Hi, I'm new to the forum, from NJ. Got turned on to Happy Atheist by my high school daughter. Go figure. I'm interested in nosing around to see what people who think, think.
Welcome to the forums! Does your daughter have an account here?
I don't believe so. She found it noodling around one day and stumbled on a bunch of comics someone had posted.
I've considered myself as an atheist for a long time, maybe 15-20 years. I arrived at it after a long and somewhat stormy journey. It's only in the last couple years that I've realized both my children (16 & 22) have arrived at the same place. I'm not yet completely sure I parented them the best way possible.
Hi technolud
Buddy asked the same question I was going to! Good to see your kids grew up faith-free, just like mine :)
Thanks for making the effort to sign up and join in.
Welcome to HAF. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F2922%2Fcheersi.gif&hash=d22c932723fd55512134b1ae98b018246ccbb424)
Regards
Chris
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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)
Favorite Song, with video (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=8830.0)
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Greetings, technolud.
QuoteI'm interested in nosing around to see what people who think, think.
That's very gracious of you. But yes, we do think.
Quote from: OldGit on April 13, 2012, 06:28:57 PM
Greetings, technolud.
QuoteI'm interested in nosing around to see what people who think, think.
That's very gracious of you. But yes, we do think.
Speak for yourself. I find thinking to be extremely overrated at times :)
Quote from: Tank on April 13, 2012, 06:30:19 PM
Quote from: OldGit on April 13, 2012, 06:28:57 PM
Greetings, technolud.
QuoteI'm interested in nosing around to see what people who think, think.
That's very gracious of you. But yes, we do think.
Speak for yourself. I find thinking to be extremely overrated at times :)
Yeaaaah, me too. Welcome technolud! :)
Well, at least you guys/gals are more welcoming then on the Honda Civic forum. Every time I post anything there I get flamed to death.
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 06:37:15 PM
Well, at least you guys/gals are more welcoming then on the Honda Civic forum. Every time I post anything there I get flamed to death.
LOL
Why do they flame?
Welcome!
Lots of Honda fanboys over there? ;D
Hello and welcome aboard!!! :)
There's a Honda Civic forum? :o They have a forum for everything these days!
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 06:37:15 PM
Well, at least you guys/gals are more welcoming then on the Honda Civic forum. Every time I post anything there I get flamed to death.
Haha, why?
There must be 10 Honda Civic forums. I think they flame because they are all about 16-1/2 years old and drink too much red bull. They don't seem to appreciate the "you can have your own opinion but not your own facts" point of view.
I'm sure this has been covered a thousand times on this forum, but what do you all think about the "in your face" acts of some of the atheists? I'm talking about the bill boards stating that God is a made up story etc.
I watch these and worry that just now when atheism seems to be gaining some acceptance a back lash is going to be fired up.
Al
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 06:55:34 PM
I'm sure this has been covered a thousand times on this forum, but what do you all think about the "in your face" acts of some of the atheists? I'm talking about the bill boards stating that God is a made up story etc.
I watch these and worry that just now when atheism seems to be gaining some acceptance a back lash is going to be fired up.
Al
Some people like entering the scenario with a bang. It's mostly aimed at supporting other atheists in religious communities to let them at least know that other atheists do exist. ;)
IMO there is a strong Christian backlash, but it isn't mostly for them.
Well, this forum is a bit more mature than the Honda civic one. XD
I dont mind the atheists billboards.
For the most part, i feel that every person i met under 30, (at least where i live, ) is an atheist or agnostic. I hope with the new generations and access to info through phones , religion will die out.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 13, 2012, 07:14:09 PM
For the most part, i feel that every person i met under 30, (at least where i live, ) is an atheist or agnostic. I hope with the new generations and access to info through phones , religion will die out.
I don't think it'll die out altogether, but I really do hope the younger generarion changes things. ::) The old has to be recycled. It's way past that point.
A lot of it depends on external circumstances: religion thrives in miserable regions and is set up to maintain people in that state. Good opium, if you ask me.
Yes its true. There is some hope to be had looking at the young'uns. My favorites are the people crying how "this young generation is the worst ever!". I can't figure out how, since every single one is worse then the one before, so many of the kids I meet are so nice.
We're at the "house continually full of teenagers" phase.
I don't think it'll die out altogether, but I really do hope the younger generarion changes things. Roll Eyes The old has to be recycled. It's way past that point.
A lot of it depends on external circumstances: religion thrives in miserable regions and is set up to maintain people in that state. Good opium, if you ask me.
Didn't Karl Marx say something about this?
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on April 13, 2012, 07:16:46 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 13, 2012, 07:14:09 PM
For the most part, i feel that every person i met under 30, (at least where i live, ) is an atheist or agnostic. I hope with the new generations and access to info through phones , religion will die out.
I don't think it'll die out altogether, but I really do hope the younger generarion changes things. ::) The old has to be recycled. It's way past that point.
A lot of it depends on external circumstances: religion thrives in miserable regions and is set up to maintain people in that state. Good opium, if you ask me.
Haha, yeah.
Just let it not be so fucking main stream. It controls too many of our laws and politics which is insane!! It's gone on too damn long.
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 07:19:57 PM
I don't think it'll die out altogether, but I really do hope the younger generarion changes things. Roll Eyes The old has to be recycled. It's way past that point.
A lot of it depends on external circumstances: religion thrives in miserable regions and is set up to maintain people in that state. Good opium, if you ask me.
Didn't Karl Marx say something about this?
Congrats on your first ten posts! The Vinnie herby grants thee access to the rest of the forum. Use it wisely. ;D
I'm excited. 10 posts and I don't think I insulted anyone or made a fool of myself yet. Yipee!.
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 06:55:34 PM
I'm sure this has been covered a thousand times on this forum, but what do you all think about the "in your face" acts of some of the atheists? I'm talking about the bill boards stating that God is a made up story etc.
I watch these and worry that just now when atheism seems to be gaining some acceptance a back lash is going to be fired up.
Al
Sometimes you need to walk softly, and sometimes you need to blow crap up (figuratively, of course)!
The bill boards, the books, the rallys... they are all about raising awareness to what we are and how many we are. If atheists were always quiet and careful, do you really think we would make prime time news? Be an actual topic of conversation? It is a fact that after the antics of several outspoken atheists and atheist groups the "atheist movement" picked up a lot of momentum.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on April 13, 2012, 07:08:49 PM
Some people like entering the scenario with a bang. It's mostly aimed at supporting other atheists in religious communities to let them at least know that other atheists do exist. ;)
IMO there is a strong Christian backlash, but it isn't mostly for them.
And also a lot of this.
Whaaaaat?!? You drive a Honda Civic?!? You IDIOT. Honda Accords 4EVA!!!!
(I'm totally 100% kidding, I just can't get over the idea of flame wars on a Honda Civic forum.)
Anyway, welcome! I think it's great that both of your kids are following in your footsteps. Well done!
As to "in your face" atheism, it depends on what it is. If it's a billboard that says "Are you good without god?" then I think why not? Religious folks get to hang signs and billboards and whatnot for their religion, why can't we do the same? But I'm sure there are some *too* in your face campaigns out there. Although I agree that they're probably not aimed at religious types anyway. If you lose your faith from reading a billboard, it must not have been too strong in the first place, ya know?
I'm sure Marx mentioned the opium, not sure about the rest though.
Out of curiousity, have you dealt with fundamentalist Christians (of whichever branch is predominant in your area) before? Online debates, school battles, etc?
I searched my way into Atheism. Started attending bible classes in college to "cut out the middleman" and go right to the source. Every single one I went to (three over a couple years) concentrated on all the bad things that would happen to you if you were "bad" rather then the good things if you followed the word. The harder I looked, the more negative I saw. I still admire people of "faith", a little jelouse actually. I just can't do it. I look inside, and there is no God there. 30 years later I'm pretty comfortable with it.
to Silverphinx
Dealt with fundamentalists, other then in discussion? Never as a protester. But I do spend a lot of time down in eastern Arkansas (Mississippi delta) and interact with a lot of very religious people. They just hate it when you quote the bible to them. But, a bunch of decent folk for the most part. No Civic flamers in the bunch.
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 07:57:27 PM
I'm excited. 10 posts and I don't think I insulted anyone or made a fool of myself yet. Yipee!.
Well done! Pick a spoon ;D
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi42.tinypic.com%2Fqp5mx5.jpg&hash=1b98c2a82ab32760c58b287a58d79775d6776fd8)
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on April 13, 2012, 08:34:46 PM
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 07:57:27 PM
I'm excited. 10 posts and I don't think I insulted anyone or made a fool of myself yet. Yipee!.
Well done! Pick a spoon ;D
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi42.tinypic.com%2Fqp5mx5.jpg&hash=1b98c2a82ab32760c58b287a58d79775d6776fd8)
Maybe these forum memes should be explained first? :D It can seem a bit odd when you start posting on a forum and someone tells you to pick a spoon out of the blue :P
Well, I guess its time to let everyone know what I look like. Woof.
Techno, Tank is going to love you.
Oddity is half the fun!
But very well. Our strange cutlery fetish can be explained (sorta?) here: http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=9750.0 (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=9750.0)
Oh good. I was worried you were all a bunch or Darwinian coke-heads. Like back on the Civic forum.
Nothin' worse than a coked up Civic fanboy. *nods solemnly*
I have a Darwin fish on the back of the Civic, wish I had a picture to post.
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 08:52:22 PM
Well, I guess its time to let everyone know what I look like. Woof.
Aww, cute dog! :)
Cute yeah, but the least obedient animal I've ever owned. Wise though, like he's 100 years old.
I'm outa here, nice meeting you all.
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 09:33:15 PM
Cute yeah, but the least obedient animal I've ever owned. Wise though, like he's 100 years old.
I'm outa here, nice meeting you all.
Dogs need to be disciplined. XP
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 05:35:11 PM
I've considered myself as an atheist for a long time, maybe 15-20 years. I arrived at it after a long and somewhat stormy journey. It's only in the last couple years that I've realized both my children (16 & 22) have arrived at the same place. I'm not yet completely sure I parented them the best way possible.
I have three kids, all in their mid-twenties. No baptism, no bible class, no nothing. The hardest moment I had was the time I had to tell them that their teacher will ask them to temporarily move out of their regular class (bible lesson). I knew I was creating the "exclusion" phenomenal within them.
I think you're on the right track when you're "not completely sure you parented them the best way possible."
welcome
Quote from: technolud on April 13, 2012, 05:35:11 PMI'm not yet completely sure I parented them the best way possible.
I'm not sure anyone is completely sure.
Being completely sure about such a thing is suspect anyway.
Hello welcome.
I asked my daughter if she was a member of the HappyAtheist forum. She responded that she had never heard of it and pointed out that she had steered me to the "friendly atheist" blog instead. Oh well, I guess God must have had a reason for sending me here.
Now training dogs, thats a more serious subject.
Quote from: technolud on April 14, 2012, 01:17:13 PM
I asked my daughter if she was a member of the HappyAtheist forum. She responded that she had never heard of it and pointed out that she had steered me to the "friendly atheist" blog instead. Oh well, I guess God must have had a reason for sending me here.
Now training dogs, thats a more serious subject.
Your dog looks like he(?) was designed by Jim Henson's team ;D
Very cute!
He does look like Sprocket from the Fraggles!
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwac.450f.edgecastcdn.net%2F80450F%2F1057crushfm.com%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F10%2Fmuppet.jpg&hash=ddafaee4ad5955ece2c411b5839e3156ffda1613)
I say he looks like a Dr. Suess dog. My wife insists he's a muppet. Tank has just made her day. Although Srpocket does share the same mournful expression.
Huh. Learn something new everyday. I hadn't even noticed the spoons, much less knew what they were for. Maybe someday I'll get to 1000 so I can eat my soup. LOL
Joining in very late to say welcome, technolud. :)
Quote from: technolud on April 14, 2012, 01:17:13 PM
I asked my daughter if she was a member of the HappyAtheist forum. She responded that she had never heard of it and pointed out that she had steered me to the "friendly atheist" blog instead. Oh well, I guess God must have had a reason for sending me here.
Now training dogs, thats a more serious subject.
That's pretty funny.
And your very cute dog does look very wise.
I'm sure this is going to sound "over the top" but I really feel like I've arrived home at this forum. Good hopes.
Quote from: technolud on April 16, 2012, 01:08:33 AM
I'm sure this is going to sound "over the top" but I really feel like I've arrived home at this forum. Good hopes.
Not over the top at all. I'm pretty sure most if not all of us can relate. :)
Quote from: technolud on April 16, 2012, 01:08:33 AM
I'm sure this is going to sound "over the top" but I really feel like I've arrived home at this forum. Good hopes.
I suppose the onlyanswer that can be given to this is "welcome home, dude".
Quote from: technolud on April 16, 2012, 01:08:33 AM
I'm sure this is going to sound "over the top" but I really feel like I've arrived home at this forum. Good hopes.
Really glad you wrote that. One of the reasons I joined here was the fact the forum was already older then the three year 'melt down' period that many forums suffer from. It's also essentially a benign dictatorship with Whitney at the top of the pile. A lot of stress and strain on forums comes from barrack room lawyers arguing the toss about the forum rules and how this, that and the other should or should not be done. That doesn't happen here mainly because of the maturity of the members (and maturity has little to do with age) means that when shit disturbing 'troll' types do arrive they don't get to stay too long.
In addition we have a good group of people who can (most of the time) discuss rather than argue. :D
And of course we have the essential fun members like The Magic Pudding, Asmodean who give this place a unique flavour.
There are also the theists like AnimatedDirt and Ecurb Noselrub who keep the Christian theistic viewpoint represented. We have had transient Muslim members, like iSok, who have spiced things up too, but none are active at the moment.
Then we have the likes of Stevil, Guardian85, Too Few lions, HistoryGeek, xSilverPheonix, Amicale, The Ali, DeterminedJuliet, Recusant, Davin, Scissorlegs, Crocoduck, Velma, Firebird, Twentythree, MadBomr101, Traveler, En_Route, RunFromMyLife, Dobermonster, Willow, Will, Joeactor, Tom62, Budhorse4, Sweetdeath, McQ, BooksCatsEtc, Gawen, Squid, MariaEvri, OldGit, Crow, Ihateyoumike & Hismikeness (brothers), fester30, ThinkAnarchy, philosoraptor, Medusa, Melmoth, En_Route, Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism (I really should not have agreed to that name change!), pytheas, Truthseeker, Augustus, keithpenrod, magdalena, Radiant, squidfetish and Asherah who are just some the current active members. Without their contributions and that of others this place simply would not exist. A forum is the product of its members.
I hope you continue to contribute and enjoy your time here with us.
Tank's eloquence leaves my prose feeling woefullly inadequate.
I do have a question though. Are all Happy Atheists self proclaimed liberals or is there a broader political segment here? Anyone calling themselves a conservative?
I personally reside in the liberal camp, or maybe somewhere to the left of it, but enjoy listening to well thought out people from all areas.
Quote from: technolud on April 16, 2012, 11:14:07 AM
I do have a question though. Are all Happy Atheists self proclaimed liberals or is there a broader political segment here? Anyone calling themselves a conservative?
In my experience the majority of atheists fall into the 'liberal' camp, if I had to take a SWAG (Scientific Wild Arsed Guess) I'd say 70% of atheists are liberal/leftish in their outlook. I fall into the majority group. But the proportions vary to some extent by age, gender and country/culture.
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2012, 10:14:47 AM
Quote from: technolud on April 16, 2012, 01:08:33 AM
I'm sure this is going to sound "over the top" but I really feel like I've arrived home at this forum. Good hopes.
Really glad you wrote that. One of the reasons I joined here was the fact the forum was already older then the three year 'melt down' period that many forums suffer from. It's also essentially a benign dictatorship with Whitney at the top of the pile. A lot of stress and strain on forums comes from barrack room lawyers arguing the toss about the forum rules and how this, that and the other should or should not be done. That doesn't happen here mainly because of the maturity of the members (and maturity has little to do with age) means that when shit disturbing 'troll' types do arrive they don't get to stay too long.
In addition we have a good group of people who can (most of the time) discuss rather than argue. :D
And of course we have the essential fun members like The Magic Pudding, Asmodean who give this place a unique flavour.
There are also the theists like AnimatedDirt and Ecurb Noselrub who keep the Christian theistic viewpoint represented. We have had transient Muslim members, like iSok, who have spiced things up too, but none are active at the moment.
Then we have the likes of Stevil, Guardian85, Too Few lions, HistoryGeek, xSilverPheonix, Amicale, The Ali, DeterminedJuliet, Recusant, Davin, Scissorlegs, Crocoduck, Velma, Firebird, Twentythree, MadBomr101, Traveler, En_Route, RunFromMyLife, Dobermonster, Willow, Will, Joeactor, Tom62, Budhorse4, Sweetdeath, McQ, BooksCatsEtc, Gawen, Squid, MariaEvri, OldGit, Crow, Ihateyoumike & Hismikeness (brothers), fester30, ThinkAnarchy, philosoraptor, Medusa, Melmoth, En_Route, Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism (I really should not have agreed to that name change!), pytheas, Truthseeker, Augustus, keithpenrod, magdalena, Radiant, squidfetish and Asherah who are just some the current active members. Without their contributions and that of others this place simply would not exist. A forum is the product of its members.
I hope you continue to contribute and enjoy your time here with us.
Nawww. You make me feel warm and fuzzy. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft1.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcQbTuSAHbhB2xaHbh9_MRU_MWZslZOT1ecMesbaxrUoXV8G3T7k%3Aiconbug.com%2Fdata%2F8a%2F128%2Fedf3dd7d0bab55c6cf7ec215780e024f.png&hash=aaaf0ef37199ab32c6951801a7c4d930b1756794)
I'm pretty right-wing and voted Conservative all my life until UKIP started. (That's an anti-EU party.) Tank's right, though, most atheists here are liberal-left.
Murrikins please note - a RW Tory over here is much like a Democrat where you come from.