"I'm getting too old to argue." Then don't argue. It couldn't me more simple.

Let's hope it's not like opening the door for a Jehovah's witness.

This has been raised and discussed almost from the day the site started, so it's hardly new. That's the first point.

My view can be easily stated: I don't think believers should be banned from the site, but I wish they wouldn't join.

My only qualification is that I do think sometimes individuals join who are notionally believers but leaning towards secularism and away from religion, and this is a place where they can engage with non believers and explore their doubts anonymously. Not many like that, but some. I'm happy to encourage such people.

If they are allowed to join, what is the point of this as a forum? Wouldn't it become exactly the same as any other corner of the Internet? Is the entirety of the rest of the Internet too small to have such discussions between theists and everyone else? Can't this be a place for everyone else NOT a theist?

"...and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome."

Fodder for my snarkiness! Come on down!

initially I though, who cares, but thinking about it a little more...no I am not in favor of it. Why would a believer join except to preach to us, speech I am not interested in hearing.

Why not, then we can have a bit of fun with them and just maybe ( that's a very BIG JUST MAYBE btw, de-religify a few as well.

Honestly, I don't have a problem with it at all.
I figure that if they are here, that can only ammount to two things.
One, the have a seed in them that questions their belief, and seek to hear the perspective of those that don't believe.
Which, I have to applaud, it really takes some courage to questions ones core belief system.

And then there are those who just want to so called preach to others about their missbegotten ways. but instead find that the so called "misbegotten" actually give not only good arguments, but pose some logic that the believer might just not have thought before.
And that is prone to make one think about their stance, or farther, question their possision.

Then again, there are always trolls where ever you go on the internet, so meh.

I like the fact that most, not all, but most. retort to those who still cling to religious beliefs, meet with calm, concise, rational, non abusive replies to them.

I think as the zietgiest of dis-belief, is in question, we, and I use the "we" loosely" need to put aside anger and frustration, and meet these honest questions about belief, or non- belief civil and comforting.

For what I've seen and learned from "believers" is that they have been indoctronated into think that non believers are essentially a product of satan.
So to show them compassion, and understanding, rather than in your face hatred, will give them pause, and also have them question what they have learned.

Some times baby steps is the way for some.

I believe that people who believe in magic should not get a seat at the grown up table .

No! Let them go to church.

Yesterday i reported the 2nd believer who contacted me. After looking at their comments and posts, I reported them. Both are gone now.

I wouldn't mind if they were restricted to one group and couldn't dominate the agnostic fellowship on all of the other groups. Once in awhile I find it interesting to read alternative viewpoints (both political and religious) -- It's interesting to get a take on where they are coming from, but I doubt I would ever be convinced to change my own viewpoints.

I'm not really good at tolerating other people's intolerance

Annoying...

Better if religious people go to church. Let them separate from the intelligent ones.

I'm new to this. I found this conversation interesting. I'm agnostic and was looking for other free thinking people. My husband is Catholic. He asked about joining the site when I told him about it. After all, I sometimes go to church with him. He stops people dead in their tracks when they suggest I should join their church. He knows I wouldn't be comfortable with that and has my back that I'm just fine spiritually the way I am. He was curious to check out this group. I told him that I didn't think he'd be welcome sadly as people are using this as a way to get away from the judgement. He didn't know, before meeting me, that the secular world felt that way about Christians. That info made him reflect. I don't want to make the same mistakes towards the religious.

If they join there are closer to the truth. so lets welcome it

Since I'm new I really don't want to discuss Religion that's why I joined, Now that doesn't mean I won't I just prefer not too. My disclaimer so you know if some of ya'll believe that's okay if it works for you. then it's right for you. Don't push that off on me, it don't work for me. I'm a fan of Christopher Hitchens that may say it all. I desire others thoughts and opinions on being an Atheist and living this life without believing in a God.

For most of this life I tried and failed at believing in a god, but was gifted with the desire to read, as I've grown older that hasn't changed. I'm on the last chapter of c.h. book gawd is not great for me a great read. I have a tendency to take a break for a day or two and read a different book, which right now is Jack london's autobio. john Barleycorn. It's also good and him i relate to more than I care to admit, wine,women, and song. when I finish that I plan to read the history of prohibition which i find interesting because the 18th admendment so far is the only one to be repealed. I do spend a lot of time by myself so i have tendency to talk to much or write more than needed so a little or of guildence would be helpful. when I have free time I'm a servant to my dog and 8 cats which means a chief cook and bottle washer. By the way not knowing anything about a subject has never stopped me from expressing an opinion on it. being a hoosier we sometimes think we know more than we really do.I hate getting old I get dumber by the day.

I’m waiting for the one who says he’s/she’s here to do the lord’s work???

That's an interesting question. I was unaware believers couldn't join, and I see pros and cons to your question. The biggest con would be posts either trolling other members or trying to convert/save them. Good luck with that. There is at least one argument on the pro-side, and that's let them observe that we're not the evil satan worshippers they imagine us to be... AND some may be here because they have genuine questions and doubts that we can help them with. I guess, I'd come down on the side of letting them in, but having a very strict policy about removing them if they are not respectful of others beliefs or lack thereof.

Why not? Healthy debate is the most important aspect of searching in the unknown, regardless of the topic.

As long as it's more of us than them. I don't want them taking over this group.

I think it is wise to recognize the possibility that those who label themselves as "believers" may be questioning their own faith. From my own experience no religion except Reform Judaism tolerates this skepticism. This forum provides an outlet for exploration they can't find elsewhere. Those who rant, reasserting their held beliefs are, sadly, trying to drown out the voices in their own heads beaten into them over the years. If we seek to hold them high ground then we need compassion. I have no problem with inclusiveness. Their rants also inform my own explorations: "Do I have this covered?". All religious denominations seek theological purity nd dismiss all others as heresy. We must be different.

The more the joy! If this platform would ever prohibit or discriminate anyone no matter the 'belief' then I'm out of here ! Agnosticism, Atheism, Freethinking,,, are nothing but an answer to a widely spread drug called religions and ideologies. It is unfortunately a necessity to distinguish yourself these days among/from the hurd(s). The problem is that most people with 'holy scriptures' and 'ideologies' (who they mostly know little about) are blinded by their own nonsense. They mostly tend to be 'open' to 'join and discuss' as long as they don't have the upper hand. Once they do have the upper hand they can't even stop themselves vandalizing anything else. And once they killed 'em' all they start killing each others! I would though advise any theist to read their own scriptures/gospels/nonsense well before engaging (at least with me) cause otherwise you'll only make a fool out of yourself and your own belief!