Hi Everyone - New Member

Hey everyone,I've been looking for a forum to discuss religion. I'm hoping to go to college in the religious studies field and this is a subject that I am very passionate about.Looking forward to posting here.

Don't expect any respect for your religious beliefs from the atheists around here.Don't post in the science forums for a while.Expect your beliefs to be insulted.A lot of the religious types get turned off real quick around here. Still though, we have some religious members that are well established.Remember that most of what your saying will be hard to understand if it isn't written with the understanding that people will be reading it and loose a lot of the info, especially anything abstract or implied. Or sarcasm.Starting off, spend more time reading than posting.Use the search function to 'look up' info about questions you have that might have been asked already.Oh yeah...Have fun.

I'm not a long time poster but I've been reading this site for quite a while. If you do plan on posting in the science forums, I would recommend that you understand what 'science' is at it's most basic level before doing so.If you show respect for a topic by understanding the basics or at least admitting what you do and don't know you will have a much greater chance of getting the respect of the other posters.As soon as you start posting on a science forum saying things like 'science can't prove' or 'but according to the 2nd law of thermodynamics' you will immediatly lose all credability and will open yourself up for a world of attack.Always remember, that in science 'passion in belief' is not an acceptable method for trying to show your point of view is correct.I hope that you stick it the growing pains and become a regular poster. Welcome on board!

When arguing with an opponent, throw out names of fallacies like "argument from incredulity," "the fallacy of composition," the old standby "ad hominem," etc.Ask if your opponent has been taking drugs recently. If you're arguing with me, you can ask, "Have you been drinking again?" (I'm a well-known alcoholic).But the most usual ploys are to say, "These are unsupported assertions which you are repeating over and over again" (even if there was an argument given) and "Your comments are off-topic, but if you would like to start a new thread, I will be glad to discuss it with you."Edited by robinrohan, : No reason given.

Ahh, I see the welcome wagon has been at work. There are a lot of other posters with perhaps different ideas of how discussions usually go here than these three. One thing is true: if you're interested in discussing religion, the Bible Study, Faith and Belief, and Comparative Religion fora are pretty good places to start.On another note, this IS a discussion board. Be prepared to be challenged, and prepared to back up your statements as far as possible.And, Welcome to EvC.

Well, there are all kinds of things "religious studies" could mean. Using the generic term "religion" suggests you're not talking about traditional or fundamental Christianity, right?

Welcome to the forum.If you want to debate evolution, be aware that if you find something online that supposedly refutes the theory there is a good chance it has already been discussed at length on this forum. There's a list here of all the well-known creationist claims, so you can look stuff up there before posting about it. Of course, if you have something new to add to some old topic, you can discuss that too.

Hi! Welcome aboard!

Use as many smiley faces as possible. These handy devices allow you to insult some poster as much as you like and get away with it.Throw out sci-fi babble whenever possible and make mysterious references to something called "QM."On this board, keep in mind, the word "non-scientist" is a synonym for "stupid person."Edited by robinrohan, : No reason given.

Hi - welcome aboard. I'm a bit surprised that people have jumped to the conclusion because you are going to college to study religious studies that you must be some tub-thumping fundamentalist.It could be you are interested in the area and how it has developed or it could be 1 of 100 things!Welcome aboard - I'll let you explain a bit more about yourself rather than jumping to any conclusions about you and your motivations Edited by CK, : No reason given.

If someone on your side makes a vicious comment, add something like "Cruel, but funny" (and a smiley face). This makes you look good-natured and throws in an extra dig.Get in the habit of not making definite statements. Always use, "IMHO" ("in my humble opinion") before you state one of your firmly-held beliefs. This is the best way in the world to insinuate an idea without committing yourself to it.In general, use a lot of abbreviations, such as IMHO or KMA. It makes the new readers have to puzzle it out and lets the old posters know that they are in the in-crowd.If someone puts a dent in your argument, DO NOT ANSWER. Ignore it completely.

OK Robin, this is enough. We get it. If you don't like it here, I don't believe that Admin has initiated the "We own you forever" feature yet.

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AdminAsgara Queen of the Universe

http://perditionsgate.bravepages.com

Right.I'm gone.

Hi Miniastic,I want to "officially" welcome you to EvC. Contrary to some of the disgruntled replies here, we are generally a friendly place to post. In my signature box are some helpful links, including our Forum Guidelines. Pull up a chair and sit awhile....er...not THAT chair, that's mine.

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AdminAsgara Queen of the Universe

http://perditionsgate.bravepages.com