Why are you here?

[akaDaScribe]

I know some people are here to forward their political agendas. Beyond that, I am just wondering why non-Christians join a Christian forum. Is it to troll? Is it to pull people closer to your world view? Are you looking for answers? Do you enjoy debating? Do you enjoy hearing different perspectives? Are you working for the company and generating new content? Is there something you hope to achieve?

I’m not asking as if I have a problem with you being here. I’m just trying to understand the mindset for better perspective.

 

[Nithavela]

I know some people are here to forward their political agendas. Beyond that, I am just wondering why non-Christians join a Christian forum. Is it to troll? Is it to pull people closer to your world view? Are you looking for answers? Do you enjoy debating? Do you enjoy hearing different perspectives? Are you working for the company and generating new content? Is there something you hope to achieve?

I’m not asking as if I have a problem with you being here. I’m just trying to understand the mindset for better perspective.

There have been a lot of threads that ask the same question. I suggest you read those, the answers should mostly still be relevant.

 

[akaDaScribe]

There have been a lot of threads that ask the same question. I suggest you read those, the answers should mostly still be relevant.

Have any links?

 

[DogmaHunter]

I know some people are here to forward their political agendas. Beyond that, I am just wondering why non-Christians join a Christian forum. Is it to troll? Is it to pull people closer to your world view? Are you looking for answers? Do you enjoy debating? Do you enjoy hearing different perspectives? Are you working for the company and generating new content? Is there something you hope to achieve?

I’m not asking as if I have a problem with you being here. I’m just trying to understand the mindset for better perspective.

I'ld imagine everyone has his/her own reasons.

For me, there is no single reason. It's a combination of things.
I'll just list some, in no particular order:

- entertainment: I have to admit, I actually enjoy a laugh now and then when I get to read some of the completely bonkers things that some fundies tend to believe.

- interest in human psychology: what makes people believe the things they believe? More often then not, I'm more interested in WHY a person believes a certain thing as opposed to what actually is being believed

- learning: eventhough it wasn't one of the reasons I initially joined, it is one of the reasons I keep coming back. And that is the fact that some of the people posting in the science subforum, are actual professional scientists. And since they often need to seriously dumb down explanations in order that scientific illiterate people can follow, they oftenly offer new perspectives or just very very clear explanations on certain things, which I find very interesting. I most certainly have learned plenty of things about certain sciences, since I joined here. And learning is good.

- social activism: in a sense, I consider it a "citizen's duty" to help my fellow (world)citizens in the importance of holding rationally justified believes. Yes, I honestly consider religions (at least to a certain point), or any faith-based belief really, to be like a societal cancer that promotes division, tribalism and which fuels hatred and intolerance, or which causes harm one way or the other. I honestly believe that the word would instantly become a better place, with fewer wars and less hatred, if all theists would "see the light" and abbandon their religion overnight. And just for completeness: nevertheless, I will absolutely support people's constitutional rights to believe whatever nonsense they please. I would never support a forced abbandonment of religious beliefs. I would never support the idea of making christianity, for example, "illegal" or whatever.


- ....


There's probably more reasons I could come up with, but I think those would be the most important ones.

 

[Nithavela]

Have any links?

To the "Unbeliever" ... What is it about Christianity that Interests You ?

Atheists on this board

The forum search engine isn't really lending itself to finding more.

To answer your question, I came here in a time of doubting and religious searching. I found my answers, here as well as elsewhere, and I stuck around for the debate and amusement.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Some of us were Christians when we joined.

 

[eleos1954]

I know some people are here to forward their political agendas. Beyond that, I am just wondering why non-Christians join a Christian forum. Is it to troll? Is it to pull people closer to your world view? Are you looking for answers? Do you enjoy debating? Do you enjoy hearing different perspectives? Are you working for the company and generating new content? Is there something you hope to achieve?

I’m not asking as if I have a problem with you being here. I’m just trying to understand the mindset for better perspective.

From observation and conversations so far that I've had with others ... I'd say one or more of the above and/or other "reasons". Motives vary ... may be positive ... may be negative. Regardless of the motives, I believe they are all led here by the Lord and His purpose will be established.

Isaiah 46
9Remember what happened long ago,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me.
10I distinguish the end from the beginning,
and ancient times from what is still to come,
saying: ‘My purpose will be established,
and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’

Amen.

 

[akaDaScribe]

Some of us were Christians when we joined.

Being on the forum led you to atheism?

I'ld imagine everyone has his/her own reasons.

For me, there is no single reason. It's a combination of things.
I'll just list some, in no particular order:

- entertainment: I have to admit, I actually enjoy a laugh now and then when I get to read some of the completely bonkers things that some fundies tend to believe.

- interest in human psychology: what makes people believe the things they believe? More often then not, I'm more interested in WHY a person believes a certain thing as opposed to what actually is being believed

- learning: eventhough it wasn't one of the reasons I initially joined, it is one of the reasons I keep coming back. And that is the fact that some of the people posting in the science subforum, are actual professional scientists. And since they often need to seriously dumb down explanations in order that scientific illiterate people can follow, they oftenly offer new perspectives or just very very clear explanations on certain things, which I find very interesting. I most certainly have learned plenty of things about certain sciences, since I joined here. And learning is good.

- social activism: in a sense, I consider it a "citizen's duty" to help my fellow (world)citizens in the importance of holding rationally justified believes. Yes, I honestly consider religions (at least to a certain point), or any faith-based belief really, to be like a societal cancer that promotes division, tribalism and which fuels hatred and intolerance, or which causes harm one way or the other. I honestly believe that the word would instantly become a better place, with fewer wars and less hatred, if all theists would "see the light" and abbandon their religion overnight. And just for completeness: nevertheless, I will absolutely support people's constitutional rights to believe whatever nonsense they please. I would never support a forced abbandonment of religious beliefs. I would never support the idea of making christianity, for example, "illegal" or whatever.


- ....


There's probably more reasons I could come up with, but I think those would be the most important ones.

Thanks for responding.
sorry, complete tech failure on my part, mixed posts XD

 

[akaDaScribe]

To the "Unbeliever" ... What is it about Christianity that Interests You ?

Atheists on this board

The forum search engine isn't really lending itself to finding more.

To answer your question, I came here in a time of doubting and religious searching. I found my answers, here as well as elsewhere, and I stuck around for the debate and amusement.

That didn't have many responses and the question itself came across a bit harsh in that wording. I actually really want to know.

 

[Nithavela]

That didn't have many responses and the question itself came across a bit harsh in that wording. I actually really want to know.

I know I have replied to at least two other threads asking this question, but can't find them.

Ah well, making it three..

 

[akaDaScribe]

I know I have replied to at least two other threads asking this question, but can't find them.

Ah well, making it three..

People seem to come and go on the forum anyway. So, sooner or later you end up repeating yourself.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Being on the forum led you to atheism?


Thanks for responding.
sorry, complete tech failure on my part, mixed posts XD

No. But it wasn't a preventative.

 

[akaDaScribe]

No. But it wasn't a preventative.

How long ago was that? So now you drop in to catch up with friends?

 

[Tinker Grey]

How long ago was that? So now you drop in to catch up with friends?

10 years ago. Now I hang out for discussion.

 

[gaara4158]

I'm here because debate is one of the few intellectually demanding activities I'm able to engage in with my busy lifestyle and limited education, and apologetics boards are a reliable source of debatable material. I joined here eleven years ago as a YEC questioning his beliefs and have stayed because even though I've changed positions, I never want to stop challenging them. In short, this keeps me sharp and I learn a lot from the conversations here.

 

[akaDaScribe]

I'm here because debate is one of the few intellectually demanding activities I'm able to engage in with my busy lifestyle and limited education, and apologetics boards are a reliable source of debatable material. I joined here eleven years ago as a YEC questioning his beliefs and have stayed because even though I've changed positions, I never want to stop challenging them. In short, this keeps me sharp and I learn a lot from the conversations here.

What is a YEC?
Young Evangelical Christian?

 

[gaara4158]

What is a YEC?
Young Evangelical Christian?

Young Earth Creationist.

 

[akaDaScribe]

I'm here because debate is one of the few intellectually demanding activities I'm able to engage in with my busy lifestyle and limited education, and apologetics boards are a reliable source of debatable material. I joined here eleven years ago as a YEC questioning his beliefs and have stayed because even though I've changed positions, I never want to stop challenging them. In short, this keeps me sharp and I learn a lot from the conversations here.

It's good to keep an open mind

 

[ananda]

I know some people are here to forward their political agendas. Beyond that, I am just wondering why non-Christians join a Christian forum. Is it to troll? Is it to pull people closer to your world view? Are you looking for answers? Do you enjoy debating? Do you enjoy hearing different perspectives? Are you working for the company and generating new content? Is there something you hope to achieve?

I’m not asking as if I have a problem with you being here. I’m just trying to understand the mindset for better perspective.

I was a Christian on this board before I converted.

 

[Eight Foot Manchild]

I know some people are here to forward their political agendas. Beyond that, I am just wondering why non-Christians join a Christian forum. Is it to troll? Is it to pull people closer to your world view? Are you looking for answers? Do you enjoy debating? Do you enjoy hearing different perspectives? Are you working for the company and generating new content? Is there something you hope to achieve?

I’m not asking as if I have a problem with you being here. I’m just trying to understand the mindset for better perspective.

Why am I here?

1. I don't want to live in an echo chamber. Almost everyone I know and interact with regularly is an atheist, or at least irreligious. The internet is the most convenient resource for exposure to opposing viewpoints. I consume conservative religious radio, podcasts and youtube videos, and talk to street preachers, for the same reason.

2. It's interesting.

3. I consider the public scrutiny of ideas and the reasoning behind them to be a civic duty.

In that order.