Invasion of the mind-snatchers

[AnonymousUser]

So what is everyone's opinion on "non-freethinkers" coming here and trying to convert/harass/insult/debate/etc. us??

I think it adds a little more excitement here, as opposed to the normal "goings on" of the board.

[profdunebastard]

I welcome and encourage it. I leave my beliefs and thoughts on the table to be analyzed, scrutinized, and questioned. It is refreshing that others, quick to analyze and discredit my admittedly flawed knowledge, are thus willing to put there own thoughts on the line. It is always good to question what you believe, and look at things from all positions to try to discern the least subjective, openminded ideas.

[ebonywnd]

Yes...I enjoy watching you all eviserate the non-freethinkers. It is funny how they just seem to "disappear" after a while....but then they come back at a different angle. Much more exciting. Oh, what fallacious arguements will they come up with next!

[Seany-D]

As a freethinker, I consider it our duty to rationally discuss items of interest (largely focusing on religion, but often also including philosophy, politics, and Kevin Smith films) with others, both of like minds and of opposing viewpoints. Occaisionally, others need to be smoked when they wail away in an unconstructive or belittling manner, but we are without base ourselves if we don't consider the arguments of others, be them based on reason or ... well, faith.

Sean "berating outside of the "Punching Bag", however, will get you no fruit cup" Davis

[ebonywnd]

Well yes, on a more serious note, it is good to see other viewpoints and opinions, and all that junk. Eh, I guess I am just not in a serious mood. ;D

-Laura

[the anti-myrmidon]

I'm always open for discussion, so I encourage it. Life would be overly boring without diversity, methinks.

[FishBait]

Seany-D said:

As a freethinker, I consider it our duty to rationally discuss items of interest (largely focusing on religion, but often also including philosophy, politics, and Kevin Smith films) with others, both of like minds and of opposing viewpoints. Occaisionally, others need to be smoked when they wail away in an unconstructive or belittling manner, but we are without base ourselves if we don't consider the arguments of others, be them based on reason or ... well, faith.

Sean "berating outside of the "Punching Bag", however, will get you no fruit cup" Davis

i might disagree with you but only on the punching bag part, why have we decided that the punching bag shall be the place to argue with them, it actually makes no sense i believe this was brought up before but a punching bag is not supposed to punch back, do we need to create a whole section devoted purely to attempts to convert us and/or insult our logic

[Seany-D]

FishBait said:

i might disagree with you but only on the punching bag part, why have we decided that the punching bag shall be the place to argue with them, it actually makes no sense i believe this was brought up before but a punching bag is not supposed to punch back, do we need to create a whole section devoted purely to attempts to convert us and/or insult our logic

I was under the impression that the Punching Bag section was for going off on things/people/etc. in a venting sort of way, not a logical/debate sort of way. I thought the "Issues in Freethought" was more of a place to engage in debate. People seem to be debating wherever, and there's nothing wrong with that. My tagline was merely reflecting the fact that if some right-winger wants to go off on my atheism in the Punching Bag, I think that's just as reasonable as me going off on some theistic issue, but attempting to personally insult out of that section would be unproductive, particularly if it occurs in a thread where we are debating actual issues, and i would likely not take said person seriously at any point in the future.

Sean "settin' his ground rulz old skool" Davis

[Valvilis]

I think we are all missing the point here. These people are intrisically incapable of logical scrutiny of their own, or anyone else's, beliefs. Logic is to them as sugarcane is to diabetics - although others speek highly of it, to them, it must be avoidable at all costs, unless they are to lose their very lives. All we have here are hecklers, and not even humorous ones at that. They come plainly to cause trouble, and if you ask me, by their very own imposed context, they are open and available fodder to be expended as we see fit, be it by whim or careful calculation.

[Seirscius]

Personally, I do not mind my views being attacked, as long as the attacker is coming from a sound mind and has a logical reason to attack them (i.e. they're actually wrong). However, when someone just persists with claims that "they still believe" after I obliterate every argument for a deity that they can throw at me, I tend to get irritated.

I can't wholly agree with you Jason. I've known people that were Christians for a good 40 years before losing their faith. I've also known people who weren't even aware of the fact that some people don't believe in a reigning deity. Exposing them to our side helps a bit I think.