Has the forum changed your ideas?

[Zzyzx]

In what ways has participation in the forum changed your ideas?

What presented on the forum has had significant influence upon your ideas?

[cnorman18]

A few weeks ago I’d have said I’ve not changed at all. However I seem to be turning into a grumpy old man. I’ve really taking a dislike to typing God with a capital G, and have been making more of an effort to find alternatives.

I notice that few atheists use the capitalized form. I notice it, but I'm not particularly annoyed by it. I generally speak of "Jesus," as opposed to "Christ," for similar reasons. I don't wish to be disrespectful, but I see no point in acknowledging a claim I don't buy into, either.

I think this is because of a growing realisation that those who control language already contour the implicit premises and cultural assumptions of the debate. This morning I turned on the TV. Being Sunday there is usually a religious themed programme on. But being the UK and being the BBC the presentation is usually very inclusive: there will be a host plus three people discussing the week, one an atheist of some description, there will be a Christian and maybe a Muslim or a Hindu as well. This morning because it was Winterval there was a programme for Christians discussing the authenticity of the gospels. Though the views ranged from evangelical literalism to liberal this was the first purely Christian programme I’ve encountered in years. And I find myself getting really irritated and thinking to myself this has to stop, we’ve got to stop giving these people airtime.

Count your blessings, if you'll pardon the expression. On the local cable here in Dallas, there are 17 channels devoted entirely to religion, not counting the Jesus-in-Spanish channels. Most of them are fundamentalist, but at least one is Roman Catholic.

Tomorrow evening I shall be stealing children’s’ presents from under trees. And replacing them with militant atheist propaganda.

At least leave them some cookies...

What presented on the forum has had significant influence upon your ideas?

No one in particular. Though I guess I’ve learnt most from scientists like QED and Jose. On the negative side I’m experiencing an encroaching dismay brought on by the same old tired attempts to escape evolution and old earth science. It is only guys like Achilles and Micatala who give me hope.

Hey, what am I, chopped liver?

[Furrowed Brow]

Hey, what am I, chopped liver?

Well I was really thinking about the Christians. but you give me hope too cnorman.

In addition to what I've already said this forum has had an affect on me. Prior to joining I think my self confidence - intellectually speaking - was at a low ebb. I got into a few dings dongs that got the brain juices going. As a result I went back to some ideas I have had kicking around for a number of years but had let drop. The result can be found by clicking on my signature.

[McCulloch]

I’ve really taking a dislike to typing God with a capital G, and have been making more of an effort to find alternatives.

The god described in the Bible.
The Christians' god.
The god as opposed to God.

[OnceConvinced]

Only very stubborn or close-minded people could come to a site like this without any of their views being changed, even if only a little.

I came here as an Ex-Christian, hoping that maybe I could find a reason to return to Christianity, but being here has only really convinced me more that I have made the right decision in rejecting it.

On the other hand I am no closer to be coming an athiest.

Some of my views on some topics have changed, but nothing radical.

[Cathar1950]

I went with the middle vote. I am sure I have changed or at least grown.
A lifetime of study seemed wasted or frustrated as I didn't have anyone to talk to about the stuff I like to read. Like Cnorman I have refined my ideas and feelings.
I don't recall how I stumbled upon this forum but it allowed me to express and share much of my reading even if indirectly. After a number of years I still enjoy it. I was told by the chairman of my doctoral program years ago that I was more a theologian then a philosopher. Because it was a PhD in
Philosophy I wondered if I was in the right area of study. My focus and leanings were Process Thought
of Whitehead and Hartshorne and couldn't see how I could avoid ideas about God.
It worked out well enough as he was into humanism and psychology.
Here I found some kindred spirits as well as many that held ideas much as many of my friends and family that were Bible-Believers and having spent much of my like involved in Christianity and church and had a growing interest in Judaism and the Hebrew writings as well as an interest in the sciences
even the philosophy of science and quantum physics. This forum has helped me organize my thinking and some of my readings. I have reread many books over the last few years and have found them to read differently and even sometimes more clearly.
I kind of almost feel at home here.
Sometimes the demands of evidence and such things has caused me to look in my collection of books for things often forgotten. I must admit after awhile it seems like much of what I participate in is getting to be old news but teachers reteach over and over and somehow find a freshness in each new class or become bored.
Here I have encountered some fine minds and a wealth of knowledge.
I regretted once my going into theology and wished I had taken the history route instead now I am doing just that along with other areas I find much more appealing such as anthropology and psychology. I am having a good time.