In making this post, I am not being highly critical, but merely making an observation. Those people who make frequent posts on this site regarding religion would have much better mental health and productivity if they would focus more on other topics of more value. Such topics include interesting scientific and social developments backed by hard data, social issues, interesting questions, valid philosophical questions (that are not βinane glass bead games&rdquo, personal experiences, beauty in thought and action, poignant human experiences and observations, etc. etc. Agnostics are considered people who do not know if a god exists and do not care. Similarly atheists are people who do not believe in any god or religion and consider them baseless and irrelevant.
In an analogous situation, I lived through over 30 years of a horribly stressful and painful marriage. If I had focused on it, it would have literally killed me. Instead, I developed friendships with colleagues in many different locations and on being as usefully proactive as I could be. Those actions gave me the emotional support I needed, and the accomplishment gave me great satisfaction, and earned me much recognition. That kept me going.
Even after the marriage, I still had occasional nightmares about it. But, I did not let myself focus on it. It I had, I would have damaged my current successful and loving marriage, and my whole outlook on life.
Posting about religious rants and anti-religious views earns more points. Everyone knows (Leonard Cohen)!
Yes, I usually advise people who are new to the site to check out the groups, for that reason. But sadly, even I, often end up browsing the main forum, simply because, the site is not quite big enough ( hopefully yet ) to support a lot of the specialist groups at a good and highly active level. So, off I go again trawling the main forum, through the same old religious and political posts in, often vain, search of something different this time.
BUT having said that.. A lot of the people who come newly to this site are looking for help, or to vent, and have just started on their journey into the secular world. It is wrong not to offer a helping hand, to those behind you when asked.
And secondly, religion does a lot of harm in the world, it is therefore a moral duty, like it or not, for those who have escaped it and believe in a humanist morality, it to at least lend some support and effort to opposing it.
I sort of agree. Here in Chattanooga, there is an atheist group. I have been to a couple of their gatherings and all they talked about was anti-religious rhetoric. I stopped going because of that fact.
Every one is different. Every one has a different compass. To say that every one should, or should not do what ever, is beyond egotistical. Some need to view their world with kid gloves. Some need, or more apt want, to view with an assault weapon. I understand wanting to impart wisdom. but again, every one has their own pace. What is good for the goose, is not always good for the gander, so to speak.
Just my .02 cents.
I have not sweated over religion in over 45 years. A marriage and ex-wife, that's a different story. Lol.
However seems that to some religion is so integral to who they are or who they see themselves as, that they'll beat into the ground while saying they do not believe. A useless waste of time, energy, and intellect. IMO.
My mental health and productivity are just fine, thanks for the advice though. I don't focus on my atheism, but everyone around me 90 percent of the time are theists. I joined this sight to be able to talk to people who are similar to me, and be able to air my views on things that most of the people in my life disagree with me about.
When I joined a woodworking forum, it was to talk to other woodworkers. When I talk to other grandparents, I'll probably end up talking about my grandkids. When I come here where there are other agnostic atheists, and "agnostic" is in the name of the group, I just may talk about my religious thoughts.
For me. I liked it for awhile but religion has become redundant. I would definitely like more in depth thoughts. Even my own posts are getting boring for me.
Agree with you there. I canβt be bothered to post anymore as it usually results in pointless ad hominem responses rather than discussion about a subject
@Gwendolyn2018 very clever response. It doesn't work that way but I like it.
Let's see, who can I talk to about religion.....my Catholic, guilt ridden mom ? My almost deaf brother? My sister who has had a miserable life,, thanks her God for it and wants to spread her "joy" to me?
Etc., Etc, etc.
IDK, this place works as well as any.
If it makes someone feel good to post anything about religion I say "Go ahead." For some people it is an important topic, and if discussing it helps more power to them. If you don't like it you can skip over it. I am not here to censor anyone or tell them what should or should not make them feel better. I am selective in what I read and I have skipped over many posts, and merely skimmed and passed through hundreds more. We should all be adults here, and somewhat computer savvy. If you don't like the posting, go on to the next one. It might not help you but it might help someone else.
Different strokes for different folks.
I see the point you're making, but don't necessarily agree.
That you've figured out what works for you is great, but your suggestions
might not work for others.
You are right.
Yeah, for atheists and agnostics that come from a religious background - each person's experience is as unique as the circumstances that set them on that path; we might have shared similarities, but to make a sweeping statement for everyone really doesn't pan out.
I am an admin for our local atheist group, creating a sense of community is our goal - we have to be sensitive to the needs of each individual, where ever they are along their path of leaving religion. A community is what we make it, we fail if shut others out.
Sorry you have nightmares. Glad you made friends.
I skimmed your post. It is hard to read with run-on sentences.
Write in short sentences. The "period" is your friend. Separate it into short paragraphs.
Nobody wants to read a wall of words.