Anti-theism? The inner debate.?

Well beliefs inform actions, and that is not something we can avoid. It's important to consider the distinctions that can be found within concepts like "religion" and "theism."

There are a variety of god concepts being claimed("theism"), many do co-opt their god character for their own opinions, negating introspection, like Westboro. But some have more benign interpretations, which should also be addressed on their own merits/demerit. Don't use general terms when you can address them specifically.

When it comes to the term "religion", to determine the harm that it causes you must be more specific, as almost anyone could create a group that would meet most if not all criteria. I tend to see the term "religion" applied to refer to a group that makes a god and/or afterlife claim. Afterlife claims tend to leave the individual devaluing the one existence all evidence shows is their only one. And as for how much harm the acceptance of a god claim causes, that is potentially a wide gradient, from deist gods that aren't assumes to be causal, to teleological omniscient Yahweh, which leaves room for everything to be misattributed to it.

As for being vocal about the position that Yahweh doesn't exist. I have no problem with anyone making a case for their position. The annoyance I find is when one proposes something with an inability to recognize when others are not interested in having the conversation. Which is a connotation in terms like "preaching" and "evangelizing" for good reason. The premise of the interaction is the desire to propagate a certain message. Which suggests the lack of a dialectic. If someone claims that Yahweh exists in one way or another I'm happy to discuss it, but the issue becomes when that is seen as the most relevant aspect of all human interaction.

I've found that in raging against religion you CAN find a more stable equilibrium, but it'll take some time.

My advice is to get it out of your system by venting, and then think about it. It feels pretty good to burn other people with the fire inside, but later you might look back and actually feel bad about some of it. I know I do; sometimes. Some people really deserve it, while others do not... but it helped me to experience the catharsis and then really reflect on what I had said or done, and how it affects other people.

It's important to keep in mind that most of us are just human beings doing the best we can keep to make it through life without going mental. Learn to spot the people who are doing more, who are trying to use religion as a tool for personal gain... and unleash on them. THEY truly deserve it, and once you've learned how to control how it makes you feel to argue with people about such a hot subject, you can guide it, and focus your thoughts better.

A sharper, more-calculating edge cuts much deeper. >=)

The best way to keep from going too far is to acknowledge that there is a type of religious expression that, however absurd, is within the rights of the religious person: that is as far as they do not infringe on any other person with their beliefs. As long as they keep their religion within their "personal bubble," or only inflict it on those who have knowingly and willingly consented to experience it, let them go about their business. Only oppose them when they transgress that boundary and start trying to force their beliefs on others who do not consent, either directly or through the machinery of society and government.

That is the important difference between you and the WBC -- the Westboro crowd doesn't care if someone is doing a thing they agree with in a personal way, within their rights. The very existence of people who disagree with them inflames the WBC. As long as you let people have their myths up to the point at which they start harming others with them, then you're okay.

Banana is right.

When I first started looking into religion last year I was flabbergasted and deeply troubled for my granddaughters' future that there are adults in 21st century America that ACTUALLY believe the bable to be TRUE. I wanted to go out IMMEDIATELY and start shaking people awake. But, it takes time to convince someone their delusion is not real, and most won't be thrilled by your efforts ;(

I love Richard Carrier and would add Robert G. Ingersoll.

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I feel like an atheist and other days I'm like "You know what? I'm actually AGAINST religion" which would render me an anti-theist.

I also don't want to be obnoxious and proselytizing like Christians, but should I just keep my opinions to myself then? That doesn't seem right either.

Yes - it's an ongoing internal conflict.

Wait until you realize that Nazism is just a continuation of Christianity. Yes, most religions are pure EVIL and so are the idiots that use it as an excuse for their poor human behavior. They should all be aborted or de-brainwashed which seems expensive.

It consumed Nietzsche. That consumption may have had a hand in his insanity later in life.

Here's what I recommend: don't **** where you eat. Your friends are your friends. Your family is your family.

Find an outlet so you're not taking it out on your family and friends, like Yahoo Answers, or reddit, but not their atheism section...find a happy place like /r/exmormon or /r/trueatheism. Even though I'm not an exmormon, I have a lot in common with them and their conversations are great. Trueatheism is great too.

Maybe read books by uplifting and positive atheists, like Richard Carrier or Carl Sagan. Maybe theologically neutral books by Bart Ehrman.

ahhha,

you and me, "soul" brothers

(using the terms "soul" and "brother" very very loosely)