anyone for starting a DU atheists forum?

[leftofthedial]

it is difficult to discuss poltico-religious issues rationally on the general forums.

[mckara]

1. Shouldn't You Call In the "Freethinkers Forum?"

n/t

[Redleg]

25. Not all atheists are "freethinkers."

EOM

[Modem Butterfly]

2. Yes please!

Quite interested.

[bryant69]

3. This has been discussed before

Or an area where those who want to talk about atheism or religion can go.

On the other hand, this is a discussion forum. What kind of discussion do you want on religious issues? I assume by rational you want no challenges to the atheist point of view?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[leftofthedial]

14. it has nothing to do with not wanting challenges

threads that attempt to discuss politico-religious issues objectively and dispassionately usually end up hijacked by religious people mostly raising emotional issues or accusing the atheists of attacking them or even openly prosyletizing.

This forum would keep christians from being offended (unless they want to seek it out) and would allow atheists to have a discussion without being harassed by christians who aren't interested in teh discussion at hand.

[bryant69]

19. I have to say . . .

passionate athiest threads seem to outnumber dispassionate ones by a margin of about two to one.

To portray this issue as completely innocent atheists verses completely mean-spirited and crazy religionists is just a little bit one sided.

But this is probably a good idea.

Bryant

[leftofthedial]

32. well there's an interesting and dispassionate interpretation

of what I said

[bryant69]

33. I appreciate the compliment

Of course to be fair, some religionists do take offense a little too quickly. Truthfully I'd put the blame at about 50/50 myself.

[Redleg]

24. I like your blog. Has it been getting more visitors?

EOM

[bryant69]

26. It's been doing pretty well lately

Election night in particular was a big night for me. Although this last week I"ve been pretty off my game.

Thanks for the compliment.

[RebelOne]

Yes, definitely. This atheist is for it.

[BlueEyedSon]

4. Im in.

[cosmicaug]

5. Just make sure...

Just make sure that you start it under an astrologically propitious date.

[Dookus]

6. count me in

but I much prefer discussions across beliefs. I like debating religion and pseudoscience with believers - I'm afraid the new Groups format will shut that all down. The believers will have one group and we'll have another - not exactly fun discussions.

[Cleita]

7. I could go for that.

No believers allowed, because they just hijack the issue with all the whining that we are picking on them and their religion. Maybe there could be a Christian forum and others for people to discuss their beliefs elsewhere without our butting in too.

[JNelson6563]

8. I would frequent such a forum

That way those with religious sensitivities wouldn't come across potentially offensive discussion in just the general forum. Could avert many a nasty exchange.

Julie

[fshrink]

9. That'd be relaxing...

I'd bookmark it.

[helnwhls]

10. Good idea

[Skidmore]

11. Anyone for relegating religion to where it needs to be in this

society--private and personal and in your home or place or worship?

[blueblitzkrieg]

12. I love that idea. nt

[RadiDem]

13. YES ! PLEASE !

[leftofthedial]

15. okay, how do we do it.

[Caution]

16. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

though of course it would become the target forum of choice for the right-wing press to pull anti-religious quotes from.

[fshrink]

17. It's bound to be tiny though....

And probably proselytized...

[alittlelark]

18. I'd be up for that!

[hyphenate]

20. I'd be behind that.

I want to be able to understand all the viewpoints on the topic in order to make an informed decision, rather than relying simply on my own prejudices in order to decide an issue.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

21. I'd like to see the mission statement

As others state, it'd be boring to shut out discussion with believers, though the problem is that many discussions turn into arguments. I'd like to talk rationally about how faith frames issues and what can be done to reclaim issues that have been clouded or overwhelmed by religion. I'd also like to talk about how to take the taint off of atheism, e.g. how to communicate the parallels between secular and religious values. Debunking religion would also be cool with me, and I'd like to nominate Michael Shermer as an honorary member.

[MelanieArt]

31. That's how I feel too!

I'd participate!

[Redleg]

22. Yes, you can only rationally discuss religion with other atheists.

That's supposed to be sarcasm, folks.

[Malva Zebrina]

23. I'd go for that nt

[Liberal Mommy]

27. If agnostics can join in

I'd gladly bookmark it!

[Lost Creek]

28. NO - put it in the religion forum where it belongs.

Thank you

[leftofthedial]

40. atheism is not a religion

so it doesn't belong there

[Lost Creek]

42. OK - sure - whatever

I do not agree and will not debate the silly issue. Your dogma needs a walk.

[fshrink]

45. See.. It's not even born and already proselytized!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

51. Ahhhh, but it is a BELIEF... And as such as legitimate as a religion...

the confusion between religion and spirituality grows.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

29. I'm in. But what about "Atheists & Agnostics"? (nt)

[RC]

30. Count me in.

For those who think there won't be any discussions because we would all agree has not scrolled down this thread.

[Malva Zebrina]

34. wouldn't you just go to the non political forums

and under religion and theology just open a new forum for atheists, agnostics ?

[Ladyhawk]

35. Yeah, but there should also be a spiritual forum, I think.

I'm an atheist.

[theorist]

36. As an atheist, myself....

I have to say that I wouldn't participate. The forum is based on what you are not. Why don't we call DU the Nonrepublican Underground. Sorry, but no thank you.

[DemBones DemBones]

37. Wouldn't that be somewhat redundant?

[KansDem]

38. Prior to November 2, I would have said "not necessary..."

Now, however, I'm not so sure...

Perhaps there should be some forum to offset and counter right-wing fundie ideas and influence.

[leftofthedial]

39. PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT

The DU Atheists Forum is a place where atheists and agnostics can engage in frank discussions about the effect of religion on politics, free of debate about the existence of a deity or deities.


I guess 10 of us have to agree.

[fshrink]

46. I would also be interested

in seeing if/how the absence of religious, or meta-, para-, crypto-religious beliefs, influences or changes the content of political discussions...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

53. Nicely said. I agree!

[Book Lover]

54. Count me in as one who agrees

[The Minus World]

41. Yes.

I am interested in a rational discussion of the ethics and philosophies adopted by those who hope to survive this administration's evangelical overhaul of America.

[dhinojosa]

43. Let me ask the lord.....

[Behind the Aegis]

44. I am not an atheist.

However, I think it would be one forum I would add to my list. Even though, I have spiritual beliefs, they RARELY cross into my political beliefs. So, I say...GO FOR IT!

[Robeson]

47. Do it.

[BlueJazz]

48. Great..Just Great!...I'm in...but now we're all going to hell.

[JanMichael]

49. There are plenty of great Atheist/Agnostic forums on the web.

Wasteland of Wonders is a good smaller board and of course Internet Infidels.

DU is a political board, no need for secular/sectarian segregation.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

50. I believe it has a place here considering other forums that have been

recently formed.

[pauliedangerously]

52. Yeah, sure...just as long as people don't make fun of creationists...

BWAHAHAHAHAHA

[Neoma]

55. yea!