Hi. Apologies in advance for this rather abrupt question:
Is this site an echo chamber? Can it be?
Are you here because this is a "comfort zone" in which you encounter only beliefs or opinions that coincide with your own, so that your views are reinforced and alternative ideas are not considered?
Apart from the obvious, i.e., this site attracts agnostics and atheists, hence the name of the site, plus the "birds of a feather" part of human nature, how accommodating is this site towards people with alternative views?
Note: When I say "alternative views", I don't necessarily mean "alternative views to atheism". I mean more like "vegans vs non-vegans", "science vs non-science", socialism vs capitalism", that sort of things, assuming that this site consists of people who have opposite views on such topics..
I only joined about a month ago, so I'm testing the water.
Thanks ever so much for your advice/view on this.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy this site, but not the only reason. It would be weird if I only wanted to associate with people who disagree with me, now wouldn't it? I also have found that atheists and agnostics, possibly because they are marginalized so much by theists, are a bit more open minded and tolerant of views which differ from our own. In general, we seem to have more capacity for reserving judgment on others strictly based upon beliefs or lack thereof.
Every group of humans involves common affinity. Is that OK with you?
Just read most of the comments.....got your answer yet??
Gee, I don't know, what would those "alternative' views be?;
@Jetty why would these people not be welcome? Perhaps the science deniers will have a very tough time here exposing their views because they are usually christian evangelicals who still might join if they are also masochists. Most non believers, if not all, are very much driven by evidence, ergo by science. I've seen many trolls that are either very religious or quasireligious or spiritualists or buddhists or hindu, usually here to promote their own religious beliefs which they blindly claim is not religious at all, and get pissed when people call their bullshit. But overall nobody here bans anyone, you may block people who cross your own set of lines, but just do not complain if people call these people's bullshit. This site is full of opinionated people and sometimes discussions can get ugly, and you can join any group you want or even create your own. Usually people must abide by the group's rules, clearly defined before anyone joins. If you don't, you'll probably won't last long in the group because, let me put it this way, let's say you join the sexual deviant group but you're anti porno, then why join it? Sorry for length ofreply.
You will find some posts that generate a good deal of discussion - pro and con - on this web site. A lot of the responses will indeed sound like you are in an echo chamber. And you will also see a certain number of responses that are contentious....sometimes mean spirited...and occasionally downright rude. People seem to use this site for all sorts of reasons. There are as many answers to your question as there are members on this site.....don't take any of it too seriously and just try to have some fun with it all.
You're partly right. My views are so extreme that if I placed them on the popular social media they would jump on me in a second. They'd throw me under the bus.
If fact, I've grown to detest organized religions for what they've done to people - not just now, but throughout history. Have you studied the Spanish inquisition, for instance? and the sadist that inspired it, St Dominic Guzman, has an island and even a country named after him.
I've debated people on this board about how long we have to live with this insanity. I gave it one more generation, others opined they're here to stay. I don't think our beautiful planet can last much longer.
@Jetty Glad someone agrees with me. How about the Inquisition, not to mention numerous wars. My co-author famous feminist Barbara Walker, did much research on the horror starting with St. Dominic who died in 1485 and was the patron saint of Christopher Columbus. The later brought these insane view to the new world -- at the expense of the native Indians. Even slavery was caused by religion.
The Vatican to this day has subterranean vaults filled with gold and jewelry stolen from "witches" -- mostly rich widows. She estimates the number to be in the millions.
@Jetty How about the Divine Right of Kings? How studpid do you have to be to believe that horseshit.
nothing comfortable or bland or set about the opinions of these folks
I like testing too. Go on then, Find out my beliefs AND whether I should be locked up.
May I suggest you check the assorted groups here . There's quite a variety to choose from . Join what ever ones interest you . While a few here weren't raised by a religious family , most were . At some point , in spite of being raised by religious families , they've each taken the time to give serious thought to what they were taught , some from birth , and rejected it . Personally , I don't see why religion still comes up frequently , but it does . I guess some are still feeling their way around .
Well if it is an echo chamber it isn't working for me. I'm usually on the outs in any group of non believers. I just find the great majority of people I meet on such sites have so much animus toward religion that it distorts any discussion about what makes the topic interesting to me. It is pretty remarkable that people believe not just in 'gods', whatever those may be, but also in an entire category of reality known as 'the supernatural' for which not even one uncontroversial exemplar can be found. Were it not for institutions of religion I don't think anyone would ever entertain such outlandish ideas, let alone make them axiomatic.
So the question that interests me is how did this ever come to be? What makes the notion of a god that is intimately aware of every one of your struggles and at the same time the creator of every atom, galaxy and living organism. It makes my jaw drop. Obviously anything that is intimately aware of your struggles is in your head and got there naturally. It might be surprising but it won't be 'supernatural'.