I’m an atheist and non-Christian and I’ve been posting here since 2001. (I changed my screen name because I was getting too many pings I couldn’t stop.)
I’ve had some disagreements with folks here over my atheism, but as is the case in the real world, I understand I am a tiny minority.
I feel more comfortable with Christians than I do with atheists. Atheists are full of hatred—no, I don’t mean some, I don’t mean a few, I don’t mean they have disagreements. I call myself an atheist, but I mean that as the dictionary-definition. In reality, atheists hate Christians and Christianity.
I say this as an exception to that rule, and as someone who’s been known as an atheist for decades now. So atheists think I’m one of them, and they let loose around me.
It’s scary stuff.
Sorry to drone on, but your post was an opportunity for me. There are many Christians who seem hateful of atheists to me, but they are a minority. I have never had an issue here because I am not really part of FR, since I’m not a Christian, so I don’t denounce Christianity. I guess I’m not really part of the atheist world, either, because of that same point.
I hope atheists and non-Christians are welcome here if we want to discuss politics, and even sometimes religion—just because I don’t believe doesn’t mean I can’t express an informed opinion.
I have also had multiple FReepers mail me expressing their hope I return to the church. These folks are always, always kind and thoughtful, not just the cliche of the babbling hellfire-spouting “believer”.
I don’t think any one type should be banned from a place called “Free Republic,” but that’s merely my opinion. Jim can obviously do as every other person who owns a website does, ban whomever, for his own reasons.
I find him rather open in terms of allowing discussion, and I appreciate him, his site, and the Christians who dominate here.
While not an atheist, I somewhat agree.
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
Mark 12:34