Zeda

I have been reading the forums here for a couple of months now, and it is quite apparent that there are quite a few Christians and other theists who also spend alot of time here. Also it seems from what I have observed that there are also a score of Christian lurkers, who read the boards but post only very seldom.

I can understand coming here out of curiosity but many have been here already longer than I have, and in fact post regularly. It is extemely difficult to post here often if your Christianity is of a fundamentalist stripe, yet I see several that if not pure fundamentalists definitely lean that way. I have to give them at least high marks for persistence and courage.

So the question here-- and it is a real question, is why do the Christians and other strong theists of various stripes post here and read these boards.
What is the ultimate goal? Is it just self-education? An attempt to learn the other's sides pov? Or just the challenge of the debate?

Whichever the reasons are I am glad they do come here and keep posting. Not only does it make the boards more interesting, and add some entertainment from time to time, it reminds me of the need to listen and respect the rights of all to express their views whether I agree with them or not. Also as I am agnostic, and still busy trying to find answers to the so called big questions, it gives me more information or at least direction for my search.

miata

Christians come here to learn as they too want to seek truth. Some come here to prey on those who are searching for answers. Christians want to save those of us who are going to hell.

Of all religions the Christian is without doubt the one which should inspire tolerance most, although up to now the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.
~ Voltaire [François Marie Arouet] (1694-1778)

Evoken

To learn..I am not here to debate or try an dconvert anyone.

miata

The Puritans left England for America not because they couldn't be Puritans in their mother country, but because they were not allowed to force others to become Puritans; in the New World, of course, they could and did.
~ Gore Vidal

The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.
Arthur C. Clarke

Society would not tolerate legislation declaring that the theory that the sun circles the earth be given equal time with the theory of a heliocentric solar system; it should not pay attention to the equally preposterous notions of "scientific creationism"
~ Robert Ornstein

Pseudoscience known by its supporters as "scientific creationism" is strict Genesis literalism masquerading as science in a cynical attempt to bypass the First Amendment and win legislatively mandated inclusion of particular (and minority) religious views into public school curricula... Intense debates about how evolution occurs display science at its most exciting, but provide no solace (only phony ammunition by willful distortion) to strict fundamentalists.
~ Stephen Jay Gould

Zeda

Thanks IAsimisI -- a worthy reason, and my reason also. As a Christian what do you hope to learn? Apolegetics? Other worldviews? New findings in the realms of archeology or biblical scholarship from a different point of view, or answers to some questions, or doubts you may have yourself?

Evoken

Early history of Christianity, influence, development, etc. Most Christian boards won't allow a good discussion of this and if you arrive at a different conclusion than them they either ban you or flame you. I also like to see the different objections to Christianity that are posted here and the different problems people find in The Bible and with Christianity in general.

But it is all to increase my own learning and understanding. While I may discuss a bit with the people here, my aim is not to preach or to try and convert them or anything.

capsaicin67

They're still searching. Just like they state about us when we visit their fora!

[No, I don't believe that's really always the whole answer, of course, but it is instructive for them to try it on over here and see how they like it, and thusly realize how simplistic it sounds over there, too! And the truth is that truthseeking is likely not a destination but rather a lifelong process anyhoo, and searching/exploring should not necessarily imply some sort of deficiency. If anything it's a hallmark of wisdom, or a virtue, in my book.] Resume....

Zeda

Searching is good. It's the people who think they have all the answers and arent willing to listen to the other side that really turn me off.
I find the boards here are excellent sources of knowledge. As it is impossible for most people to be experts in all fields of information, I am glad to see such high qualitly and good scholarship in many of the posts I read here. It also serves me as a good place to pick up further sources for reading in the areas I am presently trying to learn about.

Evoken

Cool..I hope you find what you are looking for.

See you around.

jbernier

I must say that I appreciate the lesson that you have prepared for all us Christians who say exactly the same things about atheists, agnostics, etc.