A request of all Theists.

[Xaqaria]

I'm not sure how well this is going to work, but I thought I'd give it a shot. As some of you may know, I enjoy discussing/debating the merits, shortcomings, implications, and ideologies of religions and spiritual beliefs. Unfortunately, the R/S section on this site has degenerated into a festering stagnant pool of atheist elitism, comraderie, and general ridicule of anyone who may decide to stand on the side of the religious minded. Nearly every thread in that forum now is started by an atheist seemingly with the sole purpose of attempting to attract theists to tear down and bully into admitting that their position is invalid and irrational or simply to high five other atheists, thus building an impenetrable cliche. Never have I seen a forum dedicated to the discussion of religion so dominated by a shear volume of atheist anti-religious content. What I ask of theists is, please stop posting in that section for awhile. From what I've gathered from many of the atheists posts, the only real enjoyment most of them get out of posting there is getting some sort of a rise out of theists and thus garnering some sort of sick satisfaction from someone else's discomfort. The only way I can see for that section to go through any sort of catharsis is for theists to stop offering any sort of reaction for the atheists to go off of. To the atheists out there who will inevitably take this as reason to argue and attempt to belittle me; I'm not angry at you and don't think that I really can get angry on a web forum. I understand many of you have justified reasons for what you do. Some of you have some strong feelings against religion because of personal and ideological reasons that are no less valid than my own strong beliefs on the matter. The problem is, there is no longer any actual discussion because the nature of your arguments always leads to the same basic conversations. Even when I agree with you, I feel I must argue against, simply because you are so offensive in your manner of discussion and I really do not like to associate with that sort of thing. Many of the most active posters in that section are no longer seen, and I can only assume it is because they became fed up with the lack of respect that many members have been exhibiting. Also I would like to point out that I posted this in the lounge instead of R/S because I am not looking for any argument on the issue and I will be attempting to have any and all derogatory and offensive posts in this thread removed by a moderator (which would not be possible in R/S).

[Mes Tarrant]

Haha holy crap. + 1 point for the atheists!

[Xox]

Hmm, I understand what you're saying. I've often thought people come to R/S to talk and relate with their fellow theists, but I recently read the description and it says, "This forum is for any and all religious discussions and debates. This forum is unmoderated and closed to guests. We recommend you avoid this forum if you dislike intolerant, goofy religious zealots." Nearly always, these threads just turn into heated debates.

[Grod]

I think you were the only one left, Xaquaria, anyway... but yeah. I mentioned this the other day. I'm interested as to what will happen.

[Xaqaria]

Hmm, I understand what you're saying. I've often thought people come to R/S to talk and relate with their fellow theists, but I recently read the description and it says, "This forum is for any and all religious discussions and debates. This forum is unmoderated and closed to guests. We recommend you avoid this forum if you dislike intolerant, goofy religious zealots." Nearly always, these threads just turn into heated debates. It seems to me that even debate exists very infrequently recently, and usually it is just insults with the cheap veneer of actual discussion.

[CrimsonWolf]

It seems to me that even debate exists very infrequently recently, and usually it is just insults with the cheap veneer of actual discussion. I agree, i'd love to have some real debates. Not just arguments bewteen two sides that lead to the same conclusion and questions. If people have researched or know about whatever it is they want to debate then that's great and everyone can have an informed debate not just "My side is better than your side. Why? Because i'm right your wrong." argument.

[Adrenaline Junkie]

I'll agree with you on one thing, the RS section has gone downhill a bit. But the whole point is that its a discussion section, if someone posts criticism that you cannot handle, just don't read it.

[Marvo]

I'm not sure how well this is going to work, but I thought I'd give it a shot. As some of you may know, I enjoy discussing/debating the merits, shortcomings, implications, and ideologies of religions and spiritual beliefs. Unfortunately, the R/S section on this site has degenerated into a festering stagnant pool of atheist elitism, comraderie, and general ridicule of anyone who may decide to stand on the side of the religious minded. Nearly every thread in that forum now is started by an atheist seemingly with the sole purpose of attempting to attract theists to tear down and bully into admitting that their position is invalid and irrational or simply to high five other atheists, thus building an impenetrable cliche. Never have I seen a forum dedicated to the discussion of religion so dominated by a shear volume of atheist anti-religious content. What I ask of theists is, please stop posting in that section for awhile. From what I've gathered from many of the atheists posts, the only real enjoyment most of them get out of posting there is getting some sort of a rise out of theists and thus garnering some sort of sick satisfaction from someone else's discomfort. The only way I can see for that section to go through any sort of catharsis is for theists to stop offering any sort of reaction for the atheists to go off of. To the atheists out there who will inevitably take this as reason to argue and attempt to belittle me; I'm not angry at you and don't think that I really can get angry on a web forum. I understand many of you have justified reasons for what you do. Some of you have some strong feelings against religion because of personal and ideological reasons that are no less valid than my own strong beliefs on the matter. The problem is, there is no longer any actual discussion because the nature of your arguments always leads to the same basic conversations. Even when I agree with you, I feel I must argue against, simply because you are so offensive in your manner of discussion and I really do not like to associate with that sort of thing. Many of the most active posters in that section are no longer seen, and I can only assume it is because they became fed up with the lack of respect that many members have been exhibiting. Also I would like to point out that I posted this in the lounge instead of R/S because I am not looking for any argument on the issue and I will be attempting to have any and all derogatory and offensive posts in this thread removed by a moderator (which would not be possible in R/S). Your views are flawed, and your God is an illusion.

[Xox]

Your views are flawed, and your God is an illusion. Excuse me? This is a thread in The Lounge. Grow up.

[Marvo]

Excuse me? This is a thread in The Lounge. Grow up. Your excuse is rejected, and you have too long hair.

[Placebo]

Xox and Marvo: Keep up the bickering and I'll have to delete your posts too. They're not helping this thread at all.

[Identity X]

Beyond Dreaming already has a "only for believers" policy, which I lolled at when I first saw it. In R/S it is perhaps more justified. This would cause some segregation, but no one's claiming DreamViews is even vaguely perfect (nowhere near but, I digress). A compromise: A policy whereby if a tag such as "[THEIST ONLY]" or "[ATHEISTS ONLY]" and if someone otherwise orientated posts argumentatively or stupidly in it, they are willfully condemning themselves to troll status. Although R/S is unmoderated I think if 60-70% of people take this approach seriously, as an "In Good Faith"* semi-official rule, the troublemakers will be shamed into submission. If it still don't fix it, perhaps only allow such arguments in a limited thread, a sticky perhaps. Whatcha think? *Yes, yes, ha ha.

[Sekhmet]

I have seen nothing but acceptable debate in R/S. Sure, things do get heated at times, but such is the nature of human discussion. You claim to enjoy debate but are upset at all of the opposing opinions that you encounter. It sounds to me that you do not really want discussion, but rather comfirmation and praise for what you already believe. You're not being persecuted in your beliefs when contradicted in debate.

[Xaqaria]

I have seen nothing but acceptable debate in R/S. Sure, things do get heated at times, but such is the nature of human discussion. You claim to enjoy debate but are upset at all of the opposing opinions that you encounter. It sounds to me that you do not really want discussion, but rather comfirmation and praise for what you already believe. Your not being persecuted in your beliefs when contradicted in debate. Please refrain from posts of an argumentative nature, that is not the purpose of this thread. If you would like to discuss this, I will provide any reasoning and evidence you require through pm's.

[Sekhmet]

Dude, I was expressing my opinion. If you cannot even handle someone else's opinion, perhaps you are far to immature for intellecual debate of any kind.

[Xaqaria]

Your opinions are being expressed in the form of disrespectful personal attacks and are not welcome here. If you would like to continue, please do so through pm's. I can't request that your posts are removed as there are no moderators on at the moment but I will be doing so in the morning if you continue to try to start an argument. Feel free to post your opinions when they directly relate to the topic and are not about anyone's personal beliefs or character. Just to make sure you understand, the topic is the lack of diversity of opinions in the R/S forum and a request to theists to stop posting there until the bullying stops.