Atheists often post that they are persecuted, oppressed, distrusted or even hated by others. Have you ever considered that you might be largely responsible for this?
Nope.
Do you think most atheists assuage the problem or fan those flames of distrust and hatred?
Atheists cannot assuage a problem that has nothing to do with them, and everything to do with the superstitious rationalizing of faith.
Think of whatever ideal you hold most dear.
Ok. Useful conclusions about the nature of reality--and living in reality--that are validated by verifiable evidence and valid logic.
No. Let's say it's 'REASON.'
So if I put up websites, posters, books whatever saying "REASON is like a spaghetti monster. The only people who believe in it are self-deluded, ignorant assh0les!"? How would you feel about me if you were someone who believed in REASON?
I'd say you're a superstitious retard.
What if posts from the anti-REASONers all reflected that same hostility? I mean, they couldn't just go about their lives but rather put in great effort to prove that something you value, is valueless. How would you feel about such a group?
That they're a dangerously superstitious bunch of retards.
I think many atheists have exacerbated the problem they complain about.
That's because they apply reason to the problem, and the problem is that the superstitious validate their hatred of reason and those who use it by the strenth of their denial of verifiable evidence and valid logic.
Reasoning with superstitious retards can only exacerbate their retarded hatred for the rational.
I personally don't think it's any of my business what you believe or don't believe. And while you complain about how religion effects some of our policies, guess what? So does atheism.
Not as much as you'd like to claim.
Now in recognition that the superstitious always have a problem with competing superstitions, I'm about to cut you little slack here regarding your feelings towards some atheists--but don't run too far with it, because there's not much to run with.
A tiny minority of atheists go beyond the assertion that they don't believe in the existence of God(s), to say that they believe that God(s) do not exist. The superstitious are usually thoughtless, so they usually fail to note the distinction, let alone the importance of that distinction.
To claim that God(s) do not exist, requires just a tiny application of invalid logic--a tiny leap of faith--at the very end of their reasoning train: their conclusion, if you will. These dumbasses run around (in a manner reminiscent of theist faithies) claiming, "There is no god!"
Which is not what the vast, vast majority of atheists claim, which is: "There is no (valid) reason to believe that God(s) exist."
Which also means, "There's no reason to believe your particular personal God exists."
Which also means, "There's a real good reason to not force your particular personal God on people who do not believe in Him, through the coercive mechanism of government.
Which is the precise point of the Constitutional injuction against any degree of union between government and religion.
That's secular government, and despite the frothy and superstitious rantings of the faithies, it's not atheism--it's respect for the beliefs (even faith) of others.
Do children pray in school anymore? Nope.
Ahem ... YEP! Children most certainly may pray in school, and do pray in school--even public schools.
NOPE. Not at all. I know you believe it's federal policy that no children can pray in school anymore, but you have absolutely no verifiable evidence such a policy exists, and the only validation you require that such policy exists is that you believe it does.
Before you cite some example of an attempt to outright ban prayer in a public school, just make sure its an example of a successful attempt, and not one that got kicked squarely in the balls.
how about an employer who puts crosses and religious articles around the office? Subject to lawsuits? You bet.
Government employer? Oh, absolutely. Government contractor? Understandably so. Private employer? Ridiculous.
Only in the retarded opinions of the superstitious.
So if you want people to have more of a "I don't care what others believe" kind of attitude, why don't you?
Since evidence and valid logic contradicting your belief would only strengthen your belief, what could actually be presented that would convince you that this is already being done?
It certainly isn't an appeal to emotion ... that's what this current complaint of yours is all about.
Why aren't you admonishing atheists who antagonize people of faith?
Because simply reasoning with people of faith is the precise thing that antagonizes them the most. That's why.
They whine about people not liking them, and then go out of their way to attack something they know is important to others.
"Whine." LOLsome.
<whine>"Atheists have banned prayer in school! Atheists want children to believe I'm a monkey! Atheists want to take Jesus' birthday away!"</whine>
That's like spitting on people, telling them they're idiots... and then playing victim because "no one likes me!".
HAHAHAHAHA!
That is just rich!
Whatever you think atheists are doing, they're never telling you it's ok to kill you because you don't believe in their God(s). They're not telling you that you have earned and deserve an eternity of torture because you don't believe in their God(s).
You see, it's not at all like atheists are telling people that they are all filthy pieces of shit, entirely unworthy of love ... and then playing victim because "no one likes me!"
Sorry about your superstitious luck.
How many times have you told a fellow atheists on this board, that they should never attack someone because of their religious beliefs? After all, that's how you want OTHERS to treat you, right?
Never. Mostly because it's pointless. Any reasoned and well intentioned critique of a faithy's superstition will always be taken as an attack on their religious beliefs.
There's no sense in warning them off of that.
Or is it only everyone else who should respect religious beliefs / lack thereof?
Just a thought.
Let's not pretend that religious beliefs, founded solely upon faith, are anything but superstitions. The superstitious should be grateful for any respect their superstitions receive. Such respect has not been earned--it's a gift, not an entitlement.
Just a thought.