Reply to Do "believers" only believe because they are conforming? [ATHEISTS ONLY]

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think this whole "I have a right to state my opinion without your input" thing is way off-base.

A chat forum is about LISTENING to each other. Not about hurling insults and ducking for cover. Good grief.

Better would be a standard of civil discussion, based on, you know, promoting *listening* to each other.
-- Someone may think/believe you're going to hell, but [b]1. what earthly purpose does it serve to tell a non-believer that[/b]?
-- Someone may think [b]2. faith is "stupid"[/b] but be mature enough to withhold that opinion because they know it just shuts down conversation.

Now if the whole purpose of this forum is to shout insults and duck for cover, then it's a waste of time and cyberspace. Unfortunately that seems to be exactly what the unhinged atheist thinks. [/quote]

1. Fundamentalist Christians believe it's serving the very important purpose of giving non-believers (or non-Christians) a chance to change their beliefs and afford themselves of eternal  life by proclaiming Jesus Christ as their savior.

2. Non-believers may have been released from what they consider to be the bondages of faith upon determining for themselves that "faith is stupid" and think that saying so on an anonymous forum may help others wrestling with the inconsistencies of faith to reach the same conclusion.

So it's not so cut and dry.  We have a nice concept in the US of respecting others' religious beliefs, but it's really about respecting others' [i]right[/i] to have divergent beliefs. We really do think some of the beliefs others hold are weird or wrong.  This is understandable given that some religions teach that theirs is the only correct one.[/quote]

True, some of these posters may have a higher purpose.

But [b]whenever a poster calls something "stupid" or another insult, I know they're not serious and are just trolling[/b].

Would a "reasonable person" (legal test for fiduciaries and others) think they're going to persuade anybody here with bald statements about "you're going to hell" or "religion is stupid"? Of course not. Instead, the adults know to say something like, "I don't have s use for religion because I have never felt the presence of a god." Or whatever. If you sincerely believe religion is stupid, you ar my going to say it in those words if you want to convince anybody. If you're trolling, let's not give you the cover of calling it your "opinion."
[/quote]

I don't know that such a person is just trolling -- I think they may be feeling the freedom of saying what they think in a place where they can't be identified.  It may not be nice, but it could be  honest.  Not everyone cherishes their religious beliefs.  Some are starting to think they may be stupid and are on the cusp of leaving them behind. Hearing someone say it outright could be very helpful in that case.

As for christians who say you're going to hell for not believing in Christ, they think they are doing you a favor - giving you a chance to be saved from hell simply by believing in Christ.  They did it and want others to benefit too.  It's what missionary work is all about. You may see it as harassment, but they see it as giving you a wonderful opportunity that would be stupid to pass up.

So what is considered stupid is very belief-based.  Seems like if we truly respect other's beliefs, we'll respect their right to call ours stupid, especially anonymously online where it's not personal.[/quote]

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