How Should We React When a ‘Militant Atheist’ Beats Up a Pastor?

[Doubting Thomas]

Even if he was exhibiting violent behavior, the pastor is an idiot for bringing it up like that. The pastor may have had the best intentions, but it was not the smart thing to do.

True, since you don't know what the unhinged abuser is going to do to his spouse once they get home, or in this case, what they'll do to you. There are more subtle ways to determine that information, the best way is to talk to the wife alone.

---

Having to share a cell with Kent Hovind seems just.

I don't know who I'd root for in that scenario.

[Cato]

I don't know who I'd root for in that scenario.

I'm going with mutually assured destruction.

[Doubting Thomas]

One could almost make the case that beating up Kent Hovind after he spouts all his creationist nonsense is self-defense. I mean, after all, all the stupid stuff he says is going to make you want to bang your head into the wall repeatedly.

[Tonus]

I'm going with mutually assured destruction.

I'm thinking some serious man-on-man action under the covers.

[Cato]

I'm thinking some serious man-on-man action under the covers.

I think you nailed it, but we can both have our way. Cause of deaths: simultaneous cock-induced asphyxiation.

[Walking Void]

I think it was clear to us readers that the "militant" in "militant atheist" was at the root of a violent encounter. Atheism never promises face poundings.

[IAmNotHere]

Physical violence is deplorable in almost every case it's used, so that's my answer.

My thoughts exactly

[MitchBenn]

Here's the thing; atheism can't make you violent because atheism can't "make" you be anything, because atheism isn't A Thing. It's the ABSENCE of a thing. A-theism. Not athe-ism.

All being an atheist means is we don't have a particular cultural influence in our lives which most people, for better or worse, DO have. But it doesn't replace it with anything else. Being an atheist doesn't make you good or clever any more than not smoking makes you immortal. There's no reason this guy's lack of a belief in gods would preclude him from being a douchebag for any number of other reasons.

Of course there will be believers who will point to this as yet another instance of how not having God in your life inevitably leads to immoral behaviour, while ignoring the fact that this argument would suggest that HAVING God in your life would PREVENT immoral behaviour, despite human history consisting almost entirely of examples to the contrary...

[Cinjin]

Re OP:

What in the fuck does this guy's lack of religious beliefs have to do with him being an unstable insecure douche nozzle?
Prisons are FILLED with christians and most of their crimes don't have anything to do with their beliefs in a phony godboy.

This violent offender should have to pay the price like anybody else.
Lesson for the preacher: Next time ask such questions when the subject is not standing next to you.

[T.J.]

Atheism had nothing to do with why he attacked the priest (how could it?) nor should it have any bearings on that. On the contrary, it would appear his atheism was the priest's motivation for saying what he did right in front of him otherwise what stopped the priest from trying to approach the woman when she was alone or another means to determine spouse abuse? Usually there are signs or evidence that you could then report to the police with.