My impressions about this group has been that the tone is overall welcoming and supportive, and dissenting views and misapprehensions are met with civility and patience. This is exactly what I expect from a rationalist group, and why I like it here.
From feedback in this thread, I understand that no plurality wants me kicked off LW for stomping on flowers but, indeed, perhaps theistic views (or, in my case, theistic sympathies) are not compatible with your programme. Since there seems to be some debate left, I would like to participate and have a hand in my fate regarding inclusion here.
An explanation of how theism could possibly be consistent with being rational is begged in nearly every other comment in this thread. I would like to provide one, and I will do so in the Welcome Page, as suggested by AnnaSalamon. I’m not certain that I’m ready—a better understanding of LW would help me prepare a more relevant and convincing argument—but the time seems right. I will paste a link here when my argument is posted.
I would like to assure that I will not persist indefinitely in this argument, it is not my intention to be factious. When and if the tide has shifted so it seems that the general view of the group is that atheism is a precondition (minimum standards, consistency, etc) then I will know that my views or not aligned well enough. Already I am of a mind that this is not the place to debate theism generally—there are other forums for that. However, this would be the place to debate the relationship between theism and rationality, to the extent to which it is undecided and of interest.
Also this links to much of the previous discussion of those arts by which even a moderately competent rationalist would flatly rule out all present-day religions.
If a topic is consistently downvoted, it really does seem to me that one ought to take a hint that perhaps the discussion is not locally desired, for whatever reason. I try to take those hints that are represented by my own comments being downvoted or my own posts not being upvoted. Consider doing likewise.
Eliezer, why recommend open thread? The idea was that the falsity of theism is something most of LW (including open thread) would like to move on from, but that we might well want a beginner-friendly area such as the welcome thread, or the “Ideas you’re not ready to post” thread, or if not those than some other thread we could create, where less background is okay. Folks who want an exclusive conversation can just stay out of that thread.
This is an example of why I thought it would be useful to have a rationality wiki. People could simply point at the content it contained on specific issues (such as the relationship between theism and rationality) instead of having to reinvent the wheel over and over again.
If I were in your shoes, I’d be fairly scared of posting about this again if I’d expect to be shot down. But please don’t be afraid. I think such a post would really be interesting.
If it is shot down, that’s a fact about the ideas, or maybe how they were laid down, not about you, after all. In that case, it’s up to the people who disagree, to explain how they think you’re wrong, or why they disagree.
If you hold the ideas you’re exposing, as dear, or part of your identity, it may even hurt a bit more than simply being rebuked, but even then, really, I think it’ll only help the community, and you, to move forward, to add them on the mat, and see where it leads.
My impressions about this group has been that the tone is overall welcoming and supportive, and dissenting views and misapprehensions are met with civility and patience. This is exactly what I expect from a rationalist group, and why I like it here.
From feedback in this thread, I understand that no plurality wants me kicked off LW for stomping on flowers but, indeed, perhaps theistic views (or, in my case, theistic sympathies) are not compatible with your programme. Since there seems to be some debate left, I would like to participate and have a hand in my fate regarding inclusion here.
An explanation of how theism could possibly be consistent with being rational is begged in nearly every other comment in this thread. I would like to provide one, and I will do so in the Welcome Page, as suggested by AnnaSalamon. I’m not certain that I’m ready—a better understanding of LW would help me prepare a more relevant and convincing argument—but the time seems right. I will paste a link here when my argument is posted.
I would like to assure that I will not persist indefinitely in this argument, it is not my intention to be factious. When and if the tide has shifted so it seems that the general view of the group is that atheism is a precondition (minimum standards, consistency, etc) then I will know that my views or not aligned well enough. Already I am of a mind that this is not the place to debate theism generally—there are other forums for that. However, this would be the place to debate the relationship between theism and rationality, to the extent to which it is undecided and of interest.
Try the Open Thread, not the welcome page.
Also this links to much of the previous discussion of those arts by which even a moderately competent rationalist would flatly rule out all present-day religions.
If a topic is consistently downvoted, it really does seem to me that one ought to take a hint that perhaps the discussion is not locally desired, for whatever reason. I try to take those hints that are represented by my own comments being downvoted or my own posts not being upvoted. Consider doing likewise.
Eliezer, why recommend open thread? The idea was that the falsity of theism is something most of LW (including open thread) would like to move on from, but that we might well want a beginner-friendly area such as the welcome thread, or the “Ideas you’re not ready to post” thread, or if not those than some other thread we could create, where less background is okay. Folks who want an exclusive conversation can just stay out of that thread.
This is an example of why I thought it would be useful to have a rationality wiki. People could simply point at the content it contained on specific issues (such as the relationship between theism and rationality) instead of having to reinvent the wheel over and over again.
Requesting permission to post top-level in response to The Uniquely Awful Example of Theism. It’s not perfect, but I wrote it carefully.
You have enough karma—go for it!
Byrnema… I really think that you should take the hint.
If I were in your shoes, I’d be fairly scared of posting about this again if I’d expect to be shot down. But please don’t be afraid. I think such a post would really be interesting.
If it is shot down, that’s a fact about the ideas, or maybe how they were laid down, not about you, after all. In that case, it’s up to the people who disagree, to explain how they think you’re wrong, or why they disagree.
If you hold the ideas you’re exposing, as dear, or part of your identity, it may even hurt a bit more than simply being rebuked, but even then, really, I think it’ll only help the community, and you, to move forward, to add them on the mat, and see where it leads.