Why is this section of Y!A dominated by people who profess no religion or spirituality?

Question

And seem to be here purely for the purpose of baiting people who hold any religious convictions?
What conclusions can we draw from this behaviour?

bc_munkee I invite you to go back over the last few days and research the activity in this section honestly. I am here to do exactly what you suggest - question, answer and debate. My point is that this is not what is happening, by and large. What is happening is antagonism. I'm a big lad - I can handle it, I just find it a shame that what could be an excellent opportunity for debate is often spoilt by people who maybe haven't done what you suggest - grown up.

RuneAmok - I'm not generalising. Look for yourself at the questions asked over the last few days. With respect, you would be doing your own research by doing this - which I have already done.

hawndawg - touche. But an inappropriate response. We are as entitled to debate (and by that I don't mean attempt to convert) as anyone else.

A.Mercer - Not at all. I am far from insecure about my beliefs and welcome the opinions of people who hold other views. Call me foolish but I thought that intelligent debate could be had without either side needing to ridicule the others beliefs - that is not conducive to open debate.

Samurai Jack - You evidently didn't read my question properly: I clearly referred to those who profess NO religion or spirituality.

ED SNOW - Another person who didn't read the question properly - maybe you just read into it what you wanted to see? At no point did I say that Atheists have no spirituality.

Sketch - Sorry but no, freedom is dear to me. Interesting to know that you can read my mind though - shame you didn't get it right, sorry.

The Truth - Thank you. Several good points, reasonably and intelligently made.

nelson_england - If from my question you inferred that I meant that people with no relious or spiritual beliefs had no right to be here then I apologise for my poorly worded question - that wasn't my intent.

You also said:
"In this forum, you are going to get non-faith people answering, and asking questions, because we have enquiring, questioning minds. believers find this irritating, as it is the antithesis of religion."

As for the first sentence of this quote, true and as it should be.
As for the second, I find it not at all irritating - surely it essential to understanding - and I therefore disagree with your final conclusion.

Answer 1

Hi Pete,

Another interesting question that provokes a lot of comment. Much of it, unfair in my opinion.

You ask three questions, and I'll answer them in turn.
1) Why is it dominated by people with no religion or spirituality? This is a question I feel particularly qualified to answer as I profess to have no spirituality at all, and to being an atheist. Before answering the question itself, I'd like to say your question infers that you view this section as for people with religion/spirituality. My view is that this section is to debate religion and spirituality. Therefore anybody with an interest in this, should be here. That is why I am here. I find the Christian religion in particular fascinating. My interest isn't religious exactly, it is that I have read much of the bible and am interested in the interpretations. And it's obviously an area with some considerable arguments between religions and between viewpoints within them. To me this is fascinating and I see no reason why I should not be part of the debate, even if I'm not affected by them. I know you are not suggesting I, or people like me, should not be here, I am just explaining why I am.

As a second point, I agree that this section is dominated by atheists. I find this interesting, and do not have a good answer as to why. I can only guess they like conflict, and this is an easy section to create that.

2) Atheists here to bait the religious. As my previous paragraph says, I think that's a fair comment for a lot of them and to some extent me as well. I take great pleasure in baiting anybody who makes a poor argument for what they are saying. I try to be polite about it, and I am aware that many do not. At the same time, I think there are plenty of religious people who try to bait atheists as well. It's clearly less prominent, but it is happening.

3) We can draw several conclusions I think. Although they are clearly generalisations and will cause insult... I'll try and list a few. A lot of people have very strong views and want to express them. A lot of people seem rather childish - and here in particular I must state that I think this is just as much the case amongst the religious as amongst the atheists. I'd also say that the majority of users here refuse to answer questions, instead prefering to insult one another (again I'll point out that this is not the sole preserve of the atheists).

I look forward to your future questions!

Answer 2

I find that the majority of those who profess no religion unable to reason properly and somewhat lacking in critical analysis. They seem to be motivated more by passion than reason which is very ironic since they strongly denigrate people who hold to a religion as lacking mental ability. All the more so since they clearly consider themselves as very rational and full of reason.

The conclusion that I would draw is that they are motivated by their hearts rather than their minds and sin turns their hearts away. The position they adopt is a very difficult one to defend and so as a defence mechanism they often resort to baiting or an offensive or insulting or superior approach.

It is as though they have chosen or prefer sin and so adopt their position to salve conscience to pursue the things that they want.

We know that sin lies at the door and its desire is over them, but instead of ruling over it they fall under it and become deceived and ultimately are the dupes of Satan.

Man is so vulnerable because of pride but humility would make a way for deliverance.

I do not believe a person can be spiritual until their spirit has been quickened by God. Until then all takes place in the flesh.

Answer 3

I don't know for a fact that people who dominate this section are people who have no religious affiliation. Nor can I find any way to look into people's minds to find out if they are spiritual or not. This is a site for people to discuss religion. There are no rules that require a person to practice religion to be here. Anyone is free to be here. There is a tremendous amount of baiting on both sides. My conclusion is that some people love to antagonize others. And that is nothing new,

Answer 4

Excuse ME! i think of you are the single belittling atheists. we've each and every mind-blowing to be right here and reply to questions with regards to faith. in spite of each and every thing, that's what the subject count number is titled "faith & Spirituality" and that's for the objective of evaluations on those matters so it is not significant while you're for or against faith. So end being a bully. Many questions are additionally directed in the direction of Atheists so there are additionally people who enter this area and have an interest in what Atheists attitudes are in the direction of faith. i actually desire Atheists to be waiting to reply to those questions somewhat than have a Christian inaccurately portray an atheist as a devil-worshipping, porn-loving, uneducated immoralists. Plus, i don't hate God, he does not exist. What I dislike (not hate) is the tip result that a concept in God has on maximum of human beings.

Answer 5

Dominated is a strong word. But I think that Richard Dawkins' furstration, which seems to believers like arrogance (it isn't) has resonances here. In this section of YA, believers bang on and on with reams of texts from holy books, and others, more open mnded, try to support their answers with reasoned argument. Non-believers have every bit as much right to write here as believers do, and many of us believe that for too long the faith communities have had it easy - preaching to the converted, and thinking that they had all the answers. In this forum, you are going to get non-faith people answering, and asking questions, because we have enquiring, questioning minds. believers find this irritating, as it is the antithesis of religion.

Answer 6

Let me guess. You are too insecure about your beliefs. You need to be shielded and protected from those who do not believe the same as you. It upsets you when you see a question or an answer that does not fall in line with your views. So now you whine that people who disagree with you are allowed to use the forum.

What conclusions can we draw from this behaviour?

Added since your recent post.

If you are so secure then why are you complaining that there are people here that do not share you beliefs? You have chosen to claim they are here "purely for the purpose of baiting people who hold any religious convictions", whatever that means.

Your question itself is not about religion but about people disagreeing about religion. Specifically, people who do not share your particular viewpoint. This is a forum. People will disagree with you and have their own beliefs. They will post answers to questions you may not want then to post answers to. They will pose questions you do not want to hear.

Your question boils down to complaining that someone disagrees with you. That is indicative of someone who is insecure with what they believe in.

As for ridiculing, who threw the first stone here? Your question is designed to say that any person who professes "no religion or spirituality" is only here for "baiting people who hold any religious convictions". Your final question of "What conclusions can we draw from this behaviour?" is to make the reader think that there is something wrong with "people who profess no religion or spirituality". So who threw the first stone?

As for debate, you never posted anything for debating. You do not give examples of the behaviour you talk of. You simply state it as fact and go on. You were never interested in debate. You thought you were being witty. If you were interested in debate, you would have posted some examples of the incidents you spoke of.

Answer 7

To enjoy the concept of freedom of speech in a forum where there are many who would like like to impose religious restrictions on our personal freedoms. What is bothering you is the sound of freedom ringing. What conclusions can we draw from your behavior?

Answer 8

That the atheists have converted the original believers and we are waiting to grab the rest.

Answer 9

preach on. it is so true. this is the religious question and answer part of this website and all of these people putting it all down and saying the other person is wrong (the person asking the question). we should answer the question maturley and nice. and try to help the other person out. not be there and put them down. they are asking us for help now lets help and ask questions about spirituality and/or religion. if you want to ask a different question go to another topic.

Answer 10

Please do not equate Atheism with a lack of spirituality, whatever that vague concept may be, it is present in everyone, and is not the sole prerogative of the religiously indoctrinated. Draw your OWN conclusions, why ask others ?