Serious question for atheists.?

I do give polite and thoughtful answers and by and large the majority of atheists I have encountered on here do as well. It would appear that what you are experiencing is what is known as "confirmation bias."

You have an expectation that atheists will be rude and angry (it is possible that you encountered one in real life that was and associated those traits with atheism, although considering the negative stereotypes it is entirely possible that you are just believing what you heard) so when interacting with them you focus on those answers that fit your predetermined notions and tend not to notice the majority of atheists who do try to be polite and interact in a two-way discussion.

However, one must realize that sometimes people that are otherwise polite have their limits. When they are constantly exposed to the same false assumptions they tend to get fed up with having to answer the same question time and again and may very well respond in a more terse tone than they normally would. Being that this type of thing happens rather frequently on Yahoo I ca certainly understand why you erroneously expect this to be the norm.

I'll give you credit for being serious, and perhaps not even realizing that you're being condescending by painting atheists with a broad brush. At least use the word 'some' when you ask questions like this, if you're really sincere.

.

Meanwhile, do you really think questions like the following deserve any respect from atheists? /question/index?qid=20160... And that's pretty much par for the course as far as questions directed toward atheists from believers. It shouldn't come as any surprise that such "questions" are met with animosity.

.

I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone post this cartoon already, so let me: EDIT: oops, link didn't work, but you know the one I mean, the believer bashing the atheist over the head with a cross, screaming obscenities, and then imploring "let's have a little respect' when the atheist is breaking the cross over his knee. Okay, here's a page that at least has the cartoon embedded in it. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&so...

.

Meanwhile, there *are* "polite and thoughtful answers" from many of us, when warranted. And there are a lot of troll answers too, from both sides of the fence. But to expect atheists to be polite under all circumstances is just unrealistic, give the history of abuse and ostracism we've suffered at the hands religion over the years.

.

.

I get on well with just about everyone, religious or not.

I put forward my views on religious beliefs and I read those of others. I know that those with deeply held religious beliefs aren't going to change, and it isn't my intention to get them to change. However, it does show that there are other views.

I sometimes explain how I came from being a devout Catholic to realising that faith was based upon nothing but itself, that science explained nature satisfactorily without needing supernatural beings, and that religious beliefs were no different to those of ancient beliefs in gods and goddesses.

I try to answer based on my knowledge of scripture, theology, mythology and religion. And I sometimes try to trace religious beliefs, and Bible stories, back to the earlier myths from which they derive.

I think I do so in a neutral manner most of the time, although I might express an opinion concerning actions of a few religious people or organisations that adversely affect freedom of choice and civil and human rights, such as the infamous, and now failed, Proposition 8 in California.

I wonder if your assertion about being "so angry and rude" is based on scripture such as "He that is not with me is against me" (Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23). That seems to teach believers that those who don't believe as they do are not neutral but enemies. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I do - when I receive contemplative questions and get polite and thoughtful answers.

On the other hand, as$holes will be treated as such.

==

"Because the ego of a two year old wrapped up in the intellect of a 20 year old and the maturity of an 8 year is just how they roll""

See? => As$hole.

QED

‘Religious apologists complain bitterly that atheists and secularists are aggressive and hostile in their criticism of them. I always say: look, when you guys were in charge, you didn’t argue with us, you just burnt us at the stake. Now what we’re doing is, we’re presenting you with some arguments and some challenging questions, and you complain.’ A.C. Grayling

-There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages.- Richard Lederer

Because Christians force their crap on everything. You put up fake pictures of aborted babies, (of which no intelligent person cares), billboards about your religion. Christians force their fairy tale on children, spread false or fake nonsense like creationism, you want to ban real education. You open up "colleges" that spread more lies and you wonder why we don't take you seriously. And none of that would matter if it wasn't for your superiority complex. All Christians I have met are condescending, and act like they are saving people. And then there's your victim complex that even more annoying. You act like you are percecuted because REAL schools won't accept creationism or anything from you. It's arrogance, disguised as righteousness.

Why do you need to be so angry and rude in your questions and answers.

- Lets see, YOU scream hatred on my street corners, YOU try and force that hatred/fantasy into my class rooms, YOU insist that science is a lie and try and force everyone to believe that. How about those for openers.

Why not ask contemplative questions and give polite and thoughtful answers?

- We do ask contemplative questions, but idiot fundies have no idea what we are asking. And how can you give thoughtful answers to monumentally ignorant questions.

Just look at the answer provided by No Chance Without Jesus. You should see his questions. The hatred and bigotry exhibited by theists on this forum does not deserve a polite or respectful response.

Cause and effect.

Foe a question like yours, it's easy to do. When we get asked if we are looking forward to roasting in hell, or do we think atheists are worse than pedophiles, well, it's tough to stay dignified.

Rude is unacceptable, and it doesn't matter if its atheists or christians or muslims being rude.

Questions and answers that are vulgar should be reported, there is no reason not to be civil even when we disagree.