Atheist extremism is bad... mkay?

[thesummerqueen]

But if you feel strongly about anything, talk about it! You shouldn't avoid doing that just because your words may cause somebody offence.. and if they are offended, then explain your position and if they aren't completely closedminded they should explain theirs as well and then a dialouge has been created!

This is what i'm saying about moderation; if people aren't able to talk honestly and openly for fear of causing offence through being bound by politcal correctness or the vanity to be perceived as being calm and indifferent then how do they hope to settle disputes? If honest conversation isn't able to happen then disputes and issues just fester away until they erupt in some other violent or unsavoury form of extremism. That's why i'm more inclined toward passionate debate- however much bile it may appear is being thrown up- because it is infinately less conceited and a thousand times more productive in the long term.

I have a few minutes before math class (ugh!!) and the boss just left ...

"But if you feel strongly about anything, talk about it!" >>>Absolutely - I don't want you to get the idea that I'm a pacifist or anything like that, or that I hold myself on some pedestal because I seem to be preaching moderation. I'm not perfect, and I've certainly broken down and cussed the ever living shit out of a few people who were frustrating me. I've wanted to shove hand grenades down certain religious leaders' throats. It's the consequences of these actions that make me stop and say "Hey, let's try calm discussion for absolutely as long as possible."

Sometimes things do need big shows of passion to get the point across. However, the line comes with how you define passion and extremism and even terrorism. One could play devil's advocate and say the 9/11 hijackers were just proving their passion against infidels and towards Allah, and they thought this was an acceptable way to go. Someone should have told them you get more flies with honey. I know this analogy doesn't work in all cases...just that some things labeled 'extreme' have absolutely no benefit except towards more fear and hatred. One needs to be careful, is all.

I'm no fan of being PC - I believe in being polite and informed, and I truly do believe from experience that if I prove I'm speaking from a position of some knowledge and willingness to understand, being PC isn't an issue - with reasonable people. Our governments are made up of people, and unfortunately, even though we elect them on some retarded basis of them being oh-so-smart in the political arena (don't I wish that were always true), they're still human and prone to the same ignorance as the rest of us and I think it surprises people that a lot of them know no more about the cultures and religions they're supposed to be dealing with than your average american. I guess they don't have the time to do the research (heavy sarcasm, by the way). Of course, eventually you're going to run into a crazy who isn't reasonable. Then the tables turn. On most forums though...you're not dealing with a psycho dictator who holds the reins of power, or even an average dude in some position of authority, just loud-mouthed brats posting more fodder on the internet for other people to see and say "man...these guys suck..."

And my time's up.