CAUTION: Strong Language - May offend christians.

[Doubting Thomas]

Then I think you take atheistforums.org way too seriously. Perhaps catholicforum.com might be more your speed?

[Esquilax]

You have to understand, Ronny... I can't speak for anyone else personally, but I get the feeling a lot of the atheists here are freaks like I am, and the swearing, the lack of tolerance for ideas we perceive as bad, the shuddering spasms of anger...

Those are almost like a handshake, to me.

It's just an affectation, thrown out there in the mutual understanding that there's a difference between "not taking bullshit" and "personal attack." We're coming from a place where disagreement, and calling one another out on the same, often with some vitriol, says nothing about our feelings about the other person at the end of the day. It's not hate, it's passion.

Now, the frustration does come in when our arguments just seem to flow right off of you, but I think if you look you'll see that most of us respond in the spirit with which the conversation is being had. I've sworn at you before, but I've also had nice things to say, when the situation calls for it. I respect good arguments and intellectual honesty, and will call out bad ones in a heartbeat, but that doesn't mean I'd spit on you in the street or anything.

I'd venture that it's the same for the rest of these fine folk.

[ronedee]

You have to understand, Ronny... I can't speak for anyone else personally, but I get the feeling a lot of the atheists here are freaks like I am, and the swearing, the lack of tolerance for ideas we perceive as bad, the shuddering spasms of anger...

Those are almost like a handshake, to me.

It's just an affectation, thrown out there in the mutual understanding that there's a difference between "not taking bullshit" and "personal attack." We're coming from a place where disagreement, and calling one another out on the same, often with some vitriol, says nothing about our feelings about the other person at the end of the day. It's not hate, it's passion.

Now, the frustration does come in when our arguments just seem to flow right off of you, but I think if you look you'll see that most of us respond in the spirit with which the conversation is being had. I've sworn at you before, but I've also had nice things to say, when the situation calls for it. I respect good arguments and intellectual honesty, and will call out bad ones in a heartbeat, but that doesn't mean I'd spit on you in the street or anything.

I'd venture that it's the same for the rest of these fine folk.

Gotcha! We're not very different at all.

[Anomalocaris]

You have to understand, Ronny... I can't speak for anyone else personally, but I get the feeling a lot of the atheists here are freaks like I am, and the swearing, the lack of tolerance for ideas we perceive as bad, the shuddering spasms of anger...

Those are almost like a handshake, to me.

It's just an affectation, thrown out there in the mutual understanding that there's a difference between "not taking bullshit" and "personal attack." We're coming from a place where disagreement, and calling one another out on the same, often with some vitriol, says nothing about our feelings about the other person at the end of the day. It's not hate, it's passion.

Now, the frustration does come in when our arguments just seem to flow right off of you, but I think if you look you'll see that most of us respond in the spirit with which the conversation is being had. I've sworn at you before, but I've also had nice things to say, when the situation calls for it. I respect good arguments and intellectual honesty, and will call out bad ones in a heartbeat, but that doesn't mean I'd spit on you in the street or anything.

I'd venture that it's the same for the rest of these fine folk.

Gotcha! We're not very different at all.

No, we are not. After all, the brain is but 2% of the body by weight.

[Mister Agenda]

If you go back to your first post in this thread, you'll see that you started out trash-talking. Given how tricky it is to talk about race, even indirectly, without someone taking offence, I can see why you might feel you were baited. But no one had you in mind before you came along. It was just a conversation about the inconsistency some people show between their 'street selves' and 'church selves'.

I'll try harder.

But also keep this in mind.... I don't take ridicule well, or like to be chumped off by gangs! And sometimes there will be collateral damage. It's not personal, nor intentional.

I'm an aggressive individual. It's reflex. My job depends on it. And there's my Italian temper. But, I'm also a very loving person, and looking to retire in [every way] in 6-8. So, I mean no harm to anyone.... seriously!

I just don't want to fight! I get enough of that everyday of my life! i think we all do in some way.

Cool. I have a temper too, and sometimes it gets the better of me. I've been known to deliver a rant, and abuse sarcasm. I've gotten pretty good at minimizing the collateral damage: I don't like getting ganged up on either, and it helps to not piss off too many people at once. I admit, I learned it the hard way, and I'm probably a little calmer than you on a basic level.

Verbal jousting is fun until someone gets hurt.