NationStates Jolt Archive

I think I see more forums about religion/beliefs/political opionions on these forums than anything else, and everyone is always getting so ridiculously worked up over it. I don't understand why. Basically my question is, why does everyone try to persuade/bash others on things that they KNOW they won't change their minds on. I mean come on, you will never make a christian atheist, or a republican into a democrat. Especially not with insults... So what is it? Why is everyone so dogmatic? That's my question

I think I see more forums about religion/beliefs/political opionions on these forums than anything else, and everyone is always getting so ridiculously worked up over it. I don't understand why. Basically my question is, why does everyone try to persuade/bash others on things that they KNOW they won't change their minds on. I mean come on, you will never make a christian atheist, or a republican into a democrat. Especially not with insults... So what is it? Why is everyone so dogmatic? That's my question

Actually, the Christians on here effectively converted me from Catholic to agnostic :D

Actually, the Christians on here effectively converted me from Catholic to agnostic :D

I thought that growing up in Ireland does that.

I thought that growing up in Ireland does that.

It might, I wouldn't know. I grew up in Germany :D

Ya know, if everyone would just accept that I am right and they are wrong, that we wouldn't have these problems. :D

When people are right, like I am now, they like other people to know they're are right.

It's a discussion forum, that's what it's for.


For my part, I've noticed that Christians in particular are particularly amusing when they get all wound up and start ranting/quoting the bible, that's why we all like to accommodate them.

It's a discussion forum, that's what it's for.


For my part, I've noticed that Christians in particular are particularly amusing when they get all wound up and start ranting/quoting the bible, that's why we all like to accommodate them.

True. Maybe that's why some Christians here keep complaining about being bashed all the time... it's irresistable, it's just too much fun. Atheists never rage in holy fury to that extend :D

I quite enjoy watching both the atheists and christians bash each other. I quite enjoy getting involved though I do find it to be kinda like masturbation. Fun, but later I feel ashamed.. I blame the christians for that...

I think I see more forums about religion/beliefs/political opionions on these forums than anything else, and everyone is always getting so ridiculously worked up over it. I don't understand why. Basically my question is, why does everyone try to persuade/bash others on things that they KNOW they won't change their minds on. I mean come on, you will never make a christian atheist, or a republican into a democrat. Especially not with insults... So what is it? Why is everyone so dogmatic? That's my question
It's often not a matter of being "dogmatic." It's more often someone feeling they have to either attack something someone else believes because they see it as somehow infringing on their rights. OR ... it's someone getting a bit defensive about what they believe and feeling the necessity to defend it.

The way I look at it is as an opportunity to see the weak spots in your own beliefs and think about doing something about them, and having a chace to help someone else see the unrealistic or dissonant aspects of what they have chosen to believe. This is actually a "good thing," since the unexamined belief is really no belief at all.

I quite enjoy watching both the atheists and christians bash each other. I quite enjoy getting involved though I do find it to be kinda like masturbation. Fun, but later I feel ashamed.. I blame the christians for that...


ha ha

When I lived in London a few years ago and had no money I used to spend the odd Sunday at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park - you could spend hours watching the Muslims and Christians having the most intense, ridiculous shouting matches. Hilarious.

ha ha

When I lived in London a few years ago and had no money I used to spend the odd Sunday at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park - you could spend hours watching the Muslims and Christians having the most intense, ridiculous shouting matches. Hilarious.
Man, that sounds like fun! Those damn christians ruined masturbation for me before I even discovered it! I bet those muslims would have done the same.

Man, that sounds like fun! Those damn christians ruined masturbation for me before I even discovered it! I bet those muslims would have done the same.

I could be wrong, but for all I know it's not a sin for Muslims...

I could be wrong, but for all I know it's not a sin for Muslims...
No, I don't know much about Islam either. Apart from christianity I don't know much about any other religions. I'm agnostic so I certainly won't be converting for the sake of a guilt free wank. In any case, the shame is far too indoctrinted... the bastards!

True. Maybe that's why some Christians here keep complaining about being bashed all the time... it's irresistable, it's just too much fun. Atheists never rage in holy fury to that extend :D
Actually, the real reason that I personally claim to get "bashed on" from time to time in those religious threads in particular, is because as a Catholic who doesn't quote scripture and really can't stand the uber-Christians with the spiritual blinders on, I have no side to take. Everybody hates on me :(

And I really try not to get into any other serious debates or discussions here. I stay out of politics 'cause I figure I've already got enough enemies simply from religion.....

True. Maybe that's why some Christians here keep complaining about being bashed all the time... it's irresistable, it's just too much fun. Atheists never rage in holy fury to that extend :D

Oh, come now. You've been on these forums long enough to know that's not true. There are Atheists here in General who can foam at mouth with the most rabid of the Christian zealots.

I think I see more forums about religion/beliefs/political opionions on these forums than anything else, and everyone is always getting so ridiculously worked up over it. I don't understand why. Basically my question is, why does everyone try to persuade/bash others on things that they KNOW they won't change their minds on. I mean come on, you will never make a christian atheist, or a republican into a democrat. Especially not with insults... So what is it? Why is everyone so dogmatic? That's my question

For two reasons. One, I don't know that people won't change their mind on stuff; in fact, I've actually seen people change their stance on stuff like prayer in schools or the death penalty once they become more familiar with the pro/con arguments for either side. Second, it helps me get a better understanding of MY beliefs as well as the facts of the matter if I actually have to present them in logical fashion and argue for/against them.

One day I'm gonna post so bad! Pick apart the fallacies of Christianity and thenthey shall worship me as their new god!

What I'm tired of is people who confuse individual morality with national or organizational morality.

I'm also tired of people whose only argument is "that's SOOO bad... you must be sick.... I'm not going to read your posts anymore...."

Nice ad hominem, but a really, really stupid argument that has no merit.

I do it, but I do it for the benefit of the reader and not so much my opponent. When someone falls all over themselves and starts making BS arguments or starts to sound like a broken record, everyone knows it and that's all I really care about. I'm not trying to change the other person's mind so much as I'm trying to make Joe Reader think about it; because most of the time my opponents clearly haven't.

I think people need to be more considerate of peoples feelings especially since we discuss serious issues that turn into flame wars in RL politics!

basically think before you type especially if your the thread starter since a title says it all about what the thread will turn into

so instead of typing "omg your money tree idea is lame I hope you get raped by a lama on viagra" think and type "I personally don't think your money tree will be profitable due to inflation"

It's often not a matter of being "dogmatic." It's more often someone feeling they have to either attack something someone else believes because they see it as somehow infringing on their rights. OR ... it's someone getting a bit defensive about what they believe and feeling the necessity to defend it.

The way I look at it is as an opportunity to see the weak spots in your own beliefs and think about doing something about them, and having a chace to help someone else see the unrealistic or dissonant aspects of what they have chosen to believe. This is actually a "good thing," since the unexamined belief is really no belief at all.
Here, here!

With the caveat that, if I know that I can't get into it on certain subjects or with certain people without losing my cool, then I try to avoid that subject/person in the interest of peace. But most of the time, I don't have that problem, and I have sometimes had the pleasant experience of having my mind changed and of changing other people's minds. Mind expansion...:)

Also, I think flame erupts sometimes if people can't take opposition. Sometimes, you don't know if you can take it or not until you meet up with it. I try not to care if others don't agree with me or like the way I express myself, and if I feel myself getting hot under the collar about it, I try to walk away. Everybody is allowed their opinion.