Freethought & Rationalism Archive

HelenM · 03-28-2003, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Starboy
Helen, I must say, well done! From your comments it looks like you have become a more tolerant person as well.

Perhaps

I hope I was always tolerant but maybe I was not perceived as such...

Anyway, thanks, Starboy!

Helen

Beetle · 03-28-2003, 02:07 PM

When I first started lurking here many moons ago, I was a full 5-point Calvinist with a Puritan fetish (I actually read all of John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ without being threatened with torture). I came here because I was deeply interested in apologetics, and wanted to see the best objections to Christianity that I could find. (I also wanted to see how other Christians on this site and others answered some of the doubts that were creeping up in my thinking).

By the time I delurked and registered, my beliefs had morphed to the point where I'm only vaguely theistic now (and reading Marcus Aurelius ... I need to get some newer books!

) I'm not even sure if I would call myself a Christian at this point, which would surprise the other folks at church.

SecWeb is great because it's about the only place I can discuss what I really think without risking longstanding relationships.

notMichaelJackson · 03-29-2003, 01:29 PM

1. I can discuss politics and less serious topics with the people here, even if they do not disagree with me. For example, I just started a thread about the South Korean military, which can be discussed by a group of people of different religious and non-religous beliefs.

2. I guess it could be said that I am an atheist in respect to certain gods (the God of fundamentalist Christianity, Allah), so it is nice to have a place to complain about Muslims and fundamentalist Christians.

3. When I'm bored, it gives me a place to go.

Bubba · 03-29-2003, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QueenofSwords
Originally posted by spurly
That said, I would not advise a person who is weak in their faith to visit here. You all would probably do a pretty good job of deconverting them!

I believe we've deconverted at least two people who seemed to be very strong in their faiths initially - Tricia and rainbow walking.

And thanks for the compliment.

Is Tricia still deconverted? I got the impression somehow that she slipped back into her fundy ways.

Bubba

Bubba · 03-29-2003, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Beetle
When I first started lurking here many moons ago, I was a full 5-point Calvinist with a Puritan fetish (I actually read all of John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ without being threatened with torture). I came here because I was deeply interested in apologetics, and wanted to see the best objections to Christianity that I could find. (I also wanted to see how other Christians on this site and others answered some of the doubts that were creeping up in my thinking).

By the time I delurked and registered, my beliefs had morphed to the point where I'm only vaguely theistic now (and reading Marcus Aurelius ... I need to get some newer books! ) I'm not even sure if I would call myself a Christian at this point, which would surprise the other folks at church.

SecWeb is great because it's about the only place I can discuss what I really think without risking longstanding relationships.

Same here....small world isn't it?

Bubba

Debbie T · 03-29-2003, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Beetle
SecWeb is great because it's about the only place I can discuss what I really think without risking longstanding relationships.

Does that make you wonder about what those relationships are based on? I have a feeling that soon you will want to have relationships where you can be and say who you really are.

Kassiana · 03-30-2003, 04:14 AM

I voted other. I originally came here to aid my deconversion from fundamentalist Christianity. I stay...I don't know. Maybe just inertia. I no longer hang out in EOG or feel the need to try to challenge every Christian I see here, though, so I think that's good.

View Poll Results: Why do you come to the IIDB?
To witness to the infidels here, but I will also consider their arguments and could potentially change my beliefs.	1	5.00%
To witness to the infidels here, but no matter how they reply to any of my arguments, I won't change my beliefs no matter what.	3	15.00%
To learn about other points of view; I'm just curious.	4	20.00%
To learn about other points of view; I'm open to changing my beliefs.	1	5.00%
I'm already considering deconversion and am seeking support/other.	2	10.00%
Other - please elaborate!!!	9	45.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

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03-28-2003, 02:07 PM	#22
Beetle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Massachusetts State Home for the Bewildered Posts: 961	When I first started lurking here many moons ago, I was a full 5-point Calvinist with a Puritan fetish (I actually read all of John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ without being threatened with torture). I came here because I was deeply interested in apologetics, and wanted to see the best objections to Christianity that I could find. (I also wanted to see how other Christians on this site and others answered some of the doubts that were creeping up in my thinking). By the time I delurked and registered, my beliefs had morphed to the point where I'm only vaguely theistic now (and reading Marcus Aurelius ... I need to get some newer books! ) I'm not even sure if I would call myself a Christian at this point, which would surprise the other folks at church. SecWeb is great because it's about the only place I can discuss what I really think without risking longstanding relationships.

03-29-2003, 01:29 PM	#23
notMichaelJackson Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IL Posts: 552	1. I can discuss politics and less serious topics with the people here, even if they do not disagree with me. For example, I just started a thread about the South Korean military, which can be discussed by a group of people of different religious and non-religous beliefs. 2. I guess it could be said that I am an atheist in respect to certain gods (the God of fundamentalist Christianity, Allah), so it is nice to have a place to complain about Muslims and fundamentalist Christians. 3. When I'm bored, it gives me a place to go.

03-30-2003, 04:14 AM	#27
Kassiana Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: USA Posts: 5,046	I voted other. I originally came here to aid my deconversion from fundamentalist Christianity. I stay...I don't know. Maybe just inertia. I no longer hang out in EOG or feel the need to try to challenge every Christian I see here, though, so I think that's good.

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