AGNOSTIC Accountability Groups Starting Up

[QTArrhythmic]

Attention:

If you are agnostic this is the place for you. If you are a Christian and would like to have a serious discussion that's okay, but remember you have to be reasonable.

I decided to start this thread because I realize that there are quite a few born again Christians on this forum and many of them like to discuss their religion with non-believers. I thought it would be a good idea if we were to start up an accountability based on nothing divine or God inspired, but on man alone. .

Some topics of accountability may include:
Discussing the validity of the Bible
Sexual ImPurity (this one is a biggie)
General Logical Thinking



It will be a great way for us Agnostics to share experiences, discuss nonbelief systems, and help one another.


So far I have:
Valsalvayourheartout
TheBoyBlunder
WinkOsmosis
Mith
MindStorm
iwearnosox
Dr Smooth
MercenaryForHire
Alchemist99
kevinthenerd
yamahaXS
LeeTJ
DurocShark
PatboyX

Edit: Discussion is encouraged, but name calling and flamming is unacceptable.
Personal attacks are unacceptable also.
This thread is not intended to be flamebait.

 

[ValsalvaYourHeartOut]

I think it's fantastic that you're starting up these groups, QT. It think it's about time the agnostics and athesists of AT have a voice, before Anandtech turns into JesusTech. It's simply unfair that certain religious groups can start their own threads and exclude other groups just because they don't believe in Jesus and the other 2/3 of the Trinity. It's amazing how pervasive the Christians are in our lives. Through their exclusive networks and hand-holding unity, they've joined forces to alter national policy and affect the lives of everyone, even the non-Christians.

1) For instance, stem-cell research is a remarkable area of study with the potential to generate rejection free organs, such as hearts, lungs, and kidneys. People who are paralyzed can hope to one-day regain function through regeneration of their transected spinal cords. Millions of lives could possibly be improved with the benefits of stem-cell research. The experimentation would only be conducted on stem-cells that would be discarded anyway, and would not be related to anything universally immoral, such as human cloning. The problem is that the conservative voice in this country is actually the ventriloquest puppet-voice of the Christian church. The Church believes this area of research is unethical because that is the interpretation of their religious text, the bible. While it is certainly acceptable for religious groups to practice their only religious, it is incredibly unfair of them to force their ideals upon everyone in this country, especially at the expense of human quantity and quality of life -- that is, the universal benefit that could be obtained from stem-cell research. It is a tragedy that this is occuring in this country.

2) Secondly, I find it appalling that certain groups are opposed to methods of birth control because they believe that the practice is inconsistent with their religious text, the bible. This is another example of how these groups force other people to practice their own religious restrictions, even people who do not belong to their faith. It would be one thing if they, themselves, opted to refrain from using birth control, but to advocate against birth control is socially irresponsible and a symbol of disrespect for the beliefs of others. The result of discouraging birth control is to increase the quantity of unwanted children in this country, children who are brought up in the terrible foster home system or orphanage-type settings...and you might ask, are these religious people at least helping with the problem they create? Are they adopting children or donating to the foster care system? The vast majority of them are not.

3) Thirdly, I am disgusted that certain groups advocate a complete ban on pregnancy termination, even in cases of rape, incest, and when the fetus jeopardizes the mother's life. Again, they are attempting to pass their beliefs on everybody, at the clear detriment of others.

4) And yes, why do the Christians always feel the need to convert others over to their religion? Yes, it's because they have absolutely no respect for non-Christian belief systems. It's inherent in the biblical text -- that "everybody else" is going to hell and that they must save these infidels... so they knock on your doors, harrass you on campus, etc...and it even affects your personal interactions and relationships. Many hardcore Christians prefer to associate exclusively with other Christians...people of other belief systems are dissimilar and inferior... etc.

...and the list goes on and on. This is not to say that ALL Christians are like this. Most of them that I know personally are respectful towards others, have a personally-developed value system (whether or not it's consistent with mine), and do not engage in annoying conversion activities. However, for some reason, the know-it-all holier-than-thou hyperjudgmental Christians seem to coalesce on the Anandtech forums. These people are disrespectful of "other" belief systems and they attempt to subtely convert members over to their "Borg" under the guise of hot deals to New Testaments and exclusive Christian threads...and these are the SAME PEOPLE who wonder why I respond to them the way I do? I just hope I don't come back in 2 years and be forced to type in www.jesustech.com

Valsalva

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Why do you people spend all of your time crucifying Christians?

 

[ValsalvaYourHeartOut]

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
Why do you people spend all of your time crucifying Christians?

Read the above...and ask yourself, why do Christians spend all their time crucifying non-Christians?

Valsalva

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

sign me up please.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Congratulations on your new club. Hopefully no religious people will post in here bashing it. Hopefully you also, will show religious people the same respect and not bash their posts. Wishful thinking on both counts but I can hope at least.

 

[QTArrhythmic]

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
sign me up please.

Got you signed.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Sign me up. Do I get a membership card?

 

[ValsalvaYourHeartOut]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Congratulations on your new club. Hopefully no religious people will post in here bashing it. Hopefully you also, will show religious people the same respect and not bash their posts. Wishful thinking on both counts but I can hope at least.

Unlike the exclusive Christian-only threads, it sounds like QT is open to everybody who comes in, regardless of their faith. In fact, it's clear that he wants to encourage discussion from all faiths, not just agnostics. Notice that this is in direct contrast to the Christian group here that refuses to cater to non-believers.

Valsalva

 

[QTArrhythmic]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Sign me up. Do I get a membership card?

No cards, no dues.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: QTArrhythmic

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Sign me up. Do I get a membership card?

No cards, no dues.

You didn't add me to your list!!

 

[QTArrhythmic]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: QTArrhythmic

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Sign me up. Do I get a membership card?

No cards, no dues.

You didn't add me to your list!!

you're up there now.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: ValsalvaYourHeartOut

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Congratulations on your new club. Hopefully no religious people will post in here bashing it. Hopefully you also, will show religious people the same respect and not bash their posts. Wishful thinking on both counts but I can hope at least.

Unlike the exclusive Christian-only threads, it sounds like QT is open to everybody who comes in, regardless of their faith. In fact, it's clear that he wants to encourage discussion from all faiths, not just agnostics. Notice that this is in direct contrast to the Christian group here that refuses to cater to non-believers.

Valsalva

Unfortunately I think he's making a mistake in opening it up for discussion between the two groups. For the simple reason that religious threads hardly ever remain civil. Equal blame for that goes to both sides I might add. However this thread seems like nothing more than flamebait anyway so I guess it doesn't matter. If it's intent is genuine though then good for you guys. Honestly.

 

[ValsalvaYourHeartOut]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Unfortunately I think he's making a mistake in opening it up for discussion between the two groups. For the simple reason that religious threads hardly ever remain civil.

They hardly remain civil because of people like you.

Valsalva

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: ValsalvaYourHeartOut

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate Why do you people spend all of your time crucifying Christians?

Read the above...and ask yourself, why do Christians spend all their time crucifying non-Christians? Valsalva

Actually, most Christians are very tolerant. I am very tolerant. The question was pointed at you. You types pages of diatribes against Christianity whenever a Christian thread is posted. I am just wondering why you would invest so much energy and time into this.

Most people just don't click on things they don't want to read.

 

[QTArrhythmic]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl

Originally posted by: ValsalvaYourHeartOut

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Congratulations on your new club. Hopefully no religious people will post in here bashing it. Hopefully you also, will show religious people the same respect and not bash their posts. Wishful thinking on both counts but I can hope at least.

Unlike the exclusive Christian-only threads, it sounds like QT is open to everybody who comes in, regardless of their faith. In fact, it's clear that he wants to encourage discussion from all faiths, not just agnostics. Notice that this is in direct contrast to the Christian group here that refuses to cater to non-believers.

Valsalva

Unfortunately I think he's making a mistake in opening it up for discussion between the two groups. For the simple reason that religious threads hardly ever remain civil. Equal blame for that goes to both sides I might add. However this thread seems like nothing more than flamebait anyway so I guess it doesn't matter. If it's intent is genuine though then good for you guys. Honestly.

Everyone is welcome for discussion, not flamming.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: ValsalvaYourHeartOut

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Unfortunately I think he's making a mistake in opening it up for discussion between the two groups. For the simple reason that religious threads hardly ever remain civil.

They hardly remain civil because of people like you.

Valsalva

Yes, that's true. I have thrown flames about this thread haven't I? Actually, I belive I've wished you guys luck on you club. If you have to criticize at least make it accurate please. Is that asking too much?

Edit: One more thing. Since you proclaim yourself to be so intelligent do me a favor and learn how to close html tags. It's not that difficult and reading over all your italicized posts is becoming very annoying.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: ValsalvaYourHeartOut

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
Why do you people spend all of your time crucifying Christians?

Read the above...and ask yourself, why do Christians spend all their time crucifying non-Christians?

Valsalva

I don't.

Do me a favor. Hunt down the last, oh, two dozen religious threads here at ATOT.

See who starts the most of the thread crapping first - the Christians or the non.

I rest my case.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Actually, I have a question specificly for you QT. There are two quotes from you below. One from this thread and one from the christian accountability thread.

No, no, no. You have it all wrong. I am Christian, I don't hate Christians

It will be a great way for us Agnostics

Now, since agnosticisim, by definition means to be unsure of where or not there is a God and Christianity means to devote you life to God don't you have a difficult time pulling both of them off? Just curious. Unless you have multiple personalities the two groups your profess to be part of seem mutually exclusive to me.

 

[QTArrhythmic]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Actually, I have a question specificly for you QT. There are two quotes from you below. One from this thread and one from the christian accountability thread.

No, no, no. You have it all wrong. I am Christian, I don't hate Christians

It will be a great way for us Agnostics

Now, since agnosticisim, by definition means to be unsure of where or not there is a God and Christianity means to devote you life to God don't you have a difficult time pulling both of them off? Just curious. Unless you have multiple personalities the two groups your profess to be part of seem mutually exclusive to me.

I'm culturely Christian in the sense that I will still go to church will family, maybe once a year. But I am ideologically agnostic.

 

[Tom]

You know in a baseball game when the pitcher is getting close to having a no hitter and his team mates won't talk about it because talking about it might mess up the luck or kharma or whatever,

would you go along with it or would you say something ?

 

[QTArrhythmic]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
You know in a baseball game when the pitcher is getting close to having a no hitter and his team mates won't talk about it because talking about it might mess up the luck or kharma or whatever,

would you go along with it or would you say something ?

I probably won't talk because the talking might distract the pitcher.

 

[Wallydraigle]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
You know in a baseball game when the pitcher is getting close to having a no hitter and his team mates won't talk about it because talking about it might mess up the luck or kharma or whatever,

would you go along with it or would you say something ?

I'd go along with it, even though I think it's silly, because I feel that messing with someone else's faith is like smashing a stained glass window because I don't like the design.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: QTArrhythmic

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Actually, I have a question specificly for you QT. There are two quotes from you below. One from this thread and one from the christian accountability thread.

No, no, no. You have it all wrong. I am Christian, I don't hate Christians

It will be a great way for us Agnostics

Now, since agnosticisim, by definition means to be unsure of where or not there is a God and Christianity means to devote you life to God don't you have a difficult time pulling both of them off? Just curious. Unless you have multiple personalities the two groups your profess to be part of seem mutually exclusive to me.

I'm culturely Christian in the sense that I will still go to church will family, maybe once a year. But I am ideologically agnostic.

ag·nos·tic ( P ) Pronunciation Key (g-nstk)
n.

One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.

Chris·tian ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krschn)
adj.
Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.

Sorry, your explination doesn't really hold. Pick one. I was raised in a Christian family too yet I do not profess myself to be Christian. Going to chuch once a year and being raised in a Christian home does not make you a christian any more than standing in a forest makes you a tree.

 

[Tom]

"I probably won't talk because the talking might distract the pitcher."

Would you think about it, or would something inside say, don't think about it ?