Bonsoir

[Epimetheus]

Yo,  I'm a normal dude. I'm Christian, I'm gay, just a normal dude.

Favourite authors: Ayn Rand, Henry David Thoreau, CS Lewis

Favourite bands: Ministry, :Wumpscut:, of Montreal, Frontline Assembly, Skinny Puppy, The Cribss, Enochian Crescent, Beck, Lil Wayne, TI, VNV Nation, Nine Inch Nails, Caesium_137, Burzum, Havoc Unit

Interests: Philosophy, theology, literature, micro biology, bio chemistry

Somethings I hate: generalizations, fanatics (be they atheists or theists), conformism, nonconformism, paracetamol, NSAIDs, SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, people who refuse to have friends of a certain sexuality, people who refuse to have friends based on whatever subculture affiliations they may have, the idea that musical preference makes one better than another, people who refuse to listen to mainstream music for the sole fact it is mainstream, people who take low quality black and white photos and play it off as though they are a deep thinker or enlightened soul (you just changed a setting on your camera), bad grammar, the correcting of other people's bad grammar, health food fanatics who smoke, health food fanatics who tell me whatever I do will cause some sort of hear disease, extreme liberals, extreme conservatives, political parties, people who define their personalities by their sexuality, people who can't make logical sense, the misusing of the word "literally" for the word "very", "really" or any other intensifier, the idea of objective morals, the idea of karma, the idea of having a duty to the world, self proclaimed special people, self proclaimed 'dark' people, self proclaimed 'deep' people, people who act stupidly for attention, close minded theists, close minded atheists, close minded people, sucralose, mediocre poetry, and pedantic shit fits.

...Hi

Oh yes, don't get offended by that. If your self esteem is so low as to be offended by what someone on the internet tells you then it's probably best you stay off the internet. Many opinions stir amidst the code.

Since I'm sure it'll come up, the reason I joined is cause I'm in class and I'm bored. I've no interest in converting anyone or preaching, I know how annoying that is personnaly and your beliefs are your own.

[Tank]

Hi

I generally like most people.  

Welcome to Happy Atheists!

Regards
Chris

[Epimetheus]

Cool why am I not able to reply to all topics?

[Cecilie]

Tell me, what do you like?

Welcome.

[Epimetheus]

I like kind people, funny people, funny things, sports, video games, reading, having fun with friends. Normal things people enjoy.

[Tank]

Cool why am I not able to reply to all topics?

You have to get to 50 posts before you can respond across the board. There have been issues with 'hit and run' posters and trolls disrupting threads.

[Cecilie]

I like kind people, funny people, funny things, sports, video games, reading, having fun with friends. Normal things people enjoy.

Well, good then. Then you're not all bitter.

[Epimetheus]

Cool why am I not able to reply to all topics?

You have to get to 50 posts before you can respond across the board. There have been issues with 'hit and run' posters and trolls disrupting threads.

Oh I understand. I probably won't stick around. Reading the religion section of the board completely turned me on this website. Broad, offensive generalizations do that to people.

[Tank]

Cool why am I not able to reply to all topics?

You have to get to 50 posts before you can respond across the board. There have been issues with 'hit and run' posters and trolls disrupting threads.

Oh I understand. I probably won't stick around. Reading the religion section of the board completely turned me on this website. Broad, offensive generalizations do that to people.

I think you mean off rather than on? And you are quite right, making broad sweeping generalisations about all the members of a forum based on the behaviour of a few isn't a very good idea. Maybe you should spend more than a few hours while you're bored and actually get to know us.

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum. Or should I also add goodbye as well? I think this is the first time I've ever seen someone post an introduction and an adios in their introductory post. I really liked your intro, too.

Feel free to stick around, but as you said, "if your self esteem is so low as to be offended by what someone on the internet tells you then it's probably best you stay off the internet." This forum has a lot of people spouting their own opinions. Some are broad and bizarre, some are more thoughtful. If you're judging your whole future here based on reading some posts in one section of the forum, then you're not really giving yourself or the forum a proper try out. I'd encourage you to see if you can make positive contributions. Totally up to you of course.

No matter, welcome!

[Epimetheus]

Hmm, I suppose I'll stay. Do moderators at least try to keep largely offensive posts to a minimum?

Also I suppose I'll add a summary of my views. I accept micro and macro evolution, the big band, string theory, I am Episcopalian. If I were forced to choose a specific party to identify by I would say left libertarian, I think all drugs should be legal, I think abortion should be legal, gay marriage (I actually think the idea of 'marriage' should be out of the legal system {Seeing as it has religious connotations [but it's better than nothing]}), I think religion should be entirely separate from government,(if you can't already tell I'm tired and just typing as thoughts come to my mind). Oh yes, I'm adding something to that list of things I hate; The fact that ephedrine is illegal in the US

[Tank]

Hmm, I suppose I'll stay. Do moderators at least try to keep largely offensive posts to a minimum?

Very much so. They will let people take the odd pop at each other but if it turns nasty they step in and bang heads together. That's one of the best things about this forum. However, do remember that a world view can be pulled apart vigorously. Just because a person believes something and they feel that belief is somehow a 'sacred truth' does not protect that 'truth' from ridicule. A classic example would be a Young Earth Creationist (YEC) view, that the Earth is some 10,000 years old when it demonstrably is not. A YEC may say 'I think the Earth is 6,412 years old.' They are asked to prove this. They cite the bible. They are told to shove their idea where the sun don't shine. Note, told to shove their IDEA where the sun don't shine. Ideas are fair game for ridicule but one had better have something to back up an assertion that the Earth is 6,412 years old other than the bible, which is not regarded here as a rigorous description of reality. But you can express your opinions here and as long as you don't present them as facts you'll be ok.

[Epimetheus]

Then what of this thead: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6897

That's the one that turned me off on the board. The manner in which the OP prompts the thread seems to imply that they think Christianity is the only religion (Seeing as they said "theists" when referencing Christianity) and also it's a blatantly offensive generalization.

[Tank]

Then what of this thead: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6897

That's the one that turned me off on the board. The manner in which the OP prompts the thread seems to imply that they think Christianity is the only religion (Seeing as they said "theists" when referencing Christianity) and also it's a blatantly offensive generalization.

You're going to get that type of thing on virtually any atheist forum because many atheists see theism as little more than a joke. TheJackle is one of the more hardcore types here and is not particularly representative and I find his delivery abrasive at times. If you think he and that sort of thing are bad then don't go to RationalSkeptisism! I doubt any member here thinks that Christianity is the only religion. Not quiet sure why you drew that conclusion. If it is a blatantly offensive generalisation, point this out and explain why it isn't. There is one particular theist member I won't engage with. I laid a trap and he could have responded in either a 'Christian' way or behave like a 'prick'. He chose to behave like a prick, so I avoid him. The same goes for all members on all forums. The anonymity  encourages aggression as there is very limited negative feedback for behaving like a prick. That's just forum life. But this is a better forum than most as indicated by the fact we have a number of Christian members.

The problem with being a Christian here is often that you will be used to a supportive environment where the more 'Christian' you are the more praise.acknowledgement you get. Here you will find yourself in the exact opposite situation. Whether you wish to remain here is rather down to how much you can tolerate that situation. You're welcome as a member but if all you do is whine and moan about how you don't like it here I think you can guess the response you'll get.

[Epimetheus]

Then what of this thead: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6897

That's the one that turned me off on the board. The manner in which the OP prompts the thread seems to imply that they think Christianity is the only religion (Seeing as they said "theists" when referencing Christianity) and also it's a blatantly offensive generalization.

You're going to get that type of thing on virtually any atheist forum because many atheists see theism as little more than a joke. TheJackle is one of the more hardcore types here and is not particularly representative and I find his delivery abrasive at times. If you think he and that sort of thing are bad then don't go to RationalSkeptisism! I doubt any member here thinks that Christianity is the only religion. Not quiet sure why you drew that conclusion. If it is a blatantly offensive generalisation, point this out and explain why it isn't. There is one particular theist member I won't engage with. I laid a trap and he could have responded in either a 'Christian' way or behave like a 'prick'. He chose to behave like a prick, so I avoid him. The same goes for all members on all forums. The anonymity  encourages aggression as there is very limited negative feedback for behaving like a prick. That's just forum life. But this is a better forum than most as indicated by the fact we have a number of Christian members.

The problem with being a Christian here is often that you will be used to a supportive environment where the more 'Christian' you are the more praise.acknowledgement you get. Here you will find yourself in the exact opposite situation. Whether you wish to remain here is rather down to how much you can tolerate that situation. You're welcome as a member but if all you do is whine and moan about how you don't like it here I think you can guess the response you'll get.

I have no doubt he knows other religions exist however, the post was in reference to Christianity and use the term 'theist' this implies all religious people when he only made points about Christianity yet didn't even try to make any other points about other religions.

I understand however, I'm usually very tolerant.