Atheists - a follow-up question, if I may?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av73xWRphvIOxp39SP.L8Znsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071127141423AAxNxzW

The only real answers I got to this one fell into two categories: "I enjoy mocking other people" and "others do it to". Neither of those is especially responsive to the question, although I guess the first comes closest, however repugnant I find it. Let me address some of the "issues" that were raised:

I thought I made it clear in the first question that I am not claiming only atheists do this. I specifically directed it at atheists because you're the people I see most commonly complaining about the intolerance of theists - usually Christians.

I also thought I made it clear that I am not blameless in that area either. How that puts me on a "white horse", I'm not sure. I, at least, acknowledge that mocking someone else's beliefs can't be justified, and if I do it and I realize it (because, for instance, someone calls me on it), I'll apologize. (mtc)

I won't try to defend it by claiming it was just a joke.

So my question is, does the lack of an answer there mean you acknowledge that you cannot justify mocking someone else's beliefs? Or can you? And, if so, will you please do so?

Answer 1

Personally, I don't like when people put their emotions before rational thinking. Christians seem to have a problem with gay marriage and they vote against it based on moral reasons, and not because they truly care about other people's rights. But alot of Atheists are homophobic, too, actually. Just an example...

Answer 2

i'm primarily sarcastic to questions that have-at least to me- an obvious answer. im also sarcastic to people who ask really over-asked questions like "prove god exists" and the like. i find it's either more effective to go ahead and be mean to them because they will listen and understand better, or else they have already made up their minds about which answers they will agree with, so i might as well come up with something witty to make myself laugh. just because it's mean doesn't mean it wasn't funny, you know? that's just my opinion, of course, but i wouldn't be surprised if a number of people thought the same way.
EDIT: the answer above should not be taken as a scope on any number of self-respecting atheists. people who do not have an open mind have no place here. although i suppose that technically makes me an agnostic.

Answer 3

It's pretty simple. When someone tells me that a flood covered the entire world, and was several meters over the top of Mt Everest, or that 'god' stopped the sun and the moon, or that there were talking animals, or any number of other absurdities......I'm sorry, they are going to get teased. (mocking is your word) They deserve it. We are no longer in the Bronze Age. OK?

Answer 4

Question:
So my question is, does the lack of an answer there mean you acknowledge that you cannot justify mocking someone else's beliefs? Or can you? And, if so, will you please do so?

My Answer:
I mock beliefs sometimes because I find the whole concept of worship of a god to be useless, because there is no god. Sometimes we mock what we do not want to understand.

Answer 5

I don't mock people's beliefs.

I point out why they are false.

This is considered "mockery" by them because they don't want to accept the facts that I present to them.

But this is modus operandi for Christianity. It is the ONLY way the cult has survived this long. Ignoring and spinning the truth, playing the victim, using misdirection, strawmen, etc...

We atheists know all their tricks. And most lawyers do, too.

Answer 6

A lack of an answer doesn't cause me to mock someone. What does cause me to mock someone is when they give an answer that is so outrageous that it doesn't pertain to the question. Is this what you mean?

Answer 7

Uh, why should I have to justify other people's behavior?

Whoever told you all atheists are the same people was lying to you.

I don't post hate-filled non-questions here.

So, what was your follow-up question? There isn't one here. Just a lot of unfounded accusations.

Answer 8

I do not believe in God, or more specifically, the Christian "creator" God. I do not criticize other religions. It is important to promote harmony between the many religious traditions. We should respect ALL beings. Buddhism teaches not to criticize people choosing different religious paths.

Answer 9

We mock because we love.

Answer 10

Why do I need to justify myself to you? I state my opinions, if you don't like them fair enough.