Hi everybody! Nice to meet you.
My name is Scott. I am a student, a Californian, a queer, and a heathen. I wanted to meet more atheists and tried out a different forum prior to this one but some of the people there were extremely rude and attacked me over one of my opinions without even discussing it rationally.
I figured that if there's any place where that won't happen, it's a place with "Happy" in the name.
Anyways, some random facts about me...
- My username is from my favorite character in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
- I am a huge fan of Starcraft and Halo.
- I was raised an altar boy and a head chorister at an Episcopalian church where the minster was a lesbian woman and the choir director was gay.
- Despite being atheist, I am not liberal on some things -- including pot legalization and abortion.
Anyways, I look forward to meeting you all!
Also, I wanted to edit my profile and add an avatar but I don't seem to have the option to. Anybody know what's up with that?
Quote from: Wrath on July 09, 2012, 02:37:00 AM
Also, I wanted to edit my profile and add an avatar but I don't seem to have the option to. Anybody know what's up with that?
You'll get a post from a mod soon explaining everything, but I think it has to do with the 10 post rule.
Anyway, welcome. You'll find plenty of people here with plenty of diverse opinions.
Hey Wrath
So I presume you are against people's choice for abortion, I think this will be an interesting discussion to be had. It's a difficult topic for sure.
Unfortunately you need to make a further 9 posts before you can discuss this and other "controversial" topics. The 10 post rules gives us an opportunity to get to know you before locking horns in battle (Know your enemy) and all that. ;)
The 10 post rule also applies to setting up an avatar.
Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy this place.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on July 09, 2012, 02:44:42 AMYou'll get a post from a mod soon explaining everything, but I think it has to do with the 10 post rule.
Anyway, welcome. You'll find plenty of people here with plenty of diverse opinions.
Oh, okay. That shouldn't take me long. Glad to hear that there's some diversity here! I hope to meet some people on my side and the other of each issue..
Quote from: Stevil on July 09, 2012, 02:46:07 AM
So I presume you are against people's choice for abortion, I think this will be an interesting discussion to be had. It's a difficult topic for sure.
Unfortunately you need to make a further 9 posts before you can discuss this and other "controversial" topics. The 10 post rules gives us an opportunity to get to know you before locking horns in battle (Know your enemy) and all that. ;)
Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy this place.
Yes, that's correct, I am against it. This was indeed the controversial topic that people attacked me over in the last forum I joined. They didn't even wait until I got out of my introduction thread to do it, though.
I think I shall enjoy this place much more than the other. :)
Welcome! It's nice to have some differing opinions here. All the sameness and love and tolerating can get a bit boring sometimes. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
Quote from: Budhorse4 on July 09, 2012, 03:15:32 AM
Welcome! It's nice to have some differing opinions here. All the sameness and love and tolerating can get a bit boring sometimes. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
Likewise, should be interesting.
Hello and welcome to HAF,
Wrath. Your helpful fellow members have already more or less explained the site policy regarding contentious topics in the "Getting To Know You" section (they don't go here). Also regarding an avatar, signature and personal text: those will have to wait until you've made ten posts in the "Getting To Know You" section.
QuoteNotes for new members from Tank:
The Rules. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1522.0)
Users who comply with forum rules will graduate to full membership after 10 posts. Till that time your ability to post is limited to the "Getting to Know You" (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php#2) section of the forum. It is our hope that this small restriction improves the overall atmosphere of HAF.
Some threads you might find interesting.
Where did you get your username from? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5133.0)
10 Things About Yourself (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=4940.0)
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=8215.0)
Photography (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=7607.0)
Non-religious pet peeves (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=6917.0)
Pets...what do you have? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=7.0)
How to tell your family you are an atheist. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5111.0)*
"Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5631.0)*
*You will need 10 posts before you can add a post to this thread, but you can read it at any time.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here! (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg825.imageshack.us%2Fimg825%2F7082%2Fsmileykp.gif&hash=44804682878b80211a94c6a1e69670528bd9c4a7)
Welcome!
Hello Wrath.
I'm not really a wrath person, sloth and gluttony are nice but they can greatly reduce opportunities to exercise lust. I don't suffer envy because I have the best hats and that's not pride, it's fact. I'm not greedy either, I just want stuff.
Hi, welcome. :)
I think we try to encourage differing opinions here, for the most part. Things get a bit heated sometimes, but attacking each other isn't allowed. I was also an altar, um, child when I was little, though I was raised in the Catholic church.
Puddin' is also correct -- he does have the best hats.
I will also add my welcome. I was also an Episcopal alter boy.You will find that we are all nice frendly sharks here. Excuse me while I go sharpen my teeth.
Quote from: Recusant on July 09, 2012, 03:47:59 AM
Hello and welcome to HAF, Wrath. Your helpful fellow members have already more or less explained the site policy regarding contentious topics in the "Getting To Know You" section (they don't go here). Also regarding an avatar, signature and personal text: those will have to wait until you've made ten posts in the "Getting To Know You" section.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here! (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg825.imageshack.us%2Fimg825%2F7082%2Fsmileykp.gif&hash=44804682878b80211a94c6a1e69670528bd9c4a7)
Thanks!
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on July 09, 2012, 04:20:48 AM
Hello Wrath.
I'm not really a wrath person, sloth and gluttony are nice but they can greatly reduce opportunities to exercise lust. I don't suffer envy because I have the best hats and that's not pride, it's fact. I'm not greedy either, I just want stuff.
Hahahaha. I envy your hats. I also want stuff. But mostly, you can see me exercising my wrath as I curse at my TV after being killed on the Xbox.
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on July 09, 2012, 04:34:02 AM
Hi, welcome. :)
I think we try to encourage differing opinions here, for the most part. Things get a bit heated sometimes, but attacking each other isn't allowed. I was also an altar, um, child when I was little, though I was raised in the Catholic church.
Puddin' is also correct -- he does have the best hats.
You'll have to tell me what it was like being raised Catholic. I've been told that the Episcopal church was a branch off of the Catholic church and that they share a great many things, just not at all conservative and a lot less literal.
Quote from: markmcdaniel on July 09, 2012, 04:42:30 AM
I will also add my welcome. I was also an Episcopal alter boy.You will find that we are all nice frendly sharks here. Excuse me while I go sharpen my teeth.
I'll try not to flounder about like a seal. Nice to meet you!
*Cough* Only one more!
*Cough*
Hello Scott
Well you've made your 10 posts, and very good they were to, so you're free to roam the board.
Welcome to HAF ;D
Regards
Chris
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on July 09, 2012, 04:34:02 AM
Hi, welcome. :)
I think we try to encourage differing opinions here, for the most part. Things get a bit heated sometimes, but attacking each other isn't allowed. I was also an altar, um, child when I was little, though I was raised in the Catholic church.
Puddin' is also correct -- he does have the best hats.
Please tell me you have a photo of that you must have looked utterly adorable!!!
Welcome, Wrath. You'll find this place ideal for a bit of civilised argument. Just beware of the Pudding, the Asmo and take no notice of anything I say. ;)
Welcome. I look forward to hearing about the non liberal aspects of your political views in the future, as they happen to be 2 of the main views when concerning us liberals.
Hi Wrath! Welcome! I think you'll find some diversity of thought here (Scissorlegs is our resident fat cat conservative; not sure how he feels about abortion though.) I hope you enjoy your time here.
Quote from: Wrath on July 09, 2012, 02:37:00 AM
Hi everybody! Nice to meet you.
My name is Scott. I am a student, a Californian, a queer, and a heathen. I wanted to meet more atheists and tried out a different forum prior to this one but some of the people there were extremely rude and attacked me over one of my opinions without even discussing it rationally.
Hi Scott. Welcome to HAF. I'm not a student, I am a Californian, I'm not a queer nor a heathen, though I am sinful and probably more sinful than most of the good people here at HAF.
I know you'll find this place a joy. I do, and I'm an outsider here. ;)
Quote from: Ali on July 09, 2012, 07:02:32 PM
Hi Wrath! Welcome! I think you'll find some diversity of thought here (Scissorlegs is our resident fat cat conservative; not sure how he feels about abortion though.) I hope you enjoy your time here.
Abortion? Well, there's definitely a market, and potential to make money there, so fine by me :D
Hi Wrath.
Quote from: AnimatedDirt on July 09, 2012, 07:06:50 PM
I'm an outsider here. ;)
I call BS on this. AD has been part of the Happy family for years.
Quote from: AnimatedDirt on July 09, 2012, 07:06:50 PM
Quote from: Wrath on July 09, 2012, 02:37:00 AM
Hi everybody! Nice to meet you.
My name is Scott. I am a student, a Californian, a queer, and a heathen. I wanted to meet more atheists and tried out a different forum prior to this one but some of the people there were extremely rude and attacked me over one of my opinions without even discussing it rationally.
Hi Scott. Welcome to HAF. I'm not a student, I am a Californian, I'm not a queer nor a heathen, though I am sinful and probably more sinful than most of the good people here at HAF.
I know you'll find this place a joy. I do, and I'm an outsider here. ;)
More passive aggressive goading and rudeness AD what a surprise.
Quote from: Tank on July 09, 2012, 09:36:25 PM
Quote from: AnimatedDirt on July 09, 2012, 07:06:50 PM
Quote from: Wrath on July 09, 2012, 02:37:00 AM
Hi everybody! Nice to meet you.
My name is Scott. I am a student, a Californian, a queer, and a heathen. I wanted to meet more atheists and tried out a different forum prior to this one but some of the people there were extremely rude and attacked me over one of my opinions without even discussing it rationally.
Hi Scott. Welcome to HAF. I'm not a student, I am a Californian, I'm not a queer nor a heathen, though I am sinful and probably more sinful than most of the good people here at HAF.
I know you'll find this place a joy. I do, and I'm an outsider here. ;)
More passive aggressive goading and rudeness AD what a surprise.
Not meant as such, but you're the boss. It is as you say.
Well, hello...
I dislike the idea of legalizing cannabis and think abortion should be encouraged in many cases. I think I may find you interesting. :D
Scott...if you took my post as passive aggressive, I apologize. It was hardly meant in that manner. I was being honest in that I feel I am certainly more of a sinner than some of the good atheists I've met here at HAF. It's to my own shame.
Since it came off to our moderator as passive aggressive, I whole-heartedly offer my apology.
Welcome to HAF. I know you'll like the people here and enjoy their company.
Oh, and don't mind the everyone-but-Asmo-seems-to-have-a-bad-day day. Usually, the situation is quite the opposite
Quote from: Asmodean on July 09, 2012, 10:25:41 PM
Oh, and don't mind the everyone-but-Asmo-seems-to-have-a-bad-day day. Usually, the situation is quite the opposite
:D
I don't quite have it in me to respond to each and everyone. ;D But thanks Tank, OldGit, ..... Anti-Antidisestablishmentarianism, Ali, AnimatedDirt, Scissorlegs, Asmodean, and DeterminedJuliet.
And don't worry, I didn't take it as passive-aggressive at all. :P
Right now, I'm just considering what to post in first!
Well, tributes to The Asmo are always appreciated ;D
Quote from: Asmodean on July 09, 2012, 10:54:24 PM
Well, tributes to The Asmo are always appreciated ;D
And compliments to The Pudding's hats. Those will give you bonus points here.
Welcome!
I'm interested in what you have to say on abortion - it's still an issue that makes me think, and I like to hear new ideas when they come around.
Quote from: Wrath on July 09, 2012, 02:37:00 AM
Hi everybody! Nice to meet you.
My name is Scott. I am a student, a Californian, a queer, and a heathen. I wanted to meet more atheists and tried out a different forum prior to this one but some of the people there were extremely rude and attacked me over one of my opinions without even discussing it rationally.
Cool! Also new here. Also queer. I teach and am 46, but I also take classes all the time. What do you study?
I also came from another atheist board that I left for reasons similar to yours.
Quote from: Wrath on July 09, 2012, 02:37:00 AM
- Despite being atheist, I am not liberal on some things -- including pot legalization and abortion.
I also do not support pot legalization and have never been able to undestand why someone would willingly take a mood-altering drug.
I support a woman's right to choice because I would want to have a choice if I were a woman. Also, I don't feel men have the right to tell women what to do with their bodies. But in my heart I cringe when I think of abortion for the same reason I cringe when I read about dashing the heads of infants against rocks/walls in the Bible.
I hope to see you around the board!
Quote from: TheWalkingContradiction on July 12, 2012, 03:09:53 AM
Cool! Also new here. Also queer. I teach and am 46, but I also take classes all the time. What do you study?
I also came from another atheist board that I left for reasons similar to yours.
Hey. ;D Nice to meet you. What do you teach? I think teaching is very admirable, and I hope to one day after a successful career. I'm studying computer science. Plan on being a programmer. It was kind of inevitable, my entire family is. I'm pretty curious, what was it like growing up gay in your youth?
Quote from: TheWalkingContradiction on July 12, 2012, 03:09:53 AM
I also do not support pot legalization and have never been able to undestand why someone would willingly take a mood-altering drug.
I support a woman's right to choice because I would want to have a choice if I were a woman. Also, I don't feel men have the right to tell women what to do with their bodies. But in my heart I cringe when I think of abortion for the same reason I cringe when I read about dashing the heads of infants against rocks/walls in the Bible.
I hope to see you around the board!
Haha, I have to say, it's kind of a contradiction to oppose drugs because you didn't choose them yet support abortion despite the same reason. I understand though, abortion is a very nuanced issue. I don't really believe that there is a perfect answer to it, and yet I do believe that in a more ideal world, women would have unplanned pregnancies much less often and in the cases where they did, they would still not seek out abortions.
I mean, there's lots of people out there who know how close they were to being aborted and are preeeetty darn thankful that they weren't. I realize aborted embryos and fetuses don't know that, but I still think they should be given the chance to value their own life. Sorry, I kind of rambled on -- please, don't take me seriously. ;)
Morning
Can we can the debate in the introductions please and start a new thread on the appropriate subject in the appropriate forum please as everybody has enough posts to do so.
Thanks
Tank
Quote from: Wrath on July 12, 2012, 10:01:39 AM
Quote from: TheWalkingContradiction on July 12, 2012, 03:09:53 AM
Cool! Also new here. Also queer. I teach and am 46, but I also take classes all the time. What do you study?
I also came from another atheist board that I left for reasons similar to yours.
Hey. ;D Nice to meet you. What do you teach? I think teaching is very admirable, and I hope to one day after a successful career. I'm studying computer science. Plan on being a programmer. It was kind of inevitable, my entire family is. I'm pretty curious, what was it like growing up gay in your youth?
Quote from: TheWalkingContradiction on July 12, 2012, 03:09:53 AM
I also do not support pot legalization and have never been able to undestand why someone would willingly take a mood-altering drug.
I support a woman's right to choice because I would want to have a choice if I were a woman. Also, I don't feel men have the right to tell women what to do with their bodies. But in my heart I cringe when I think of abortion for the same reason I cringe when I read about dashing the heads of infants against rocks/walls in the Bible.
I hope to see you around the board!
Haha, I have to say, it's kind of a contradiction to oppose drugs because you didn't choose them yet support abortion despite the same reason. I understand though, abortion is a very nuanced issue. I don't really believe that there is a perfect answer to it, and yet I do believe that in a more ideal world, women would have unplanned pregnancies much less often and in the cases where they did, they would still not seek out abortions.
I mean, there's lots of people out there who know how close they were to being aborted and are preeeetty darn thankful that they weren't. I realize aborted embryos and fetuses don't know that, but I still think they should be given the chance to value their own life. Sorry, I kind of rambled on -- please, don't take me seriously. ;)
and then
Quote from: Tank on July 12, 2012, 11:08:33 AM
Morning
Can we can the debate in the introductions please and start a new thread on the appropriate subject in the appropriate forum please as everybody has enough posts to do so.
Thanks
Tank
Out of respect for
Tank, I won't say anything else about the liberal positions here. I can talk further about them if you wish to start a new thread--or not at all if that is all you had wanted to say about them at this time. Whatever your position, though, it's fine.
I was just drawn to what you wrote because of my own multiple contradictions, and I wanted to say HEY! I feel the same way about aspects of these issues just as I wanted to say HEY! I am also queer and HEY! I am always studying something.
Have to leave for work in a few minutes, so I will be very, very lazy and cut and paste something I wrote to someone else somewhere else in response to another question about teaching:
Ali asked about teaching: I teach four ESL (English as a Second Language) classes a semester (Spring, Fall, Summer-1 and Summer-2) to university students. Although I do teach at least one beginners or low level class a semester, most of my students in my other classes already speak everyday English (with errors) but need to bring it up to academic English quickly. In the spring and fall I also teach a speech communication course to fluent graduate students from all disciplines. We work on ways to present research orally, strategies for Power Point presentations, techniques for speaking up and being understood better, American classroom/academic psychology, American body language, and accent correction. The latter is especially hard since the class is diverse with students from many different countries. (The most exotic ESL student I have ever taught was... a French Canadian!)
I don't speak all of my students' languages, but since I am trilingual myself I know exactly what they are going through in learning other languages. Also, although I don't speak Arabic, my mother is a native speaker who was born and raised in Lebanon. (I can say roughly 300 words and phrases in Arabic with only a light American accent, and I crack up my Arabic students by throwing things like leysh ana ya allah? (Why me, God?) and yalla yalla! (Hurry up!) into my conversations with them.Computer science is very practical, and I when I go into soothsayer mode and scatter the bones, I see a bright future for you. Actually, I have had to learn a few things about the latest technology myself when used in Distance Learning (teaching classes in other countries via a computer and a live Skype-like thingamajig - in other words, I can be here in New York while all my students are in Saudi Arabia or I have a student in Mongolia, a student in Bolivia, a student in Burkina Faso, a student in Walla Walla, Washington...). I have not yet had my own virtual classroom, but are becoming increasingly important to my department. The writing is on the wall.
Quote from: Wrath on July 09, 2012, 04:58:40 AM
You'll have to tell me what it was like being raised Catholic. I've been told that the Episcopal church was a branch off of the Catholic church and that they share a great many things, just not at all conservative and a lot less literal.
My aunt's Episcopalian, she describes it at Catholicism without the guilt.