Taking some time off

[JoeyKnothead]

It's my opinion the C&A forum is nothing more than a place for (some) theists to make claims, and the only evidence required is to state "it's in the Bible". I see no value in wasting time trying to refute such, and my efforts at getting folks to prove their claims are met with condemnation, ignoring, and a general sense of "so what, it's in the Bible".

Recently a claimant placed me on ignore over my insistence that he prove or retract his claims. I am perfectly fine with this, and it causes me no bother. What does cause me bother is this poster is then allowed to infect threads I must create in order to get folks to prove the claims he ignores in the original thread. (There is little to no response to my requests in the original thread, so I post such so more can attempt to prove these claims)

To me this constitutes a double standard, where the claimant is allowed to ignore requests for evidence, and then come into "my" threads and derail them. I have no problem with being ignored, insofar as those who ignore me leave me alone. What I do have a problem with is allowing some to ignore requests for evidence in the thread where they can be addressed under the context of the OP, and then enter a thread set up to address such, derail it with further claims he avoids addressing, avoiding the OP, and continuing with "it's in the Bible".

I just don't see much reason in taking the effort to request evidence, being ignored because such request is inconvenient, and then having newly created threads derailed by the claimant that ignored requests for evidence in the first place.

If requests for evidence in the originating thread are allowed to be ignored, why is it fair then the original claimant would be able to enter a thread I have to take effort to create in order to address the very claims he ignores in the original thread? And of course ignoring the OP, making new unsubstantiated claims, thus derailing any effort at getting to the original claims?

If I'm so repulsive to begin with (and those who have met me will agree ), and must be ignored in my repeated requests for substantiation, doesn't it stand to reason that one would or should also ignore the threads I create?

I'm gonna take some time away and reconsider whether participation in these forums is worth my time and effort. As it stands now, it is my opinion some theists are being allowed to pick and choose which rules they abide by, and I just don't think that's right.

I 'preciate many I've met here, and if my addiction to these forums is any indication I'm liable to be back. As it stands now I have come to a realization that ignoring requests for evidence is an acceptable behavior, and I just see little value in taking the time and effort to bother posting challenges on a debate site, and having such ignored. I just see no reason in debating when folks are allowed to claim whatever they want and ignore requests they prove or retract.

[cnorman18]

I understand your frustration, my friend.

Don't forget that direct debate is not the only benefit here. It is very instructive to all who read these boards to observe how some, who claim their beliefs are facts, will nevertheless duck and dodge and ignore questions and make excuses and occasionally even post outright lies. It's also instructive to watch certain members repeat the same arguments after they have been conclusively refuted, even many times. They apparently think they are fooling someone. Who, I can't imagine.

Think on this, Joey: When your opponents reveal their intellectual dishonesty and the emptiness of their arguments, that is not a defeat. That is a victory, whether they acknowledge it or not.

Our friend Zzyzx sometimes describes certain members as being similar to punch-drunk fighters, who keep stumbling into the ring, round after round, too dumb or addled to know when they're being beaten to a pulp and looking more and more ridiculous with every exchange. (That doesn't only apply to theists, but never mind that now.)

If your opponents want to posture as victorious and brilliant when virtually everyone here knows they are fakes and frauds, let them. Just keep pointing it out and watching them pose and preen with their pants around their ankles.

As for that member who keeps trying to derail your threads - the smokescreens are obvious enough. Just note them for what they are and move on.

[McCulloch]

What my friend CNorman said.

Plus: Try to remember that you will probably not be able to convince those people who debate here with their minds already made up. Getting any of them to admit their inadequacies is a task better left to Sisyphus. However, the many who have yet to make up their minds, including the lurkers, (hi there! ) can easily see when claims have not been supported and when arguments have been well made. Don't sweat it.

[Nilloc James]

Humiliating the dense folks who refuse to support their claims shows to the audiance (those lurks McAdmin mentioned) whos argument as merit and which do not.

[OnceConvinced]

I can understand your frustration too. But like the other's say, when all you get are unsupported claims, it just makes the claimant look stupid. Especially when you get the ridiculous replies like "prove it isn't true!"; clear evasion tactics brought on due to having no good arguments to support claims.