(May 10, 2009 at 7:25 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Religion is bad*. I've no problem with anyone slating religion. In fact I'd happily join you. A cause of destruction is always bad though IMO.
I've been an atheist, twice. I've hated Christians with a vengeance. As peaceful as I am, I imagined getting physical with a knife sometimes. It isn't good. Like Kyu says, education is the way. By all means correct what you need to but don't dismiss without good reason. Christians tolerate all other beliefs. What does it look like with you saying you won't tolerate them?
To me it smacks of fundamentalism at it's worst. Even with rational and reasoned backing, you're acting out what your cause detests.
I disagree with you.
Your main points seem to be the following:
1. Christians tolerate other beliefs, so why shouldn't Atheists?
2. Spreading Atheism is akin to spreading fundamentalism.
My response to #1 is that Christians do not tolerate other beliefs, although they pretend to. If their religion states that unless you believe in their particular religion you are going to be punished eternally, that is not tolerance.
It's like having a gun to someones head, making them give you money and saying "well, you can CHOOSE to give me money, but you can also CHOOSE to die. I am tolerant!".
Just because Christians aren't tolerant, doesn't mean we shouldn't be. That's not what I'm arguing. I'm saying we shouldn't be tolerant of supersticious beliefs because they are harmful to mankind.
My response to #2 is that we are not spreading a belief. The only thing we are spreading is "think for yourself". You can't force free thought on someone, or it wouldn't be free thought. We aren't forcing any rules on anyone, we're abolishing ridiculous thoughts that lead to nothing but suffering.
The difference between us and religion is that we're spreading doubt rather than certainty.
