Death? Taxes? The dog will throw up on the bed right after you put on clean sheets? Drink a lot of beer, get fat? WTH are you babbling about, "nothing is certain"?

There's a whiff of persecution complex in this thread. Unfounded assumptions, eg group-think and the rest. I'd expect a bit of rough and tumble with any group of free thinkers. You know the old saying about heat and kitchens and staying out of them. Well, this kitchen is warmly comfortable in my view. Anyway, my focus is as it has always been: on religion and fighting it.

Of course you're welcome to share any opinions you have but if the entire group thinks your opinions lack merit, the most logical explanation is that it's because they do. (When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.) Blaming group-think for everyone disagreeing with you seems like a dip into grandiose/paranoid/narcissistic territory. I'm not saying that's what you are but that's how that statement is reading to me. It's fine to disagree with everyone but I wouldn't discount all their opinions as "group-think".

Group think. Sounds like someone is a little insecure. If you go into a group that shares a life defining belief rest assured they, as a "group", will hold similar views on many subjects. Tell us your views and defend them or quit sniveling.

Evidence based thinking is pretty much the opposite of group thinking, that is, unless you have a group of evidence based thinkers together.

When looking at science, what the bulk of the research supports, and the scientific consensus of most experts, is more meaningful that a study of a lone person, especially if that person is not an expert int he field. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

"Lurking" on a site sounds dubious. Lots of things are certain. Death is certain. Taxes should be certain but unfortunately the very wealthy avoid them...like that repugnant man in charge.
I am not sure what is wrong with saying I am an atheist.

well, i agree with everything you said at the end. i can't agree or disagree with your experiences, described in the middle, because they are your experiences; they certainly aren't mine. and i most certainly disagree with your assessment of self-described atheists. first of all, am i supposed to wait for someone else to describe me? second of all, i am (self-described again lol) quite open-minded (but you know, there IS that description of the person who is so open-minded that thoughts go in and come out without stopping anywhere in between). maybe you need to be more open-minded about atheists.

g

I said this before but, the big division is between holding groundless belief or not, the niceties within scepticism are tiny and unimportant compared with that. Some may think that they are on a higher rung of the ladder than others, and that may be true, but the really important thing is to have looked up and started the climb out of the cesspit of ignorance and prejudice which is blind unquestioning faith, looking at the light and not swimming nose down among the sludge where the users want to keep you. Therefore it is cruel and unfair to despise those who use a different ladder or can not climb quite as fast, and for that reason I always call myself a 'Broard Church Sceptic.'

I am an atheist. The term open minded is often used in such a way as to say you should accept my ideas no matter how ridiculous. I was open minded enough that I was able to explore what was real and not real and wise enough to accept what was real even if I did not like it. Even if it meant there was no god.

Gravity does exist of that I am sure most of us are certain. So some things can be certain.

Any religion that does not have an actual god is dependent upon faith.
There is no religion that is not dependent upon faith.
Of this I am certain.

I am quite open-minded. I believe that sometimes 1+1=4. Hey, my opinion on this matter is just as valid as any other opinions. After all, algebra is just a theory. How do you KNOW FOR SURE that you are right?

BTW, I welcome any contrary opinions on this. I hate to be engaged in "group-think."

The only way to escape group-think is to avoid groups. I'm happy with this site at current but it will grow and change and in time I'll probably feel differently.

Not understanding what the options are to being a “self-described” atheist (yes, the compound modifier takes a hyphen ...). Other people telling you what you believe? Staying “in the closet?” I’m an atheist because no one making claims that gods exist has been able to offer an ounce of evidence, and it’s not something I observe in the world around me. That’s it: to me the idea is just unconvincing. Also, you might be thinking of some anti-theists, who believe that religious ideas actually cause harm to individuals and society and so actively oppose religious thinking.

"I am hoping" you are more specific with your statement/concern/question.. cannot tell what you are stating or asking or hoping... I am hoping for rainbow sherbet.. it's a delicious treat sometimes..

Maybe they aren't involved in group think. Maybe they're just right, and you're just wrong, and you don't like that.

The only topics on which I have observed groupthink are the same ones that every other segment of society is guilty of practicing as well; mainly PC topics where any form of disagreement with mainstream view, even the semblance of disagreement, is met with open hostility and hatred. Other than that, I do not see what you're complaining about, unless you are referring to the fact that the overwhelming majority of members/commenters are skeptics, atheists, or agnostics; then, what would you expect from us on topics of religion, superstition, and the paranormal or supernatural? We are, by definition, a group of nonbelievers.

"they didn't want any dissenters on any subject they all agreed on."
I guess it depends on what you were dissenting on. was it fact based (science related )?

Well it is possible for individuals to think alike and remain an individual. Not only possible but something people have always done as they try to "fit in".
Group think is getting a "bad" name but the reality is because we use to to refer to negative types of thinking...and in the some cases not thinking at all but following to feel included.

You will be welcome here so long as you do not try to force your ideas on others, or atrtack or insult others.

Reminds me of: "All I know is that I know nothing." --Socrates

They tend to block you after a few comments

I agree. Wait. What?

Wouldn't you be better off attacking religionists and religions? We atheists are not the enemy, they are.

Hahaha self described atheists. good one. We're all atheists. Just some humans believe in just one of the gods humans worship and believe the rest don't exist. I just go one step further. I don't believe any of them exist. There is an after life. We're just not around to experience it cause we don't exist anymore. And it is certain life on this planet will expire in about 3 billion years when our dying star consumes it, if not sooner.

yeah echo chambers are everywhere and constructive arguments are a skill beyond most good luck

What Stephanie99 said.