Quiet Atheist vs Militant Atheist

[FatAndFaithless]

I don't like the idea that expressing one's opinions is considered 'militant'. I don't go up to people praying in public and start arguing, I don't carry around a sign outside Churches calling them liars, I don't try to get laws made to shut down religious belief. I respond to the claims made by religions and religious people and that's it.

[robvalue]

I think active and passive would be better descriptions.

I'll remain active until religion stops hurting people and atheists get the equal rights they deserve.

[z7z]

For some reason, I don't find it disrespectful for my Christian friends to talk about God in front of me, but they seem offended/angry whenever I question God or talk about Atheism like I am trying to mock them. They don't try to convert me or anything. I wonder if it is worth trying to convince them there's no God or just stay quiet and let people believe in whatever they want.

[Alex K]

For some reason, I don't find it disrespectful for my Christian friends to talk about God in front of me, but they seem offended/angry whenever I question God or talk about Atheism like I am trying to mock them.

Maybe they are a bit insecure about it?

[abaris]

I don't like the idea that expressing one's opinions is considered 'militant'.

That's the problem with the wording of the OP. Reading it, I understood militant being an atheist missionary or fanatic. Probably because of the word militant and what it implies.

[z7z]

I don't like the idea that expressing one's opinions is considered 'militant'.

That's the problem with the wording of the OP. Reading it, I understood militant being an atheist missionary or fanatic. Probably because of the word militant and what it implies.

By militant I mean actively trying to convert people from their beliefs in God, being vocal, or actively trying to convince people that religion is bad. Versus quiet atheist that is respectful of religion, but firmly doesn't believe in it.

[abaris]

By militant I mean actively trying to convert people from their beliefs in God, being vocal, or actively trying to convince people that religion is bad. Versus quiet atheist that is respectful of religion, but firmly doesn't believe in it.

Which amounts to what I said. Being an atheist missionary, which is as repulsive as religious missionaries in my understanding, since it implies unbidden intrusion into other's lives. And your definition of quiest also seems a bit off, since I'm certainly not respectful of religion. I just don't rub it into everyone's face if I'm left alone.

[Jenny A]

I didn't answer the poll, neither choice seems accurate.

I don't go around trying to deconvert people or admonishing anyone who says anything religious. But I do respond to doorbell ringers for fun, when I have time. And I don't hide my atheism.

I find myself becoming more outspoken as my children near adulthood. That is because it is only recently that people outside our family have tried to convert them. I have responded by helping my girls come up with responses to their peers, though mostly they are perfectly capable of doing that on their own. Neither is shy about being atheist. But the times parents of their friends have tried it, I've gotten angry. The double standard has me rankled. "Sure I'll be happy to let you take my child to church, if I can tell your child why the Bible is wholly unreliable," is an offer that gets no takers. But they still can't see that it's a double standard.

[SteelCurtain]

'Militant' atheism is really just people who insist that Christians play by the rules.

So, if you're asking if I support those who file lawsuits on behalf of school children who are being taught that Jesus is the answer or plaintiffs in the Ten Commandments at a courthouse suit, then yes.

Do I attend reason rallies and am I a member of the Secular Student Alliance? Yes.

Would you know I was an atheist unless you asked me outright or say something irresponsible?
No.

I'm not sure where I fall on the scale. But the percentage of atheists who are uninformed and loud is pretty small.

[Whateverist]

Believe in gods? Fine. Don't? Fine. Don't care. Voted "quiet".

Of course whenever any group seeks to game the system in their favor and at the expense of everyone else, I"m against that. "Christian nation"? Bullshit.