Quite a shame how people respond

[little_monkey]

Well, that's where we have a difference of opinion. I don't get up in arms when I hear a congressman or president curse like the rest of the country. Why? Because words have assigned meanings, but they don't have 'power' and most people find cursing to be a form of blasphemy, something I obviously don't give two shits about, and neither do most prominent atheists, because...why? Why should we?

We're adults. We SHOULD be past the stage where someone saying the equivalent of "this is about as worthwhile as a pile of horse excrement" hurts us personally.

If the president came on and said "you're a bunch of fucking morons," I'd hope he'd explain why. If he didn't, and was acting like a drunken asshole without explaining it, then I'd lose respect. But if he said "this is why," I'd listen. But this is because I know I'm not a moron, but understand that according to the point he was trying to make I might have been either acting like one, or he could be absolutely mistaken. I don't take it personally.

I no longer believe in catering to theistic delicate sensibilities. To me, not offending them by not cursing is about the same as allowing creationists to "teach their controversy." It allows them to live in their little bubble for as long as they like, and not have to deal with the real world, which includes words people don't like (usually for stupid reasons).

The same people who say swear words are coarse also continue to use slang. What's the difference?

I'd argue that the theist who gets put out by a few 'bad' words probably isn't there to listen to what you have to say anyway, and grasping at that language as a reason not to listen, will strawman the fuck out of you in an attempt to stave off having to do any real mental work for their selves.

All well said, but I would like to draw your attention to another dimension: theists are in the majority, atheists aren't. Theists have been in power for centuries, and it was their agenda that prevailed all those years. We're just beginning to get out of the closet. And it will require finesse on our part rather than brutal tactics to reverse those roles. Dawkins did a lot of good work in regard to that, but his tactics have had their ups and downs. His decision to close down his website on account of all the vile things happening there is a lesson for the future. Had he monitored and eradicate the bad weeds from the beginning, that site would be running today. It was the most popular site for atheists of all color. Today, it's non-existing. And Dawkins is partly responsible, and I believe his own behavior as a person who likes to use that kind of language was no help.