Take the high ground, atheists?

Question

Amonst the people that ask questions here, and contribute answers, there are many who are, as I am, nonbelievers. Too often here I come upon juvenile questions and juvenile replies which were meant to offend, about god and gods, Jesus, the particular aspects of Christianity and Islam. Is it because I am older than most of you that I question these steps away from manners and common decency? We all of us have experienced debates in regard to religious beliefs or, in my case, nonbelief. And debate is a healthy thing. But we are human beings first. Why speak loud-mouthy barroom sneery words of what's vital in the life of another human being--about Jesus, about his mother, about the figures, real or invented, who shaped Christianity and Islam? It is beneath an intelligent nonbeliever, or it certainly ought to be. Christians are defensive, with reason. Well, as I said, I am old (71) and perhaps, just perhaps, my view of the world and its present inhabitants is out of fashion.

Answer 1

I am a young fellow (63) and I don't find your views out of fashion. I will admit to resorting to sarcasm at times. I know I shouldn't but wind up doing it anyway. I used to believe there was no such thing as a dumb question. That was before the advent of computers, however. There are persons responding now who never would have taken part in the open debates in the past. Then you were in the presence of your opponents and could make puns and remarks that you could make go over in person and cannot make go over on a computer. Just some thoughts. A good day to you. Raymond

Answer 2

I agree with you, but I think it's important to remember where this debate is taking place. The format of the forum and the location, combined with the entrenched views of everyone involved makes it difficult to take the high ground when nobody is doing it.

Also, while everyone can read all the responses or questions, sometimes they are obviously geared for a particular section of the audience. Frequently when I post some annoying wisecrack, (usually in some question that isn't designed for any meaningful learning) it is geared towards people that share my beliefs, so they can laugh. Basically, like those kids in the back of the classroom in high school. While this is certainly immature, it can also be entertaining and sometimes you have to wonder what are we really doing here? Trying to address the matters of religion and the universe (possible, but seems unlikely) or having an entertaining time ribbing each other and general stirring up a mess (More likely, but maybe a little extreme)?

Maybe taking a bit higher ground is a sound idea for the general perception of everyone, at the same time I don't want to see it become a dry environment either.

Answer 3

If you take the high ground and I take the low ground, will I get to Scotland before ye? =OP

I think it's just a game of "Christian baiting"... and the fact that the internet is anonymous, which means that one can make all the rude comments one wants with very little chance of facing any meaningful consequences.
On the other hand, negative attention is troll food and it's unfortunate that Christians sometimes can't stop themselves from feeding them.

Answer 4

Maybe not so much out of fashion. Have you considered the possibility that we are mean to Christians because we are being controlled by Satan? lol

What's the difference if you flip off a blind person or give them polite wave of the hand? If they cannot understand what you are doing, it makes little difference. In that manner, Christians deliberately turn a blind eye to reason and logic because they would rather believe a book of lies and fairy tales. On top of that, they choose to push their beliefs on other people and persecute us based on these beliefs. THEN they have the nerve to turn around and claim they are being persecuted! If that is not grounds for a verbal lashing, I do not know what is.

Answer 5

Greetings mature fellow atheist ! You are right of course, we should take the higher path, since we are obviously a little more evolved than those who use religion as a crutch to walk with and to hit people with. However, I too can be rude and just plain silly from time to time. The reason is simply this: we are here for fun and to kill time as much as we are for serious discussions. So much of what you see here will need to be taken with a grain or two of salt, while still other things can be tossed right out as nonsense. Being 71, I'm sure you must not be used to the way kids talk now-a-days to their elders and eachother. Manners are indeed hard to come by it seems these days. But we do use them on occasion. As far as mean goes, when they tell us we're going to hell, it's fun asking for directions.Besides, zealots are so much fun to play with. Have fun, and don't take all of it too seriously. Welcome to our world. :)

Answer 6

Ontological, teleological, ethical, cosmological: What on the subject of the empirical? of direction i'm no longer probable an atheist in the sense you posit - in that i do no longer assert the non-life of God (god, gods, goddess). yet no person's made a compelling argument that stands as much as scrutiny under the scientific technique. yet going lower back to atheists, even pondering your declare that they have got not shown their case, whether we take that as given, you nonetheless have not presented helpful info for yours. it extremely isn't any longer suitable how susceptible the different persons arguments are, that doesn't info yours. the burden of info remains on you. all the philosophy in the international does not upload as much as conclusive info. Plus, there is the belief because of the fact that atheism isn't an unique thought, then atheists declare approximately self reliant thought is fake. yet thinking independently isn't comparable to thinking initially - it means having the flexibility to choose for on an opinion, through judging info and argument for your self, no longer in basic terms accepting what somebody else says. the reason maximum of atheists accuse religious persons of no longer thinking independently is probable bearing directly to intense emphasis on faith. because of the fact in that, you're expected to in basic terms have confidence a extra physically powerful authority.

Answer 7

I don't believe there is anything wrong with having a bit of fun. It may seem juvenile, but I can take it as well as I give it. Christians aren't being persecuted after all. They dish it out too.

Answer 8

For the most part, I try to. But I have noticed, that no matter how polite I try to be, I will still be accused of insulting believers. This is the way they see it, because my very existence is an insult to their god.

I'm well aware of this, as I used to be one of them. But yes, I agree we should take the high ground. (Even though most of them won't notice anyway.) But as we are the future, it's time to start rebuilding the world the way it should have been all along... basing our moral structure around love and acceptance, and charity, as opposed to bigotry, hate, and separatism.

Answer 9

All it accomplishes is to solidify disunion and practice hatred. And it is dispicable. Atheists who pronounce themselves humanists and try and destroy what works for the religious. And the religious, who CHOOSE to adhere to a higher law, practicing such disgrace. Truly sickening by anyone who participates.

I, for one (and certainly not the only one) applaud your stance.

Answer 10

People are a by-product of the causes and conditions that "make them who they are", or they themselves are labeled as, as well as OUR reacting to things from our own mental projections/perceptions. The wisest thing to do is cultivate a calmer mind, stop what actually causes outright harm and suffering and let the rest go...

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