RE: Atheists
July 21, 2010 at 10:03 pm
(This post was last modified: July 21, 2010 at 10:07 pm by TheDarkestOfAngels.)
(July 21, 2010 at 8:01 pm)Godhead Wrote: The impression I get is that in general (and with exceptions), atheists seem to feel a number of things.
They seem to feel victimised for their nonbeliefs. Maybe some of you live in a country or part of a country where not believing in god is seen as a big deal. However it's obviously not like that everywhere.
In a sense, many of them are victimized. Given that we're still in the minority in the United States, most people are still religious and 'rejection of god' tends to be 'up there' with the things that irk theists the most. Results vary from family to family, but "coming out" to a religious family with your atheism almost always provokes some major negative reaction.
Like this random video I found on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Aq00yJSxo
As such, many atheists tend to be defensive about their position. This is because they often have to be, regardless of how understanding their immediate friends/family may be, there are many others out there who will make life very difficult for us and even entire communities who aren't opposed to persecution, harrassment, or shunning us in some manner or another.
(July 21, 2010 at 8:01 pm)Godhead Wrote: Anger. I always sense a lot of anger among atheists on these forums, like a grudge. It's like there's a deep need to "get back" at all theists, for some imagined wrongdoing. I hve to say that it's not a particularly healthy attitue to have.
Assumptions. Many atheists assume that a theist would want to preach and convert atheists, or that they feel superior. Ironically atheists take on those traits themselves quite often. Also there's often an assumption that when someone introduces themselves as a theist, that they'e a christian. I've read many posts addressed to me and others which mention "your bible" and other christian references, even before the person knows whether or not the theist is a christian. It's quite bizarre, and melodramatic.
What you should realise is that not all theists hate you, and there's no need to be angry all the time and lash out, and that not all theists are christians, or want to preach at you, and that having all that anger inside you will only harm you. The whole atheist V theist debate, when you look closely, is more often than not a disgruntled ex christain V christian debate, except that not everyone fits into either.
I really don't think that's the case. I think most atheists are defensive, but I think atheists are generally the most open minded of people out there in many respects. We might react vehemontly on positions regarding faith and non-faith, but don't confuse voracity with anger. (Remember - this is talking on the internet - it's hard to tell exactly what someone is thinking or feeling.) Then again, I'm sure there are militant atheists out there. Just like with feminists who advocate male genocide.
