Why don't atheists tell rude atheists to knock if off?

Question

While I am relatively new to this community, I have spent much of the last 10 years in various on-line forums. During that time it has become apparent that atheists tend to be greatly more foul-mouthed, rude, disrespectful and downright nasty than the religious people I have run into on-line. The more respectful athiests never tell the blockheads to shut up and act civil. Why is that?

Interesting answers. And I will add to Johnny, not only have I heard of him I have condemned his tactics. He is a jerk and should shut up.

Oh, and as I said in my post, the most rude and disrespectful posts regularly come from atheists. If I see rude and disrespectful Christians, I do tell them to shut up (in so many words), but they are much, much fewer and farther between in my experience.

Answer 1

Actually I have, but I got flamed for it, so I gave up.

Answer 2

Many do. I've seen it. I've done it. I've had it done to me. Stick around and you'll see it happen.

edit.. I have more to add :) The reason you don't see it often is because this is an open forum, a place for people to say what they want. If they want to be rude, so be it. I think some cross the line when they attack the person rather than the belief (and there *is* a difference between the two), and then sometimes I might remark on it, as will others. But when it comes right down to it, we need to not be so wimpy. So someone is rude... it harms the one who is rude more than it does anyone else.

Answer 3

I think it is for the same reason as religious people don't tell rude or violent religious people to knock it off. If you are at a place on your spiritual path that you feel the need to act rude or violent, then that is just where you are. No other person can make you move to a more spiritually enlightened place. Trying to change another's mind or attitude will only make them more hostile. People have to find the truth in themselves, an no amount of pushing on our part will change that.

Answer 4

One reason could be that the Nice, Respectful Atheist has better things to do. Which leaves all the foul mouthed, rude atheist to troll the forums. It is the same with Good mannered Christians and other religious people. The good ones have better things to do, while the fanatics have a ridiculous crusade to fight for.

We would be better off leaving the labels off and ask each other, "How are we Doing?" In other words, we need to strive to have better relationships with our fellow human beings.

Answer 5

We do on occasion. I think you should hang out a little more and critically examine the posts of people on both sides.

If I see an atheist question that is particularly rude - I usually don
't post a reply or I supply my own glib remark (attacking the question)

Most rude questions from religious folk get their own treatment in return and vice versa



To Julie: seriously babe, given the topic of this question I can't believe you said that.

Lead by example etc.

Answer 6

There are many things to consider here, but basically many of us do. On the other hand, the same can apply to any and all believers as there are rude people in all.

Then there is the problem that what I don't consider rude on a public forum, some people take to be rude or persecuting.

Answer 7

If you are new then you have alot to learn. The atheists are not as bad as the ones who claim religion as the truth in their lives. You seem to have some preconceived notion and you [as you claim] are new.

Welcome to the world of truth vs.false truths. LOL

As an atheist I never told anyone to shut up, I love the confrontation and views presented. People get angry as is their right - so if they are or become a little uncivil then they might get a little indignant stating their claim , but it works...

Answer 8

I have been around long enough to know that most rude atheists are likely just Christian kids in rebellion trying to be provocative and piss authority figures off.

I have found that it is far more effective to ignore them rather than address them and give them what they are trying to achieve.

I don't get upset at Christian's continually claiming I am hell bound and deserving of eternal punishment, because I understand the rudeness and threats are not at all based on reality and are the result of cruel indoctrination.

Why are you upset at childish rudeness challenging your religion?

Edit -- "but they are much, much fewer and farther between in my experience"

Have you considered that claiming that a reliance on empirical evidence for belief justifies eternal torture is incredibly rude, and abhorrently cruel. These statements happen far more than Atheists claims that religion is crazy, or mythic or stupid. The claims made by childish Atheists about Christianity are rude, but the claims made about Atheists by mature Christians are incredibly personally threatening and horrifically cruel. Christians get together in churches and all agree that Atheists should be burned forever. Atheist rarely meet to discuss how crazy Christian belief is, the level of 'rudeness' is not nearly comparable.

Answer 9

Just like good christians can not tell rude christians that they are stepping over the line - atheists are not in charge or other atheists...

we all do what makes us feel good and for some making others feel small makes us feel superior...

i am sorry that you were made to feel that way BUT take care in the fact that they felt threatened by you...

i wish you well...

Answer 10

It's not just atheists... Any group that feels that they are the only right ones tend to get rude and think that everyone else is stupid.

There are atheists who are open. There are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Gnostics, etc. that are not.

The ego is the root of the rude behavior and it wanting to prove it is right at all costs.

Answer 11

I am not an atheist, but I am not religious either. I mean I don't really know what to believe...anyway I think that freedom of speech and freedom of religion are our constitutional rights so if they want to be rude, that is their right, just as it is our right to tell them to shut up if we want, but in reality it is an on line forum, just let them rant and move on, why waste your time arguing with them?