious atheists around here.

And furthermore, you can drop it, we have all been exposed to every argument, angle, and gloss on this subject thanks to the very vocal atheists like you that find their way to every corner of the internet. Truly there is nothing you can add that I haven’t already heard. Rest east.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nice that there isn't an unspoken football fan requirement to be president of the US, or achieve other levels of office in many contexts. Not all, but many -- vocal believers in religion are overrepresented in political office.

Religious beliefs and judgments based on whether you avow them or not are pervasive in US culture, in ways that sports are not.

Don’t worry I didn’t miss the fact that you’re one of the obnoxious atheists around here.

And furthermore, you can drop it, we have all been exposed to every argument, angle, and gloss on this subject thanks to the very vocal atheists like you that find their way to every corner of the internet. Truly there is nothing you can add that I haven’t already heard. Rest easy.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I live in the west.

This is, I think the second or third thread I've participated in here? If I've been obnoxious, your bar is quite low.