[notsure]

I think in this day and age a lot of people are very opninonated (including me), and some of these people become arrogant and proud of themselves and their ways which makes them disregard anything people of other beliefs think. This is what's currently wrong with society.
Also i think that the media projects one-sided biased information on the world (especially religion) in a negative way (propaganda) which also affects the publics view on religions

[Architecture-er]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
People in this subforum get so worked up about things - on both sides. There is definitely a lot of disdain for religion and religious people and their beliefs on here. One does have to wonder sometimes whether people would be so obnoxious (on both sides) IRL

It's just impossible to have the kind of informal discourse that we get on TSR anywhere in the real world, since people don't actively seek out a face-to-face confrontation. So any theist-atheist discussions are either at debates, evangelical work (which tends to make the atheist rather defensive anyway, since they're being forced into a discussion) or when an atheist is actively seeking more information. Apart from sitting down with friends, where people are going to be quite circumspect anyway, this just doesn't happen.

So we should cherish this, both theists and atheists, as an opportunity to explore the viewpoints of the other side so that we misunderstand each other less! So many times IRL people have found out I'm Christian, and their first response is something like "but you're really normal!"

Anything we can do to erode preconceptions and encourage debate is only a positive thing imo, as theists we shouldn't be afraid of having our religion tested for weaknesses.


Obviously you've got people just trolling the forums with stupid stuff like "So why are all Muslims terrorists" or "Why do Christians want to kill all the homosexuals". But I just ignore those (or maybe correct them but not get into a discussion) like I'd ignore them if they were talking about something completely different

[Dmon1Unlimited]

Everyone gets taken the piss of. From my experience, the main areas are Islam, Christianity, and atheism. I havent been on here in some time so maybe things have changed...

Someone should really make a poll regarding statistics of the population here. Compared to other religions, I may say the atheist population is quite decent, but compared to theists in general, I seriously doubt that atheism is a majority here

[Chlomc]

In this day and age I think its the non-religious people being persecuted by those who are religious...

[Dmon1Unlimited]

(Original post by Architecture-er)
many times IRL people have found out I'm Christian, and their first response is something like "but you're really normal

Bloody hell, quite surprising considering the religious demographic in the uk isn't really in favour of atheists.

Do you live in an area with a lot of atheists? Or people who may be described as 'not very religious' or something?

[heyhey922]

(Original post by iSoftie)
Same thing dude...

So hate the belief not the believer is not ok, but hate the sin and not the sinner is fine?

[greeneyedgirl]

The religion forums in general seem to run on a "neg anyone who has a view vaguely differing to yourself" basis...however there are areas which are much more welcoming. For example the Christian Soc is lovely and friendly

[Politricks]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
One does have to wonder sometimes whether people would be so obnoxious (on both sides) IRL

I guess it depends, if it's an angry young Muslim, most people wouldn't be so upfront (or even say anything for that matter), for obvious reasons; I've been threatened for even asking a Muslim a few questions in real life, but if it's a Christian, 99% of the time, an Atheist wouldn't get an aggressive response

[s.a.u]

*frowned upon

[Architecture-er]

(Original post by Dmon1Unlimited)
Bloody hell, quite surprising considering the religious demographic in the uk isn't really in favour of atheists.

Do you live in an area with a lot of atheists? Or people who may be described as 'not very religious' or something?

No idea, I have a lot of non-christian friends at university though, on my course and from my halls.

I don't understand your question really, are you saying "bloody hell" about their response, or that there's people who didn't already know that I'm christian?

[AdvanceAndVanquish]

criticised and mocked on an anonymous online forum =/= persecuted

[Dmon1Unlimited]

(Original post by Architecture-er)
No idea, I have a lot of non-christian friends at university though, on my course and from my halls.

I don't understand your question really, are you saying "bloody hell" about their response, or that there's people who didn't already know that I'm christian?

Response, was referencing the people who implied being Christian=not normal (bit of irony given this is the uk not Denmark or somewhere where the majority isn't Christian)... Then again I didnt know youre Christian either

Spoiler:

Show

Uni is an interesting place, i havent really heard of there being many people who are non-theist from my area, got into a Uni from a different place ~130 miles away) the variation was surprising, and saw a lot more atheists there... Including people of other religions such as Judaism (given the lack of variation in religion here)...

[Architecture-er]

(Original post by Dmon1Unlimited)
Response, was referencing the people who implied being Christian=not normal (bit of irony given this is the uk not Denmark or somewhere where the majority isn't Christian)... Then again I didnt know youre Christian either

Spoiler:

Show

Uni is an interesting place, i havent really heard of there being many people who are non-theist from my area, got into a Uni from a different place ~130 miles away) the variation was surprising, and saw a lot more atheists there... Including people of other religions such as Judaism (given the lack of variation in religion here)...

Ahahhhhhaaaaa I c wut yu did tharrrrr

Yeah, I think a lot of people have only interacted with theists through door-to-door visits or seeing people in town shouting at passersby... and I think it just creates a false image.

Where do you live, the southern states of America?
I think christianity has been in the minority wherever I've lived, but I've never really looked into it.. University is great for cultural cocktails though, especially the ones that full in plenty of international students, it's definitely opened me up from what was a relatively insular life before!

[Dmon1Unlimited]

(Original post by Architecture-er)
Ahahhhhhaaaaa I c wut yu did tharrrrr

Yeah, I think a lot of people have only interacted with theists through door-to-door visits or seeing people in town shouting at passersby... and I think it just creates a false image.

Where do you live, the southern states of America?
I think christianity has been in the minority wherever I've lived, but I've never really looked into it.. University is great for cultural cocktails though, especially the ones that full in plenty of international students, it's definitely opened me up from what was a relatively insular life before!

I never had a door to door person, but I did get a random person come to me to talk about religion. Told him I was atheist, and there was silence... We both walked off. Nothing awkward there :|

East London

[Happy forever]

(Original post by iSoftie)
I'm sure there might be a few threads on this.
But I'm a strong Christian and for my views I'll get negged and insulted for expressing them probably because most of this forum is probably filled with atheists/strong atheists I don't know but in this side of the forum I feel a tad persecuted for my beliefs.

What do you think?

Lol, you're not the first. Wait for the punishment and the real persecution.

[Architecture-er]

(Original post by Dmon1Unlimited)
I never had a door to door person, but I did get a random person come to me to talk about religion. Told him I was atheist, and there was silence... We both walked off. Nothing awkward there :|

East London

I would make a joke about East London, but I know sod all about anywhere more than half a mile from the river


Oh, and that remind me of this webcomic

http://www.jenspiration.co.uk/comic/comic46.php#comic

[Dmon1Unlimited]

(Original post by Architecture-er)
I would make a joke about East London, but I know sod all about anywhere more than half a mile from the river


Oh, and that remind me of this webcomic

http://www.jenspiration.co.uk/comic/comic46.php#comic

I know sod all to sadly. I really need to get out more :/

Damn...should have smelt myself back then, that might've been the reason

[The_Male_Melons]

(Original post by iSoftie)
I'm sure there might be a few threads on this.
But I'm a strong Christian and for my views I'll get negged and insulted for expressing them probably because most of this forum is probably filled with atheists/strong atheists I don't know but in this side of the forum I feel a tad persecuted for my beliefs.

What do you think?

Yes. Religious People are actually (I find, personally) bullied on here.
I don't mind Atheism, but what I find on here with the athiests is the attitude "I am right, you are wrong", a very agressive attitude. Scary!

[iSoftie]

(Original post by The_Male_Melons)
Yes. Religious People are actually (I find, personally) bullied on here.
I don't mind Atheism, but what I find on here with the athiests is the attitude "I am right, you are wrong", a very agressive attitude. Scary!

Yeah calling us "scientifically challenged". That's like calling someone a plain retard.

[The_Male_Melons]

(Original post by iSoftie)
Yeah calling us "scientifically challenged". That's like calling someone a plain retard.

That is the other thing- "scientifically challenged". It is funny how there are many famous scientist are religious (whether it is Einstein or Max Planck) or even in fact how science flourised/encouraged during great period of history.

Industrial Revoultion- Science was at the forefront in a Christian Britain.
Baghdad- Once known as the PLACE for philosphers, Scientists, Medicine, Experiments in an Islamic Empire.
Today, Tel Aviv- there are many places of research in a Jewish Country.

In fact, I find that Science is encouraged by religions.

Most on here like to paint all religious people as some "towel head screaming on top of their lungs", a radical American Yokel and a Curly hair Wosit.

It is ridiculous.

I have a lot of agnostic/athiest friends- they are normal, they are nice people. On tsr, there seems to be militant athiests everywhere and they are so agressive. It is unbelievable.