Evil Milkman

Well, I'm dating one now and I only try to bring up my reasons for unbelief when she's trying to tell me to believe in the same thing she is, which is less and less.

It's working fairly well.

sullster

Is it just me, or is what you have written very obnoxious? First off, this is the Infidel Forum and anyone who comes in here who is theist is knowingly going to be challenged.

For the most part I do not see the atheists here preaching or forcing anything. I take exception to your use of the term "preaching" in reference to the arguments in this forum.

People here do not need to discover any spirituality/beliefs. We have dispensed with such superstitions and certainly are not forcing things we have rejected on anyone.

One last point. I do not need your preaching about us being tolerant. I have been posting here for almost two years and am always amazed at the tolerance and class shown here. We do not need your misinformed opinion, Mr. Visitor.

lisarea

Now, I'm hardly a preacher for anything, but lately, I've made a conscious decision to be more outspoken about my lack of beliefs, and let me tell you why.

I have never been religious. I was raised in an agnostic household, and became an atheist just about as soon as I'd thought about it seriously.

Now, I was raised to be polite and respectful to people. I may THINK that your beliefs are ignorant and silly, but I'd do my very best to respect them all the same. But you know what? Nobody gives me the same consideration. I was beaten bloody on a regular basis as a child, and I'm harassed and threatened as an adult because of my lack of religion. I never bring up religious belief systems in the course of polite conversation, I've never gone door to door trying to convert my neighbors, and I bow out of religious discussions politely whenever possible. I've done a lot of volunteer work in the past, and I'm a 'good deed' kind of guy, so I've often found myself being lauded for being such a good Christian. And I have never been much for correcting people. I'd just say, "Uh, thanks," and go on. I mean, I know what they mean, and have no reason to be contentious.

But, in the current social and political climate, I've decided it's very important to toss that politeness aside. I'm tired of my charity and helpfulness being coopted every time some Christian decides to. I've heard far too many people telling me to get out of "their" country and appealing to emotion to destroy the constitutional foundations of my country, to which I'm quite attached. I've seen preachers and laymen actively supporting physical and political violence against me. I have people come to my door and tell me I'm going to hell. Now, think about that for a second. Think about what that means to someone who believes in a hell. That is violent, abusive, and just plain disgusting. If I were to predict a similar fate for someone, I can guarandamntee you I'd have the cops at my door within the hour.

So, hell yes, I talk back now. If Christians are so determined to push their belief systems on me--socially, economically, and politically--I'm going to push back. If you bring your adorable little child to my door to watch you lambaste me for not being a Christian, then yes, I will call you out, right in front of him. Fuck respect. You actually believe that there's some giant invisible anthropomorphic superentity who lives up in the sky and has nothing better to do than boss you around and watch you go to the bathroom? Uh, no thanks. If you stick around long enough, I'll point out the comical Keystone God scenes in Genesis, show you how bestiality is really God's Plan, and how he's really little more than a thug and a bitch.

I'm tired of politely pretending that Christianity is anything but just fucking stupid. From now on, I'm going to laugh at you and your beliefs, and if you threaten to pray for me, I'll offer to make an invocation to Satan in your name. And if you ever send your innocent little child to my door, expect some hard questions when he gets home.

Nikolai

No, but it can quete easily be argued that certain things preached by fundamentalist theologies lead to such behavior, and that history is filled with examples of religiously motivated violence. Whether that is or is not the true intent of religion is not what my paper was about. Also, please back up your claim that Christians are somehow bashed at these boards.

DMB

I am always amazed that intelligent people believe in some religion or other or some quackery or other. But I make myself reflect that it is impossible for human beings to be totally rational all the time; we all fall off the train from time to time. So in my view everyone should have an allowance of irrationality. It just gets worrying when they are happily irrational all the time or when they attack reason per se and try to elevate irrational faith above it.

Caverdude

I STRONGLY believe in the idea that people can worship (or not worship) as they please as long as it does not infringe on others or break any obvious laws (such as sacrificing virgins). Anyway, I have learned through painful experience not to discuss religion unless someone takes up my valuable time to preach to me. Then the gloves come off and I give as good as I get. Umm... one exception: I NEVER discuss religion with my mother, no matter what.

The Naked Mage

To their faces. Occasionally. When I'm not immersing them in vats of molten uranium.

[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: The Naked Mage ]</p>

Rusting Car Bumper

Indeed. Well said.

Speaking apocryphally:
I find it interesting that many theists we're "evil unbelievers" for a long time who were "fornicating, drinking and engaging in an ungodly lifestyles of drugs and indulgence." Then after 15 years they "found god."

They, then, however insist that you should turn over to god right now whilst ignoring their own history. It took them years and the pain of their addiction to "turn to god" but they then insist that you are "evil". If its reasonable for them to "go through hell" to get to their god, then why cannot it be the case that the target of their preaching can go the same route? Its obvious hypocrisy.

However, atheists when "preaching" reason often do the same thing. They often have been theists and sometimes active "witnessing" theists for decades before turning to non-belief. However, sometimes we are intolerant and do not allow the theist to find his or her own way.. if at all.

DC

WinAce

I tolerate theists somewhat well. They're often intelligent and have much to add to a conversation.

When some of the true fundies say *REALLY* stupid things, however... I relieve the stress by stealing their quotes for my comedy website.

ashibaka

I tolerate theists just as I tolerate atheists. (Although I'm often more lax on pointing it out when an atheist commits a fallacy )