Why Do Atheists Criticize People's Beliefs?

[Rhondazvous]

I think criticizing the beliefs of religious people is exactly the same as religious people criticizing atheists or members of other religions.

Agreed. Personally I don't understand why anyone would mock or start criticising what others do/don't believe, religiously. If someone from a different religion or from no religion wants to discuss it, I'll talk to them about it and share my views of why I disagree with them. But other than that, I see no reason to just start criticising/making fun of/mocking other people's beliefs or lack thereof. Its entirely lost on me.

I should have been clearer. When I say "criticize," I don't mean mock. I use the word in a more rhetorical way. To point out the flaws in a proposition. When you make a proposition in an open forum that proposition is open to criticism. If the logic behind the proposition is way over the top, it may even be open to ridicule.

I speak as one who has been the subject of such criticism right here on AF, and you may have read my responses to it. If someone proves to me that I am wrong, I concede. If the criticism is flawed, I say why I think it is. criticism is flawed, I say exactly why I think it is so.