Should I join a Christian forum?

[Rum]

Popped onto one earlier to find a quote and followed a couple of threads. I found myself so appalled I wondered if I should think about joining one and if not quite trolling, just asking pointed questions now and again.

Perhaps I should just leave them to their mumbo jumbo and nervous uncertain certainty about eternal life...

[tattuchu]

Pointed questions? I'm sure they'd consider that in itself trolling. Those people don't like to actually think. Still, it might be an interesting experiment. If you do join, try to be respectful. Of course, any of the slightest dissent may very well be perceived as disrespectful, no matter how hard you try to be otherwise.

[Rum]

Pointed questions? I'm sure they'd consider that in itself trolling. Those people don't like to actually think. Still, it might be an interesting experiment. If you do join, try to be respectful. Of course, any of the slightest dissent may very well be perceived as disrespectful, no matter how hard you try to be otherwise.

I agree. Polite and slightly puzzled, as if one is a bit dim I was thinking.

[maiforpeace]

I tried that once years ago on a supposedly open minded forum for youth pastors. I was invited to join by a youth pastor who used to frequent Atheist Nation because at the time I was in charge of the non-existent youth group of our Ethical Culture group. I can't remember exactly what the reason was that they kicked me out of it, but it happened fairly quickly soon after I started stating my personal beliefs.

And Rum, even if you were acting dumb, you would still be a millions times smarter than the smartest person there. But hey, if you're bored and have nothing else to do...

[Brian Peacock]

Politely asking what support others might have for their claims and assertions gets you banned and your IP-blocked on the ReasonableFaith.com forum. They just don't like to be challenged in their special internet places.

[Rum]

Well I'm going to try it! It isn't about boredom Mai. I feel (ironically!) evangelical about the shit that is religion these days.

[tattuchu]

That's what I was thinking, too. It would be difficult to keep up the subterfuge for long, mutton dressed as the lamb of God. Or something. Not sure if that analogy works but I don't care because it sounded funny and that's good enough for me
But anyway, yeah. It wouldn't be long before your intelligence would become readily apparent and impossible to ignore, even to morons such as these with their heads up their asses, especially considering intelligence is such a rare commodity amongst a group such as this.
But you could give it a go and see how long you last.

[amused]

I say you'll last no more than 10 posts, 15 tops. And no post stuffing!

[Brian Peacock]

Go for it Rum - stick the fucking facts, the evidences, and the citations right up their holy sepulchres.

[tattuchu]

We should start bets!

[Tero]

Join and make friends with xtians, quote verse. Then a week later "become" an atheist.

[Rum]

Ok then, a challenge. I will choose the forum carefully and post a link here. And play the thing very carefully.

Starting in the morning. Stay tuned!

[rasetsu]

It's possible to explore any topic without being confrontational. It's also possible to force a confrontation on any topic. And yes, I know, they can have rather ridiculous standards of what constitutes trolling and confrontation. I suspect you are sufficiently well equipped to walk the line delicately enough to last a while, at least, though I'm not sure what you feel you'll be getting out of it. I enjoy religion for its own sake, and so blend in much better on such forums. However, my experience has been that challenging assumptions on boards made up mostly of religious fundamentalists is like the proverbial teaching a pig to sing; even if you can keep the pig's spirits friendly, they just don't get it.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

Should I join a Christian forum?..

It depends whether you want to be even more than usual.

[Rum]

It's possible to explore any topic without being confrontational. It's also possible to force a confrontation on any topic. And yes, I know, they can have rather ridiculous standards of what constitutes trolling and confrontation. I suspect you are sufficiently well equipped to walk the line delicately enough to last a while, at least, though I'm not sure what you feel you'll be getting out of it. I enjoy religion for its own sake, and so blend in much better on such forums. However, my experience has been that challenging assumptions on boards made up mostly of religious fundamentalists is like the proverbial teaching a pig to sing; even if you can keep the pig's spirits friendly, they just don't get it.

Good observations. On reflection I will be looking for a liberal and rather less evangelical born again type of board. I think that any gains atheism makes will generally be with people sitting rather nearer the fence.

I take no joy in it incidnentally. If people of religion were generally ok with keeping themselves to themselves that would be fine. But they assume a central role in society even today which is no longer acceptable.