Militant Atheism?

[Jovanian Teapot]

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 just like to note that i have observed a general trend among believers. When you effectively question their belief to the point where they doubt their faith, they seem to get really depressed. Again, this is a general observation, and so i admit that some take it in stride (these cases are outliers in my opinion). If this thread lives long enough, maybe we can explore the ethics of 'taking someone's religious views away from them'.

[Napoléon]

Honestly? I just get on with my daily life and ignore any random people who might be pushing their own agendas. There's only been one instance since I've been at uni that I actively decided to get involved in a religious discussion, and that's only because the local community centre was handing out free hotdogs if you asked them a question about god.

[truthBtold]

Honestly? I just get on with my daily life and ignore any random people who might be pushing their own agendas. There's only been one instance since I've been at uni that I actively decided to get involved in a religious discussion, and that's only because the local community centre was handing out free hotdogs if you asked them a question about god.

Was it at least vienna?

[Jovanian Teapot]

Honestly? I just get on with my daily life and ignore any random people who might be pushing their own agendas. There's only been one instance since I've been at uni that I actively decided to get involved in a religious discussion, and that's only because the local community centre was handing out free hotdogs if you asked them a question about god.

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

[Alex K]

The answer is a resounding Yes! It needs both approaches, and which one you choose depends on where you are in life and geographically, and whether you can pull it off or if it's out of character for you.
One thing is for sure: being only nice and pleasant has failed to work for decades, only after people have become unapologetic and in your face atheist, has any headway been made.

[Doubting Thomas]

I think that as long as people are being cool with their religion, that is not pushing it, then you should tone down your anti-religion sentiment. There's no need to get all huffy over someone telling someone else "God bless" or something innocuous. But it's when they're actively campaigning for recruits or proselytizing is when it's OK to bring out the big guns. To constantly be on the anti-religion offensive is to be reactionary and will turn a lot of people off and further the stereotype of the angry, unhappy atheist.

There's only been one instance since I've been at uni that I actively decided to get involved in a religious discussion, and that's only because the local community centre was handing out free hotdogs if you asked them a question about god.

I think my question would be "Can God make a rock so big that he himself can't lift it?"

[Alex K]

Bull! Have you lived in Texas? It's religion down your throat 24/7. Be prepared to think of yourself as a second class citizen for being an nonbeliever in that society. All the reason to push back hard.
Although I agree that staying cool is a good idea. There's a differece between wearing your atheism proudly upfront, and being a jerk in everyday interactions. A fine line...

I think that as long as people are being cool with their religion, that is not pushing it, then you should tone down your anti-religion sentiment. There's no need to get all huffy over someone telling someone else "God bless" or something innocuous. But it's when they're actively campaigning for recruits or proselytizing is when it's OK to bring out the big guns. To constantly be on the anti-religion offensive is to be reactionary and will turn a lot of people off and further the stereotype of the angry, unhappy atheist.

There's only been one instance since I've been at uni that I actively decided to get involved in a religious discussion, and that's only because the local community centre was handing out free hotdogs if you asked them a question about god.

I think my question would be "Can God make a rock so big that he himself can't lift it?"

---

Although you have no choice but to *allow* everyone to believe nonsense. It's (supposed to be) a free country, and you can hardly force anyone to agree if they don't want to...

[Jovanian Teapot]

Bull! Have you lived in Texas? It's religion down your throat 24/7. Be prepared to think of yourself as a second class citizen for being an nonbeliever in that society. All the reason to push back hard.
Although I agree that staying cool is a good idea. There's a differece between wearing your atheism proudly upfront, and being a jerk in everyday interactions. A fine line...

Yeah man, i live in texas. That is probably why i am so vocal.
I should elaborate on my position. I dont go off on a tangent everyone says "i'll pray for you" or something seemingly benevolent. What i should say is that everytime someone says "thank god for [insert life event]" i say (literally) "god probably isnt real". Is it wrong to be pushy about god existing? i'd say no.
If we could identify some general guidelines that one should follow when pursuing religious discourse (i.e. in what situations is it not a logically good thing to bring up), that would be fantastic

[Alex K]

Yeah man, i live in texas.

I know, hence my semi rhetorical question to DT

Intetrsting question whether there can be guidelines... General ones are certainly hard to find

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

I think NOT being an asshole about it will generally get better results. But hey, that's just me.