I apologize for the long delay. But I'm back now, so let's get this thing moving.

Agreed. Posts must refrain from having any sort of derogative language that denotes a religious slur, violent threat, etc etc.
If someone is wrong, immature behavior wont convince them that you're right.

Beauty in brevity.

Probably not a big problem here on the forum seeing as there are few theists, but the point remains; in this forum, quoting the Bible as evidence for the claims of the Bible does not prove the Bible as true. So don't do it. Period.

All quotes cited will show a biblically-themed point and/or provide clarity for a statement that is biblically-themed.

I would say we use the "golden rule", but there seem to be some sadomasochists out there, so I'll just stick to: reason without arrogance.

For Scripture-admirers, emphasis on the end of 1 Peter 3:15.

Agreed. If you can't maturely discuss the topic, we'll give you a big time-out.

So knock it off and don't make me come back there. =]

Sounds good.

-adamryan

Are there any terms which are specifically prohibited? (If you don't want to list them here, just send me a PM, because I am very likely to utilize them. )

No profanity?

You won't see me on here LOL

When I first come to the site every day, I come in through the main forum page to access specific forums. That way I know exactly where I am and what the rules are for that forum.

When you then go to a recent post function, posts from those forums (assuming you've read the threads) will not have the notations for now many new posts there are.

Also, on the first page of a thread, the forum is noted at the top in the breadcrumbs.

this is a good idea. all the forums should be more like this

Nobody "hates" you. We merely think you got it wrong with your claims. Since this is the Kill Em With Kindness section, I will keep my fangs retracted.

What you claim "being kind" is universal rule and is, to us anyway, not a law given down from the sky, but  natural empathy all humans have the capability of having.  

In adition Christians claim, "Love the sinner not the sin". Atheists would say, "Love the person, not always what they claim". We dont know you face to face personally. We are not out to judge you, the individual. But if you make a claim, about anything, and we have questions, we are going to face you with those hard questions.

If you think we pick solely on Christians, you would be wrong. In one of my more recent skeptical responses was to a fellow atheist about claims of teliportation. So just because you hold a label, even that of atheist, doesnt always mean I will agree.

The best thing to surviving this forum is to avoid presumptions of what atheists collectively think. Do not presume that because we blaspheme religion or that we are harsh critics of magical claims, that we automatically "hate" all theists. We dont.

Atheists are your family members, co-workers and friends. We merely think that belief in any super natural diety, of any label, is not rooted in reality, but rather ancient myth.

If you are uncomfortable with no holds barred verbal brawels, this section is for you. If you can handle the heat elsewhere in other sections, that is up to you. But either way, the best thing YOU can do for yourself is to treat everyone here as individuals and absorb what you learn here.

You will see that we are just as diverse. Some here are NFL fans while others like soccer, while others are avid readers, and some like hip hop music while others like jazz and classical music. We are diverse in politics too. Some are republican, some are democrat, some are pro second amendment, while others want more gun restrictions. Some here are pro death penalty while others are against it. 

You do not have to fear us if you dont assume that we are all alike. The only thing atheists have in common is a lack of belief in the super natural. Other than that, some here like quite library type diolouge, while others are ok with WWE smackdown debates. Some are ok with both.

We do want Christians, or any theist of any label, to come here and engauge atheists so that they can see that we are human and just as diverse. We want to challenge people to think for themselves with objective introspection without blindly accepting what someone tells them. We are pro education and pro science. 

You and I do have something in common. Both of use say, "Y|ou got it wrong". Thats all it amounts to, so dont take it personally if we object to, criticise or even blaspheme your deity. To use it boils down to one thing, and one thing only, EVIDENCE.

Atheists wont do anything bad to you. We dont want you arrested. We simply wont adapt your position without evidence. We can still like you as an individual but not find what you claim to be credible. In this section we do take a library tone. But in other sections some atheists, like me, will not mince words.

Enjoy your stay here, just dont presume that atheists hate all religious people when we simply dont find the claims credible. As long as you do that, and treat us as individuals, you will and can have a lengthy and productive stay. You may or may not deconvert, but stick around long enough, at a minimum you can have better understanding and learn something.

Please take this discussion to a new thread.