Seriously, I'm more of a sceptic than most people you'll ever meet, but this is beginning to bug me. There is nothing, I repeat nothing, added to the debate by name calling and religion bating. If your an atheist and you call them "dumb christians" you're just as bad as the fundies calling us "hellbound," "spiritually dead" etc. If you really want to take the side of reason in a debate, you have to ACT LIKE AN ADULT! There are a half a million ways to question belief without resulting to ad hoc insults. If you feel the need to poke the fundies, for crap's sake, have a little decorum about it. If you really must (I can't imagine why) insult them, have some class and attack their arguments and deride their logic, not the people who have those thoughts. Anyone with me?
2007-05-01 04:09:31 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Addendum:
I fully realize the irony in my opening question. It was deliberate.
2007-05-01 04:19:02 · update #1
Fair question:
"How do I know they are atheists" (paraphrasing)
I know it with the certainty I know anything...very little. I'm given observable data, and must make conclusions. If I'm contradicted by other data (i.e. they are merely trolls, etc.) I will admit fault with my previous question. The sentiment stands however.
2007-05-01 04:33:35 · update #2
Yeah i agree completely. THey're not making atheists look any better by constantly insulting them. Be the bigger person & talk to them like an adult. If they attempt to insult us (which tends to be the last course for them after they reject all other logical arguments) just leave it be. Why stoop to their level with childish insults?
The down side of that is that I don't believe the people who write those comments ARE adults, which would explain their tact.... or lack thereof.
2007-05-01 04:13:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who calls anyone dumb is just showing you their maturity level. You made a wise statement. ACT LIKE AN ADULT. There would be more mature conversations on both sides if we could weed out the juveniles but that's impossible. Atheists are not the only immature ones in here (there are many mature atheists here by the way). It goes across the board on this site.
2007-05-01 04:21:41 · answer #2 · answered by Maureen B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Thank the Gods, someone with some sense! I was beginning to think everyone here was blind to that. I wouldn't say all Atheists do it, but there are some here who are just as bad as the Christians with all this BS. I can't imagine thinking someone is intelligent when they base their argument on insults. Stooping to the same level doesn't make a person better... it makes them the same to all those who are viewing it.
2007-05-01 04:31:33 · answer #3 · answered by riverstorm13 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't recall ever referring to my neighbors of the Christian faith as "dumb Christians," and because I agree with you that honest disagreements need not break down into juvenile name-calling, I will try to keep it that way.
Beta_fishy wrote: "I wonder why atheists feel the need to deride others' beliefs in the first place?"
Disagreeing with someone is not derision. One can disagree without being disagreeable. That's the point being made here.
2007-05-01 04:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you and both sides here seem to favor ad hominem statements although I have to say that to me it appears to come predominantly from the Atheist side.
I try to avoid such tactics however, there are times when the argument (in the form of a question) is presented in such a derogatory way that my sarcasm just over takes me. Or put another way, some of those asking questions here seem to be begging to have their character attacked. I suppose this is so they can point their finger and say “See, see, your not Christian” but that is just my opinion.
2007-05-01 04:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by John 1:1 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm with you, but I do understand where many Atheists are coming from with their insults. After residing here long enough, you lose patience and become frusterated that in the face of FACT they are defiant. We should do our best to be understanding, as their beliefs are child-like, and fragile.
It's also difficult that when you have a logical debate, they report you and get you banned because they can't handle the facts or support their claims with anything more than circular reasoning. The Bible is not a measurement, or recorded data. Its numerously authored varying book of opinions that lacks sources, specific dates and times.
2007-05-01 04:19:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Heck, I'm a Christian and I think we can all be a bit more adult like and stop the name calling. We should be able to disagree and debate without calling each other names like 8 year olds in the playground.
2007-05-01 04:14:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
Iam with you.Im not an atheist , Iam a Catholic Christian (by choice)and I for one dont understand the name calling on either side. This is something I would never do, I respect all people and their beliefs no matter what our differences may be.
2007-05-01 04:15:54 · answer #8 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Thank you, it really is about time someone who was an atheist put some of these rude people in their place. Goes for christians too, don't just attack someone cause you disagree, if they answered the question well, they deserve respect.
2007-05-01 04:21:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
I agree......I am a believer in Christ.....not religion. Man I hate that word. I don't bash anyone. I have quite a few mixed believers of different religions and atheists and we all get along and care for one another and have no problems.
BUT WE DO NOT PUSH ONE ANOTHER TO BELIEVE WHAT THE OTHERS BELIEVE IN .....Its called "RESPECT"
We all find what we need in whatever it is we need to....why bash one another for it?
Thanks for the question/statement.........it was a good one
2007-05-01 04:35:19 · answer #10 · answered by Bubble gum for the Brain 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋