(July 21, 2010 at 9:51 pm)Godhead Wrote: Paul -
It's not about how I feel because I'm ok with my beliefs, however in contrast, it's you who isn't ok with other people's beliefs. Saying that a view is ridiculous isn't an argument, it's just an expression of a subjective opinion and nothing more than an affirmation (to yourself) that you disagree. And actively attempting to ridicule someone amounts to an attempt at asserting superiority; at the end of the day you view those who disagree with you as inferior, and ridicule is your way of trying to express that. Trying to ridicule someone is akin to trying to belittle them, which is what you feel the need to do for some reason. When anyone tries to belittle someone else, it's a sign of deep insecurity. However, you're trying to pass it off as just saying what you think but it's clear that it's more than that. You are insecure, hence the need to make attempts at belittling those who don't share your views.
*dips foot into teh debate*
I will admit that many atheists use appeals to ridicule to theists, their reasons are their own, sometimes frustration, sometimes just to look cool (what you expect, that ALL atheists are good? That is a christian proposition, not atheist). For some theists the appeal to ridicule is what is in demand, since the atheist will already have sorted out that the theist can't be reasoned with. If this has happened to you, then I am sorry, but atheists don't claim they are good christians.
Some atheists have suffered deeply for their former theist 'status' and you can't surely say to me that their emotions aren't excusable(unless it envolves physical violence). You can say they are innapropriate(sp?), but not inexculpable.
For us its most clear that "it's more than that", no atheist will say no to that, it's more than 'godidit', its what we can explore, and find a way to know more, and more, and more! And try that in the Universe account of 'things' we, as humanity, don't easily fade in a round approximation.
