How I became a theist.

[LegendarySandwich]

Oh, many atheists are good debaters. However, debating religion with religious lunatics is pointless, and so many of us do not. Some, like me, just do it for personal amusement though.

Well if atheists only debate for their own amusement then it's no wonder they're so bad at it.

Some, like me, just do it for personal amusement though.

But if every member of a social group (you don't seem to like the word "philosophy") is bad at debating their own position then there's probably not much of a position there in the first place.

Not necessarily; and to dismiss a position simply because of those who hold it is intellectually lazy.

That's another thing about atheists. Whenever someone disagrees with them they tend to assume that person must be Christian/Catholic.

Person A: "Pardon me, but I just wanted to question you on such and such a point concerning the validity of evolution."
Atheist: "*gasp*! You're obviously RELIGIOUS! No, worse! You're a (gulp) C-c-c-c-Christian!!!!!!"
Person A: "Umm, no, actually I-"
Atheist: "Stay back! We'll have no evidence here thank you very much, you TRAITOR to SCIENCE!!!! Because guess what- I'm RATIONAL!!!!! And YOU, are just an EVIL THEIST!!!"
Person A: "But"
Atheist: "CONFESS, you evil theist! Lying is a SIN!!!!!"

Yeahhhh...sure.

I disagree.

How is it a philosophy?

Right. Hence I dropped atheism.

I thought you said you dropped atheism for the former reason. Which is it?

So now you're trying to change the subject?

You're the one that brought Dawkins up.

So first I'm accused of being an evil theist for daring to de-convert from the atrocity that is atheism, and now that you've suddenly realised the accusation doesn't hold water I'm labelled as a troll? Lol. Oh, you atheists.

So you actually believe that the definition of a word can change just because one person wants it to? That's both stupid and ridiculous.

No, I'm asking you what a hard-core atheist is to you. So far, you seem to have trouble answering.

Of course you do; because I de-converted.

Well, yeah. I don't think "the most hard-core atheist in the world" would become a theist because he thought all atheists were bad debaters.

I think you should learn the meaning of "convert". It doesn't just apply to philosophy; even a moron should know at least that much.

It implies a belief system.

Not really; as soon as I turned around and looked at atheism from a rational point of view, however, I realised it didn't hold water.

How does it not hold water?

Yes it does.

Like what?

Oh, are we back to me being a theist now? You've gotten bored of "troll"?

It's funny how you just keep proving you're a troll while saying things like that.

So?

That's a bad reason to "de-convert".

I agree. Sandwhich, please respect the nature of the thread and try actually addressing the points being discussed instead of spamming meaningless images.

Ahh, now this is very typical...

"Gasp... what? Someone de-converted from *my* belief? B-but... that's impossible... I know! S/he obviously doesn't know what "atheism" really means! That must be it! Yes... Didn't know what it means... Or they're lying! Yes, that must be true, since atheism is right. De-converters from atheism don't really exist. They must all obviously be lying or just never have understood the "true" meaning of atheism."

Since I don't want to use the same image too many times in one post, I refer you to the above image.

You never asked me anything.

Again, above image.

[Bubblepot]

By the way, Bubblepot, you still haven't answered my two very basic and straight-forward questions. I really would appreciate the answers. Thanks.

You never asked me anything.

Oh, but I did.  On the very first page of this thread, in fact.  Really, I'm not expecting much in the way of answers from you, but I would like to be pleasantly surprised.  Since I've already thanked you twice in advance, and have gotten nada in return so far, I guess I'll forgo that little pleasantry just now.

Recusant, I answered your questions at the very top of my last post. I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie by pretending I didn't, and I'd especially appreciate you not writing your own sentences and then falsely posting them as being quoted by me. Anyone can compare this apparent "quote" of mine you've posted, look back at my previous post and see how you're being deceptive here. Thanks.

[LegendarySandwich]

Recusant, I answered your questions at the very top of my last post. I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie by pretending I didn't, and I'd especially appreciate you not writing your own sentences and then falsely posting them as being quoted by me. Anyone can compare this apparent "quote" of mine you've posted, look back at my previous post and see how you're being deceptive here. Thanks.

I think I might start taking your own advice and ignoring you. You're being too obvious of a troll now, Bubblepot; the subtle trolls are the best.

[Will]

I'd appreciate it if we all just took a few deep breaths before continuing.

[LegendarySandwich]

I'd appreciate it if we all just took a few deep breaths before continuing.

You can't be serious, Will. I mean, just look at him. He's not even trying in the least to hide he's a troll now.

[Recusant]

Recusant, I answered your questions at the very top of my last post. I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie by pretending I didn't, and I'd especially appreciate you not writing your own sentences and then falsely posting them as being quoted by me. Anyone can compare this apparent "quote" of mine you've posted, look back at my previous post and see how you're being deceptive here. Thanks.

  lol  lol   I'm going to respond to your answers, but I don't think we'll get to play this game much longer.

1) How long ago did you "de-convert"?

It would have been about six years ago now. And why is de-convert in apostrophes? How long have you been atheist?

So you were lying earlier on this site when you posted as an "atheist".  Why did you do that?

To answer your questions in return (fair is fair, after all):

1) I put de-convert in quotation marks (get the names of punctuation correct and people may be fooled into thinking that you know what you're talking about, which is what you want, isn't it?) for two reasons.  A: I don't actually believe your story as presented in the OP.  For all I know, you're actually an atheist who has decided to have some fun by playing at being a Christian who plays at being an atheist, then changes his story to say that he's actually an ex-atheist who has become a "free thinker." )

2) What church do you consider yourself affiliated with?

Excuse me? I'm a freethinker.

Define "freethinker."

I see that in your post you mention evangelical arguments, so perhaps that's a clue. Is there a particular evangelical congregation which you believe is the true church of Jesus?

Define "true".

Yes, it doesn't surprise me at all that you have trouble understanding the concept of "true".  lol  You really are trying aren't you?  I'll give you a B for effort, C+ for style and a C for execution.  As you can see, I'm a tough grader.  But to answer your question:  You can easily read my "worldview" descriptor below my name and avatar.  I am what I say I am--an infidel barbarian.

 I mean this sincerely; it's been fun, Bubblepot, take care, and wipe your nose more often.

(Edited for grammatical and code errors.)

[Ultima22689]

Well, after reading those last couple of posts, I think i've done the old mac a very large disservice.

This is one entertaining troll post, please go on.

[Will]

You can't be serious, Will. I mean, just look at him. He's not even trying in the least to hide he's a troll now.

There's good conversation to be had if the trolls aren't indulged too much.

[pilchardo]

Bubblepot, reading your posts did make me laugh. I don't think you're a troll, I don't think you're the problem at all.

[LegendarySandwich]

Bubblepot, reading your posts did make me laugh. I don't think you're a troll, I don't think you're the problem at all.

My sock-puppet detector is going off.

[pilchardo]

Bubblepot, reading your posts did make me laugh. I don't think you're a troll, I don't think you're the problem at all.

My sock-puppet detector is going off.

Really? If you think I'm a sockpuppet of Bubblepot, I suggest you tell it to a moderator in private. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to check my IP address and compare it to Bubblepot's. I know it's quiet here and there's hardly anything going on but if you're bored, how about you do something else rather than posting your misguided suspicions publically, thus derailing the thread.

[Ultima22689]

How dare you derail this troll thread LS! You should be ashamed!

[Ultima22689]

Wait, when did Bubblepot get banned?

[McQ]

Wait, when did Bubblepot get banned?

He was banned today. See the thread he started regarding trolling, here:  viewtopic.php?f=48&t=6719

[Whitney]

Bubblepot, reading your posts did make me laugh. I don't think you're a troll, I don't think you're the problem at all.

My sock-puppet detector is going off.

Really? If you think I'm a sockpuppet of Bubblepot, I suggest you tell it to a moderator in private. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to check my IP address and compare it to Bubblepot's. I know it's quiet here and there's hardly anything going on but if you're bored, how about you do something else rather than posting your misguided suspicions publically, thus derailing the thread.

Considering that your IP changes every 4 posts or so I really can't base it off IP...and I know this because I already checked for a match before LS even said anything.