To believe or not to believe... it's a helluva question for some.
Our group has a small but interesting clientèle of people from across the board who share an interest in searching and sharing their views concerning belief and non-belief. Some of us have come to a conclusion that there is no deity or that we just don't know but we all share a quest for reality thinking. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail but the end result is to learn from each other and form a community of searchers not bound to certain ideological positions that are taken for granted in other groups and forums. When we are able to build that community we also form a place to blow off steam in acceptance and understanding without repercussion. I think that is the reasonable outcome for any safe haven group.
Every once in a while, the Atheist and Agnostic group is visited by users who take positions that are contrary to it's ideals. Their positions are so virulent and accusing it makes me wonder why they are participating at all. They usually aren't trolls so to speak, they may be long term members of DU and also at times hosts of their own groups or even members of MER-T. It's been puzzling me for a while since it makes no sense that they intrude in this group as if they're trying to reform it or the subject. But now, I think I have figured out something, and I'll be the first to admit it's just conjecture on my part and may be bull shit but it's a possible answer to the dilemma of the disrupting nature of those who are compelled to "visit" and only contribute negative undercutting of it's constituents and their subjects.
Characteristics:
1. They claim at some time to be atheist, agnostic or non-believers.
2. Their points are baited with non-factual information about the commenter or the comment.
3. Their points are worded for the most effective disruption of the thread or a person.
4. They at some point resort to clear and outright personal insults based on bias without material reason.
5. They usually defend a religious point of view with a belligerent attitude.
5. They always project their own insults on the commenter; they blame to commenter for their own acts.
I think the issue is with their non-belief and actually, I don't think they are non-believers or agnostics at all. I think they want to be, wish to be, try to be, but they haven't reconciled their own fear of not believing and have a bent on defending any contrary position toward belief and religion in general. It may be they feel that vindicating or defending the beliefs they left or doubt will somehow relieve the guilt of being unable to relinquish those doubts. That would explain the extreme, untruthful and even hateful nature of their hit and run tactics and over the top anger geared to disrupt rather than reasoning together for the goal of understanding and conclusion.
This is a great place to share humor, angst, frustrations, ideas, information or anything that is in the spirit and interest of this group and I hope it does not meet the fate of other highly visible and disruptive groups who have no interest in reasoning with respect but rather cater to the reduction of all decent for the express purpose of decent alone.
I welcome any comments from those who participate in the spirit and good will of the A&A group and it's constituents but those who are bent on undercutting in A&A should just go back to the religion group or wherever it is you find your camaraderie.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm not talking trolls anyway. I'm talking mainline DUers with an Axe to grind and they'd like to plant it in non-believer's.... posts.
I don't call that trolling.
to both DU and now A&A. But after reading your post, I was reminded of a similar situation I found myself in.
I am a recovering alcoholic. I tried the twelve step thing and was all but chased out with torches. They claim to behold to no sect or denomination, but of course that is ( I found out ) total bullshit. I went along with it for awhile, and even found a sponsor. He was a religious guy, but said that if I wanted to use my kids as a
"higher power" that would be no problem. Whatever works for you and all that happy horse shit. Well a few weeks later, he's on the phone with me saying my kids aren't gonna keep me sober, and if I want it I am gonna have to get down on my knees and pray! I told him to take a hike and decided to go it alone.
Everyone kept referring me to "the chapter on the agnostic" so I read it. What I took away from that was that it's okay to be an atheist in the program, just so long as you're not really committed to non-belief. That if I EVER hope to stay clean, I must EVENTUALLY give my life over to a higher power ( jesus).
Well, that was about a year ago and I'm happy to say "god still doesn't exist", and I'm still in recovery. I've had my ups and downs, but in the end, success or no...
I WILL TAKE THE CREDIT OR BLAME FOR THE OUTCOME! 
Not much disguise. I'm not up on recovery groups but there has to be one that doesn't rely on mythological deities for recovery. It seems to me that recovery from anything based on fiction is some kind of contradiction.
Hang in there. There may be groups or others on DU who could help if you are so inclined.
Be well 
We're all gonna go!
To quote Curtis Mayfield
since they make it impossible to get help without believing in God. You are a hero. You have taken responsibility yourself, for your problem and for your sobriety. Good for you.
I find it interesting that they say it is ok to be an atheist as long as you are not REALLY committed to non-belief. Um, I don't even know how to respond to that. The whole point of identifying as an atheist is that you ARE committed. There is no wishy-washy thinking in declaring yourself an atheist.
I am glad that you are no longer self-medicating with alcohol, and one thing that AA says that makes sense is "take it one day at a time".
Welcome to DU and to A&A.
And I think I met one yesterday.
And it's a better place because of it!
Ooh - and on edit, checking out the list of them, it appears we do pretty well sniffing out the DU disruptors!
Seriously, those posters and there have been some don't tend to last long.
There's a reason for that.... uh.. no there's not. But I don't want to edit because I don't want that red stuff smeared on my pretty OP.
So the first #5 is #5 and the 2nd #5 is #6. I hope this guidance helps.
