Happy Atheist Forum

Hi, HAF! My name is Amanda and I'm a Christian heretic; that is to say, I'm a Christian universalist panentheist that wants to be a Quaker and also has a lot of interest in emergent church theology and red-letter Christianity (as defined by Tony Campolo and several others).

I was inspired by a new atheist member on a Christian forum where I belong to visit an atheist forum. Of course, I once spent a year as an "atheist" (I was mostly just angry at classical evangelical Christianity) and upon returning to the faith, the atheist forum I had been visiting gave me a pretty good boot. So I'm still a bit skeptical about finding atheist forums that will accept me. But I think this seems to be a good place to start.

I'm here to learn and advance my own beliefs by studying the beliefs of others as well as make friends and have a good time. I look forward to spending time here.

Hi Atlantis

I thought you'd sunk without trace in the Aegean Sea?

Welcome aboard!

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Somewhere to discuss the fear of dying. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=70041#p70041) Many ex-theists have to come to terms with death, this is a place to discuss this issue.
How to tell your family you are an atheist. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=69387#p69387) Some suggestions about how to deal with this thorny issue.
Parenting Beyond Belief. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewforum.php?f=44) The forum for discussing how to raise your children 'Faith Free'.
.

Welcome to the forum!  My suggestion to you would be, if you really want to be a part of the forum, spend a little time participating in the non-religiously focused threads, like "what are you listening to?" and "what's on your mind?"  One thing I've noticed repeatedly with religious people who join is that they seem to want to jump right into debate and end up being offended and leaving before anyone really gets to know them/they get to know anyone.  Obviously theists and atheists will probably disagree on topics like, for instance, teaching creationism in school or if Jesus actually existed or whatever, but I think these kinds of disagreements are easier to navigate with a bit more humanity and understanding when simultaneously in another thread you might be sharing a craft you enjoy doing or talking with someone about a band you like.  That's just an idea I've been mulling over when considering the "theist turnover rate" around here, though, so ignore it if you don't see any merit in it.  =D

I hope you find a place here!  

Pinko is spot on, I'd rather find out about you than your beliefs, the things that make us people not agendas. I'm fed up to the back teeth with 'holier than though' types.

Thanks for the advice, Pinko. I'll definitely use it.

And Tank, I had sunk down to the bottom of the ocean, but it was getting dark down there and my fingers were getting all prune-y.

Quote from: "Atlantis"Thanks for the advice, Pinko. I'll definitely use it. :D

Hmm...all I can really say is welcome, from one new comer to the next. Maybe we'll find some things in common.

Quote from: "Atlantis"I'm here to learn and advance my own beliefs by studying the beliefs of others

Boy that rings a bell. Where have I heard that before? Ah, here it is, from another atheist site, posted by another new member:

"I want to know what atheists "believe" so that I better understand how to apply what I believe."

And as I asked on the other site, how can studying what atheists believe help you to learn and advance your own beliefs?

Trouble is the sort of Christians who tend to stick round are the sort one really wouldn't want to have a cup of tea with  

Hello, and welcome!

Thanks, Black Jester!

Quote from: "GAYtheist"Hmm...all I can really say is welcome, from one new comer to the next. Maybe we'll find some things in common.

XD Well, how about this: I'm a straight person for gay rights and I friggin' hate Fred Phelps. Oh and I don't know much about Washington at all, but I bet it's nice to live there (I like rain).

Quote from: "i_am_i"And as I asked on the other site, how can studying what atheists believe help you to learn and advance your own beliefs?

Well, people who believe different from you are always really good at asking the hard questions you can't really answer. While I generally reject a literal interpretation of scripture and would be thoroughly unconcerned if it turned out none of it actually ever happened, a debate I had a couple years ago over biblical universalism helped me learn everything I know about the subject now.

I just believe the best way to learn how to swim is to get in the water as soon as possible.

Quote from: "Tank"Trouble is the sort of Christians who tend to stick round are the sort one really wouldn't want to have a cup of tea with

Aw, I'll do my best.

Quote from: "Atlantis"Thanks, Black Jester!

Quote from: "GAYtheist"Hmm...all I can really say is welcome, from one new comer to the next. Maybe we'll find some things in common.

XD Well, how about this: I'm a straight person for gay rights and I friggin' hate Fred Phelps. Oh and I don't know much about Washington at all, but I bet it's nice to live there (I like rain).

Right now, it's nice and hot. And it sounds like you're not a bible thumper as much a someone who is truly interested in others beliefs. That is a good sign. Thank you for your support of the gay community, its always nice to know we have at least one more ally, and yes, its nice here, especially when you have a nice cool house on a hot muggy day...though I do have a fan rollin...

Welcome to HAF.

Quote from: "Atlantis"I friggin' hate Fred Phelps.

If you want to tell him that the WBC clan will be in dallas this weekend.  I've been trying to decide if feeding their egos by holding up signs that are silly spoofs on their signs is productive or not.

Quote from: "GAYtheist"yes, its nice here, especially when you have a nice cool house on a hot muggy day...though I do have a fan rollin...

Yeah, it's pretty warm here, too. I spent the day moving in hundred degree weather-- not comfortable!

Quote from: "Whitney"If you want to tell him that the WBC clan will be in dallas this weekend.  I've been trying to decide if feeding their egos by holding up signs that are silly spoofs on their signs is productive or not.

Sounds enticing, but I'm not altogether prepared for the eventuality of having my own funeral picketed. Although, disbelief in ghosts aside, maybe at that point I can haunt a few of them.

I did however once write a letter to a "Brother Matt" who did some sidewalk preaching at my college campus once and albeit entertaining, my teacher kindly reminded me I was only inciting him. He was a jerk, though; he actually believed he was perfect.

Thanks for the welcome, Whitney!

Quote from: "Atlantis"

Quote from: "Tank"Trouble is the sort of Christians who tend to stick round are the sort one really wouldn't want to have a cup of tea with

Aw, I'll do my best.

Well you won't want to over boil the water.
Tea leaves and tea pot, not baggy things.
Don't leave it sit too long.
If using milk, it goes in the cup before the tea.
It shouldn’t be poured too quickly either.
The upright little finger is optional.

Welcome Atlantis!

Quote from: "GAYtheist"

Quote from: "Atlantis"Thanks, Black Jester!

Quote from: "GAYtheist"Hmm...all I can really say is welcome, from one new comer to the next. Maybe we'll find some things in common.

XD Well, how about this: I'm a straight person for gay rights and I friggin' hate Fred Phelps. Oh and I don't know much about Washington at all, but I bet it's nice to live there (I like rain).

Right now, it's nice and hot. And it sounds like you're not a bible thumper as much a someone who is truly interested in others beliefs. That is a good sign. Thank you for your support of the gay community, its always nice to know we have at least one more ally, and yes, its nice here, especially when you have a nice cool house on a hot muggy day...though I do have a fan rollin...

How much does it rain in Washington anyway? I've heard Seattle is like the American Bergen. Where I live it rains over 200 days a year.

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"Well you won't want to over boil the water.
Tea leaves and tea pot, not baggy things.
Don't leave it sit too long.
If using milk, it goes in the cup before the tea.
It shouldn’t be poured too quickly either.
The upright little finger is optional.

Ah, the perfect cup of tea... sounds refreshing.

Quote from: "Cecilie"Welcome Atlantis!

Thanks!