Why do you think atheists are abundant on the Internet?

[hooksashands]

Yes i am saying that all churches/religions are scams - every single one of them without exception.
I hope that clears it up.

I don't know what kind of fantasy world you live in, but no. They're not scams. I'm always chatting with this pastor from a local Presbyterian church. He comes into the store I work at to buy toys for disabled kids, using what very little money his church scrapes up in donations. Not all religious institutions are Illuminati-style covens that line their pockets with mob money and blood diamonds. This guy earns a pitiful $36,000 each year. That's less than a public school teacher makes.

In the neighborhood where I grew up, Lutherans helped homeless people or drug addicts, bought them clothes to wear, food to eat and tried to re-introduce them to society, gave them their lives back basically. These community outreach programs are paid for by neighbors and friends, not strangers they coerced into giving them money "because God said so." None of it is a sham.

 

[Soviet Steve]

Another thing I would note is that disbelievers are far more common than one would think. They very rarely voice their beliefs in public but on the internet they're less likely to get lynched or socially isolated due to the anonymity.

 

[SnakeoilSage]

I wouldn't say atheists are any more abundant than than religious folk. They may simply be a very vocal group and you have noticed them in the places you visist?

 

[Soviet Steve]

None of it is a sham.

What activities individuals engage in have no bearing on the validity of their beliefs, which are as irrational as ever.

 

[Nikolaz72]

You guys should visit Moonbattery, or Christianforums. Christians (and extremist republicans) tends to only be vocal in places they deem safe (They dont risk getting into an arguement they cant win) Heck, even try Conservapedia. In all those three places Obama is pretty much been accused of stealing Christmas.

 

[ImmortalDrifter]

OT: Atheists tend to be a bit more vocal and pushy about their beliefs, I was like that too when I was younger (I still am quite young but you know what I mean). There isn't more of them, they're just more noticeable.

really? How many times have you been walking down the street and some Atheist went up to you and preached about how they don't believe? I dunno about you but this happens to me all the time *eye roll*

So this is totally ignoring the internet and going down on a broad assumption about fanatic groups like WBC? I've never had anyone from either side come up and start screaming at me. Though I have noticed that simply stating you have religious beliefs can bring insults ad nauseum from the more smug variety of Atheists.

OT: Mostly because relious folk tend to keep to places made for them. (chatrooms etc)

 

[ImmortalDrifter]

"No, it's 2011. Screw you guys, you aren't welcome here anymore."

I just have to say...wow... epic bigotry.

 

[mjc0961]

It's because the crackpot religious people are too busy being obnoxious outside the internet, doing things like picketing funerals, whining about Halloween or "the war on Christmas" on news outlets, and going door to door annoying tons of people about finding Jesus or whatever deity they believe in. And the ones that do use the internet usually go to special forums dedicated to their beliefs and talk about how bad the rest of the internet is (makes for some great laughs if you read it, actually). The crackpot atheists don't do any of that though, so they just go around being crackpots on all manner of sites (they can't go do it on the special religion sites, because they'd just get banned and prayed for).

So this is totally ignoring the internet and going down on a broad assumption about fanatic groups like WBC? I've never had anyone from either side come up and start screaming at me. Though I have noticed that simply stating you have religious beliefs can bring insults ad nauseum from the more smug variety of Atheists.

OT: Mostly because relious folk tend to keep to places made for them. (chatrooms etc)

I've never had anyone come up to me in the street, but I've never had atheists knock on my door to ask me if I haven't found god today and point out that of course I can't find him because he doesn't exist. And simply stating you don't have religious beliefs can bring insults ad nauseum from the more smug variety of religious people if one happens to be a member of the same website. It's less frequent, but it happens.

 

[ImmortalDrifter]

"No, it's 2011. Screw you guys, you aren't welcome here anymore."

I just have to say...wow... epic bigotry.

What on earth made you think this was my actual opinion? I'm describing the mindset of the more vocal atheists of the internet... that I've seen.

And what made you think I was speaking to you directly? I was simply stating that if you had seen someone say that then they would have officially won biggest bigot on the sunny side of the internet award. If I were accusing you of bigotry, wouldn't I have ya know... called you a bigot?

 

[Etherian87]

Because outside of the USA most of us aren't religious, i live in the UK and i know 1 person who as christian and 6 people in all who are religious. Maybe you just notice more, tbh i think its only in the USA where christians seem to care.

 

[Etherian87]

There's a relatively young demographic on this site, and ironically that seems to mean people are less likely to believe in a god.

Out of interest, why is that ironic?

i agree, why is that ironic? it kinda bugs me cos i see things with no irony to them whatsoever being described as ironic and i have to say (not wanting to point fingers but im gonna) it seems to be americans for the most part that dont understand the meaning of irony.

 

[tthor]

Because Religious parents actually have enough morals to keep their children off the internet once they notice the corruption seeking in.
I love you, mum.

Coming from one of the corrupt people commenting on a corrupt forum~ And tell your mom I love her too!

 

[The_Tron]

OT: Atheists tend to be a bit more vocal and pushy about their beliefs, I was like that too when I was younger (I still am quite young but you know what I mean). There isn't more of them, they're just more noticeable.

really? How many times have you been walking down the street and some Atheist went up to you and preached about how they don't believe? I dunno about you but this happens to me all the time *eye roll*

The fact of the matter is that it's dangerous to make such broad assumptions about groups. Wars have started over much less.

We're talking about being online, not walking down the street, your argument is invalid. Think before you post dude.

I have had people tell me I need to find god walking down the street but that's off topic, we're not talking about people on the street.

oh fuck off it's just an example, it's not like the same kind of behaviour isn't enacted online. "Think before you post" that's a total dickbag thing to say. Because clearly you didn't even think about my statement you just responded saying it's invalid. Now, continue your thread where you make a unfair biased of an increasing demographic across the developed world.

 

[Denariax]

Two ways to look at it.

Most people call themselves it, but are lying; they only say it to seem cool. You'd be surprised.

The second is that, anyone who usually wants to 'spread the word' is an AI bot on Hotmail. Ain't happening.

 

[JackWestJr]

How do you know atheists are abundant on the internet? It's not like people go around randomly stating their spiritual beliefs, and it isn't like you just ask someone either.

 

[ImmortalDrifter]

I've never had anyone come up to me in the street, but I've never had atheists knock on my door to ask me if I haven't found god today and point out that of course I can't find him because he doesn't exist. And simply stating you don't have religious beliefs can bring insults ad nauseum from the more smug variety of religious people if one happens to be a member of the same website. It's less frequent, but it happens.

I have to admit that having an atheist come to my door and say that would possibly be the singe most hilarious thing ever. But back on topic yes it can. My point was simply being that atheist control the majority share of assholery on the net, while the religions do in real life. Everyone's an asshole. Saying anything to the contrary is discriminatory... ZING!

 

[ChadSexington]

OT: Atheists tend to be a bit more vocal and pushy about their beliefs, I was like that too when I was younger (I still am quite young but you know what I mean). There isn't more of them, they're just more noticeable.

really? How many times have you been walking down the street and some Atheist went up to you and preached about how they don't believe? I dunno about you but this happens to me all the time *eye roll*

The fact of the matter is that it's dangerous to make such broad assumptions about groups. Wars have started over much less.

We're talking about being online, not walking down the street, your argument is invalid. Think before you post dude.

I have had people tell me I need to find god walking down the street but that's off topic, we're not talking about people on the street.

oh fuck off it's just an example, it's not like the same kind of behaviour isn't enacted online. "Think before you post" that's a total dickbag thing to say. Because clearly you didn't even think about my statement you just responded saying it's invalid. Now, continue your thread where you make a unfair biased of an increasing demographic across the developed world.

I'm sorry, who do I have an unfair bias against? I haven't said anything bad about religious people aside from my wee joke so it can't be them. I am an atheist so I'd hardly say I have a problem with them. You're an idiot looking for an argument, don't call me a dickbag because I disregarded your comments which, by the way, were quite dickish.