Question for Atheists

[tonyc4444]

Yeah I was being sarcastic. I don't know why I capitalized it and I'll repeat, why does it matter?

I've been trying to have a civil discussion here and you guys are nitpicking the shit out of everything I say. If you don't like the fact that I capitalized Atheist, piss off.

Yeah, if we're down to namecalling that's rather pointless. Also, last attempt from my side, the reason why some of us take issue with your use of the term atheist, has been pointed out, or rubbed in your face repeatedly, I would say. We're not a group. We're individuals with - attention - THE ONLY COMMON DENOMINATOR OF NOT BEING BELIEVERS.

Clear enough. You keep riding a fallacy through our village and expect us to contribute to it's growth. Which is impossible by reasonable standards.

Yeah it was clear the first you and other's said it. I'm not asking you to contribute to some growth of some fallacy. The question I asked in the OP was a genuine one, but it's becoming clear that many of you are incapable of having a discussion civilly. A few of you offered answers that were useful. Why is they could answer the question in a civil manner but you're incapable? Are you not capable of having a civil discussion with someone who just doesn't agree that there isn't a God?

And I didn't call him any names, I told him to piss off. Clear enough?

[FatAndFaithless]

If you're trying to do 'research' on a group, and the group upon which you're doing the 'research' is unhappy with the structure/phrasing/methods of your 'research' and points out areas of concern/disagreement, and you react by getting hissy and self-righteous, that says something about you and your intentions.

[Cyberman]

Didn't work, did it?

[tonyc4444]

It's annoying, because it makes the assumption that atheists and atheism is an institution, when in fact it's the very opposite. And if you don't like being criticised in any way over your research, you can piss off. And take your arrogant condescension with you.

I'm being condescending? You're talking down to me because I capitalized Atheist. Atheist is a group. You may only share on characteristic that you all agree that God doesn't exist, and that maybe all that you share, but in that belief you are a group. The name of that group is Atheist. Which is a noun. Nouns are capitalized.

You came in here with nothing to offer except nit picks at how I capitalized the word. I didn't come here to argue over the merits of Atheists or Atheism, I came here to ask a simple question. If you don't want to contribute to that, why are you saying anything?

[robvalue]

Proper nouns are capitalised. Atheist is not a proper noun.

[abaris]

Why is they could answer the question in a civil manner but you're incapable? Are you not capable of having a civil discussion with someone who just doesn't agree that there isn't a God?

And I didn't call him any names, I told him to piss off. Clear enough?

Oh, I tried to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge in post #3. And I pointed out to you in the same post, as I did repeatedly, that taking us as a group is just flatout wrong, since there's no dogma or belief system involved.

Personally I don't care if you believe or disbelieve. It's your apparent refusal to listen to our answers on the fundamental flaws of your assumptions that makes me just a bit impatient. It gives the impression of a person having already formed their opinion and isn't ready to deviate even one inch from that.

Also, telling stimbo to piss off is meant as a polite and civil suggestion, I am sure.

[tonyc4444]

If you're trying to do 'research' on a group, and the group upon which you're doing the 'research' is unhappy with the structure/phrasing/methods of your 'research' and points out areas of concern/disagreement, and you react by getting hissy and self-righteous, that says something about you and your intentions.

Hissy and self-righteous? He's getting pissy because I capitalized Atheist, and I'm being hissy and self-righteous? Are you being serious?

I'm fine with the criticism in regards to my assumptions about Atheism itself, that's why I came here to ask. Everything else you've brought forward has been nothing more than an attempt to shut down the thread, I'm guessing you boys don't like a Christian coming into your turf. And that's ok, I didn't come here to make friends I came here to ask a question. And I thank those of you who actually answered it.

[FatAndFaithless]

I'm guessing you boys don't like a Christian coming into your turf.

Nooo, not self-righteous at allllll.

[Cyberman]

I'm being condescending? You're talking down to me because I capitalized Atheist.

No, I asked why you were - and are still - doing it. As a writer, you ought to know how nouns work as distinct from proper nouns.

[tonyc4444]

Why is they could answer the question in a civil manner but you're incapable? Are you not capable of having a civil discussion with someone who just doesn't agree that there isn't a God?

And I didn't call him any names, I told him to piss off. Clear enough?

Oh, I tried to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge in post #3. And I pointed out to you in the same post, as I did repeatedly, that taking us as a group is just flatout wrong, since there's no dogma or belief system involved.

Personally I don't care if you believe or disbelieve. It's your apparent refusal to listen to our answers on the fundamental flaws of your assumptions that makes me just a bit impatient. It gives the impression of a person having already formed their opinion and isn't ready to deviate even one inch from that.

Also, telling stimbo to piss off is meant as a polite and civil suggestion, I am sure.

Well I have already formed my opinion on whether or not Christians are Patriotic, and I won't deviate from that one inch.

I accept your answer that Atheists are only characterized by their dis-belief in God. Some of the answers I've gotten have helped me form the character I'm looking at. I'm not really sure what more than that you're looking for?