Militant Atheism?

[Napoléon]

Why, may i ask, do you ignore them? I feel compelled to be consistent in my efforts to drive people away from religion. I'm not going to allow people to get away with their ridiculous fallacious arguments. Do you have any reason for not pursuing the argument of religion?
Is it because you think it's pointless?
Apathy?
Nonchalance?

Maybe it's a combination of those things. Frankly I don't usually care enough for other people who I don't know to give a shit about what they believe and waste my time arguing with them. If it's someone I care about then ofcourse it's different. The only other times I take an interest are when their beliefs affect me in some way, or they ask for mine.

Have you ever argued with a religious person and converted them, right there on the spot? I highly doubt it. I've certainly never done so. I do for the most part find such arguments pointless, especially when you know the person opposite you isn't interested in hearing your argument. Then there's the whole issue of me communicating my arguments effectively enough to get the other person to truly understand it.

Yeah, I just don't have the time or motivation.

Why would you let people believe ridiculous things when you have a clearly contrasting opinion?

Because they have every right to believe such bullshit. You're an elitist if you think you should be out there forcing people to conform with your worldview. In fact I'll go one further. You're an asshole.

It seems very conceited for someone like me to hear an idea that i disagree with, and that i have strong arguments against, to say something to the tune of "oh, well i disagree with you, but i will allow you to continue believing your ridiculous crap". What is your reasoning behind disagreeing with a vast majority of humans and yet not continually voicing your arguments? I cannot allow such nonsense to be presented as fact. I am uncomfortable with people who have a pseudo-scientific worldview.
If you could elaborate on your position and your reasoning, that would be most helpful

Oh c'mon. It's not conceited to not want to engage someone in an argument. If I took this attitude with every single topic I disagree with do you think I'd be a productive member of society? I think vegans have poor diets. I don't go around picking fights with them. I think people who like adventure time are fucking retards. I don't bash on every facebook post saying adventure time is great. There's a time and place for getting involved in such arguments. My everyday life isn't really one of them.

[ThePinsir]

I go "hardcore atheist" on facebook once a week. It's pretty cool and provokes interesting discussions. I haven't got any death threats yet, so I guess I'm doing it right (or maybe not lol).

Besides that and posting here, I don't bring it up unless someone asks or someone says something so profoundly stupid that I can't help but butt in.

As far as the "ethics of de-converting people"...I've started a thread about it. Hold on a sec and I'll post it.
-
-
-
-
-
Ah, here it is:

http://atheistforums.org/thread-24308.html

[SteelCurtain]

It's the hypocrisy that keeps me from being a vocal, militant atheist. To actively proselytize, to feel like it is my role to 'bring people to the truth'---that's what theists do, and that is what drives me the most insane about them. It's not my business what you believe, unless you make it my business.

Where I become vocal and active is when they try to take rights away from me or anyone else, or if they try to murder the constitution, as is there wont. Then I absolutely will say something, be vocal.

[Jovanian Teapot]

I'm an asshole for telling people that they shouldn't indoctrinate their children? For bringing up the atrocities that only religious people commit? I completely agree that people have a right to think for themselves. However, let's not go the route of "respect my beliefs, yo." (As is the usual argument I get). Sincerely, fuck that. I'm not going to pussyfoot around a controversial topic because I'm afraid to hurt someone's feelings. Before I go further, I'm going to move to the other thread, as it seems more appropriate.
Just don't call me an asshole because the mental well-being of other people

[SteelCurtain]

Nobody's calling you an asshole. Unless you truly are being one.

And you are being an asshole if you are going up to random people and telling them they're raising their children wrong. If you have a medium, then fine---preach your word. If we're talking a newsletter, a blog, or a rally or something, fine. But if you are accosting people uninvited, then, yeah, that makes you an asshole. That makes you the same as the JW that knocks on your door.

[Jovanian Teapot]

Fair enough. I should have been clear that I don't proselytize. I bring it up, on occasion.
Posting on the other thread as it seems more appropriate

[Napoléon]

I'm an asshole for telling people that they shouldn't indoctrinate their children? For bringing up the atrocities that only religious people commit? I completely agree that people have a right to think for themselves. However, let's not go the route of "respect my beliefs, yo." (As is the usual argument I get). Sincerely, fuck that. I'm not going to pussyfoot around a controversial topic because I'm afraid to hurt someone's feelings. Before I go further, I'm going to move to the other thread, as it seems more appropriate.
Just don't call me an asshole because the mental well-being of other people

Oh give me a break. I never once said anything about respecting people's beliefs. FYI I'd be one of the first people here to give the middle finger to someone with a whacked out view of reality. You must have misunderstood everything in my previous post if you think it has anything to do with respect. For the record, if you make it your intention to go out and deliberately start arguments with people for the sake of arguing, yeah. You're an asshole. Hell the OP is called militant atheism. You think that's a good thing? Something to label yourself with and take pride in?

There's a time and a place for being aggressive with your own views. Going to the shops and getting your groceries isn't one of them. Visiting your parents and having a meal with them isn't one of them. Jehovah's witnesses knocking on your door? I guess that's as good a time as any to drill home some facts into their brains, but I never once said you should be apathetic to the problems religion causes so don't give me that bollocks about "I'm an asshole for telling people that they shouldn't indoctrinate their children? For bringing up the atrocities that only religious people commit?" Ofcourse you're not. But there's a time and a place.

[Alex K]

It is possible that you all agree, and you just don't know it

[Tonus]

At university, i tend to take every chance i get to debunk and vilify religion. Many people have described me as militantly atheist. I kinda like it. However, i'm not sure that my course of action is the most effective, so...
I invite you all to tell me what you think of my behavior.
Should we, as atheists, go about our lives as quiet skeptics,
or should we arm ourselves with heavy artillery and pursue a war of ideas?
If you'd be so kind, give me some examples of the things you all do in your daily lives in support of either side.

I would say, be yourself. If you are comfortable being aggressive about debunking religion then go ahead and do that. As Alex K said, it takes all kinds. I am only a bit more reserved about my atheism than I was about my theism (couldn't help that, being a JW meant being annoying at least a few hours a month).

Don't try to fit into some "atheist mold." To me the best thing about being an atheist is that I don't have to conform to the desires of some group. I just get to be myself.

[Bad Wolf]

I tend to just ignore religion unless its something ridiculous like anti-evolution or anti-medicine. That being said, when a priest offered me a pamphlet for his church as I walked by I said: 'Didn't you get enough converts in the crusades?' And I just walked off. I felt sorry for him later.