This is something that I’ve been wondering for some time and had been planning to post even before the latest go-round with the fresh flock of believers here on SEB.
To the religious posters: WHY ARE YOU HERE?
Do you come to this site intending to win an argument against the errant atheists? Do you think you’re going to make the definitive statement that prompts everyone to say, “By golly, you’re right”?
Or can you just not stand the idea that somewhere, some people are dissing your god and having fun doing it? Do you feel you have to defend yourself against any criticism of your belief, otherwise you can’t sleep at night?
There are a few religious posters here who seem to enjoy the discussions without getting frustrated. Obviously they’re not trying to change anything. It appears that they just want to represent the other side of the argument and are satisfied once they’ve spoken their piece.
There are some atheists who enjoy going over to religious forums, but I don’t. I don’t see the attraction of engaging in discussion where the point of the site is antithetical to my position and the members are there to discuss their own beliefs, not to change their minds based on any argument I could offer.
So for those who are perfecting their Daniel impressions: Why are you here?
DoF, you’re nicer grouchy than I am ungrouchy. And I’ll second Spocko’s commendation of your canonization definition
As much as it pains me (ouch!) I have to agree with you, ellie- parts of the Bible are very nicely written. Interesting that your selections reflect mine also- the Psalms and (my especial favorite) Ecclesiastes.
Now who’s being fundie, I mean funny? Ellie, I want to take this opportunity to recommend to you, and to anyone else who’s interested in fundamentalism, a great book by Karen Armstrong: “The Battle for God”. It’s a history of fundamentalist thinking in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, from around 1492 (the reconquista of Spain, when the Muslims and Jews were driven out) to the present. An eyeopener, and written by a believer (she was raised Catholic, lived in a convent, and now describes herself as a “freelance monotheist”). Nothing like a little history to keep social structures (religion, politics, science) in perspective.