I Would Like To Talk to Atheists Who Aren't Assholes. Do Any of You Exist?

[Angrboda]

I don't think you will find that the research bears out your informal conclusion. There is an excellent review paper on the question of systematic differences between believers and unbelievers by a man named Zuckerman, and I can surely hunt up the reference if you like. On the whole, my personal perspective is that people on the whole are mostly like other people, allowing for considerable variation of course, but if you're finding consistently systematic differences that support your personal prejudices, you may be seeing the backside of cognitive biases. Cognitive bias is nature's way of constantly telling us, "I'm okay, you need some fucking Prozac." I'm free basing here, but nature does not appear to have had it in her plan for different kinds of people to get along together. To do that takes work. But I think it's most often worth the effort. We're a social species, we learn from "being with other people," and people who are different offer different possibilities than people who are like us.

Regards atheists' attitudes being counter-productive, atheism doesn't mean you want to convert non-atheists. Some do, certainly. But that's an option, and not an intrinsic part of atheism.

[Faith No More]

And you are confirming my opinion, which I formed in another forum, that most atheists are assholes and really, they don't know how to debate or carry on a civilized conversation.

I'm not sure what kind of reaction you would be expecting when you start inflammatory threads such as this one. How would you feel if I started a thread entitled "I would like to talk to Catholics that aren't child molestors. Do any of you exist?" That's a horrible generlization that ought to piss you off, so you should be able to get some semblance of how I felt when I read this thread.

[Cyberman]

Very well put, FNM. Help yourself to a rep point from petty cash.

(And many thanks for the reciprocation. In fact, thanks to all I haven't thanked already; I'm woefully lax at such things.)

[Reforged]

Well, I'm a distressed Catholic looking for answers to some very important questions, but so far the atheists who have responded to me have been rude and obnoxious.

And you are confirming my opinion, which I formed in another forum, that most atheists are assholes and really, they don't know how to debate or carry on a civilized conversation.

So really, if you guys don't get wise you are going to drive me off and I will leave with the impression that there's no point in talking to atheists.

And well, if the point of this forum is to gain converts to your cause, you guys are seriously blowing it if you don't act like normal people instead of jerks.

Good to see you came with an open mind.
So when is the inquisition taking place?

[LastPoet]

Lol, I hadn't repped FNM yet. I thought I did already. Glad I checked.

[Faith No More]

Aww shucks. Thanks guys.

[Reforged]

And you are confirming my opinion, which I formed in another forum, that most atheists are assholes and really, they don't know how to debate or carry on a civilized conversation.

I'm not sure what kind of reaction you would be expecting when you start inflammatory threads such as this one. How would you feel if I started a thread entitled "I would like to talk to Catholics that aren't child molestors. Do any of you exist?" That's a horrible generlization that ought to piss you off, so you should be able to get some semblence of how I felt when I read this thread.

As an ex-catholic I find that one of the most offensive things I have ever read.
Of course non-child molesting catholics exist...












Primarily on Sundays when they're divinely obligated to take a break from it. :-)

[TaraJo]

Well, I'm a distressed Catholic looking for answers to some very important questions, but so far the atheists who have responded to me have been rude and obnoxious.

And you are confirming my opinion, which I formed in another forum, that most atheists are assholes and really, they don't know how to debate or carry on a civilized conversation.

So really, if you guys don't get wise you are going to drive me off and I will leave with the impression that there's no point in talking to atheists.

And well, if the point of this forum is to gain converts to your cause, you guys are seriously blowing it if you don't act like normal people instead of jerks.

Ok, I can't decide whether this person is trolling, stupid or if he's a Poe. Sadly, given my experience, it's very difficult to tell those groups apart. Also, if I can narrow it down to just two choices, a Fry pic is totally going in this thread.

Also, dude, learn what the term 'confirmation bias' means and try to figure out why that might lead you to believe that 'most atheists are assholes and really, they don't know how to debate or carry on a civilized conversation.'

I can understand some of the harshness there, though. We tend to take an analytical view of pretty much everything. We've analyzed societal taboos on rape and on cannibalism and other controversial topics and we don't always come up with answers people find to be 'nice.' Still, I'd rather be 'correct' than 'nice.'

And, finally, truth be told, if you don't want atheists (or anyone else, really) to act like jerks, you might consider coming at the group with a bit less hostility. If somebody walks into a room, being a loud, obnoxious jerk, yes, I'm going to react with hostility. I'm going to act the same if the jerk is atheist, Catholic, Mormon, Baptist, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or Wiccan.

[Violet]

The reason I assume all atheists are jerks is because that is my experience from the forum I usually post to. If that is not true, you have the opportunity to prove it.

But really, your crack about all Catholics being child molesters kind of proves I'm right about you. That was a cheap shot and really uncalled for.

If we use a small amount of past experiences to brand the whole of a group, then I must assume that all Catholics are whiney little bitches whinging on about the many ways they have been mistreated, oppressed, and offended by perfectly reasonable people in perfectly normal situations.

But really... your crack about atheists being jerks kind of proves I'm right about you. And if that was not true, you have the opportunity to prove it.

[Tino]

Well, I'm a distressed Catholic looking for answers to some very important questions, but so far the atheists who have responded to me have been rude and obnoxious.

And you are confirming my opinion, which I formed in another forum, that most atheists are assholes and really, they don't know how to debate or carry on a civilized conversation.

So really, if you guys don't get wise you are going to drive me off and I will leave with the impression that there's no point in talking to atheists.

And well, if the point of this forum is to gain converts to your cause, you guys are seriously blowing it if you don't act like normal people instead of jerks.

I'm nice and I won't call you a troll or any other names. What would you like to talk about? I was a cradle-catholic so maybe I can relate. What's on your mind?