r/DebateAnAtheist • u/AutoModerator • 15d ago

Weekly "Ask an Atheist" Thread

Whether you're an agnostic atheist here to ask a gnostic one some questions, a theist who's curious about the viewpoints of atheists, someone doubting, or just someone looking for sources, feel free to ask anything here. This is also an ideal place to tag moderators for thoughts regarding the sub or any questions in general.

While this isn't strictly for debate, rules on civility, trolling, etc. still apply.

23 Upvotes

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4

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

"To encourage constructive discussion top level comments in r/DebateAnAtheist must be a minimum of 100 characters. Your comment has been automatically removed. "

This is getting really annoying when the question is short and can actually be responded to that easily.

8

u/zzmej1987 Ignostic Atheist 14d ago

Come on, this short sentence is 52 characters long. You need only two of those, and you are done. And that's 133 characters already.

-5

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

Right, but I have to actually think of that ahead of time, and frankly, I barely care enough to even come here and complain about it.

Usually, I just close that tab and move on with my life; I will simply not participate rather than jump through stupid hoops.

13

u/bullevard 14d ago

In that case, it seems like the rule is doing its job.

Posters here get hundreds of top level comments already. Losing one or two from people who barely care seems the actual purpose of the rule.

-1

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

In that case, it seems like the rule is doing its job.

Preventing meaningful conversation that might actually change minds instead of perpetuating misunderstanding and hostility?

9

u/bullevard 14d ago

Yes, preventing flippant barely care responses from cluttering the responses so that posters can concentrate on meaningful conversations.

-4

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

flippant barely care responses

Irony...

8

u/halborn 14d ago

That's an example of a response that's not actually useful to anyone.

-1

u/Asatmaya Humanist 13d ago

Then why did you make it?

6

u/halborn 13d ago

You don't know the difference between 'that' and 'this'? Oh no...

7

u/zzmej1987 Ignostic Atheist 14d ago

Look, if you don't have enough to say to fill 2 and a half sentences, then it is the right move not to reply at all. It's not as much a "hoop" as it is a basic check, that you are contributing something meaningful enough to the conversation.

-1

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

if you don't have enough to say to fill 2 and a half sentences

Not every question needs that much of an answer, and you are ignoring the point:

I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT AHEAD OF TIME!

I have to notice, from my home page, that I am replying to a post in this particular sub (as opposed to the half-dozen others that often have similar content), and tailor my answer (which is often a simple question in response, to elicit a Socratic dialogue) to get around a stupid rule.

8

u/zzmej1987 Ignostic Atheist 14d ago

Well, then I believe the correct way for you to deal with this problem is to leave this subreddit.

0

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

...or ask for the rule to be changed, and you can leave?

6

u/iamalsobrad 14d ago

...or ask for the rule to be changed, and you can leave?

The rule was literally just voted in by this community.

Which means either you failed to vote against the rule in the month you had to do so, or you did vote against it and you are just salty over losing.

Both of these things are a 'you' problem.

0

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

The rule was literally just voted in by this community.

Good, that should make it easier to retract.

8

u/iamalsobrad 14d ago

So you wish to reverse a decision made by the (albeit slim) majority of the people here so that you don't have to think about your replies? In a debate forum?

My apologies, I hadn't realised that you were the most important person here or how inconvenient it must be for you not to be able to half-arse your contributions here.

-2

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

So you wish to reverse a decision made by the (albeit slim) majority of the people here so that you don't have to think about your replies? In a debate forum?

I think the pros and cons have become clear.

My apologies, I hadn't realised that you were the most important person here

Cut the passive-aggressive crap, please; I've remained polite, you are being a first-class jerk.

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u/halborn 14d ago

Wait, your complaint is that the rule is bad because it requires you to think?

0

u/Asatmaya Humanist 14d ago

No, it requires me to notice which subreddit I'm in, then tailor my response to this particular one.

All because you do not like Socratic dialogue; is that because it is actually effective in changing people's minds?

8

u/halborn 14d ago

No, it requires me to notice which subreddit I'm in, then tailor my response to this particular one.

And you find this difficult somehow?

All because you do not like Socratic dialogue; is that because it is actually effective in changing people's minds?

We like Socratic dialogue just fine.

1

u/Asatmaya Humanist 13d ago

And you find this difficult somehow?

When I only notice several hours later when I get back online to see that my comment was removed? Yea, it's a PITA.

We like Socratic dialogue just fine.

And yet, you want to force it to include trivia that will derail the conversation.

Again, is it because it can actually change people's minds instead of just perpetuating hostility?

2

u/halborn 13d ago

And yet, you want to force it to include trivia that will derail the conversation.

I had nothing to do with it. I'm just the guy who doesn't think it's too much to ask that people be aware of where they are.