From: danoc@earlybird.Eng.Sun.COM (Dan O'Connell [CONTRACTOR])
Newsgroups: alt.atheism
Subject: Re: Alt.Atheism Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Keywords: FAQ, atheism
Date: 3 Sep 92 22:38:50 GMT
Organization: Subvert the Dominant Paradigm, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: earlybird

Some comments on THE ALT.ATHEISM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) FILE

First of all commendations. On the whole, I believe it
to be balanced, fair, and informative.

Perhaps it would be good if someone took it upon themselves 
to provide an archive file for all the rational "proofs" of
[Gg]od and their rebuttals, and then just refer to it in the
FAQ. That might cut down on rehashing.

Also, the FAQ seems designed more for non-atheists as a
primer of what the rules of debate are. It might be nice
to say somewhere something along the lines of:

     If you are an atheist, Welcome to your own group!
     or Welcome home, or something. . .

One may not get that welcome all the time when one makes it
known that one is an atheist. Along the same line, information
on national and international atheist org.s would be good too.

Some comments on particulars:

     Most atheists put truth first.  If searching for truth causes you to
     become uncomfortable, that's too bad.

I think "truth" is a subjective term, and it indicates a value
judgement. IMO, it would be better to substitute "empiricism"
or "physical reality" for "truth" above.

     Preaching is not appreciated.

     Feel free to talk about your religion, but do not write postings that are
     on a "conversion" theme.  Such postings do not belong here (try the
     newsgroup talk.religion.misc).

<BUZZER!!!><TILT!>

Let's face it, no one likes to be "approached" by a slightly
deaf religious zealot bent on proselytizing and conversion of
the great misinformed.

I would think posters/readers/lurkers in talk.religion.misc
appreciate these types only slightly more than alt.atheist's.

     Often theists make their basic claims about God in the form of
     lengthy analogies or parables.  Be aware that atheists have heard of
     God and know the basic claims about him; if the sole purpose of your
     parable is to tell atheists that God exists and brings salvation, you
     may as well not post it, since it tells us nothing we have not been
     told before.

While the point is important, it tends to reinforce the belief
that all theists are monotheistic, fundamentalist christians;
perhaps since this seems so common on the net, it is unavoidable
in the FAQ.

     Atheists live their lives as if there is nobody watching over them.  Many
     of them do not have any desire to have someone watching over them.

You might mention individual conscience (unless you already
did and I missed it).

               For example, religions aid their own survival by inducing
     believers to destroy unbelievers, by requiring believers to proselytize,
     by discouraging believers from questioning doctrine, and so on. 

This is a sweeping generalization that is not true or no longer
true for many religions. IMO, it would be best to qualify this
statement.

     Many, if not most atheists were previously Christians.

Wow! I didn't know this. I grew up atheist as did the 
majority of my friends, of course we were in the minority;
I'll never forget an elementary school classmate's look
of utter astonishment and disbelief upon my declaration.

Dano