Angry Atheists

[Cheese]

I thought you theist folk might like some balance...if you can call this ^$*&^%*$&^%$5fn jer&^%&^%* diddly)(*^)^*frikn balance...

there is something I am missing about atheists: what I simply do not understand is why they are often so angry.

Angry Angry Atheists

Are we angry? Does discussing religion or thinking that those who believe in a fairy tale make us appear ANGRY?

I don't know many religious folk who wake up thinking of new ways to aggravate atheists, but many people who do not believe in God seem to find the religion of their neighbors terribly offensive or oppressive, particularly if the folks next door are evangelical Christians. I just don't get it.

Hes right, next time a JW or Morman group knocks on your door Sunday morning...invite them in for a rye and coke.
Frikn *&%*(%*&[-(+##$!@%$


Thanks bovine one.

[rubecube]

The only time I get angry is when a sect tries to tell me I can't do something based on their beliefs. That and their tends to be quite a bit of character assasination against atheists.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Are we angry? Does discussing religion or thinking that those who believe in a fairy tale make us appear ANGRY?

I'm assuming you're being silly here --- but in case you're not --- can't you see how your rhetoric here is inflammatory? Using terms like "fairy tale" and such can make it seem like you have some kind of superiority complex or something, even if you were joking.

I'm not about to get into some religious debate with you, though I honestly am curious as to the intent of your post.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Antithesis,
I think it's best to leave this one alone.
Cheese for some reason hates religion and uses every example to post articles, or whatever to make this known and to condescend to those who actually have faith.

I'm not particularily religious myself, but it annoys the hell out of me.
Religion is one of those things that probalby shouldn't be debated because in the end it's a matter of faith and it's the ultimate example of neither side being able to convice the other.

And before I get the obligatory sheep comment from Cheese, no I didn't just say that religion should be followed blindly, debate is not the same as question, discuss, research and trying to understand.

See I love it when I have to put disclaimers on my posts becsue I know exactly what someone twist around and use to attack it.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

And before I get the obligatory sheep comment from Cheese, no I didn't just say that religion should be followed blindly, debate is not the same as question, discuss, research and trying to understand.

That sounds suspiciously like the scientific method.

The only problem with that is you would never ever come up with a dogmatic faith group (Christianity, Judasim, etc) as an anwesr to openly posed questions of that nature.

You would only be left with two choices based on what we know now. A open and undefined god-force (open spirituality) or nothingness (atheisim). Leaving many to contemplate an alternative choice, that is to ignore those questions altogehter, and be left an agnostic.


But i certainly share in Cheese's frustration when people simultaniously think themselves logical and at the same time believe in some silly story time religious dogma that clearly no longer holds any relevance in todays world. To propose that debate is not warrented and that only thoughtful discussion and mindless Q&A will do is moronic at best.

Claeren.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Claeren

But i certainly share in Cheese's frustration when people simultaniously think themselves logical and at the same time believe in some silly story time religious dogma that clearly no longer holds any relevance in todays world. To propose that debate is not warrented and that only thoughtful discussion and mindless Q&A will do is moronic at best.

Its OK to be frustrated, of course, people tend to be frustrated by things they don't understand (as a teacher, I know this particularly well and am reminded of it every day), but what makes people in general seem a bit silly is when they try and convince people of their argument by insulting them. I usually find that when I am trying to convince someone that my opinion is correct, it is best not to attack them.

It does seem a bit akin to saying, "You're stupid, because I said so".

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Its OK to be frustrated, of course, people tend to be frustrated by things they don't understand (as a teacher, I know this particularly well and am reminded of it every day), but what makes people in general seem a bit silly is when they try and convince people of their argument by insulting them. I usually find that when I am trying to convince someone that my opinion is correct, it is best not to attack them.

It does seem a bit akin to saying, "You're stupid, because I said so".

I guess the answer to your response would be...as a teacher you would be teaching subjects to young people that have never had any understanding of a topic prior to your theories being espoused.
If you are suggesting however that I am not educated on this matter I would be more than happy to debate any theory you put forth.

As to the topic....I simply posted this to give theists an opportunity to answer the question put forth. I dont think I was being anything more than tongue in cheek.
As to whether my rhetoric is inflammatory, I guess that all depends on the angle you view it from. Theists certainly dont want anyone suggesting that there is no God, and they certainly dont want anyone suggesting what they believe in might not be more than a fairytale. But that doesnt make me angry. I would suggest quite the opposite based on some of the comments so far.

[DementedReality]

well, i think that both sides should show respect for the others point of view.

frankly, i will respect your right to pray to a bag of sand if you so choose, however i expect you to respect my right to not pray to anyone and not tell me my kids are damned to he11 because of it.

however, i find that organized religions somehow believe that their version of events is more important (in fact more "true") than other peoples.

i would like to know why Christianity is recognized as ok but "hadolasody" is considered a cult? whats the technical difference other than Christianity has been around for alot longer than something I just made up in my basement 4 minutes ago?

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Cheese

I guess the answer to your response would be...as a teacher you would be teaching subjects to young people that have never had any understanding of a topic prior to your theories being espoused.
If you are suggesting however that I am not educated on this matter I would be more than happy to debate any theory you put forth.

My comment regarding frustration was more directed towards Claeren as he actually used the word "frustration", and when I wrote and posted, I knew it might cause confusion. I'm not speaking of a lack of understanding regarding religious belief systems or lack of knowledge regarding world religions. I was speaking more towards a lack of understanding regarding the "how" and to a lesser extent the "why" regarding faith on a personal level. I can't imagine, that as atheists (I would assume), yourself and Claeren would argue the notion that you don't understand how people arrive at spiritual belief. I'm not saying that to be insulting, I'm saying that I would assume that is a part of being an atheist.

Originally Posted by Cheese

As to the topic....I simply posted this to give theists an opportunity to answer the question put forth. I dont think I was being anything more than tongue in cheek.
As to whether my rhetoric is inflammatory, I guess that all depends on the angle you view it from. Theists certainly dont want anyone suggesting that there is no God, and they certainly dont want anyone suggesting what they believe in might not be more than a fairytale. But that doesnt make me angry. I would suggest quite the opposite based on some of the comments so far.

I don't think that seeking discussion regarding religion and having the position you seem to is indicative of anger, to answer your question. What I think is that use of terms like "fairy tale" are inflammatory, especially in a forum like this, where it is so hard to tell if someone is joking (like you say you are) or serious. Without bringing my beliefs into the argument, I would think that a theist would consider "fairy tale" to be on the same level as calling someone's wife an ugly mutt when they clearly believe that not to be the case. They would probably get upset.

Obviously, you enjoy discussing religion and seek out discussions on the subject, it just seems to me that using terms like "fairy tale" as part of your discourse would be an attempt to pick a fight, know what I mean?

Originally Posted by DementedReality

well, i think that both sides should show respect for the others point of view.

That's a pretty solid belief to have.

Originally Posted by DementedReality

frankly, i will respect your right to pray to a bag of sand if you so choose, however i expect you to respect my right to not pray to anyone and not tell me my kids are damned to he11 because of it.

And of course that would be upsetting. I, personally, would never dream of doing that but obviously its happened to you in the past which is unfortunate.

Originally Posted by RementedReality

however, i find that organized religions somehow believe that their version of events is more important (in fact more "true") than other peoples.

I think that's a bit of a blanket statement. Some, maybe even most followers of organised religions believe this on some level, sure, but I think those following a true path towards enlightenment would be loathe to feel they were better than someone else on the basis of their views of the universe. I get the sentiment though, just not the all-inclusiveness of it.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The only time I get angry is when a sect tries to tell me I can't do something based on their beliefs. That and their tends to be quite a bit of character assasination against atheists.

If you mean stuff like gay marriage, and other socially liberal things, then I agree.

However, there are secular and non-secular people who try to force their ideas on people. It's not something limited to religion.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If you mean stuff like gay marriage, and other socially liberal things, then I agree.

However, there are secular and non-secular people who try to force their ideas on people. It's not something limited to religion.

Yep. I don't like it when somebody tries to tell me what I can do, put into, etc with my own body. Religious or not. It just tends to be the fundamentalists who push this stuff the hardest.