# Are there believers here? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 28, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355 "2013-08-28T01:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/21 "2013-08-28T06:43:52Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > And if so, please let me know, so I won’t feel so alone! May I ask where you live? If it’s the U.S., it’s hard to believe you could feel alone. There are Christian churches in every town, Christian pastors on television, many public gatherings begin with a Christian prayer, and politicians routinely end their speeches with a Christian blessing. Maybe someday this country will have an openly Christian president, or 44 of them. You are not the neglected, lonely minority. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/22 "2013-08-28T09:10:03Z")
_Raises my hand_ Presbyterian here. I hope you like this forum **want2befree** and have great discussions on it but please remember this is not a forum designed especially for Christian fellowship or discussions. Either way God bless. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/23 "2013-08-28T09:16:32Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > See, maybe it’s just the cynic in me, but the bolded part comes off as some passive aggressive BS to me. > > The inference I take away from it is: How is it an intelligent, middle aged, person doesn’t believe in God? (As if the default position of any intelligent person is God exist. And only people of lesser intelligence would believe otherwise) It feels patronizing and stings with irony. Everyone does this. “Why don’t other people think/do/like the same things as me?” is such a common part of human nature, it’s hardly worth commenting on. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/24 "2013-08-28T09:36:50Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > There are some Christians here. I believe we’re a minority, but not a tiny minority. However, there is also a not-tiny minority of aggressive atheists who make discussions of faith unpleasant to say the least. In my own case I tend to avoid such discussions, but that doesn’t make me any less a believer. I don’t think the aggressive “all believers of any religion are credulous morons” atheists are that big a minority here but they’re certainly a vocal one. I recommend ignoring them. The larger population is of the “believe what you want as long as you don’t try to force others to believe the same thing” variety, which is more benign. Usually where these things break down is where a new person comes in and assumes that mentioning Jesus and quoting Bible verses constitutes a crushing argument, and then gets upset when people point out that Bible verses only hold weight if you already believe that the Bible is the word of God and for everyone else it’s just a book full of conflicting and inconsistent stories (some true, some half-true, some false) that proves nothing in terms of an objective validation of the Christian faith. You’ll find that a lot of the non-believers here are fully cognizant of what’s in the Bible and have read it cover-to-cover; indeed, you’ll find some that know it a lot better than you do including the historical contexts and how meanings have changed in different translations. Many of us have also examined our unbelief, sought God in our own ways and have not had the deep personal epiphany that starts so many down the road to faith. So if you start with the understanding that most of us non-believers have read the Bible and have looked into our own hearts and yet have not found this sufficiently compelling to provoke belief, you’ll probably have a much more constructive time here. Anyway: welcome to the board. Do stay a while, do read a variety of threads and feel free to participate in threads not about religion, do read the Board rules and various forum stickies, and have fun! ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/25 "2013-08-28T10:21:23Z")
Everyone needs something to believe. I believe it’s time for another beer and a top up of my glass of red. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/26 "2013-08-28T10:53:31Z")
I think the OP deserves a little slack here. Based on previous posts I think she’s going through a rough time in her life (divorce, etc…). A request for a little commraderie (any port in a storm) is not uncalled for. Also, I doubt any insult was intended. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/27 "2013-08-28T11:07:44Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > Jesus Christ, who died on a cross for our sins, to bring us everlasting life. (please, no non-believers in here, if I may ask that) Separate but equal hasn’t generally worked well. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/28 "2013-08-28T11:41:00Z")
I am a Christian…but I have no desire to pu sh my beliefs upon anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/29 "2013-08-28T11:43:21Z")
I wonder if there are ANY boards out there that _aren’t_ specifically designed around Christian (or diest) dogma, whose Christian members are in the majority? A Republican board maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/30 "2013-08-28T11:44:12Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I am a Christian…but I have no desire to push my beliefs upon anyone else. Then you’re not a _true_ Christian. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/31 "2013-08-28T11:56:11Z")
I am currently a culturally Christian UU. That probably doesn’t meet the cut for being a “believer.” ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/32 "2013-08-28T11:58:30Z")
I believe [Cecil](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/518/did-jesus-really-exist-and-whats-with-the-shroud-of-turin)- our big guy - addressed this topic quite nicely, and while I would doubtless fail your test I nevertheless wish to welcome you to the community. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/33 "2013-08-28T12:25:13Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I think the OP deserves a little slack here. Based on previous posts I think she’s going through a rough time in her life (divorce, etc…). > > A request for a little commraderie (any port in a storm) is not uncalled for. Also, I doubt any insult was intended. But Jews, Muslims, Hindus, even atheists are capable of offering support and advice. So why limit the conversation to those who believe that “Jesus died for their sins”? ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/34 "2013-08-28T12:25:22Z")
The stark beauty of believers and nonbelievers is that regardless of what one believes, their philosophy is absolutely correct. That is because when people in each of the groups die, no one is disappointed with what follows and none return to rejoice or complain. ---
**Author:** ![vodkalover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/cdc98d/32.png) [@vodkalover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vodkalover)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/35 "2013-08-28T12:36:34Z")
I’m a Christian 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/36 "2013-08-28T13:05:01Z")
We do have threads all the time where an OP asks for participation of a certain subset of the SDMB community. I see current threads designated for Dieters, Car Buffs, Cis-Women, Ladies, Ladies with cup C and up, Male Dopers, Girls, Ballistics type, US citizens, and Americans just on my first page of results in IMHO. Many of the responses from non-believers on this thread have been respectful but some, IMHO, are not. I’m not sure why a request for response by a religious subset should be treated with scorn as other threads don’t generally result in such response. As to directly answer the OP, yes there are some believers on this board. I am one among them. As others mentioned, religion tends to bring out some very strong opinions and many such threads can derail into a real mess. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/37 "2013-08-28T13:08:42Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > And if so, please let me know, so I won’t feel so alone! > And also, what do you think accounts for the lack of believers on this board that seems to comprise people in mid-life, and very intelligent? Asking what accounts for the lack of believers here in reality is almost like asking what accounts for the lack of agnostics on a Bible study message board. It’s not really what this board is for … the advertised purpose here being to fight ignorance. That’s not to suggest, as far as I’m concerned, that belief displays ignorance. What I mean is, if you say," I’m a Xtian and I believe (insert typical Xtian creeds), then you’ve said it all. Discussing Scripture can be interesting, but you don’t need faith to discuss the content of ancient writings. Discussing the existence of a Supreme Being can be interesting, but again, faith is not required to discuss the possible existence of a God I don’t discuss my personal superstitions on the board because I don’t see any reason to. I do offer hypotheticals, and discuss religion as a subject, but I don’t see any ignorance being fought by simply stating that one has faith. Great, so what else in new? Actually, if you spend a lot of time considering things religious, want2befree, do you have the ability to tell me exactly why Christ had to die for our sins? I don’t mean repeating that he had to die, or that God required a sacrifice, I mean WHY? Jesus is God and he’s immortal. The death only lasted three days. Hardly as terrifying a prospect as a human dying permanently. He takes human form, finds out what it feels like to be tortured, then dies temporarily, and comes back good as new. Where’s the sacrifice? And how does this exercise make God (the Father, presumably) feel better about our sins? Now, if you could answer that without just repeating Xtian talking points, THAT would be interesting. Believers sitting around and saying, “I believe, do you believe? I believe. It’s so nice that you believe.” What does that accomplish? Church on Sunday is for fellowship, but what ignorance is fought? If you have startling new insights on the ancient writings or a new twist on the same old story we all already know, let’s hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/38 "2013-08-28T13:13:26Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > See, maybe it’s just the cynic in me, but the bolded part comes off as some passive aggressive BS to me. > > The inference I take away from it is: How is it an intelligent, middle aged, person doesn’t believe in God? (As if the default position of any intelligent person is God exist. And only people of lesser intelligence would believe otherwise) It feels patronizing and stings with irony. The part about age reminded me of my dad, who has been convinced since I was a teenager that my lack of faith is some immature phase that I’ll “grow out of”. He still believes this. I’m 30. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/39 "2013-08-28T13:13:56Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > We do have threads all the time where an OP asks for participation of a certain subset of the SDMB community. > > I see current threads designated for Dieters “Are there any other dieters out there? I find it amazing that there seem to be so few people who watch there weight in this community full of middle-aged, seemingly intelligent people! Please, only dieters respond to this!” ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/40 "2013-08-28T13:15:37Z")
> [@Silver\_Fire](#): > > The part about age reminded me of my dad, who has been convinced since I was a teenager that my lack of faith is some immature phase that I’ll “grow out of”. > > He still believes this. > > I’m 30. You’re still young. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355.md?page=3)