So I posted something earlier that I took down because my intentions were being misunderstood. I mentioned that I felt awkward being on here seeking friends and community when it feels more like a dating site. I think the way I worded it made it sound judgemental, but in truth, I was only judging my own feelings. I am married and a friend looked over my shoulder today and wanted to know why I was on a dating site. I said it isn't just for that, and told her that I mentioned my husband in my profile and posts. I am also in a weird state of limbo right now in my life, so trying to not muddy my waters. I have chatted with some awesome folks on here. I like that. I am trying to decide if I belong here. What the hell does it even mean to belong someplace? #ExistentialCrisis
For many this is not a Dating Site. You will always find Friends Here. Welcome to our humble site... just be yourself.
you are one of the first people i have seen say ths seems like a dating site
It is mostly a dating site. Indicators: the little heart match icon, questions regarding marital status, children, and others that pertain to targeting single people who want to meet other single people and potentially develop a meaninful romantic relationship. There is nothing wrong with dating sites these days, it's 2018 for Pete's sake, and because of work, community, communication, and societal shifts and changes, it seems to be a much more difficult endeavor to meet and love. So, for you who are here who are married or in meaningful relationships, or for the fellowship only, I say wonderful! Allow this site to work as it's obvious purpose for the rest of us.
@AtheistLatina55 why are you adressing this to me?I have been here for quite a while and there are more comments from people saying that this does not seem like a dating site than otherwise.. I do not control this site
You don't have to be here for dating. I'm not, and many of us are not.
If you look at a member's profile, it will say whether they are here for community, or if they are open to meeting others for dating.
I joined the site several months ago, and I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am to communicate with so many like-minded people. Even when we disagree, most of us tend to do it in a civil manner. There are always those who don't "play nice", but they are the minority and not the majority.
As I like to say to new members, welcome to the asylum. Enjoy your stay.
We're all a little mad here. But then, the best people really are.
No, you don't. But it is mostly a dating site. Indicators: the little heart match icon, questions regarding marital status, children, and others that pertain to targeting single people who want to meet other single people and potentially develop a meaninful romantic relationship, like "Willing to relocate?". There is nothing wrong with dating sites these days, it's 2018 for Pete's sake, and because of work, community, communication, and societal shifts and changes, it seems to be a much more difficult endeavor to meet and love. So, for you who are here who are married or in meaningful relationships, or for the fellowship only, I say wonderful! Allow this site to work as it's obvious purpose for the rest of us.
@AtheistLatina55 I didn't say anything intended to not allow the site to work for anyone else's purposes. Not exactly sure what you took exception to.
It was listed as a dating site to me, but it also listed other genres. I think it can be whatever you want it to be. If you're concerned about it, make you're profile pic of you and your husband and make your profile name yours and your hubbies first names? It's cool
I saw this site marketed in an ad as a dating site, but it never truly felt like that to me. I haven't used it as such, nor do I really intend to. It's much more than that. It's a community where I can speak freely amongst like minded individuals, unlike Facebook where I am judged by people who don't really "get" me. It's what you make of it, really. Obviously any place where humans gather gives you opportunities to meet potential dates, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Do what you feel is right. No one will hold it against you. I think everyone will understand your position and be readily sympathetic.
I joined because it was listed to me as an agnostic dating site. It would be nice to meet someone i might have something in common with, especially the atheist part. While I'd like to meet someone and date, I've realized it's also a good "fellowship" community. My goal: to meet someone unafraid to meet someone. Will I find that here? Maybe not, but I don't feel regret over joining. I've very much enjoyed it here.
Atheist-Latina is like a super minority
@Marz yes it is! And add "Texan" and "female" to the mix and my particular demographic gets even smaller. Not many. I always hope to know that there are more of us out there. It can be lonely and disheartening to be an atheist period.
@AtheistLatina55 Texas, home of "The Atheist Experience in Austin.
Worth checking out.
[atheist-experience.com]
Where I live the closest atheist organization is about 200 miles away. As Texas is huge, you may also be a very long drive to Austin
I don't consider it to be just a dating site. I am married and am seeking friends and community of freethinking type people. I certainly feel like I belong here. Find this site to be a good place to share ideas. Much nicer than facebook.
Hope you stay, and enjoy meeting the people here.
It is almost an impossibility to locate such commodity in any one given community as there is here. The amount of like minded people here is very difficult to locate in the sea of the religious prejudice. So for you to seek a form of assimilation is to help please your void would only be an acceptable responce.
Aux contraire, this place isn't at all like a dating website but people are still finding like-minded partners here through conversation and mutual interests.
Dating websites: men sending crude dick pics, making sexual propositions, scammers piling on with fake identities and copy/pasted flowery pick-up speeches, Asian women asking if they can move in with you, most of the "people" are bots, so no, this website isn't like any dating website I've tried before.
I have noticed many married people on this site. As far as others opinions, as long as you know you're not being disrespectful to your spouse there shouldn't be any reason to feel awkward. Initially I was under the impression that it was in fact a dating site, but it only took a day or two to realize that it is more of a meeting place (community) for like minded people to discuss and share thoughts and ideas. Non-believers have limited places where they can feel at ease expressing themselves without judgement from theists so this site for me is a wonderful outlet.
I think others have piped up that this is a site for community as well and that if you are open to your significant other and site members there should be no misunderstanding.
If it is any consolation, reading from others posts, they enjoy the discussions. It is not a problem where I live, but a lot of members find it difficult to talk about their lack of belief in god(s) where they live.
I like the community regardless, and that the option to let others know you're open to dating is there. I've read many of the pay dating sites run scams to keep you paying (phony accounts feigning interest).
You are welcomed as a fellow discussant and opinion sharer. Unfortunately, on any medium, there are always a few men who are moral idiots who try to hit on any woman they hope might be vulnerable in some way. Most of us men are simply more than willing to simply accept you as one of us.
This site "feels" to me like a discussion site with a dating option. Because I don't participate in the dating option, the only time I'm reminded about that aspect is when someone posts something dating-related. Otherwise, I forget.
As to "belonging" to an online community... I think of it like a buffet. I either find enough of what I like and keep coming back, or I don't. If the establishment is poorly run, or the other patrons sufficiently unruly, I'll bail. If I happen to make friends, fine--but that's not why I came. I came for the food.
So far the site hasn’t reached sufficient mass to work very well as a dating site. But the conversation is interesting and benefits from varied points of view. Your profile can be set to show that you are interested in meeting people or not. If you want to talk openly about your non-theist beliefs, or about anything without the judgy religious views, then yes, you belong here. Please bring enough pie for everyone!