I've kind of come to a decision, I'm going to stay out of the creation/evolution threads from now on.

I decided to do a little test for the past two weeks and not get involved in the debates, and I don't think it's any coincidence that I've been feeling much happier lately.

I hate the debates, but I always feel compelled to get involved because I have a healthy respect for science and I often see misinformation about science in those threads.

It doesn't make me feel good to get involved. I always feel as though I'm generally being an asshat towards people with a different view, and I don't like thinking that way about myself (even if the person I'm debating with doesn't agree). I also find it quite stressful when I find myself debating with people who I know are very unlikely to change their mind.

I think it's something I could do without.

Anyway, I thought I would just make a thread to first offer an explanation and second because I thought that it would be good to just air this view on the forums.

Nooo, I like your posts in such threads as you actually know what you're talking about.

I am displeased by this stance.

good choice,

no one knows the truth

edit

you know you'll end up debating it in this thread though don't you,lol

I'm sorry, but that's not the point I'm making.

The point I'm making is that getting involved with those debates makes me feel down and can get me a little stressed.

why though

edit

as in i mean is it because people don't have the same point of view or you think they are totally wrong it makes you stressed/down

I can't say that I blame you for your decision, but I have always enjoyed reading your posts. You're one of those people who actually backs up their argument with facts, which is something that I always want to see in a debate (typically because I don't know enough about the subject, and I want to know that people aren't just making things up). Plus, I like to learn new things, and being able to understand more is exciting for me. I have always respected you a lot for your contributions to debates. But again, I can't blame you. I avoid debating too, because it leaves me feeling pretty bad during and after.

I have no problems with people thinking differently than me.

I have huge problems with people arguing utter nonsense and using sloppy "facts" to back them up.

I'm right there with ya, highway. Nothing good comes out of those threads and the intelligent people just end up walking away frustrated.

I agree, you'll feel much happier and less stressed. Not getting angry at people. You can get really worked out from people saying stupid things... Also imo, it's nicer to have a more positive thought about people.

I've already kind of covered that in my OP.

But it can be stressful because I often find in these debates that both sides are pretty well polarised, and that both sides can be very stubborn. It's not really about who's right and who's wrong, it's that you can waste a lot of breath (or kilobytes) debating with someone from the other side and never come to any form of conclusion. It's rare when that happens and I'm sure people from both sides can feel that way.

That's all I really have to say on the subject now.

A shame to see your posts disappear from those threads, but it's a good decision none the less.