Hello HAF

[unorthodox]

Hello HAF,

  I found out about the site while watching The McLaughlin Group this past weekend. Eleanor Clift noted that her husband was an atheist and she gave a shout out to HAF. I've been reading numerous threads on the site and thought I might as well jump in, the water looks warm.

  My bio reads as follows: I've questioned the existence of "God" since grade school. I was raised Greek Orthodox (hence the screen name) with a healthy dose of Catholicism from my mother's side. One day early on, while navigating the very hall I walked for both Greek (three days a week) and Sunday schools I had a revelation as it were. I couldn't help but notice the similarities (or perhaps better stated couldn't tell the difference) between Greek mythology and the Bible. The writings seemed strikingly similar to me, both were read with equal vigor, yet only one of the two was defined as fiction by the teacher. To tell the truth I found the fiction far more believable than the non-fiction.

  Fast forward 40+ years and I'm basically the same kid. My "beliefs" as they are...are my own. I never attempt to impose them on theists and only ask that the same respect be accorded to me in return. If I need to attend a church service for a friend or family member I do not feel uncomfortable, compromised, etc. when doing so. My position hasn't been proven to be the absolute...so why would I? That said I'm comfortable in my atheist skin; I long ago shed the agnostic layer when I came to realize one is either agnostic theist or agnostic atheist; the fence sitter was not to be rewarded for playing it safe.

  I look forward to participating and hopefully contributing to the organism that is HAF. I suspect that I will learn more than I will contribute; so I thank you all in advance for furthering my education and enlightenment.

[Whitney]

Welcome to HAF.

  I found out about the site while watching The McLaughlin Group this past weekend. Eleanor Clift noted that her husband was an atheist and she gave a shout out to HAF.

cool 

[Invictus]

Unorthodox,

Hello and welcome from another new member in Padawan Learner status.

Yes, I also saw that McLaughlin Group show, which led me to this site as well.  I thought they were actually quite restrained on that show.  Sometimes they talk over each other so much it's infuriating to watch.  Being an old 1960s radical type who's mellowed to what I call skeptical pragmatic liberalism, I actually appreciate being able to hear the conservative side ably argued.

Regarding your "fence sitting" comment, it reminds me of a quip from once Texas Secretary of Agriculture and prairie populist Jim Hightower: "Ain't nothin' in the middle of the road except yellow stripes and dead armadillos!"

See you around the forum.

Invictus

[Jimmy]

Welcome!!!:) The water IS warm and the conversations can be VERY deep! Hope you enjoy yourself here!

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

[The Magic Pudding]

Hello

[OldGit]

Hello unorthodox, and welcome to the loony bin forum!

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, unorthodox. I think that I've learned more than I've contributed here, but there's nothing wrong with that. I also think that if you stick around, you'll be adding to the collective intelligence of the site (as is the case with every member who contributes their perspective here), so please do.

Notes for new members from Tank:

The Rules.

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" 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?
10 Things About Yourself
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From
Photography
Non-religious pet peeves
Pets...what do you have?
How to tell your family you are an atheist.*
"Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler*

*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!

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your introduction. Wonderful to hear we got that shout out. I wish I had seen it.

Also, ignore Recusant when he says he's learned more than he's contributed. You'll find that his posts are worth their weight in gold. And then some.

[Ali]

Hi and Welcome!  I am going to have to see if I can get ahold of that McLaughling Group episode; would love to see the shout out.  I hope you enjoy it here.  I know that I do.

[Amicale]

Welcome to HAF!  Hope you enjoy it here.

[socheri]

I, too, was led to this forum by Eleanor Clift's reference on the McClaughlin Report.  Since then I read Jon Meacham's cover story in the latest issue of Time magazine about "heaven."  It's clear that many Americans are having second thoughts about religion and the teachings they're expected to follow.

[Tank]

Hello unorthodox

Welcome to HAF 

Regards
Chris

[Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism]

Welcome to the forum!!