Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carl Tracy on July 9, 2011 at 3:14pm

Sigh. To paraphrase Ghandi, "I would be a Atheist if it wasn't for the Atheists".  (I actually am an Atheist, but you get the point). So much anger, so much venom, so much pedantic squabbling, so much of the same crap that finally convinced me to leave Christianity in the first place.

 

Keep in mind that when you comment on someone's religion, it's like commenting on their spouse. Their view of that relationship is going to be skewed in a completely different way than yours. If you make statements that feel like "DUDE! He's a fucking asshole! Why are you with such a jackass?" it's going to make them angry at YOU (and by extension the rest of the community).

 

The biggest attraction religion has for most people is a sense of community. We don't have that as Atheists so convincing people is going to be much, much harder. I know what you're going to say: "But it's only a community if you conform!!!!!". My reply: Hypocrite much?

 

In summary: Your anger doesn't convince anyone. If anything it pushes them away. So really, why the anger? When's the last time someone convinced you of anything by yelling or being obtuse? What are you trying to accomplish? Proving that you're right? Isn't that what the fundamentalists do? Yell at people who don't believe exactly the same way as you? I was under the impression the goal was to be not them.

 

A note: I'm not saying there aren't cases where the anger and venom is fully justified. I am saying being a dick will not convince Mrs. Reddiger who lives down the street that Atheists are okay. We already suffer from an image problem with the public. When you speak in a public forum, ask yourself "Would Mrs. Reddiger approve? Would this make her more or less accepting of Atheists?"

 

Let the stoning begin...

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 9, 2011 at 4:15pm

agree completely.

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 9, 2011 at 3:16pm

That was fairly unclear. Do you suppose your comments in the other thread might also have been?

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 9, 2011 at 4:10pm

How was that unclear?

To be clear: I AM AN ATHEIST. I was brought up in a christian school thus I understand the mentality. my point in saying what I did was just because I am does not mean I have to be a pretentious dick like others here.

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 9, 2011 at 4:17pm

So don't be.

It was unclear in that I wasn't sure exactly what the context was, who was replying and how the exchange was taking place. It started off sounding like an actual conversation, then later seemed like an online exchange.

My point being, you don't write clearly and that may mean that other people don't quite understand whatever point you are trying to make and how you are trying to make it. I don't know, but based on this post it seems possible. And being as forum posts are written exchanges, that is a factor worth considering when writing.

Also, your idea of "decent" and mine may be different.

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 9, 2011 at 4:37pm

 That's sort of a knife to the heart. I'm a journalism major. I'll work on it.

And I'm only "decent" when all the theist is doing is stating a thought. I will disagree, but ultimatly be polite about it. However, If blatent lies/falsehoods adhoc assertions/or general diregard for human rights I no longer tolerate it.

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 9, 2011 at 4:56pm

That is your choice...


I wrote a whole bunch of words, and they disappeared. Like... some... otherworldly hand.... erased them as I hit "Save"... Jesus H Christ, THERE IS A GOD. And he thinks my humor sucks.

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 9, 2011 at 5:46pm

lol ;)

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Permalink Reply by MikeLong on July 10, 2011 at 4:44pm

This is not uncommon. I've been reporting instances of disappearing text to the moderators.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Reardon on July 10, 2011 at 10:41pm

what's really weird is that occasionally they will suddenly reappear a few hours later.

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Permalink Reply by The Doctor on July 9, 2011 at 4:14pm

**disclaimer** If you're going to just be an ass and not give any intellegent feed back don't even bother it just proves my point.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Hevenstone on July 10, 2011 at 2:47am

I'm with you on this one. Although, every once in a while, I do catch myself agreeing with the idea, I ultimately am baffled by the thought that faith is a virus. Why does anyone care whether or not somebody else believes in God?

 

Where the line should be drawn is not at faith, but at the forcing of that faith onto others. If the person y ou were talking to was polite and just striking up a conversation without intent to proselytize or whatever, then why, exactly, should you have been anything other than what you were: nice and respectful?

 

I do understand the anger. I myself have come to the decision that honest Creationists are either nonexistent or so rare as to be a Holy Grail type of thing if I ever come upon one... and yes, if you challenge it, I can (I think) very easily defend it. As such, I refuse to be polite to them unless they show, at least, the willingness to break past the strawmen and actually learn something about the facts they deny... and I have yet to meet a Creationist so willing. I also have no tolerance for religious-inspired bigotry, faith-healing when it is taken to the exclusion of actual medicine, and so on.

 

However, I have no problem separating out your average believer from the hard-core ones, and I happily recognize the average believer as an ally in the fight against theocracy.

 

You did nothing the wrong. The atheists jumping down your throat... they're the ones who are wrong.

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