The aggressive atheist

[ITChick]

This happens to me fairly often. I'm having a fairly civilised conversation with a Christian and the aggressive atheist comes along: "F*#$€ you you f*^%#'ng Christian. Your god is a jerk and you are an idiot"

At this point the Christian would either dissapear or the two of them would have a fight.

What do I do when this happens? For some reason I feel bad telling the atheist off (we are on the same team after all), but he/she just ruined some good work that I did. Any advice?

Edit: sorry, I think I posted this in the wrong forum. If someone could move it (sorry, I know you guys are busy) that would be great!

[Mister Agenda]

It's just part of the territory. It seems like a lot of forums have a couple of people who think it's their job to bark at newcomers. I've seen the same kind of behavior at Christian and Muslim forums, they just tend not to use the expletives...and somehow still manage to make it sound nastier than 'fuck off, you ignorant asshole'.

I think all you can do is stick to the conversation you're having with the person if they stick around. Freethinkers tend to reject the very concept of there being such a thing as a word that's bad and shouldn't be spoken or written. I agree with that sentiment, but 'curse words' get part of their impact from shock value, so I try not to overuse them, especially in print. It's an interesting phenomenon that someone else can work up the atmosphere around them into a blue haze without detracting from someone else's ability to verbally hit harder when they want to by swearing judiciously.

[Something completely different]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lElf7D-An8

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

This happens to me fairly often. I'm having a fairly civilised conversation with a Christian and the aggressive atheist comes along: "F*#$€ you you f*^%#'ng Christian. Your god is a jerk and you are an idiot"

At this point the Christian would either dissapear or the two of them would have a fight.

What do I do when this happens? For some reason I feel bad telling the atheist off (we are on the same team after all), but he/she just ruined some good work that I did. Any advice?

Edit: sorry, I think I posted this in the wrong forum. If someone could move it (sorry, I know you guys are busy) that would be great!

I've been in that situation more than once. I dialog with more than a few believers on a fairly frequent basis (some of them are pretty close mates). I'll usually tell the interloper politely but firmly that this is a private conversation, and if he wishes to join it, he'd do better to mind his manners. If that doesn't work, I might (and I realize that this approach isn't for everyone) thump him hard enough to make him re-evaluate his priorites.

Boru

[wwjs]

Happens quite a lot on this forum. "Hurr durr, I don't know what to say so I'll just start swearing at you." Fucking kudos whores.

[freedomfromforum]

I agree with "Mister Agenda". If the theist will stick around then proceed from where the conversation was interrupted, and if not, then engage them at the next mutual opportunity. The best "witness" we atheists can give to theists is to remain polite and stay on topic. I don't sense any need to apologize for the atheist who butts in, but it may be necessary to redirect if the theist cannot let go of the offense. Have fun. Be strong.

[Faith No More]

Are we talking about on a forum or in real life?

[Neo-Scholastic]

I say, "if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen." Though I find it pretty uncivil.

[Tonus]

This happens to me fairly often. I'm having a fairly civilised conversation with a Christian and the aggressive atheist comes along: "F*#$€ you you f*^%#'ng Christian. Your god is a jerk and you are an idiot"

At this point the Christian would either dissapear or the two of them would have a fight.

What do I do when this happens? For some reason I feel bad telling the atheist off (we are on the same team after all)

I'm not on the same team with someone who acts that way.

[Rahul]

I try not to tell theists off but usually one of two things happens.

1) They take offense and respond in an emotionally defensive manner at very mild statements I make because it's directed toward their core religious beliefs.

2) They say something really fucking stupid. Like saying their religious opinions should be respected because they "feel" a certain way about something.

Aaaaaaand there I go.