Your analogy is completely wrong; the site doesn't emulate a religion or a govt, I don't even know where you got that, it emulates a game. In a videogame, you get points for interacting (playing) in the game. The more you play, the more points you get and the higher you progress. I think it's a good strategy.

So, yes, it's just you.

it's just you. what do you need the points for? no one is forcing you to strive for them. indeed, they're not even something for which to strive. they're just a way to cut back on trolls by making it harder for those who don't want to participate to infiltrate. there is no master. if you feel like an animal, look inward, not at the site. no one is manipulating anyone or treating anyone like an animal here. geez, you may as well complain that you can't reach as high when you're three as when you're four. it must be a PLOT. if you don't want to participate, why are you even here?

g

By all means, remove yourself from anything that makes you feel uncomfprtable. This is a voluntary group of people.

You are already "rewarded" by being here. There is not need to do anything you don't want. Nobody is going to be mean to you or say anything bad. If you want to post do so, if you like something or not you can say so or not. Nobody is making you and nobody is going to worry you about if you don't. It is up to you.

I want free beer.

Did anyone show up at your door twisting your arm to do anything at all?

You are not being forced to participate. No one is.
Some people are into the accumulation of points, others are not.
People participate at the level they are comfortable with.
If you feel like you are being "manipulated", that's you.
Stay, go, the choice is yours.

Just as an fyi, when one is a new member, and makes posts criticizing the site
when they've only been on it for like 5 minutes, don't expect a whole lot of support.

That said, welcome to the asylum. Enjoy your stay.

If you don't like it....the door is to your left. Don't let it hit you on the ass on your way out.

LOL

If you're here for the points, then yea, I guess so. If you're here to interact and just chillaxe, then points don't matter - so your argument is moot. Do you think the creators of the site made it without some type of incentive for people to engage? Don't you think they want the site to be active and engaging?

You are welcome to start any new threads with topics of your choosing. You’re overthinking it.

I honestly don't care about points. I just like this site because there are no prayer warriors, quotes from some misinterpreted tome, videos of blowhards, etc. And nobody gives a shit. Lol

1. Because other sites like FB are free and you get such Great commentary there??
   Because you hate paying for those points (lol!)?
2. Because you prefer to sit on your dead ass and contribute Nothing
3. Because you care deeply about accumulating points? Why, exactly?
4. Because you like to whine about Nothing, and throw in some unconstructive, silly criticism too?
   What exactly is your problem? And could you take it elsewhere?

I'm not sure you understand how religion works.

It becomes an addiction.. leave while you still can!

But how exactly are you being manipulated to acting? Is anyone forcing you to comment or like posts? Or, rather, is it that you actually seek and crave said points and are feeling down about the way you need to get said points? Some introspection would be good on your end. @latinstingray

There isn’t any punishment for not getting points. You can do what you want. If it’s community then we have that, if it is chatting you want you can do that.
Personally I don’t pay any attention to the levels.

So, you want to be here, but you don't want to interact or provide anything so others can get to know you better? That's creepy as fuck in an NSA sort of way. Good thing we have those safeguards in place, then. That, and they are great for making it easy to spot scammers who try to put the least amount of effort into their time here on any individual account so they can focus on "live" marks...

it's you, you don't have to do anything you don't want to in this site, you can just hover and observe if that's your thing.

Go somewhere else. It's that simple. This is a no whine zone.

????

Just ignore them if you don't like them.

That's what I did....

Points are pointless! Just relax and have a good time. If you feel like posting, fine. If not, that's fine too. If you just want the t-shirt, cough up a few bucks and buy it or head over to Goodwill and get one for a few pennies.

it's just a game.

All us bad atheists can meet for a drink in town and have some fun for a change

They're trying to encourage participation...but if you don't want to participate, then don't worry about the points