The Bible Is Bullshit

[Yznhymr]

Originally Posted by DanaC

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say there's been atheist bashing ... here anyway... out in the world, though? Now that may be a different story. I don't know how it works for dwellars, but I have a couple of friends stateside who are extremely unwilling to let on to work colleagues that they are atheists, in case they draw negative attention, or damage their promotion prospects.

Now, I'm only talking a couple of people out of a fairly large group of American internet friends, but I found it interesting. If, as that seems to suggest, there is some kind of stigma attached to atheism, then that might explain the militant and slightly belligerent tone with which some vocal atheists approach the topic.

One of the things I particularly like about the Cellar is it doesn't end up in a bi-monthly, blood on the carpet, catfight between deists, theists and atheists; something which tends to happen in the other forums I frequent. That doesn't mean it won't get ...robust, from time to time. Whilst the thread titles about atheism and moral values etc weren't nasty the basic start point that atheism and moral values are somehow in opposition to each other, could be offensive to some.

*Shrugs* we all flip out at different stuff, and this is one of Radar's biggies. I used to be a little like that about religion, and my culture isn't half as suspicious of atheism as the one Radar is responding to.

Outside of the Cellar, I have great converstions with Athiests/Agnostics. Here in the Cellar they seem more charged up and ready for a fight. Not sure why they are so defensive other than they are tired of hearing the majority of America that chooses a viewpoint in opposition of theirs. Sucks to be a minority. I am one at work and in my neighborhood. Anyone want to do a virtal fist bump on that one???

[Phage0070]

Originally Posted by Yznhymr

Outside of the Cellar, I have great converstions with Athiests/Agnostics. Here in the Cellar they seem more charged up and ready for a fight. Not sure why they are so defensive other than they are tired of hearing the majority of America that chooses a viewpoint in opposition of theirs. ...

I would suspect that people are more willing to argue a point such as religion on the internet because they are not worried about reprisal. In the USA it probably will not be physical of course, but there is certainly the danger of religious people not wanting to associate with an atheist or agnostic. I would suspect that some of your conversations were great simply because they figured that they were not going to convince you and they would prefer to part amiably.

There is certainly a lot to be said about being polite, but something about the "Oh, that's nice... (back away slowly)" leaves a bad taste in my mouth. In practice though I would probably not risk starting a controversial discussion with my neighbors.

[Ruminator]

This aspect of one's religious beliefs causing myself to be ganged up on I've not really experienced until I came here.
I didn't realize from the short time I read posts before registering here that there were raw feelings and thought I'd found a cool place to be able to become friends with people I could have calm, friendly discussions with and compare our knowledge, thoughts, and beliefs as friends.

It does appear to be possible with a few, but then getting ridiculed by a others and having my intentions and statements misunderstood by others makes it hard to want to try to engage further. The internet form of communication is fraught with this.
I have really appreciated the great responses, and learned a few new things from our exchanges otherwise.