Why there will never be true dialogue between atheists and theists (myth, Muslims)
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You shouldn't judge all atheists, or theists for that matter, by who posts at the R&P section of City Data. Being an atheist doesn't necessarily mean being an anti-theist and I've had fairly respectable discussions about religion with atheists on online forums. Heck in one case I had an okay discussion on the subject at City-Data, just not at this subsection. (For a theist example I've not had a good discussion with a Muslim at C-D, but I've gotten along okay with Muslims at other forums or in life. Most Muslims I don't think want to inundate you with Qur'an verses and long one-sided lectures, we just get some odd ones here on occasion)
As I've indicated many times I feel this subsection is for people who want to debate not discuss. Debates easily get hostile and sometimes disrespectful. The point is to undue the others arguments and all that. I've been in discussions with atheists and many atheists are capable as giving as much respect to theism as I would to belief in say reincarnation. (I don't believe in reincarnation)
Although I admit I do find the "delusion" statements slightly disingenuous. Has anyone here seen "Lars and the Real Girl"? (I picked that rather than "Harvey" as that film is ambiguous on whether Harvey is a delusion and I think leans toward him actually being real) That's maybe not quite how you deal with delusional people, but it's closer than the scorn and mockery that atheists who bring out the "delusional" canard act. If one really thinks theists are delusional than they/we deserve compassion and pity for our emotional neediness not open disdain. I really doubt many atheists here would treat an actual delusional person the way they treat theists because they'd know that's mean or wrong.
Also I've had a brief period of my life where I was delusional and that is definitely different than being theist. Being delusional was kind of a heightened emotional experience with, for me, elements of grandeur and paranoia. On some level I knew there was something wrong with my thought processes, it's a Hollywood myth that crazy people don't know they're crazy, but if someone had just laughed at them I really doubt it would have done any good at all. There are people who are perfectly calm, yet delusional, but I think generally even the calmly delusional are going through some kind of internal turmoil. I'm theist when I'm perfectly calm and also when I was delusional. I've leaned toward atheism mostly at points in my life where I was depressed, or as close to depression as I get seeing as I don't really ever seem to have depression, but there were times I was also perfectly calm and it seemed to me atheism might be correct. So neither one is really like being delusional.
Yes, respect can beget respect. However, I do my best to always be respectful, even when I'm not treated with respect. There have been a few times on this forum where I have let my temper get the best of me - but for the most part, I try to be respectful to everyone. I also have had some great discussions with just about everyone on this forum. No offense, but it seems to me that if you spent less time villainizing and antagonizing atheists and actually finding something worthwhile to discuss with them - you might have a different outlook on things. Your last few threads have been basically calling out atheists and venting your frustrations with them. And some of your threads were to try to get them to believe in your beliefs. These types of things are sure to backfire. I'm not trying to put you down - merely point out to you that perhaps you have been going about things the wrong way if what you were in fact looking for were meaningful discussions. Also - people are not one dimensional. I think that a lot of people forget that on here. There is a theist on here that I have argued with many times - but on the relationship forum - we get along just dandy! The terms atheist and theist really only describe one aspect of a person. Once you get past that - it's easier to find some common ground.
Yeah I almost mentioned you as an exception to atheists here, you and June but she's a moderator, but wasn't sure how you'd feel on that.
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This thread is just a rehash of the one below.
