The Atheist Aversion

[Sevachenko]

Note that I right this not as an attack or as opposition to members of our community. Instead this is merely my observations of what I've seen on this forum as of late. Also note, I do not belong to a religion nor do I have anything against Atheism.

Lately in the o' EMM, theres been a lot of questions regarding God, priests, faith in general and Atheism.
I love seeing constructive debating, as I do with my friends, but lately i've seen more and more disrespectful Atheist opinions. Ironically the easiest way to describe it is a certain kind of self-righteousness. I think its poor taste to put others down for their beliefs whether they're Christian, Muslim, or Atheist. It's even down the signatures, I counted more than one of those "I think therefore I'm atheist". Whether that statement is meant as offensive or not, it is blatantly saying that those who are religious are devoid of intelligent thought. I apologize if anyone feels attacked, unlike some others, it's not my intention to instigate.

Live and let live

[gambit]

It's mostly because alot of people are in xyz religion because they were raised to believe in it, rather than through independent thought. I've seen many become religious on their own terms and I can respect that, but there are still people who follow their beliefs rather blindly just because they grew up that way.

It can happen to atheists too, but the ratio is shifted

[CobraStallone]

Mmm I don't know, I get the feeling that theists tend more to insult atheists, I mean they open one or two trick question into making you state you are going to hell and you are an idiot threads every day in this forum

[MaximiIian]

Mmm I don't know, I get the feeling that theists tend more to insult atheists.

In most places, you'd be right. But on this forum, most people, theist and atheist alike, are nice and respectful towards one another.

The ones that are being dicks and are acting rude are in the minority; but they are a vocal minority and post far, far too much.

[★Bandiera Rossa☭]

It's mostly because alot of people are in xyz religion because they were raised to believe in it, rather than through independent thought. I've seen many become religious on their own terms and I can respect that, but there are still people who follow their beliefs rather blindly just because they grew up that way.

It can happen to atheists too, but the ratio is shifted

Indeed.. I even know a preacher who himself completely disagrees with religions brainwashing people and believes that all people should think for themselves and form their own opinions on spirituality.

[pileyourbodies]

Well athiests seem to attack theists more but Theists attacks tend to be much more insulting on the personal level

[André Masséna]

It's mostly because alot of people are in xyz religion because they were raised to believe in it, rather than through independent thought. I've seen many become religious on their own terms and I can respect that, but there are still people who follow their beliefs rather blindly just because they grew up that way.

It can happen to atheists too, but the ratio is shifted

Could it be that some of us were raised in a religion, but also put a lot of thought into it as we grew older?

[gambit]

Could it be that some of us were raised in a religion, but also put a lot of thought into it as we grew older?

I've seen many become religious on their own terms and I can respect that

[Tankbuster]

I love seeing constructive debating, as I do with my friends, but lately i've seen more and more disrespectful Atheist opinions. Ironically the easiest way to describe it is a certain kind of self-righteousness.

For many people, it's a phase. Many of the atheists here and elsewhere are quite young, like me, and many of them are a bit angry at religion, for whatever reason. The tend to be very combative and eager as a result. I tend to find that as you mature intellectually, you learn to distinguish the good debates from the ones that aren't going anywhere.

You might have noticed that the more (intellectually) mature atheists tend to stay out of the pooh-pooh throwing sessions. Now you know why.

I also don't write this as an attack to members of the community. This is merely an observation on my part

[TheKwas]

For many people, it's a phase. Many of the atheists here and elsewhere are quite young, like me, and many of them are a bit angry at religion, for whatever reason. The tend to be very combative and eager as a result. I tend to find that as you mature intellectually, you learn to distinguish the good debates from the ones that aren't going anywhere.

You might have noticed that the more (intellectually) mature atheists tend to stay out of the pooh-pooh throwing sessions. Now you know why.

An excellent observation. My avatar/signature is something of a relic of my own eager phase to engage in religious debate (but I keep both because I'm afraid people will forget who I am without my avatar, and I think my signature remains a work of genius and makes me giggle). I wasn't angry at religion persay, but I was greatly disturbed by what I viewed as the glorification of irrationality present in mainstream society. It destroyed my previously optimistic views of humans and human nature and even caused a ( relatively brief, thankfully) period of misanthropic outlook.

I'm still somewhat of a blunt prick when it comes to intellectual debate in many ways, but mostly for strategic reasons.

[Strelok]

It's even down the signatures, I counted more than one of those "I think therefore I'm atheist".

Think of Atheism as being relevant and acceptable socially in a young state. Think of it going through puberty. Atheists are pouring out of the closet and feel the need to express themselves.

Mmm I don't know, I get the feeling that theists tend more to insult atheists, I

I agree. I still think theism is dominant in this area, both with the insults and over expressing themselves as a Theist.

For many people, it's a phase. Many of the atheists here and elsewhere are quite young, like me, and many of them are a bit angry at religion, for whatever reason. The tend to be very combative and eager as a result. I tend to find that as you mature intellectually, you learn to distinguish the good debates from the ones that aren't going anywhere.

I can relate to that. I've considered myself Atheist for years, but I only started being exceptionally open about it last year. I went through a one month phase where I would debate anyone and anything on the matter of Religion. For me, it was a juicy debate subject that I had all of a sudden taken interest in.

[Tankbuster]

I can relate to that. I've considered myself Atheist for years, but I only started being exceptionally open about it last year. I went through a one month phase where I would debate anyone and anything on the matter of Religion. For me, it was a juicy debate subject that I had all of a sudden taken interest in.

Same for me, and I'm still very interested in it.
The attitude of some of the newly converted atheists is surplus to requirements though. I love it how they've read a single book and suddenly think they're Friedrich Nietzsche (it's funny because I've been there ).
It's the same attitude as the members of the Creationist Kiddie Club or the 9/11 Truthers. They're so convinced that they've found the truth and that everyone else is just wrong.
Of course it's always ironic when the atheists have this attitude, because they are supposed to be the sceptics. After they get slapped around a couple of times in debates, they quickly learn the value of checking your sources and of analysing the position of your opponent as carefully as their own.

[Copperknickers II]

I have yet to see an Atheist get slapped around in a debate against a Creationist on the subject of creation or evolution.

[Avendiel]

They do it for the same reason anyone does anything.

[Augment]

Atheism is enlightening, you are free from superstition and madness, instead you can focus on educating yourself and looking after the dude/chick next to you because we are all equal but some people are misguided (people who believe in higher powers).

[TWoxy]

I think its poor taste to put others down for their beliefs whether they're Christian, Muslim, or Atheist.

Why?

An irrational idea is an irrational idea, regardless of the reasons for which it is held and the reverential position it is held in. Respect and civility are obviously virtues to be observed in society (and discussion within it for that matter), but they should not be observed to an extreme and bizarre extent, at which irrational ideas are left unchallenged for fear of "offending" those who hold them.

[Sevachenko]

Why?

An irrational idea is an irrational idea, regardless of the reasons for which it is held and the reverential position it is held in. Respect and civility are obviously virtues to be observed in society (and discussion within it for that matter), but they should not be observed to an extreme and bizarre extent, at which irrational ideas are left unchallenged for fear of "offending" those who hold them.

Yes but on the ignorant subject of religion its your personal opinion that belief xyz is irrational. Theres a fine line of tolerance in civility. I didn't say I wanted to censor the world. You can disagree while still showing a bit of respect. It just comes down to the decency of the individual as there will always be the fanatics.

Atheism is enlightening, you are free from superstition and madness, instead you can focus on educating yourself and looking after the dude/chick next to you because we are all equal but some people are misguided.

Funny thing is if I replace Atheism in that sentence with xyz religion it sounds familiar .

[Ardruire Iacób]

Funny thing is if I replace Atheism in that sentence with xyz religion it sounds familiar .

It is very odd, isn't it?

[TWoxy]

Yes but on the ignorant subject of religion its your personal opinion that belief xyz is irrational

It is not an opinion that the world is not ~6000 years old, like some believe (stressing the "believe" part here). It is a fact. Opinion often does not come into it with why such beliefs are irrational, more reality and our empirical observations of it.

[Denny Crane!]

Note that I right this not as an attack or as opposition to members of our community. Instead this is merely my observations of what I've seen on this forum as of late. Also note, I do not belong to a religion nor do I have anything against Atheism.

Lately in the o' EMM, theres been a lot of questions regarding God, priests, faith in general and Atheism.
I love seeing constructive debating, as I do with my friends, but lately i've seen more and more disrespectful Atheist opinions. Ironically the easiest way to describe it is a certain kind of self-righteousness. I think its poor taste to put others down for their beliefs whether they're Christian, Muslim, or Atheist. It's even down the signatures, I counted more than one of those "I think therefore I'm atheist". Whether that statement is meant as offensive or not, it is blatantly saying that those who are religious are devoid of intelligent thought. I apologize if anyone feels attacked, unlike some others, it's not my intention to instigate.

Live and let live

This is another one of those ''Richard Dawkins is arrogant'' kind of topics. Populist but mostly without basis, taking a broad section of theists and atheists you'll probably find slightly more rabid foaming at the mouth theists than atheists, also quite a few angry people on both sides but peopl tend to pick up more on the atheists, why because it is an unpopular position, nobody likes the atheist. Societies leper who god forbid he demand he can stand up and cast his fallen finger into the lot like the rest of them, ''oh no that ignorant negro...I mean atheist wanting the same rights to spout philosophy as the rest of us''

I also enjoy the subtle attempt to mitigate the posters bigotry at the end by saying live and let live....when what he espouses is actually a constraining of the right to attack ideas to only a select few.... there are many derogatory people on all sides of debate but this person wishes to deleteriously attack the atheist for doing the same as any other poster because it suits him. Live and let live so long as you don't offend my philosophy, voltaire sir would spin out of his grave and spray his rotting mucousy corpse flesh at you for uttering such a diatribe against liberty when campaigning for people to curtail their own minds/