We should take the Moral Highground

[Adjusted Sanity]

being an atheist allows you to be insulting and degrading to others who believe in something you don't?

Being an atheist is irrelevant,at least in my country. We call the right 'freedom of speech'. Here that right includes (anyone) being able to give gross offence. As Stephen Fry so eloquently said " you're offended? So fucking what?"

My observation is that believers everywhere take full advantage of that right and use it against anyone who does not happen to share their personal superstitions.

You have no right of expectation here or anywhere else. My respect is earned. Post drivel and your post will be attacked.

IF you make a positive claim such as "I believe in God"',you WILL be challenged. Declining to explain your position will earn neither respect nor credibility. Only a problem if those things matter to you.

Well I don't really have an argument for you because I mostly agree. But if you're going to wave your dick at theists, make sure to point it in the right direction and only resort to dick waving when one refuses to listen.

Immediately insulting someone's belief puts your subject in attack mode. They're not going to listen to you, and a heated insulting argument just makes both people look like assholes without solving a thing.

Also "I believe in god" is not a positive statement. It is an opinion. The statement does not claim god exists, It claims that they believe god exists. What one should challenge is the backwards beliefs religion teaches. Not a belief in god. Unless I've misinterpreted what you meant by positive statement.