Why are some people afraid to be judged by society regarding only some things?

[Der/die AtheistIn]

I think that you are using a lot of loaded language. And I think the loaded language that you are using is language that conforms with the herd-speak of your particular herd. So the best answer to your question might be the one that you would get from critical self examination.

For example, you know xians who want to fit in with the rest. OK, that's a way of phrasing it to make it seem like a herd mentality. And fitting in is not 'not a herd mentality'. But it isn't simply a herd mentality. A sense of community does require shared values, or at least lip service to shared values. This happens everywhere that people have an interest in a sense of community. It happens in this forum. That's why you guys appear to be in lockstep to an observer who is not a part of your community. I'm an outsider who isn't really interested in having a sense of community with you. I share some of your values. I disagree with others. It confuses many members of 'the community' because they can't figure out 'which side I'm on'. One guy has started to call me an 'edge lord' because I don't conform to his dichotomous worldview; and if I don't conform to one side or the other, then I must be an edge lord. That's absolute nonsense, but the herd always sees things as a 'with us or against us' dichotomy.

The two biggest herd bugaboos in today's society is anything that contains even the slightest whiff of anything that might be even remotely construed as white racism or misogyny. Hey did I say 'white' racism? I might be a racist for saying that. Some people say that I am a racist. They say that I am a racist because I say  that black racism is just as racist as white racism, and that reasoning that black racism isn't racism because it isn't 'systemic' is absolute rubbish. It is clearly a line of reasoning that allows black people to harass white people with impunity. The Black Hebrew Israelites are a racist hate group that makes the Westboro Baptist Church look liberal and accepting. So I am a racist sometimes, according to some.

I'm a misogynist according to some. I think that those who are found to be making blatantly false allegations of rape should be prosecuted and receive the same sentence that the intended for the victims of their allegations. I think that a blatantly false allegation of rape is rape. It is how women rape men. I think that it is becoming more common, and we need to take it just as seriously as rape.

I'm a liberal who believes that no one should be a racist and no one should be raped. But when I criticize some black people for being racists and some women for being rapists, I get accused of being a racist and a misogynist.  I don't care because I can afford to not care. I'm retired. You can't get me fired by calling my employer and smearing me. You can't stand outside my home and intimidate me, because I simply am not afraid of stuff like that.

When you go against the herd, the herd gets really nasty. Going against religion isn't really going against the herd. The herd is very permissive with criticisms of religion. One of the great herd mechanisms is the permission that it gives to members of the herd to engage delusions about going against the herd. The western herd is a real bunch of rebels!

1. I don't like how you addressed me. When I said herd mentality I was referring to doing things that the rest does without thinking or in spite knowing them to be wrong. Maybe I am guilty of this on some level, there is so much information in this day and age, some of it might get unchecked. But I am trying my hardest not to. How was my language "loaded"? Your response was longer than my post. Also, I pretty much wrote my points directly, without figurative speech or mental gymnastics and there wasn't that much information.
   
2.  The ones close to me don't usually use loaded language. When I do hear loaded language it's usually at church and I dislike it. I doubt that it influenced my way of speaking.
   
3. I agree with you, that many liberals are hypocrites and that we do have a serious problem with white racism and misandry, but the opposition has pretty big numbers too. Society is very divided and it's hard to find a majority.
   
4. I don't entirely agree that going against religion is going against the herd. Atheists can have very varied reasons to why they left faith or continue living without it. Religion does rely a lot on herd mentality, so an atheist might reject being sheep by rejecting religion.
   
5. Even if a non-believer doesn't go against the herd, this doesn't mean said herd won't feel attacked. It heavily depends on the part of the world you live in.
   
6. I was referring to people who intentionally change themselves in order to fit in, yet don't follow some other important rules. Why do some people follow christianity if they wanna fit in, yet don't behave well in public?