I get to put up the first thread? OK...a blessing from an Atheist;

[MADem]

23. I'd been gnawing on this idea since way back in DU2 days!

It was one of those balls that just got tossed around for a bit, then put to the side, then tossed around again. I was frustrated on a number of occasions when I just wanted to chit-chat about some arcane bit of business re: one organized religion or another, and found it difficult because of thread derailments for this reason or that. It got difficult to have a conversation, and there was no place for people of many faiths (and none) to have a conversation where challenges to the beliefs of the conversationalists were off the table.

I don't discuss my belief system here, I consider that personal information I am not interested in sharing; I am (due to age and travel) very familiar with a number of faiths, though. I found I was sometimes challenged and "accused" of having a POV because I was a (insert faith group here). It was kind of funny, in a way, when someone would make that sort of a leap (if you talk about it, you must be on that team!), but it was also kind of rude. I also felt bad for people who were plainly of good will and well meaning who were being excoriated for their beliefs, and I wished there was a place where that kind of thing was just not OK.

At long last, here we are!

I have high hopes for this little group...I hope we'll all speak with (as opposed to at) one another like we're sitting across the table from each other, and not behind a keyboard!