Fellow Atheists, why be so insulting?

Question

I keep hearing complaints from Christians about Atheists being insulting on here. The complaints are getting louder.

I just asked a question in which I CLEARLY stated that I didn't believe in Intelligent Design and was answered by a few snarky Atheists who told me to "get over it" and persisted in thinking I was a Christian.

I assume you're mostly kids out of school for the summer. Great. Play here. It's fun. But at least play with manners. Don't give Atheism a bad name - we really get smeared quite enough and don't need any help.

Why *do* you think some of us just insult? A defense mechanism? Is it just immaturity? What do you think?

Answer 1

Aw, they were just too lazy to read the question properly. THAT'S the real insult. It was a good question.

Also, all questions get answers like that. I know I've knee-jerked a few questions but I check back and if I've fluffed it, I'll delete and sometimes apologize.

Throwaway put-downs get on my nerves, and there are some atheist regulars who make too much of a career doing that. But that's their business. At the same time it's also true that some of the questions to which atheists are accused of posting insulting answers are barely concealed attacks themselves. There seems to be a category of christian who, even if they don't post questions like "Where do you get your morals from?" themselves, don't have a problem with people who do and who get all uppity when atheists observe how insulting this is - forcefully.

And as the saying goes, when someone invites ridicule, it may be rude not to oblige. And it is beyond question that genuinely respectful questions headed "Atheists,...." get genuinely respectful answers, for the most part.

I wouldn't get too anxious on behalf of theists who think we're rude. They're at liberty to set us a good example.

===

Spiritual gunslinger, feel free to criticize the immaturity of other christians, if you wish.

Answer 2

I'm not an atheist, I'm a Christian, and people tell me quite frequently they will pray for me too. So it's not just you guys who are the recipients here. I do think the one gal who got inundated with the emails and such was probably the target of a well thought out harrassment. People with wisdom and discretion will pray for you no matter what you say, but you may never know about it. And if you don't believe in a higher power, then what harm does it do? So let me ask a question here. Do you believe in the power of your words? Like positive thinking and all that. Isn't that pretty much what prayer is?

Answer 3

I think there are a few that judge very quickly. Sizing others up and just going straight for the jugular if they see a type of keyword or phrase (i.e. Pascal's Wager). I've done that myself, having seen so many in a row, I made an assumption that the person was asking the same thing.

I also think that some are just here to flame. Plain and simple. Then my last thought is that I think there are some that just want to keep up and/or be acknowledged by the regulars. Some regulars offer up a good bit of sarcastic banter and a few insults from time to time at those who deserve it, they might feel they need to do the same.

Answer 4

Many people fail to read the questions in detail - part of the rush to get in with an early answer and be top of the list, alas.

For some, these subjects are really raw nerves. It's plain that a great many non-believers and atheists - or simply those with different faith to the questioner's - are highly exercised by some subjects here.

In regular cases, questions will expose a abysmal ignorance on the part of the questioner's basic premise. That's frustrating: "Why do all X do Y' - style Qs are often like this.

And in other cases, a sarky or snide question will provoke a similarly bad-tempered response.

CD

Answer 5

I think a correction to the question is needed
Part of Your Question here

"I just asked a question in which I CLEARLY stated that I didn't believe in Intelligent Design "

I think you meant to say that you didnt beleive in
PERFECT DESIGN
not Intelligent Design

And dont worry about those whos minds and Hearts are closed and clouded with Fear... for they cannot Understand or even begin to persive life the way you can..

And so if you Truly beleive in God/JC then you must but forgive and move on to leave behind the young thoughts..

A Thought/Comment/phrase should only be held in mind if it truly deserves to be there... just look... and not aknowledge as the mind can only be clouded with useless thoughts of such.. Lets Move forward not back

Love Always

Answer 6

I am not an atheist, but I thank you for asking this question. Seems to me that many people, regardless of their religious point-of-view, are snarky in this forum. And just as you say you atheists get smeared enough, the same is true for Christians. It's like that old song "one bad apple". Not all Christians are as narrow-minded and rude as some of the answers I see in this category, just as I know not all atheists are as snarky as some of the answers I've seen.

Answer 7

There are just some days when being snarky feels so much better.

That said, I agree. I just can't say I'll be good all the time.

Shouldn't the policy be: We're human. Deal with it.

Answer 8

I've certainly been guilty of getting in a verbal jab or two on a blowhard fundie. But I don't believe I've ever attacked a polite and respectful theist on here.
But honestly, if someone is going to come in here and preach to me about how I'm foolish and/or evil and I'm going to rot in Hell, then I offer no apologies for pointing out in no uncertain terms how ignorant and hypocritical they are.

Answer 9

A way of dishing back what we've received in real life, perhaps, for at least some of us? Some of us don't hold very pleasant memories of interactions with Christians.
How many atheists here have been insulted, or had the bible quoted, or have had friendships fall apart because of their atheism?

Answer 10

Although I attempt to be clear in my comments without insulting people, many of us are probably just overwhelmed that some people steadfastly refuse to see the obvious. Maybe that frustration fuels the insulting comments. You are right though, the best way for an atheist to make a point here is not by snide, condescending jabs, but through intelligent, reasonable discourse.