Where's all the people?

[chevyontheriver]

I don't know. I've been wondering lately if it forums are worth it. Please note the plural. Part of it's feeling like there's just not a place to fit in. A big part of it is a sense of looking over your shoulder, wondering if what you post will be some sort of "violation." If you feel like you're always walking on eggshells, then what's the point? Can we even make that observation?

I note your tentative observation but I dare not either confirm or deny.

 

[durangodawood]

I know, it sucks. Not enough random strangers to argue with. I'm having to try to start arguments in real life with strangers on the street. Surprisingly, it usually goes less well than on here. Just yesterday, I was beaten up twice at the same bus stop.

We arent random strangers here. We're old friends united by common purpose and mutual respect!

 

[Goonie]

I know, it sucks. Not enough random strangers to argue with. I'm having to try to start arguments in real life with strangers on the street. Surprisingly, it usually goes less well than on here. Just yesterday, I was beaten up twice at the same bus stop.

Reminds me off

 

[durangodawood]

Can you check mobile Chrome again and let me know if it looks better now?

I did check in there and it does look better. I dont mind the full page click-thru ad so much. Problem was the page youre working on getting hopelessly cut up by ads.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

If that were the case then Youtube would be empty, cable companies would also have no business.

True, Youtube does have a lot of commercials, but they usually preempt each video rather than smothering the screen repeatedly.

 

[MehGuy]

What changed in 2007. That’s long before my time.

I do not think very much has fundamentally changed compared to now. The layout was similar to 2015 (when you joined). If I'm remembering the time frame correctly. I remember they used to have an arcade where you could play classic video games and compete for the high score with other members of the site. They had a thing called CF Petz where you could customize your avatar character. I didn't play around with that too much. Not sure if it was still around in 2015 or not. That was around the time this site got an overhaul.

I do remember there being more sub-forums where non-believers could debate believers. Although a lot of that was shut down these past few years.

I was heavily into the teen section back in the day. Most of the people in the sub-section around that time also lost their faith and became atheists. As someone who primarily joined this site because they were tired of debating atheists on secular forums, this site ironically probably did more into steering my eventual direction into being an atheist.

 

[Chesterton]

We arent random strangers here. We're old friends united by common purpose and mutual respect!

Oh cool! Can I borrow 50 bucks from you?

 

[Chesterton]

I remember they used to have an arcade where you could play classic video games and compete for the high score with other members of the site.

Yep, I had high score on Space Invaders. My only real achievement in life, erased in an instant by the site change.

As someone who primarily joined this site because they were tired of debating atheists on secular forums, this site ironically probably did more into steering my eventual direction into being an atheist.

Could you elaborate on exactly what you read that would cause that? The reason I ask is because I used to browse an atheist site where someone once made a comment about the few Christians on the site, to the effect of "stick around this site long enough and you'll become an atheist". That was a very intriguing statement to me, because I wondered what they could possibly say to make me become an atheist. And why would I have to "stick around long enough"? If they (the atheists there) have something important enough to change my life, seems like they could put it in one post, even if it's a lengthy post. So I'm wondering what steered you.

 

[MehGuy]

Yep, I had high score on Space Invaders. My only real achievement in life, erased in an instant by the site change.

Cool, I don't believe I ever made it into any of the leaderboards.

Could you elaborate on exactly what you read that would cause that? The reason I ask is because I used to browse an atheist site where someone once made a comment about the few Christians on the site, to the effect of "stick around this site long enough and you'll become an atheist". That was a very intriguing statement to me, because I wondered what they could possibly say to make me become an atheist. And why would I have to "stick around long enough"? If they (the atheists there) have something important enough to change my life, seems like they could put it in one post, even if it's a lengthy post. So I'm wondering what steered you.

I am not even entirely sure about the reason. It wasn't so much the atheists on here, I've had experience with them in previous message boards. Being exposed to liberal Christians on here was really curve ball my mind wasn't ready for. They got me to questioning my faith. Meet people who didn't believe in hell and whatnot, I was just never exposed to any such thinking growing up.

I hear some people call this a fundamental place, but in my mind this place has always seemed liberal.

 

[Robban]

One downside is time difference,

It is now 03:45,

 

[ozso]

Reminds me off

No it doesn't.

 

[Chesterton]

I'm still around. I like CF.

My inclination to debate things, however, has pretty much vanished, which likely explains my more sporadic engagement these days. Heck, I can't remember the last long, drawn-out, theological tennis-match in which I was engaged, to be honest. I consider that an improvement on my part.

Nowadays, I'd rather exchange ideas than waste time insisting that my position on ... whatever ... is The Correct One™, which only runs the risk of me coming across like the proverbial "Lady that doth protest too much", insecure in what I believe unless I can get others on board with it. Confidence in ones path breeds a certain peace that makes such involvement feel somehow unnecessary. Hence the quote I currently have in my signature: "Sometimes peace requires you to be quiet, even if you are right."

So, I'm still here, just a lot mellower.

I feel the exact same about everything you said. Except the part about coming across as a lady. I don't wanna be the dude that doth protest too much.

 

[Chesterton]

I am not even entirely sure about the reason.

I thought atheists were all about Reason...? That's what most of them say.

 

[MehGuy]

I thought atheists were all about Reason...? That's what most of them say.

Maybe. Even atheists are prone to emotional reasoning too.

I don't personally feel like I deserve the title of 'skeptic'. I try at times, but I still fail often. Although it is part of being human. Sometimes it just feels good to give into lazy thinking.

My lost of faith was really complicated, and really an ugly bag of worms to open if I were to dive in.

I just know interacting with liberal Christian on here was part of it. I didn't even manage to stay a Christian a full year on this site. Left for one year as I was wrestling with my lack of faith. Came back on CF really mad about Christianity and wanted to talk about it. Although feelings cooled after other Christians here were understanding of my feelings.