Freethought & Rationalism Archive

christ-on-a-stick · 03-25-2003, 03:36 PM

I was just wondering how the different motivations for coming here lined up. I know some theists are here to try and "convert" us, or at least witness, and some are here searching for answers themselves... what I am specifically interested in also is whether any of the theists are open to new arguments that could change their mind.

The impetus for this was recalling a conversation I had with my aunt once, who was proselytizing me pretty heavily. She said it was a sign of my "closed-mindedness" that I wouldn't read her apologetics books and listen to some tapes. My response was that I would be more than willing to do so if she were willing to do the same. I asked, "How can you expect someone to listen to your argument and be open to the possibility of changing their mind if you are not willing to do the same"?

I am interested in the thoughts of the theists here.

spurly · 03-25-2003, 04:59 PM

I'm here because I was invited by an atheist that I met on a Christian form - BH. I am hoping to learn more about what makes an atheist tick, but I also hope to stand up for the God I serve.

I don't expect many people to change their mind.

Kevin

happyboy · 03-25-2003, 05:23 PM

you came here to stick up for an imaginary skydaddy? wow. i guess i can now come out of the closet and admit that i'm really here to stick up for santa claus.

happyboy

christ-on-a-stick · 03-25-2003, 05:30 PM

Hi Kevin, I noticed that you forgot to address the part about if you would be willing to change your beliefs.

Starboy · 03-25-2003, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by christ-on-a-stick
Hi Kevin, I noticed that you forgot to address the part about if you would be willing to change your beliefs.

I would settle for Kevin being open to changing his political beliefs and backing separation of church and state. He can keep his sky daddy as long as he doesn't push it onto those that want none of it.

Starboy

Ojuice5001 · 03-25-2003, 06:05 PM

Although I like this board greatly, even more than Beliefnet or a pagan board, I am not here because I find the atheistic point of view interesting. However, I enjoy theological talk regardless of the talkers' affiliations, and there are certain good effects that come from the speakers being ones who do not adhere to any religion. I've got nothing against atheists, but I haven't been one since high school, and I give little consideration to the idea. Atheism belongs to my teenage years, not to my present or future.

I certainly am here to witness to the atheists, and, gods willing, to convert them. I voted that I would not change my beliefs no matter what arguments I read here, but by that I meant my core beliefs. Namely, that the Roman gods exist, that the other gods exist but are not the same as the Roman gods (except the Greek pantheon, they are the same), that the main deity active in my life is one who is affiliated with the past and present, and that the gods rule the world by means of "chance" events. Anything but those four, I might end up abandoning.

wildernesse · 03-26-2003, 07:55 AM

I visit this board because I like learning about other people and their viewpoints. Plus, since my husband is always here, it is a way to have something in common to talk about! We often discuss the threads that we have participated in with each other.

By learning more about other people, I can learn more about myself through thinking about why I agree or disagree with their views and beliefs. I believe that I am always learning, and further learning will develop and change my current ways of thinking and believing. I don't think that all roads lead to atheism, though--so I doubt that my learning will take me there. I might be surprised.

As for witnessing, I am a Christian--and as soon as I say that, I become a witness to others of what a Christian is. Everything that I say and do is a witness of what a Christian is. I can't really help that. I'm not an evangelical type of person, so my witness isn't evangelical in nature.

I don't think that I could convert anyone if I tried--I don't think that conversion is something that someone can do or set up in someone else. It is a personal decision to seek a spiritual change.

--tibac

Marduk · 03-26-2003, 09:38 AM

I voted other please elaborate so I could see the results of the poll.

I come here because it's fun!

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Amie · 03-26-2003, 04:50 PM

masochism

christ-on-a-stick · 03-26-2003, 04:52 PM

LOL Amie... haven't seen you around much!

For real though?

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

03-25-2003, 03:36 PM	#1
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	A Poll for the Theists: Why SecWeb? I was just wondering how the different motivations for coming here lined up. I know some theists are here to try and "convert" us, or at least witness, and some are here searching for answers themselves... what I am specifically interested in also is whether any of the theists are open to new arguments that could change their mind. The impetus for this was recalling a conversation I had with my aunt once, who was proselytizing me pretty heavily. She said it was a sign of my "closed-mindedness" that I wouldn't read her apologetics books and listen to some tapes. My response was that I would be more than willing to do so if she were willing to do the same. I asked, "How can you expect someone to listen to your argument and be open to the possibility of changing their mind if you are not willing to do the same"? I am interested in the thoughts of the theists here.

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03-25-2003, 04:59 PM	#2
spurly Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 710	I'm here because I was invited by an atheist that I met on a Christian form - BH. I am hoping to learn more about what makes an atheist tick, but I also hope to stand up for the God I serve. I don't expect many people to change their mind. Kevin

03-25-2003, 05:23 PM	#3
happyboy Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the border between here and there, WV Posts: 373	you came here to stick up for an imaginary skydaddy? wow. i guess i can now come out of the closet and admit that i'm really here to stick up for santa claus. happyboy

03-25-2003, 05:30 PM	#4
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Hi Kevin, I noticed that you forgot to address the part about if you would be willing to change your beliefs.

03-25-2003, 06:05 PM	#6
Ojuice5001 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: A city in Florida that I love Posts: 3,416	Although I like this board greatly, even more than Beliefnet or a pagan board, I am not here because I find the atheistic point of view interesting. However, I enjoy theological talk regardless of the talkers' affiliations, and there are certain good effects that come from the speakers being ones who do not adhere to any religion. I've got nothing against atheists, but I haven't been one since high school, and I give little consideration to the idea. Atheism belongs to my teenage years, not to my present or future. I certainly am here to witness to the atheists, and, gods willing, to convert them. I voted that I would not change my beliefs no matter what arguments I read here, but by that I meant my core beliefs. Namely, that the Roman gods exist, that the other gods exist but are not the same as the Roman gods (except the Greek pantheon, they are the same), that the main deity active in my life is one who is affiliated with the past and present, and that the gods rule the world by means of "chance" events. Anything but those four, I might end up abandoning.

03-26-2003, 07:55 AM	#7
wildernesse Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,578	I visit this board because I like learning about other people and their viewpoints. Plus, since my husband is always here, it is a way to have something in common to talk about! We often discuss the threads that we have participated in with each other. By learning more about other people, I can learn more about myself through thinking about why I agree or disagree with their views and beliefs. I believe that I am always learning, and further learning will develop and change my current ways of thinking and believing. I don't think that all roads lead to atheism, though--so I doubt that my learning will take me there. I might be surprised. As for witnessing, I am a Christian--and as soon as I say that, I become a witness to others of what a Christian is. Everything that I say and do is a witness of what a Christian is. I can't really help that. I'm not an evangelical type of person, so my witness isn't evangelical in nature. I don't think that I could convert anyone if I tried--I don't think that conversion is something that someone can do or set up in someone else. It is a personal decision to seek a spiritual change. --tibac

03-26-2003, 09:38 AM	#8
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	I voted other please elaborate so I could see the results of the poll. I come here because it's fun! weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

03-26-2003, 04:50 PM	#9
Amie Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York Posts: 1,626	masochism

03-26-2003, 04:52 PM	#10
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	LOL Amie... haven't seen you around much! For real though?

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