If Christians can admit that there are bigots among their number, why is it so difficult for atheists?

Question

I don't know how many times just today I've seen questions like "why are Christians always stupid", or "how can we get rid of Christians", and worse.
I've paid attention when I've seen atheists complaining about how they think Christians are trying to force our faith on them and on their families through the legislature, and, to some extent I can see their point.
I wonder if you realize that some of us feel the same way, when, just as a for instance, a young girl has her mic shut off because in her valadictorian speech, she wants to mention her gratitude to the God she worships. Come on, now, don't you think that sort of thing is a bit crazy? If we can say, "yes, Pagans ought to have the right to mark their dead military family's grave with their pentacle," or "yes, we see the problem when gay people are not allowed property rights" can't you see how we feel when you want to take our religious symbols which have been there for decades down out of our sight?
Can't we compromise, here

Answer 1

They will not compromise, as long as there is some freedom of religion in the world. The ongoing argument between Atheists and the religious is like a war; who wants to give up, if it means crossing to the side of the enemy? Atheists are the most one-sided people I have ever known.

As an Agnostic, I'll side with what makes most sense, and in this case, it is your need for peace from the other side that brings me to agree with you.

Answer 2

Note: Religious symbols which have been there for years and years are generally allowable under the Lemon test and under the establishment clause. They qualify for historical protection. It's folks like that justice who wanted to erect a huge, brand-new 10 Commandments monument smack-dab on the courthouse lawn that get asked to take the stuff away, and IMO with good reason.

There are bigots in any given religion, and in no religion. Madalyn Murray O'Hair was as prejudiced and blind as any bigot among Christianity, as was Ayn Rand (though not as bad as O'Hair).

On the internet, shock-jock tactics predominate. Don't worry - there are still good, intelligent posters amongst the atheists and agnostics out there. Just look for the signal instead of the noise.

(Also re. the kid: She was /specifically/ asked to give a speech without mentioning God. It is within her prerogative to either a) do that or b) not do that and, if she has been harmed, to seek legal redress (the ACLU readily helps those religious folks who have been discriminated against, as well), but it is within the school's prerogative as an establishment of the state (presuming it is a public school) to ensure that it is not seen as promoting religion, which was the issue with her remarks about God.)

Answer 3

Not an atheist, but I tihnk there's bigots on all sides, from what I can see. Dunno if there's much that can be done about that, other than repeatedly pointing out that they don't speak for the normal folks.

I think the thing with removing public symbols, etc, all comes down to something akin to what happens when folks try to enforce racial or gender equality - one side's held a position of "power" for so long that they've gotten used to it. So used to it that it can be hard for them to see where it might not be unequal or unfair to others. I know a lot of folks view that as an assault on whatever it is they hold dear, but in many cases, what's being discussed is a privledge that's being kept from everyone else.

We can certainly compromise, and we can certainly do things in non-aggressive, non-threatening ways. But at the same point, folks aren't going to settle for being second-class citizens, so they're going to keep pushing for what they think is right. There's a whole lot more understanding that's needed to keep things from turning into a gigantic brawl, because neither side wants to budge.

Answer 4

There will never be compromise - when you are dealing with beliefs and faith, everyone feels that they are right (feels it very strongly). Christians can be very vocal about their faith, because part of their beliefs include "witnessing" to others. Sometimes they want non-Christians to be as happy as they are so much that they can get a little pushy and obnoxious about it. Christians tend to not be as mean or cutting with non-Christians about their faith because part of our faith includes wanting good for others and praying for all people. People who are atheist not only push their views on Christians, but are very rude about their arrogance in fighting something just because they can't explain it. Rarely do I see posts by Christians that include name-calling and rude behavior. That usually comes from the atheists in my experience.

**Take a look at the responses to see which side is name-calling and referring to lack of intelligence:)

Answer 5

The difference here is that the young lady was trying to push her religious beliefs onto others after being explicitly told not to. My marking my ancestor's grave with a pentacle or a Star of David or whatever else I choose is not the same as the young lady trying to use her opportunity to speak to advance her religion. You can choose to walk away from and ignore my pentacle or my Star of David; her audience - her fellow students - could not get up and walk away. That's why she had to be stopped.

Answer 6

??? I have no problem at all admitting that bigots come in all shapes, sizes and beliefs. But, if you're going to be honest, you can't deny that the majority of bigots in the U.S. are Christians.

Sorry. That's a fact.

Answer 7

i'm an atheist, and i'll admit there are bigots amongst atheists.
we don't want to take away your symbols or your religion, but we do have the right to argue, just as you do. don't take it personally.
i for one do not refer to the moderate intelligent and basically just nice people of any religion when i argue, i usually refer to the fundamentalists of many religions who would like their religion programmed into everybody and keep telling us we'll go to hell.

Answer 8

I admit it. I am a bigot against stupid people who believe in fairy tales that always end with "because God said so".

Answer 9

I agree with you we should not be fight over region and the fact is I believe in God. I also won't shove it down someone throat.

Answer 10

You have to remember that a good percentage of the people on YA are teenagers. And many of them are atheist just to tick off their parents. You should ignore them just as the atheist should ignore theattacks of "teenage Christians".