I would like to offer evidence that atheists are not all angry and hateful toward believers. Many times new theist posters will come here ready for a fight believing that we will hate them and misuse them because of their beliefs. The evidence of this poll is that the vast majority endorse respectful treatment of theists.

http://atheistforums.org/thread-28873.html

But now I'm wondering how well our intentions are manifesting in our actions and words on this site. So here is a poll for theists to describe the treatment they experience here. Don't be shy. We won't bite (or, if we do, it won't have been our intention ).

Your choices:

I find 100% of posts addressed to me by atheists to be respectful.

I find around 75% of posts addressed to me by atheists to be respectful.

I find around 50% of posts addressed to me by atheists to be respectful.

I find around 25% of posts addressed to me by atheists to be respectful.

I have never had a respectful post addressed to me on these forums.

To provide some contrast, how would you describe your own actions/words addressed to atheists.

Usually respectful.

Occasionally provocative.

Often provocative.

Occasionally disrespectful.

Usually disrespectful.

Finally, how do you like interacting with atheists generally? It would be interesting to know why if you feel like elaborating.

Generally, I like interacting with atheists

It is something I feel duty bound to do.

I generally don't like atheists.

Okay, I'll stop there. Please check as many as apply for you and feel free to clarify or offer alternative statements that fit better in the comments section. Do know that I prefer to make all polls public.

I find that people are constantly using insulting language, although I can ignore that. Some are indeed just outright disrespectful. Doggedly. And that's kinda frustrating. I try and try with that person but there's no getting through. Then there's the hip shooters. Those can be easily ignored. It's certainly a waste of time engaging in 99% of cases. Some people when engaged get frustrated and evolve into twisted beasts lol. I enjoy being provocative sometimes. Someone repped me saying that I like winding people up, and that's true. One last thing, I do sometimes find it to be quite negative/ soul destroying here, so have to take a break. I love having great conversations here and it's usually a bad encounter that leads to me wiping the site from my bookmarks. ... Only to magically resurrect

I don't find many atheists angry or hateful, Whateverist. Some can be, but I think that's generally uncommon, and behind anger there is usually a story. I do find the majority of atheists very preachy though :-)

(October 2, 2014 at 5:07 pm)Michael B Wrote: I don't find many atheists angry or hateful, Whateverist. Some can be, but I think that's generally uncommon, and behind anger there is usually a story. I do find the majority of atheists very preachy though :-)

Well, I am here. I don't go door to door or try to convince my relatives. But you all come in don't ya see?

I find the tenor of the rhetoric has as much to do with the strength of disagreement as anything. Any time you have a heated discussion, out come the invectives. It doesn't matter if it's theist and atheist, democrat and republican, or what. The few times I've been treated harshly is for criticizing an atheist's argument, usually for making unwarranted simplifications about religion.

Fuck 'em. They get one chance.

Nearly all of the female members are very polite, and will discuss respectfully. I guess it's a male thing. If someone flies in and makes insulting and ignorant noises then they deserve that reflecting back at them. The nature of this site means that this difficult subject gets addressed when, for me at least, it doesn't in real life. Well very rarely. Personally I sicken of both Christian (I don't see other theist representation) and atheist propaganda shoved in my face on places like Facebook. I just don't want to know.

(October 2, 2014 at 6:02 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Nearly all of the female members are very polite, and will discuss respectfully. I guess it's a male thing. If someone flies in and makes insulting and ignorant noises then they deserve that reflecting back at them. The nature of this site means that this difficult subject gets addressed when, for me at least, it doesn't in real life. Well very rarely. Personally I sicken of both Christian (I don't see other theist representation) and atheist propaganda shoved in my face on places like Facebook. I just don't want to know.

Naw, don't blame maleness. I may be the one female you consider rude, but while many Christian males (not all here are polite) we have a couple rude Christian woman from time to time.

I think Rasetsu is right, it's often the complete disagreement that rankles as much as the tone.

I don't consider you to be rude at all Jenny. Disagreement is perfectly OK. Degenerating into insults and name calling is leaked frustration.

i wish i had atheist friend in real life. Because you can freely talking about God w/ No Offense, and they are somehow such logical. It's nice.
I have funny short story : i was having conv w/ my Boyfriend(he's christian).
He said he always feels sleepy, unexcited, and enervate. I spontaneously answer maybe because you have no sufficient money(w/ LoL), it's a power of money, and he sudden replied, no..the most powerful is Invocation, i believe in my Lord. and i was like.. WTF ??!! LoL. Well shortly what i mean is.. we're in joke-conversations but it's such damn RIDICULOUS to drive thing become religious. i'm a muslim which do praying but i just dont limit myself to explore science/philosophy against religion/my Lord. at least that's what avicenna did.

it aint easy to find atheist in my home country., wish i could find someday.