Why do so many choose an abusive approach over a caring approach in challenging beliefs?

Question

I read questions written by the religious and by atheists where the writer hammers and insults someone's (sometimes absurd) beliefs. It may be done in a funny way and I laugh. But often, it's mean-spirited. So I cringe. Yes, I find the views of believers hard to understand and I feel good if they open their eyes to truth. But how does mocking them change minds? It just hardens views and stirs up hatred. I saw Al talking on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SabcvBDtSE0 and he sounds so logical and soft spoken and caring, I wondered why more atheists don't emulate his approach? You may notice the absense of Christian responses to his carefully articulated points. Admittedly, it doesn't hurt that he's awesomely cute and has displaced Vanity Fair's June cover of Bruce Willis as my current fav vision.

Answer 1

Sam Harris is another good example of a polite atheist. His polite delivery, coupled with razor-sharp logic, makes religious folks boil with anger though.

Answer 2

Because the goal of many people on these forums is to rip someone. They don't ask questions to inquire or to inform. They just want someone to blast. Others want to justify their lifestyle. Religion or a moral code would threaten their lifestyle so they feel a strong urge to discredit other systems because failure to do so might mean everything they have invested in should be trashed. When people invest a lot of time into formatting a personal lifestyle, to discredit that means to discredit their self-esteem or self-worth. To completely discredit someones self worth is worse than if a thief stole all their possessions because this is a theft of the persons self image.

Answer 3

I guess some people are thinking that the person or persons they are insulting will suddenly have a change of mind because "you out smarted them" or something like that. Sorry but no one will change anyone's mind by insults and arguments.

gw

Answer 4

As far as I know, "nice" only counts in a group of women who are competing with each other for popularity. The rest of the world plays brutal hardball and the winner takes all. Among thinking people, what you say is far more important than how you say it.

Answer 5

Some people are just angry because they feel they've been offended by the other in some way and are lashing out.

Answer 6

You make good points. People who are insulting and rude never get my attention.

Answer 7

What I don't understand is why atheists get their knickers in a twist if Christians evangelize to them. However they feel it is their, ehem, God given right to try to "straighten US out."

Answer 8

Many of "faith" do not concern themselves with TRUTH as opposed to the brain washing they have grown up with. It is why you see so many of them KILL rather than "listen." The UNFAITHFUL are no different and you do find passive peoples on both sides of the coin............

Answer 9

I agree. I don't understand why we can't just understand that we're all not going to change because someone yells that their belief (or lack thereof) is right. Whispers get you much further! ; )

Answer 10

I've tried, honestly, but they never get what I'm saying unless I harm them. They respond to pain, like dogs.