What is it about R&S that draws you to ask questions here ?

Answer 1

my friends and other intelligent people

Answer 2

I hope it's still possible for the cross-pollination of ideas to have a salutary effect on the world, and most specifically on the United States. You must have noticed by now that the evangelical Christians which George Bush brought with him to Washington, DC, are a little careless about our Constitutional rights. Especially I am a staunch defender of the First Amendment. And I figure this is the place to stimulate discussion and see if we can't come up with a government that can fit back inside the Constitution where it belongs.

But quite apart from the political issues that have been raised by this whole "we are a Christian nation" notion, there are the personal issues of people who really want to understand. They put up thousands of questions about the conflicts they experience between different passages in the Bible, between the Bible and certain basic scientific facts, between the psychology of fear which so dominates the Old Testament, and apparently was meant to be superceded by the New Testament, of misunderstandings and frightening implications of fundmentalist Islam and the concept of Jihad, and so on and on.

I am an atheist, but I didn't start referring to myself as one until I had been here for quite a while. I gradually realized that my pagan concepts of gods and goddesses were really metaphors, archetypes, and I did not take them literally the way people who consider themselves witch or Wicca seem to. I hadn't done a ritual in over a year and a half when I realized that I felt no obligation to do them. I hadn't done a spell or charm in even longer. Once my High Priest was dead by his own hand, I had to re-evaluate everything he had taught me, and I concluded that it was really not me, it was who he wanted me to be. I was doing the rituals for his sake, not mine.

Such changes come about as people explore different ideas. And that's why I'm here.

Answer 3

I have an extreme interest in religion. I love to study and learn about all religions, and I also am interested in just about everything that has anything to do with religion or spirituality, such as scriptural interpretation and analysis, religious history, opinions, ideas, everything!

I have a BA in religious studies. I continue to read about religions on my own.

As I read, I almost always develop questions. And I love R&S because I can often get quick responses from a wide variety of people. Where I live, there are mostly Christians, and very few people of other religions. But on here, I can get an answer from Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, and just about everything else!

Answer 4

I'm fascinated by different belief systems and the conclusions that people come to from them. I also figure that if enough people read and answer my questions, maybe I'll be able to encourage a few to think about what they believe and keep the good while tossing out the bad. I would leave my Q&A open for you to view so you can see the kinds of questions I ask, but that opens me up to report stalkers that would love to have me deleted.

Answer 5

I came here as a closeted atheist. What kept me here for a while was the desire to "out" myself, to meet other atheists, to get used to the idea of being an atheist.

Now, I don't know why I'm here. I don't have any questions that need answers. I don't really have any answers to give. This place has served its purpose. There is no real need for me to be here, except that my friends are here.

Answer 6

Besides the genuine desire to clear up misconceptions and spread the light of truth in the form of accurate answers, this forum is rather entertaining and provides a distraction during an otherwise boring day.

Answer 7

I don't know, I suppose it's the fact that there are going to be people who can enlighten me whenever I need to know something, some explanation or maybe a different perspective on something.

Answer 8

The people. Some cool people running around on R&S.


I'm also a glutton for punishment.

Answer 9

because i get such spirited answers! *wink wink*
that and its so easy to get a rise out of just about everyone by putting "God" or "evolution" or "Savior" into a question. its either the bone head athiests or automaton christians but someone will be pissed!

Answer 10

I am randomly searching for questions, and i came across rs, i know nothing abour it.....

Answer 11

My friends, mostly.

And other interesting and intelligent people.