Atheists, who agrees with me?

Question

That we should stop nodding politely at religious people who have been spewing their religious opinions in social situations, unasked, all this time? Why do we treat them with this exaggerated respect while keeping our opinions to ourselves in public? I think when they start to spew, when no one has asked them what they think, they should be told, eg., "Well, I think it's a bunch of hokum,"...I mean they started it. I think that will help people get over the religion thing a bit. Who's with me?

Answer 1

I only bite my tongue if I think it's going to adversely effect a situation for someone else. For instance, my husband and I went to his bosses house for dinner, and the bosses wife went on a tirade about atheism. I kept my mouth shut because I was afraid speaking out would damage my husband's working relationship with his superior.

Answer 2

Spewing isn't the right word.

There should be more direct discussion though... we do need to break the taboo against questioning religious faith or decisions based upon it. If someone says they're electing a judge because his sense of justice if derived from god, we should ask how that's different from electing a judge who's principles are based on Zeus.

We should be willing to challenge ridiculous beliefs, we should be able to say "if you hate homosexuals you are immoral," We should publically acknowledge and raise awareness that these holy books breed vile hate, and provide rhetoric easily abused for personal agendas.

I agree that the time for polite silence is nearing an end, but we need to replace it with polite opposition. There is no room for bigotry on both sides, and the believers already have enough of it to go around.

Answer 3

You don't explain exactly what you're talking about, what kind of situations, but, no, telling people they are full of hokum is rude and therefore will simply offend them, without doing any good.

It's not as though your telling religious people they are full of it will make them go "Oh, I see. I've been wrong all along about this. Thank you."

I mean if someone tells you that you're full of hokum, does that actually ever change your mind about anything?

It's not our place to try to get religious people to see reason. We'll have to content ourselves with preventing them from putting their religion into the law.

Answer 4

At least make sure they are not packing guns first. Many Christians carry handguns. I have heard news stories where religious conflict between Christians has led to gun fights. One interesting one in the news a while back was two Christians in Texas were drinking and got into a discussion about the nature of heaven and hell. When one disagreed with the other they both pulled out guns and one shot the other.

I make it a point never to argue with a Christian who carries a gun.

Answer 5

Maybe if you explain how Christianity like many other religions is based on Mythological beings and that the Bible really is the greatest STORY ever told they wlould leave you alone. Before you do this be sure to know the mythlogical aspects you want to speak of.

Answer 6

And of course, atheists never start spewing their naturalistic beliefs in social situations, unasked....

Answer 7

There are plenty of Christians among the ranks of pro-boxing go tell one of them this, or is it the atheist way to pick on the meek.

Answer 8

Sounds like what we've been doing to Atheists for decades.

Does it make you feel great to become a FUNDAMENTALIST! A PREACHER! AN EVANGELIST!

Answer 9

I usually just zone out, I have good manners.