(April 22, 2011 at 7:34 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Is there a specific reason for the aggression?

There are. Some atheists are brought up in a society or perhaps family that presses religion down their throats and that can cause a stronger need to push back. To have yourself pushed into a corner for so long, perhaps by threats or discrimination. Atheists in closets. Atheists who are afraid to come out because of the fear of discrimination. I never had such problems. I was raised in a very secular environment and I never feel the need to argue with a theist or to try and make a point or push back.

People have their own reasons. I cannot say what exactly, that's something you have to ask them yourself.

(April 22, 2011 at 7:41 pm)Ace Otana Wrote:

(April 22, 2011 at 7:34 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Is there a specific reason for the aggression?

There are. Some atheists are brought up in a society or perhaps family that presses religion down their throats and that can cause a stronger need to push back. To have yourself pushed into a corner for so long, perhaps by threats or discrimination. Atheists in closets. Atheists who are afraid to come out because of the fear of discrimination. I never had such problems. I was raised in a very secular environment and I never feel the need to argue with a theist or to try and make a point or push back.

People have their own reasons. I cannot say what exactly, that's something you have to ask them yourself.

I suppose sometimes the victim can become the aggressor.

(April 22, 2011 at 7:34 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Is there a specific reason for the aggression?

Interesting thing to pick up on and roll with.

I don't know what Ace thinks, but I believe all aggressive atheists have their own reasons for being aggressive. Maybe they spent too much time with pedophilic Catholic priests. Maybe they had psycho Christian grandmothers. Maybe they don't like being told how to feel, think and act by religious nutters. There is no broad generalization to be had here. If you're looking for anything specific about atheism, you are only going to find one thing and it has already been mentioned in this thread.

(April 22, 2011 at 7:45 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: I suppose sometimes the victim can become the aggressor.

If a fat bully repeatedly pushes you, wouldn't you deck him eventually? Religion's gotta know when to back off. I see religion as a big bully, it won't stop pestering you till you fall in line with it, or you push back.
Bullies don't like it when their victims start fighting back.

(April 22, 2011 at 7:45 pm)Shell B Wrote:

(April 22, 2011 at 7:34 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Is there a specific reason for the aggression?

Interesting thing to pick up on and roll with.

I don't know what Ace thinks, but I believe all aggressive atheists have their own reasons for being aggressive. Maybe they spent too much time with pedophilic Catholic priests. Maybe they had psycho Christian grandmothers. Maybe they don't like being told how to feel, think and act by religious nutters. There is no broad generalization to be had here. If you're looking for anything specific about atheism, you are only going to find one thing and it has already been mentioned in this thread.

The things you mention there, are they your experiences? If you don't want to talk about it that's ok.

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(April 22, 2011 at 7:53 pm)Ace Otana Wrote:

(April 22, 2011 at 7:45 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: I suppose sometimes the victim can become the aggressor.

If a fat bully repeatedly pushes you, wouldn't you deck him eventually? Religion's gotta know when to back off. I see religion as a big bully, it won't stop pestering you till you fall in line with it, or you push back.
Bullies don't like it when their victims start fighting back.

Perhaps I would, eventually. That's an interesting analogy you have about religion. Is it based on personal experience or just general observation?

(April 22, 2011 at 7:53 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: The things you mention there, are they your experiences? If you don't want to talk about it that's ok.

I don't mind talking about it. No, they are not my experiences. I tend not to be aggressive with religious people in general. I do have some fierce debates with some of them, but it has more to do with their personalities than their beliefs. I was raised by an atheist and a Christian. Neither was forceful about their beliefs. In fact, they rarely talked about it. I came about my lack of belief on my own. No one touched me, forced their religion down my throat or told me how to feel. However, if they had, I think I would be more anti-religion, which I am not. I think religion is a cultural thing and, while I do not embrace it, I accept it.

(April 22, 2011 at 7:58 pm)Shell B Wrote:

(April 22, 2011 at 7:53 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: The things you mention there, are they your experiences? If you don't want to talk about it that's ok.

I don't mind talking about it. No, they are not my experiences. I tend not to be aggressive with religious people in general. I do have some fierce debates with some of them, but it has more to do with their personalities than their beliefs. I was raised by an atheist and a Christian. Neither was forceful about their beliefs. In fact, they rarely talked about it. I came about my lack of belief on my own. No one touched me, forced their religion down my throat or told me how to feel. However, if they had, I think I would be more anti-religion, which I am not. I think religion is a cultural thing and, while I do not embrace it, I accept it.

Do you think a person's experiences shapes their attitude to those whose views are different to their own?

(April 22, 2011 at 8:01 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Do you think a person's experiences shapes their attitude to those whose views are different to their own?

I might even be so bold as to say I know a person's experiences shape his attitude to those whose views (and skin color, income, profession, culture and personality) are different than his own. However, the result is not always what you would expect. Some people who are treated poorly by a certain type of person wind up reacting angrily and with bias. Others are able to separate the individual from the group, so to speak. They may even react with compassion and understanding to the individual who gave them the bad experience, though sometimes that is a psychological problem. The way people react to each other is not easily predicted. There are some norms, but people are not predictable creatures, in general.

(April 22, 2011 at 7:53 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Perhaps I would, eventually. That's an interesting analogy you have about religion. Is it based on personal experience or just general observation?

Well, personally. I'm probably one of the nicest guys around, however, when pushed...you can bet you'll find yourself flying out of a window.
Generally speaking, a person can only be pushed so far. Everyone has their limits. If religion was a constant reminder and wouldn't leave me alone, then someone is going to have a bible stuffed up their arse.
If religious nuts can restrain themselves enough, like keeping their crap to themselves, then yeah. I won't have a problem with them.

(April 22, 2011 at 8:08 pm)Shell B Wrote:

(April 22, 2011 at 8:01 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Do you think a person's experiences shapes their attitude to those whose views are different to their own?

I might even be so bold as to say I know a person's experiences shape his attitude to those whose views (and skin color, income, profession, culture and personality) are different than his own. However, the result is not always what you would expect. Some people who are treated poorly by a certain type of person wind up reacting angrily and with bias. Others are able to separate the individual from the group, so to speak. They may even react with compassion and understanding to the individual who gave them the bad experience, though sometimes that is a psychological problem. The way people react to each other is not easily predicted. There are some norms, but people are not predictable creatures, in general.

So you don't see any patterns?

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(April 22, 2011 at 8:08 pm)Ace Otana Wrote:

(April 22, 2011 at 7:53 pm)Garmston Ansell Wrote: Perhaps I would, eventually. That's an interesting analogy you have about religion. Is it based on personal experience or just general observation?

Well, personally. I'm probably one of the nicest guys around, however, when pushed...you can bet you'll find yourself flying out of a window.
Generally speaking, a person can only be pushed so far. Everyone has their limits. If religion was a constant reminder and wouldn't leave me alone, then someone is going to have a bible stuffed up their arse.
If religious nuts can restrain themselves enough, like keeping their crap to themselves, then yeah. I won't have a problem with them.

How about socially?