(February 9, 2010 at 12:05 am)Synackaon Wrote: I disagree - the very statement you make about one giving others a "bad name" (or anything else, for that matter) implies a form of guilt by association - a thoroughly uncritical and repugnant action to take part in. And that act affects me - hence my actions in this thread. I am not defending Minimalist; I am fighting stupid statements idiots like you perpetuate. I would have hoped that you, in an environment that fosters critical thought, would have grown beyond the simplistic statements that "individual X influences the whole perception of Y" when it is subjective, not logical and usually used as a tool to apply the blame, pejoratives or some negative state of the whole onto the individual.
It is unfair to blame the people responsible for our negative label in society? Surely people don't have the negative perception of atheist from the ones who do community service and make positive contributions towards society. They see the idiots spouting their bullshit and label all atheists like that. You fail to recognize that it doesn't matter if it is logical or not that his ignorant comments make atheists look bad. You can claim it is illogical to form a negative opinion towards all atheists because of the actions of a few, and I agree with you, but the reality is that people do have bad feelings about atheists because of the few moronic ones.
I don't care if you're irked or not, it doesn't justify your childish behavior. You can argue like an adult without name calling and throwing a hissy fit.
Quote:You could have simply stated your distress at Minimalist's statement. Instead, you attempted to poison the well by blaming Minimalist for the current public's perception of atheism - as if that really affects that which he has said.
I most certainly did not blame Minimalist for the current public's perception of atheism, but he does contribute to the negative reputation we get with ignorant comments like the ones in this thread.
