Question for Religion and Spiritiuality Regulars?

Question

FYI, I'm a non-theist who considers myself on a "Druid" spiritual path. But I do not believe in God(s). The reason I am a regular in this category, the Religion and Spirituality Category, is this is the place to discuss issues related to spirituality.

My question for you is, why are you a regular to this category.

This is I admit, a variation of the stereotypical "Atheists why are you here?" but I feel this question is a more mature educated persons version of the question.

Is your purpose here to learn and to teach?

Is your purpose here to "win souls" for your religion - you view this as "spiritual warfare"?

Are you here to answer every question with "there is no god there is no soul" or a variation of that answer?

I ask this question respectfully and seriously, in hopes of seeing the reasons why people are regulars to this category.

Answer 1

I honestly no longer know my purpose for being here.

It never was to "win souls" or for "spiritual warfare". I've always found all religions interesting. I came to learn why others believe what they do to and share my own beliefs. Somewhere along the way though I seem to have ... I don't know how to put it other than to say I'm not who I was. That's not bad or good, just different.

Answer 2

I'm regular because I have a very addictive personality, and when I find something I like, I get deeply hooked on it for a while then move on to something else, which I latch onto just as fiercely.

I don't feel I have much to teach, and there are many here who are better educated and more well-spoken than I.

I do have a voice that needs to be heard, though. I will not allow atheists to be a silent minority. We will not be subjugated by a majority who do not care that our rights are being trampled, only that their own are secure.

I have no desire to win converts. If a person re-examines their beliefs after reading something I or anyone else posts, that is an excellent thing. We should look very closely at our beliefs, since our actions arise from them. But whether it makes them a better Buddhist, more charismatic Christian, more modest Muslim or a happier Hindu is all one to me.

Lastly, my deepest hope is that eventually some of the believers on here will recognize that to have a religion based on faith is not a bad thing, and if it helps them live their life in a happy, productive fashion, that is a good thing. But to claim that their faith should be for all people, and that the unseen things they believe are *fact*, merely because they believe them, is counter-productive and foolish.

My three cents (adjusted for inflation).

.

Answer 3

Every little bit helps. Like when you vote for your candidate. No one person is going to change society. However, when you put voices together it contributes to the cause. I'm here as one of those voices.
A strong case can be made that religion has helped humanity in history. However, it has also hurt tremendously. The sooner we can replace it with something better, the better off we will be. The main problem with religion is that it's founded on ignorance. Much of the religious texts have "moral" principles that can't be applied to today's socities, eventhough they might have been appropriate a thousand years ago.
There is something more insidious about religion though. These principles are held together by beliefs that do nothing more than enforce the core moral teachings. What I'm talking about is the defense of beliefs that give the particular religion the authority to dictate morality. The authority behind the religion. The existence of God, the claim of Creationists, the origins of the universe, and of eternal salvation. The advancment of science as obtained good answers to these questions. That in turn can help us all. But because of religious dogma, there are attempts to suppress it.
LIVES ARE ON THE LINE. Yet, all we get is silly arguments from the likes of Christians who insist that this life means nothing. Because there is an afterlife. That is selfish! What they are doing is saving the welfare of their own psychology by believing in a delusion. While at the same time sacrificing the rest of us, who will hopfully reinforce their flawed beliefs.
Many of them believe that they do in fact indirectly do what is best for humanity by believing in a higher power. But because there is a "middle man" ( namely their religion), they fall far shorter of this goal than if they cared for humanity directly.
Thats why I'm a secular humanist. I love the human race. I don't indirectly only love myself, by "loving" a religion. I'm here to encourage other people to do the same for the sake of us all.

Answer 4

I'm a regular because I find it fascinating hearing what others believe. Not the typical "accept Jesus" or "there is no god" posts, but those who actually answer the questions in a real way. I love seeing a different point of view than I may have thought of before (and boy have I seen a lot of those while on here!) because that makes me think about my own beliefs. I love seeing people being kind to others, even if they do not agree with them. And then of course...there are the comical posts to add a bit of humor to the R&S section. I can't help but give a smart-*** response to some of them that warrant it, but I prefer giving my own opinion on the different questions in hopes that maybe someone will hear what I have to say and think about that for a while.

And then of course is the answer that I'm at work and bored so I need SOMETHING to do! LOL!

Answer 5

At first it was to see what other people had to say about their religion and why their religion was the "right" one (i guess it was still me trying to see if anyone could prove god).
Then it was because some of the questions were really intelligent and I liked the points that some people made.
Then it was to try and clear up some misconceptions that people had about Atheists, or other non believers.
Then it was just because I enjoyed the company of other regulars such as yourself....you're good for a chuckle.

Overall it's really just a good learning experience, that never has a dull moment....ohh and it's a good place to help pass time while I'm at work.

Answer 6

Sometimes I'm sharing information I know I have that others want. Sometimes this is in the form of giving information about the Bible or Bible history to believers. I'm interested in religion because for most of civilization it's been the way humans have answered the "big" questions. The fact that I now think it's redundant for that purpose does not lead me to deny its importance.

Other times I enjoy the contact with American atheists because they're such a fun bunch on here. I also have non-atheist friends I like to exchange ideas and interact with.

The reason I was drawn here in the first place though was in response to a staggeringly ignorant question about evolution, in which I am fairly well informed. A perusal of the site showed this to be far from exceptional, and was accompanied by some scurrilously hostile remarks about atheists in general. I'm happy to go in hard against ignorance and general nastiness like that, yet I hope I can be civil and respectful if the questioner presents her/his question in that way.

I've learned a lot about different people and their religions here too - some of it very positive (I already had lots of Christian friends so I'm not hostile to them per se) - some it depressingly negative.

I like to argue. I know this topic. And it's fun.

Answer 7

I come here because I like to read what people are thinking.

Also, I like to answer religious, historical or miscellaneous questions.

If I can answer a spiritual question that will help someone then good, if not I move on.

No, I'm not here to answer every "there is no God, there is no soul question." Most are redundant and I easily get dizzy.

Once I wade through all the muck and mire, I learn quite a bit about the human psyche, a trip through a maze with no end, on Yahoo! Answers.

Answer 8

I think the main reason is that questions of the nature "Does my boyfriend love me" or "Where can I download mp3s" bore the life out of me. The discussions here usually have substance to them.

What I like to do here is usually to try to stop people making unsubstantiated or unsupportable claims. Occasionally I find myself accidentally drawn along in the river of bile, but I try not to. I'm only human.

I've also asked a few provoking questions that I knew would yank more than a few chains. I still wanted answers and had points to make, but I am in no way denying it was also fun. I'm still human.

My purpose is also to learn, as always. Teaching does not work. I try to be myself and if anyone can learn something useful from me, then good for them. I have turned off the 'My Network' thing because I believe a 'fan-club' would be dangerously ego-stroking and would prevent me from learning or people learning from me.

FWIW I'm a non-specific believer with an attraction to Zen philosophy. I would not presume to 'win souls' for something which after all, is only a belief. I'm very fond of my own opinions, but I am not capable of quite that much arrogance.

Oh, and it's also something to do while I am chopping magic trees in RuneScape. Gotta get that lvl 99 cape. :)

Answer 9

For me it's about learning and gaining insight into different people. I honestly don't see why some people have a problem with my being here. If I can teach anybody anything then great. However I don't think I'm reaching too many people. I'm not trying to get people away from religion. What they choose is up to them. All I'm trying to get across is that we are all human beings and therefore we should treat each other as so. And we should look at each other as human beings instead of as labels. Unfortunately some people are hellbent on seeing others as a label instead of as a person.

Answer 10

A very fair question and much more respectfully phrased than we usually get.

I'm a secular humanist, and I'm here to gain a better understanding of the way my neighbors of faith think (about their own religions, other faiths, and Humanism) and hone my skills for explaining my own non-religious point of view. I'm not here to convert anyone or just be annoying to those who don't believe as I do. I'm also a Unitarian Universalist, and that's not our way. Not only have I benefited from reading answers submitted by a very diverse crowd, but I have also enjoyed getting to know some really fascinating, and often hilarious, people.