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.

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.

I don't think they'll be joining for the conversation. It's more likely they'll be coming so that they can convert us. Personally I have better ways to spend my time.

I too have retired from the argumentative life. A good two sided sharing of the facts and a friendly we agree to disagree is fine with me. Anyone is welcome, just be civil, respectful of each other's thinking and don't take themselves to seriously. It does take all kinds to make a world with the emphasis on kind.

In answer to your question, I am so far past religion, I don't care about theists. If no thinking person answers them, they will get tired and go away. If they don't "get tired", it will mean nothing to me, because I am not looking for them.

I joined for refuge as well. I don't know what theists would want out of engaging with us. if we can't get rid of them, I can only hope that the ones here are secretly harboring doubts and are willing to hear us out until they deconvert.

Oh hell No..

As far as I am concerned - No theists! I am of the position that we are here to be united around the fact that we have already decided its bullshit. No time for foolishness anymore. If you come here to proselytize, expect to reap the whirlwind.

I don't see the point of believers coming here, except to proselytize.

Not a problem, I will either ignore them or ridicule them depending how they come at me like I do on all the other social sites, anymore it is easy to pummel them with quotes from their own holy book.

I understand why some would want to allow the religious to join, maybe they can be tipped our way and all that. I also know that this is a place of community and refuge away from the "religious majority". They have plenty of places, christian mingle, thousands of churches, tons of air time (television and radio). I say leave us our little slice of "heaven"... : )

Like Dillahunty said about their debates. I don't want just you fellow atheists to attend. I want Christians, other religious. The point is to share and bounce ideas, educate. You can't educate if they are not listening.

It would kinda be like if I were to walk into Church on Sunday. Pointless ? Unless they're just truly interested or thinking maybe they're more like us and want to check it out ?

I vote we welcome any and all and not try to be an exclusive club. Consider, that believers that come to this site may be on the fence and need some logical, scientific dialogue instead of the constant preachy bromide that they are stuck with in their lives.

I joined this group to get away from religious people.

Could be a good thing if we can convert them to reason instead of superstition

I think it is a bad idea

As a new member, I'd say no. Most believers are not interested in honest discussion about their claims, and simply run away when they find they have nothing to support their beliefs. They get upset when no one is willing to blindly agree to their claims, demand respect when they have not earned it.

Since I do enjoy debating theists, if we could limit them to a very small area, I'd have no problem with that. But if they are goingto be seagulls and try and poo on everything, no.

What you said in your original post mirrors my opinion. Spot on.

Im not here to dabate my non belief in the BS that is religion, if that happens I will leave.

Why would they even want to?

Ying and Yang without both being presented its an uneven conversation ?

Personally I joined this because I wanted to be as much of that angry atheist as possible without friends and family calling me out on it outside of Facebook. I mean, do whatever you want, but it is called Agnostic for a reason

Why would they want to even ?

no thanks this suits me just fine there is enough engagemennt with difference here to last a lifetime i don't want intolerance in the mix.