Religion: The Ning Will Never Escape

[inkonpaperhero]

I have taken the liberty of very poorly drawing up a diagram that demonstrates the nature of our conversations here on the Ning.

Drawn in Paint, but you get the point. I like to think of it like a big drain. Or maybe like a whirlpool that sucks a ship under and drowns all the passengers and crew. And of course, they try to swim against it, but they are too weak, and are killed screaming.
Well, I guess they can't scream because water is filling their lungs...

Anyways, here are the two main points of any religious argument:
1) I believe in God.
2) I do not.
Occasionally:
3) I dunno.

Then we get all the condescending bullshit.
1) Yer livez is hollow, plus yer sinners, lolz.
2) U pRay 2 an imaginary friend, lolz.
Occasionally:
3) Whateverz.

Here at the Ning, we have this on loop, 24/7.
CAN WE PLEASE STOP THE MADNESS?! The entire thing is so pointless, even more pointless than you realize. Because, yes, obviously it is pointless to have these arguments since we'll never know the answers. And yes it is pointless because we'll never change anyone's mind. And yes it is pointless because 18,000 people are repeating 3 possible points. But those are not the key reasons.

Mostly I think it's pointless because we are all already aware of these points.
But instead of keeping it to ourselves we have to come on the Ning and spout our opinions in order to validate ourselves.
And I think it's moronic.
Not much of a discussion, but I figured more people would see my sweet picture this way than if I made it a blog post.

[Stephanie Steadfast]

Atheist Asshole: Maybe everyone should just give up religion.Really.

Most topics aren't for the arguing but for LEARNING and UNDERSTANDING other people's opinions and finding out the basis.

[inkonpaperhero]

Yeah I don't think so.
I think religious arguments on the Ning are to defend one's own opinion and degrade the other as viciously or with as much wit as possible.

[unityofeffect]

I disagree with you. Even in discussions that seem angry or circular I have read something or said something that made me think in a new way or clarified how I felt about a point.

I think making assumptions and generalizations about the motives of every single Nerdfighter when it comes to discussing one of the most complex subjects in the world is a tad ridiculous.

But hey! At least you had fun making a diagram.

[inkonpaperhero]

uoe, that graph is not ridiculous. It is based soundly in science and is widely supported by the scientific community.
I suppose I am generalizing, but I don't see how I can make any statements about a community of over 18,000 without some generalization. I am stating what I see, and what I see is circular, spiraling discourse with no progression or point. Aside from the occasional gem that slips through, none of the things said here about religion are educational to me in any way. In fact, I feel the opposite. Cliche observations, jokes and arguments are far more common than any interesting comments.

[unityofeffect]

Well if you aren't getting anything out of these discussions then we should all clearly stop participating in them. I don't know what I was thinking!

I am overwhelmed by the proof of your graph. You have silenced me forever.

[Zach Minute]

Argument isn't about winning over the opinion of the person with whom you are having the argument. It is about winning over those who are undecided and listening in on the argument. It's a battle of wits and the winner is the one who can persuade the most people efficiently.

So, in essence, you are correct, but I don't see why that should stop people from arguing. If you don't like it, that's perfectly fine. However, I find it to be a fantastic leisure activity, and I won't stop as long as there are still people who will listen.

[Midnight Radio]

I'd argue that no one is learning from these religious threads. All we are doing is fighting each other.

What's the rule in a bar? No religion, no politics. I wish the Ning served booze.

[QuantumTuba]

But we must talk politics!

If we can't discuss anything controversial, we can't discuss anything of substance.

This is technically false, as we could discuss things like science and philosophy, but whenever I start that, nobody seems willing to join. :(

[inkonpaperhero]

Of course no one joins.
No one knows as much as you do.
You're a one-eyed man in the land of the blind over here Quantum.

[QuantumTuba]

I'm a freaking high school student who is failing chemistry!

I just happen to research these topics and write eloquently or verbosely on them. It's not as though I understand any of the mathematical intricacies yet.

[F23]

Oh, I do love you!

[Stephanie Steadfast]

I don't think it's possible to pass chemistry. Really.