View: Atheists should stop joking about Satan

[downbeatplumb]

Let me start by stating this is purely opinion, not a demand.

Atheists need to stop responding to obvious Fundamentalist Statements with jokes about worshiping Satan etc.

The issue I have with it is that statements like this, while clearly a joke, have a detrimental effect on Atheism as a whole.
Now, Atheism isn't really a movement, its a description of a state of belief, but to me, that does not absolve you of obligations to those that share your philosophical stance.

The point being, is that while you are mocking someones belief by parodying their views in opposite, is fine when dealing with a rational person.
However, when it comes to the fundamentalist christian or muslim, we are dealing with someone who takes their belief beyond seriously. It is sacrosanct to them, they are used to;

• Taking the written word literally
  
• May not be able to differentiate between satire and statement
  
• Overreact to mockery
  
• Quote Mine to prove all atheists are devil worshipers and spread further lies.
  

Now, you may ask why should you care what they think?

Fundamentalism tends to run in close knit communities rather than a prevailing individual response to a philosophical question, and within these communities there are bound to be those who are "closet atheist" and too scared to "reveal" their thoughts on the matter, especially where there is a prevailing view that all Atheists know about God, but deny him to worship Satan. While we know this is absurd, it most certainly isn't to the worst of the Fundamentalists and only support their world view, and propagate the hatred atheists are facing in many countries, which may not be so bad if there was less stigma and more education about atheism actually means, instead of the lies of the local religious leader.

I do think we have a responsibility to ensure that we promote education about the issue instead of supporting stereotypes. If only to ensure that there is less ammunition to use against those who wish to air their own free thoughts in stricter communities.

While it is an extreme example, but a moderate Muslim joking about bombs does immeasurable harm to Muslims around the globe by propagating a false stereotype that may be misinterpreted by those unable to differentiate between a joke and a statement of fact.

I don't demand anything of anyone, nor could I. Perhaps this is a non-issue, and may well be, but I feel distinctly uncomfortable when a raging fundamentalist is faced with several "devil worship" replies to a particularly stupid statement.
Sure, we don't like been told we're going to hell, but we know the sad rationale behind it, and it only harms our own stereotype of the fundamentalist, and you just know they will go running back to their community to tell them of the evildoers, while those whom have rationalized and reasoned a lack of belief have to keep their mouth shut, perhaps for the rest of their life.

Thoughts?

As long as we can still eat babies.