Attacked in student paper for my atheistic views

[Candles]

A few weeks ago, my friend wrote a column about science and religion, asking why so many people reject scientific evidence to cling to their beliefs. As an opioned atheist, she sent me an email to get my thoughts on a study that suggested religious people have lower blood pressure, and asked I believed the cause was because religion was comforting/less stressful. I said that yes, it can be comforting and that could be why some are reluctant to release their views and face a reality where we may not have a special plan for us etc - Something that I felt when realising my own atheism. I was worried about this given the recent anti-antitheist sentiment at my college.

The backlash came in the form of a scathing article deconstructing my comments as 'derogatory' and 'degrading' religion to that of a 'mere comfort'. I am so shocked and upset by this. My comments were answering the question of whether religion can be comforting, and there was no derogatory language, no attack, no negative connotation. I'm a moderate atheist in the sense that whilst I have strong opinions, I still believe in freedom of religion and don't like it when atheists attack/ridicule theists, cos it makes us all seem like total intolerant douchebags.

I don't know what to do - should I write a piece defending my comments? Should I email the writer myself? I just can't believe the editor of the paper allowed an article that was such a personal attack on me to go to print.

[genkaus]

A few weeks ago, my friend wrote a column about science and religion, asking why so many people reject scientific evidence to cling to their beliefs. As an opioned atheist, she sent me an email to get my thoughts on a study that suggested religious people have lower blood pressure, and asked I believed the cause was because religion was comforting/less stressful. I said that yes, it can be comforting and that could be why some are reluctant to release their views and face a reality where we may not have a special plan for us etc - Something that I felt when realising my own atheism. I was worried about this given the recent anti-antitheist sentiment at my college.

The backlash came in the form of a scathing article deconstructing my comments as 'derogatory' and 'degrading' religion to that of a 'mere comfort'. I am so shocked and upset by this. My comments were answering the question of whether religion can be comforting, and there was no derogatory language, no attack, no negative connotation. I'm a moderate atheist in the sense that whilst I have strong opinions, I still believe in freedom of religion and don't like it when atheists attack/ridicule theists, cos it makes us all seem like total intolerant douchebags.

I don't know what to do - should I write a piece defending my comments? Should I email the writer myself? I just can't believe the editor of the paper allowed an article that was such a personal attack on me to go to print.

Post your comments and the other article here and then link the author to these replies. We'll show him what being 'degrading' and 'derogatory' to religion actually means.

[DeistPaladin]

It's hard to not "offend" their sensibilities when the very fact that you openly express that you simply don't believe something is enough to earn their hatred.

[thesummerqueen]

I would do just what genkaus suggested. If people want the mixed and wide ranging views about that article and religion in general, let 'em come here.

[frankiej]

If you ever see the writer eating a piece of fruit then you should get someone to distract him while you inject the fruit with strychnine...

[thesummerqueen]

You're so deliciously morbid, frankie my love.

[KichigaiNeko]

Hello Candles...nice to meet you

The backlash came in the form of a scathing article deconstructing my comments as 'derogatory' and 'degrading' religion to that of a 'mere comfort'. I am so shocked and upset by this. My comments were answering the question of whether religion can be comforting, and there was no derogatory language, no attack, no negative connotation. I'm a moderate atheist in the sense that whilst I have strong opinions, I still believe in freedom of religion and don't like it when atheists attack/ridicule theists, cos it makes us all seem like total intolerant douchebags.

A typical ploy by a two year old mind in my opinion..... rest assured you have the right of reply ....then this issue will end up as a debate rather than some 'douchebag' calling you a 'douchebag'

I don't know what to do - should I write a piece defending my comments? Should I email the writer myself? I just can't believe the editor of the paper allowed an article that was such a personal attack on me to go to print.

So write your reply already!!

Articulate that the personal attack on you in no way makes the FACT that many religious persons find comfort in the ritual and mindlessness of their chosen belief system and less valid.

[Faith No More]

I would sit down and talk with these people about your greivances, and when it's going well, just nonchalantly pull out a baby burrito and start muching on it in front of everyone.

[frankiej]

You're so deliciously morbid, frankie my love.

Cheers.

[Tiberius]

I'm a bit confused. Did your friend write the nasty comments or someone else in response to his/her article?