Waning Moon Conrad

I won't be participating on this forum any more. It was great fun a few years ago and I have hung on and come back from time to time but seriously, for me there is nothing here.

Fundamentalist Atheism empowered by smugness is the only way I can describe what I'm seeing more and more here.

Long Life & Good Health to All.

Spleen

Adios

Viti

Why do people feel the need to write some dramatic exit post? You don't like it here anymore, stop visiting....jeez...why you gotta say "fuck you" on the way out?

Howard

So long and good luck.. although I have to say that your generalized condemnation of this board is unfair. Sure, there are a few smug, intolerant people here, but that’s not the norm. Most, I think, are pretty reasonable, even courteous, and certainly do not deserve such derogation.

socratoad

Jeez man, I wish you the best of luck. But do you really have to be such a drama queen?

Waning Moon Conrad

I'm sure you're right and I am generalizing unfairly.

Sorry.

Incidentally, the goodbye and good wishes is sincere. The good riddance? is not me saying good riddance to the forum but acknowledging that some in the forum may be glad to see the end of me.

Viti

I don't like to see anyone leave with a bad taste in their mouth. I would prefer you stay and try to make the forums better. Not all of us are crazy militant atheists, and many discussions aren't even about that...why not stick around?

Richard1366

I'm still trying to understand what you mean by "Fundamentalist Atheism" An Atheist is, in simplest terms, a person that doesn't believe in God/s. I'm sure that most of us would be very happy if the religious individuals that surround us would quit trying to shove their brand of religion down everyone else's throats. Maybe in Australia this isn't a problem but in many pockets of the US it is a problem. Our "activism" is usually directed towards preventing the religious from turning the USA in to a theocracy.

Some Atheists envision themselves as crusaders trying to convert the religiously inclined to the Atheist point of view, in reality, I don't find a problem with this.

It would be nice for you to remain with us, acting as a "finger-pointer" to those of us that you think are being overly smug in our approaches.

G'day (spelling?)

Shven

Why not? How is it any different from the scary street preachers who are loud in public places while handing out fliers promoting their particular belief of choice?

Shven

Rhaedas

A fundie atheist is one that actively tries to push their lack of belief on theists. In the real world I'd look down upon such behavior myself, for I also believe that everyone has the right to believe what they want, and if they don't wish to explore other possibilities other than their set belief, so be it. Theists don't always want to openly question their faith, just as atheists don't want to be preached to.

But it's a bit much to expect atheists on a primarily atheist/skeptic message board to keep their opinions toned down. This board serves as a place where we can vent and rant and discuss our ideas freely, without worrying about stepping on religious viewpoints, and sometimes it can get a bit rash, because the atmosphere for an atheist here is a lot more open than outside it. I would venture that most of those that are seen here as open active atheists are 1) a lot more subtle in real life about their views, and 2) are likely in a more religious part of the world, and are vocal here because of the (threat of) persecution they get, either as a closet atheist or known one.

Those who choose to come and debate us do so on their own free will, and should expect some resistance (within limits, an idea can be thoroughly bashed without insulting a person). I wouldn't post on a christian board and expect my atheist views to not be debated and preached against.