Why are you here?

[""]

This is a Christian forum. That's a given.

If you're not a Christian, please explain why you are here. It's not that I don't think you should be, on the contrary, but I would like an honest reply from you regarding how you came to be here and why you have continued to post on a board that is named after something you don't believe in.

If you're a Christian, please explain why you are here. Are you here for Christian companionship? Are you here to be a witness? Are you a new Christian and you're here to learn more?... etc.

 

[""]

As always, if you are here for another reason, please feel free to name it. I chose 6 spaces for the poll, thinking it would be enough for everything I had in mind, but then realized it was not. I can think of many more reasons why a non-believer would be here, but alas... I left no room to put them there. Suffice to say, I do not believe that all of you are here to correct or mock. So pick and choose, or add your own.

 

[benjdm]

If you're not a Christian, please explain why you are here. It's not that I don't think you should be, on the contrary, but I would like an honest reply from you regarding how you came to be here and why you have continued to post on a board that is named after something you don't believe in.

First, you probably know this already, but there is an 80-some odd page sticky of atheist answers to this question in GA.

The biggest reason I am here is because I perceive a movement toward Christianity mixing with government in the U.S. I want to interact with Christians so they have some direct knowledge of atheists. Hopefully, like de-segregation, this would lead to less strife. I don't want to get arrested for not having my daughter baptised, I don't want a teacher to be fired for not putting up a poster that says "In Allah We Trust"*, etc. I also want to have the same kind of effect on myself interacting with Christians.

*God changed to Allah to show the reaction I feel when it says "In God We Trust." I know of at least one state that has mandated this poster in classrooms.

 

[""]

First, you probably know this already, but there is an 80-some odd page sticky of atheist answers to this question in GA.

Yeah I did, but not everyone goes there, so I thought it'd be fun to put it here.

 

[Eudaimonist]

If you're not a Christian, please explain why you are here.

I'm here because Christians and non-Christians alike share this small planet, and atheists unfortunately have an undeservedly bad social stigma given to them by many Christians. In the interests of mutual understanding and -- I hope -- better relations between atheists and Christians, I'm here to help correct those misunderstandings.

 

[""]

In the interests of mutual understanding and -- I hope -- better relations between atheists and Christians, I'm here to help correct those misunderstandings.

Could you perhaps expound on those misunderstandings. Specifically, which ones do you speak of, and which are you here to correct?

 

[Moros]

To waste time. There's not much else to it. Discussion and debate is merely incidental. I prefer to post in the lowbrow section because it amuses me, first and foremost. I like the highbrow forums because I'm a jerk.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Could you perhaps expound on those misunderstandings. Specifically, which ones do you speak of, and which are you here to correct?

To give a few examples:

• Atheists are specially evil
• Atheists have no morality
• Atheists are not interested in developing moral character
• Atheists are all hedonists
• Atheists are all moral subjectivists/relativists
• Atheists are all secular humanists
• Atheists are all depressed or unhappy or unfulfilled
• Atheists all think life has no meaning or purpose
• Atheists all reject the idea of freewill
• Atheists are all interested in destroying religion
• Atheists share a single worldview
• Atheists are all liberals or communists
• Atheists are all against capitalism

 

[Madcoil]

Am I the only one here just for the hell of it?

 

[Garnet2727]

This is an answer I posted on this http://www.christianforums.com/show...95#post16112195 thread in response to someone asking the real reason that non Christians post here:

"I often see the question of the motivations of the atheist or agnostic posting to these boards. I can't speak for others, only myself.

First of all, I was invited here. Not only by a particular individual but also by the mere fact that boards on Christian Forums exist to which unbelievers can post. Is the invitation not sincere? If so, then why do these boards exist at all? What is the real motivation of the existence of GA?

Second, my real motivation is I enjoy discourse with all kinds of people, of all kinds of beliefs. I find religions of all sorts fascinating. Particularly Christianity since I am surrounded by Christians both in my family, in my workplace and in the society at large.

I'm not here trying to deconvert anyone. I find such a notion personally distasteful. I enjoy trying to understand other's viewpoints, both believers and unbelievers alike."

 

[levi501]

beliefs aside... I post here to understand the mentality and morality of those that elected and then relected Bush.

 

[Cerberus~]

I was kidnapped by some Babtists, and as my daily torture, they make me talk to Christians. *shudders*

 

[""]

I was kidnapped by some Babtists, and as my daily torture, they make me talk to Christians. *shudders*

Oh, how tragic for you.

I post here to understand the mentality and morality of those that elected and then relected Bush.

And were you surprised to discover that not all American Christians voted for Bush? As an independent, I did vote for Bush because he supported many of the things that I believe in, specifically protection of the right to keep and bear arms, and he opposed abortion, specifically late term. I think our next election is going to be very interesting, because it is entirely possible that an independent will win. Nobody really wants Hillary (not deep down.. she's like an "oh.. ok, if there's nobody else to support what i believe in"), and I don't see any Republicans that look like they're going to be vote worthy. I want somebody that will resist cutting social service programs for the elderly, needy and disabled, won't try to take my personal protection away from me (right to bear arms), will protect my freedom to practice my faith and yours not to, and will cut gov't spending. You can't find all of that in a Republican or a Democrat, but you can, in an Independent.

Anyway, I've derailed my own thread. I just happened to enjoy your reason for being here, and wanted to participate in helping you find your answer.

To give a few examples:

• Atheists are specially evil
• Atheists have no morality
• Atheists are not interested in developing moral character
• Atheists are all hedonists
• Atheists are all moral subjectivists/relativists
• Atheists are all secular humanists
• Atheists are all depressed or unhappy or unfulfilled
• Atheists all think life has no meaning or purpose
• Atheists all reject the idea of freewill
• Atheists are all interested in destroying religion
• Atheists share a single worldview
• Atheists are all liberals or communists
• Atheists are all against capitalism

Very good then. I look forward to seeing more posts from you on these issues. Perhaps you'll consider making a few new topics.

 

[Natman]

You missed the most important option... "to worship God."

We were made for one purpose... for God's pleasure, and we give Him pleasure by living every part of our lives in worship of Him... every part.

Read "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren and you'll understand.

Son-cerely,
Nathan Powers

 

[TuxThePenguin]

You missed the most important option... "to worship God."

I thought worsipping god was something christians (and other deists) did all the time. If so It seems nonsensical that it would be a "reason" to visit the site.

I myself have a family branch that are very devout (My uncle is a lay member of the Brittish general synod) [the rulling group for CofE ;protastant] and as such conversations here give me a fuller understanding of the christian mindset and gives me discussion points to discuss with my Uncle (he is also has several PHd's one of thich is in philosophy)

He seems concerned with current aspects of the American christian movement.

Yours
Arthur

"They sell us the president the same way,
They sell us our clothes and our cars,
They sell us everything from youth to religeon,
At the same time they sell us our wars"

Lives in the balance - Jackson Browne, circa 1979

 

[Ameriskool]

Am I the only one here just for the hell of it?

lol well, I found this site just for the hell of it, and I read posts for the hell of it, but I stay for a different reason.

On a usual basis at school I deal with Christians, smart or otherwise, and every so often I get into a debate with them. I come to see other debates, and learn techniques in those debates.
I don't know a lot about religion as I've never been to church, and I know only what people have told me thus far in my life. And I hate not knowing things other people know, so to learn what other people think, to see what they see, to glean what they've gleaned. It's a learning experience all around.
Plus I'm a natural born smart-alec who loves controversy and conflict.

I'm here for a lot of reasons I guess

 

[Lycaenidae]

You forgot one, Eudaimonist -

*We're not really atheists, we just hate God.

I'm here to learn, among other things. And it actually does me some good every now and then, like when I have the answers to the religious based trivia questions in the Linnaean Games for the Entomological Society of America.

 

[Abbadon]

Adiya, you forgot the option "too much free time: it was this site or become a freemason"

 

[BrownCoat]

I'm here because I'm not there.

 

[Madcoil]

If you weren't *there*, you wouldn't be *here*.