Ask a lurker anything.

[Lampshade]

I've seen it said here and other various forums that discussions/debates are held primarily for those of us who don't take part for one reason or another, but after seeing some of the recent topics springing up about how "persuading" their arguments are, I thought it only fair for you regulars to have a chance to ask us lurkers questions.

First, I suppose I should give my qualifications. I started reading Christianforums back in the summer in '04 between high school and college, registering for an account after two/three months of anonimity. I graduated in '09 with a degree in Psychology, minoring in Anthropology and Lifespan development with the intent of being a child psychologist eventually.

I read this forum, General Apologetics (when it was a thing) and News&Current Events on average one/two hours a day, though sometimes more. Since then, I've maintained reading this forum and News about an hour a day reading the popular threads and those started by what I consider the regular posters. My main interests are geology and the social/educational aspects these forums touch on. I have four younger sisters, so how the country and my state (Tennessee) deal with education is a big concern for me.

Though its not exactly consistant with the science forums, I think broaching the subject of my religious beliefs would be pertanent as this forum has helped shape them. When I first joined Christianforums, I was an agnostic atheist who came mostly for the "sideshow." I was raised Calvinist, my grandfather being our pastor. I lost my faith around 8 or 9 after refusing to believe the natural world lies to us. After a year at college I began to identify myself as a Spinozist, and finally today as a Red letter christian, though I call myself a seeker on these forums as I do not adhere to the Nicean Creed.

Anyways, ask anything and I'll try to answer, though for now I'm at work and on my mobile phone, so answers may take me a minute

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Who do you think is more handsome? Us dashing atheists, or those gnarly Christians?

 

[TheReasoner]

Psychology, eh? Interesting field. And kudos for studying something which will help you make a (positive, one should think and hope) difference in people's lives! Good on ya!
I must confess I am rather uneducated in it, but regardless; Interesting!

Why do you spend time reading and not participating? I am interested because I can seldom keep my mouth shut when I see something with which I disagree vehemently.

 

[Resha Caner]

You mention the "regulars" who post here. Do you have favorite heroes and villians? Maybe a bit too strong of a label, and I don't expect you to name them, but hopefully you get the idea.

BTW it is interesting you mention your psychology background. Are there studies on Internet forums like this? Is the conclusion that we're all socially crippled in some way (or something like that) since we hang out here?

 

[Split Rock]

I've seen it said here and other various forums that discussions/debates are held primarily for those of us who don't take part for one reason or another, but after seeing some of the recent topics springing up about how "persuading" their arguments are, I thought it only fair for you regulars to have a chance to ask us lurkers questions.

First, I suppose I should give my qualifications. I started reading Christianforums back in the summer in '04 between high school and college, registering for an account after two/three months of anonimity. I graduated in '09 with a degree in Psychology, minoring in Anthropology and Lifespan development with the intent of being a child psychologist eventually.

I read this forum, General Apologetics (when it was a thing) and News&Current Events on average one/two hours a day, though sometimes more. Since then, I've maintained reading this forum and News about an hour a day reading the popular threads and those started by what I consider the regular posters. My main interests are geology and the social/educational aspects these forums touch on. I have four younger sisters, so how the country and my state (Tennessee) deal with education is a big concern for me.

Though its not exactly consistant with the science forums, I think broaching the subject of my religious beliefs would be pertanent as this forum has helped shape them. When I first joined Christianforums, I was an agnostic atheist who came mostly for the "sideshow." I was raised Calvinist, my grandfather being our pastor. I lost my faith around 8 or 9 after refusing to believe the natural world lies to us. After a year at college I began to identify myself as a Spinozist, and finally today as a Red letter christian, though I call myself a seeker on these forums as I do not adhere to the Nicean Creed.

Anyways, ask anything and I'll try to answer, though for now I'm at work and on my mobile phone, so answers may take me a minute

You do realize that you are no longer a lurker now.. right?

Did you find the discussions here helpful in making your mind up concerning the "controversy?"

 

[Michael]

You do realize that you are no longer a lurker now.. right?

In fact, they're the proud owner of their own thread now.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

In fact, they're the proud owner of their own thread now.

Mozeltov!

 

[selfinflikted]

Boxers, or briefs?

 

[Michael]

Mozeltov!

It occurs to me that we could end up drinking alone in this thread. Just because we ask a lurker some questions, it doesn't mean they're going to answer any of them.

 

[Lampshade]

Apologies, started a new job so I've been on a slight hiatus; I must admit, I assumed I would get, shall we say, a negligible number of replies.

Who do you think is more handsome? Us dashing atheists, or those gnarly Christians?

Tough call. Are we talking Kirk Cameron versus Richard Dawkins, or Neil deGrasse Tyson versus Michael Behe? Apples (Bananas) and Oranges.

Psychology, eh? Interesting field. And kudos for studying something which will help you make a (positive, one should think and hope) difference in people's lives! Good on ya!
I must confess I am rather uneducated in it, but regardless; Interesting!

Why do you spend time reading and not participating? I am interested because I can seldom keep my mouth shut when I see something with which I disagree vehemently.

Psychology mainly interested me because I wanted to help people, though thanks to the current job market, I've been looking at associate programs for becoming a registered nurse via bridge programs.

As far as reading and not commenting, invisible and imagined communities have always interested me a great deal, and you don't get any better than anonymous internet forums. I wont list any names, but I frequent many, many varied forums and rarely chat on any of them. Patience has always been my virtue of choice, so I rarely have a hard time holding my tongue. I care more about the exchange of ideas and perceptions people have on their ingroups and outgroups than actually winning hearts and minds. People, by and large, require personal experiences in order to change their opinion. Dialogue rarely suffices.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Tough call. Are we talking Kirk Cameron versus Richard Dawkins, or Neil deGrasse Tyson versus Michael Behe? Apples (Bananas) and Oranges.

vs.

 

[Orogeny]

You mention the "regulars" who post here. Do you have favorite heroes and villians? Maybe a bit too strong of a label, and I don't expect you to name them, but hopefully you get the idea.

BTW it is interesting you mention your psychology background. Are there studies on Internet forums like this? Is the conclusion that we're all socially crippled in some way (or something like that) since we hang out here?

Instead of phrasing it this way, why don't we do it like this: You're picking All-Stars for each 'team'. Pick your top 5 on each side.

Also, what's your favorite hot sauce?

 

[Orogeny]

If I can beg just a bit more from you, what are the most persuasive arguments you've seen presented here for each side?

 

[Lampshade]

You mention the "regulars" who post here. Do you have favorite heroes and villians? Maybe a bit too strong of a label, and I don't expect you to name them, but hopefully you get the idea.

BTW it is interesting you mention your psychology background. Are there studies on Internet forums like this? Is the conclusion that we're all socially crippled in some way (or something like that) since we hang out here?

There are a lot of names I don't remember over the past 8 years, but plenty of people have helped me one way or another. RickG, USincognito, Lucaspa, Split Rock, PZMyers, AronRa, Nathan Poe are a few that stand out to me right now. That's not to say the other side hasn't helped in their own way. Of the other side, (and because I want them to know their contribution is appreciated), Jazer and AV are some of my favorite literalists on these forums right now, though I usually disagree with them. Cicero was my favorite troll, but I don't think many people remember him.

There are Looots of studies on internet communities, but most of them have been done for Massive Multiplayer Online Games. I've followed maybe a dozen forums over the years, and even though I don't usually post, it kills me to see the slow death of a community. They generally end with a whimper, and it is very sad to see, but out of them comes friendships that last decades, so its Okay These forums are going strong, and its always interesting to see how the community contorts to losing old blood and gaining new.

You do realize that you are no longer a lurker now.. right?

Did you find the discussions here helpful in making your mind up concerning the "controversy?"

Since I can't post links or pictures yet, google: "nosferatu sunlight" to see my reaction

The "Controversy" for me was reconciling what I had been taught in Church with the real world. I believe science is the best attempt we have at understanding God's nature/role/"plan" with what we have available to us. and as such don't buy into the fundamentalist/literalist approach to the bible. It took time for me to accept that I can believe the message of Jesus Christ without adhering to any of the superfluous doctrines and dogmas man has used to assert authority/knowledge.

As an aside, If you've kept up with the news in Tennessee, "Teach the Controversy" is something that churns my stomach.

 

[Lampshade]

Boxers, or briefs?

Boxer briefs, actually.

It occurs to me that we could end up drinking alone in this thread. Just because we ask a lurker some questions, it doesn't mean they're going to answer any of them.

Haha, sorry, my phone died the other day and I'm running out of time for now, I'll try and reply more frequently now that I know I have some eyes on me

<insert pictures here>

Carl Sagan and Tyson are my personal favorites right now; I just don't know many famous non-literalist. I consider myself caught somewhere between Spinoza and Jefferson, as far as faith goes.

Instead of phrasing it this way, why don't we do it like this: You're picking All-Stars for each 'team'. Pick your top 5 on each side.

Also, what's your favorite hot sauce?
...

If I can beg just a bit more from you, what are the most persuasive arguments you've seen presented here for each side?

First of all: I'm a hot sauce fiend. Nothing beats a good capsaicin-inspired euphoric experience. That being said, next time you head to your grocers try "El Yucateco XXXtra Hot Kutbil-ik Mayan Style Habanero Hot Sauce."

Second of all: ...One reason I don't post very often is that I read over my posts many, many times, and rewrite them many, many times... and as such, I've run out of time tonight. Apologies Orogeny, as your questions were the kind I was really looking forward to answering! I'll be back in a few hours to give you a good reply hopefully; Maybe we can get a few more lurkers to come out of the woodwork too?

 

[Orogeny]

next time you head to your grocers try "El Yucateco XXXtra Hot Kutbil-ik Mayan Style Habanero Hot Sauce."

Can do, will do! Looking forward to it.

 

[Resha Caner]

People, by and large, require personal experiences in order to change their opinion. Dialogue rarely suffices.

I hope you get a chance to answer all the questions that have been asked so far (especially mine). But, the more you say, the more questions it generates.

I agree with the above quote, but wonder if this is just an opinion or if there are studies to back it up.

 

[Jazer]

Jazer and AV are some of my favorite literalists on these forums right now, though I usually disagree with them.

So you really do not think the people in the Bible are real people. You think they are the product of someone's imagination. Or you think they are real but people just make up a lot of stories about them?

 

[someguy14]

I do not adhere to the Nicean Creed.

I don't agree with that "nicene creed". Only "catholics" are entitled to agree with that "nicene creed", perhaps. I don't consider Christians, "catholic".

 

[TheReasoner]

I don't agree with that "nicene creed". Only "catholics" are entitled to agree with that "nicene creed", perhaps. I don't consider Christians, "catholic".

What?
Pardon, but that statement does not make a whole lot of sense.

The nicene creed is adhered to by most churches today. Very few do not. The Catholics, the Orthodox, the Lutherans, The Eastern Church, and most protestant churches all adhere to the nicene creed. As I understand the rules on this forum you cannot use the cross to represent yourself if you do NOT adhere to the creed, if you do not, you need to use the candle to represent your faith. Not the cross. According to the rules that is.