55 replies to this topic

[Affray]

I found this today, it is fairly relevant.

 

http://www.cracked.c...-regime_p2.html

[Big_Willie_Styles]

Most atheists who act smug are arrogant 14 year olds who think they're smarter than everyone, and The Amazing Atheist on YouTube. If you take them and try to say all atheists are like that, that's the same as saying all Christians act like the Westboro Baptist Church does. 
 
And I don't know how to end this, so have a video of Neil deGrasse Tyson on the subject.

Yeah, the smug ones are the majority I have met. The problem is that those who wear their atheism as a badge of honor are the only ones people ever identify as atheists.  And the vast majority of those are the douchebags.  See, Christians are rather easy to identify without much exploration. Just stand outside a church. Since atheists don't have formal weekly rituals or congregations, it's hard to locate them unless they're vocal about it. And the vocal ones tend to be massive pricks.  The massive pricks are ruining it for the rest of the atheists.  Just like many minority factions inside other groups tend to do the same.  And people judge the whole group based on those GDMFBAS jerks.  Is that wrong?  Well, the loudest tend to be the most remembered. And the most remembered associated with a particular thing will come to be seen as the standard for that thing, no matter how much of a minority opinion those most remembered represent of the group they've become the standard for.  The point that I'm trying to make is this: While you don't like that Richard Dawkins and the cadre of Hollywood types are seen as the standard bearers for atheism instead of Neil Degrasse Tyson or Stephen Hawking, you can't really do anything about it.  The loudest jerk in the room will always shout down the reasoned voice.

 

And, yes, science is important. Never said it wasn't. Religion can cause ignorance of science because religion is sometimes more important to some people than science. Which is understandable outside of the professions where science is paramount. I wouldn't want a theoretical physicist like, say, Ninja Brian putting religion above the laws of physics.  But I wouldn't be bowled over if a pastor did. Or a construction worker. Or even a criminal defense attorney.

 

Yes, Bill Maher claims not to be an atheist. You could say the same about a duck and that whole analogy.

[Affray]

I wear my beliefs like a badge of honour, as should anyone who truly believes that what they think is correct.

A badge is a symbol of protection, not offense.

Anyone who uses their badge as a weapon is sorely mistaken about its purpose and should simply be ignored for the fool that they are.

The way in which I believe the universe operates heavily influences every aspect of my life, so why wouldn't I be proud of the conclusions that I have come to?

Everyone who has a belief system strong enough to support them should be very proud of it, regardless of which direction it may point to.

 

I think that People like Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Stephen Hawking are just as recognised in their area of belief as any of the louder, douchier well knowns who make the scene look bad.

 

In the long run it will be the wisest voices that will outlast the loudest.

[Bowsette]

Or to use a similar analogy, if one person yells and one person speaks normally, the one yelling will run their voice down long before the one who speaks normally.

[jmrobbinswrites]

It's good to know, once more because of this fantastic group of nerds we've got here, that I am not alone again. I told a guy I worked with a couple years ago that I'm an Atheist, and he ran away, calling me a witch. He had to return, because we were working together, and he just started asking me about witchcraft and why I would do that. I explained to him that I'm not a witch. I'm a wizard. Then I turned him into a baby and forced him to make E-Trade commercials.

[Mister Sympa]

You have officially passed the membership test, Mr (?) Robbins.

[jmrobbinswrites]

You have officially passed the membership test, Mr (?) Robbins.

THIS is surprisingly important to me. If it wasn't for Sushi Kitten's awesome comments about my writing, I would say this was the highlight of my day. But so far, it does come in second.

[Mister Sympa]

To further inflate your ego, I have to say that you do remind me a bit of Harry Dresden.

[SushiKitten]

Sympa always trying to show me up!

[jmrobbinswrites]

He did impress me when I read his game quotes about Bentley. I think I read that yesterday or the day before.

[Mister Sympa]

Sly and Bentley are my men. And each other's, if you know what I mean.

 

And dammit, Sushi, WHO SAID YOU COULD COME OUT OF THE CUPBOARD.

[Affray]

To further inflate your ego, I have to say that you do remind me a bit of Harry Dresden.

As in Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden?

[SushiKitten]

Yeah, the smug ones are the majority I have met. The problem is that those who wear their atheism as a badge of honor are the only ones people ever identify as atheists.  And the vast majority of those are the douchebags.  See, Christians are rather easy to identify without much exploration. Just stand outside a church. Since atheists don't have formal weekly rituals or congregations, it's hard to locate them unless they're vocal about it. And the vocal ones tend to be massive pricks.  The massive pricks are ruining it for the rest of the atheists.  Just like many minority factions inside other groups tend to do the same.  And people judge the whole group based on those GDMFBAS jerks.  Is that wrong?  Well, the loudest tend to be the most remembered. And the most remembered associated with a particular thing will come to be seen as the standard for that thing, no matter how much of a minority opinion those most remembered represent of the group they've become the standard for.  The point that I'm trying to make is this: While you don't like that Richard Dawkins and the cadre of Hollywood types are seen as the standard bearers for atheism instead of Neil Degrasse Tyson or Stephen Hawking, you can't really do anything about it.  The loudest jerk in the room will always shout down the reasoned voice.
 
And, yes, science is important. Never said it wasn't. Religion can cause ignorance of science because religion is sometimes more important to some people than science. Which is understandable outside of the professions where science is paramount. I wouldn't want a theoretical physicist like, say, Ninja Brian putting religion above the laws of physics.  But I wouldn't be bowled over if a pastor did. Or a construction worker. Or even a criminal defense attorney.
 
Yes, Bill Maher claims not to be an atheist. You could say the same about a duck and that whole analogy.

In the end, that's just stereotypes, though. Like you said, every group suffers from the loud minority everyone remembers. Feminists, bronies, furries, and even anime fans deal with that. What's important is to look through the stereotypes that the loud minority sets and realize not everyone of that group is like that. Imagine the backlash I'd get (and all the friends I'd miss out on) if I refused to like anyone of a certain race because of a stereotype, I just tolerated their presence. It's a very narrow minded and bigoted way to live your life. 

 
And honestly, television personalities need to be loud and opinionated else why would anyone watch TV anymore? That's why they're popular, they throw out opinions that are different and it brings out discussion. We need variety, surrounding yourself with an echo chamber of opinions isn't healthy. Friends should be able to talk about things they have differing opinions on and have no problems. 

[RespawningEnemy]

Personally, I believe in ODME: The Dark God of Techno-Fetishism.

[Reflex F.N.]

I am an atheist myself and I find it quite disturbing that people are willing to trust anyone but us. 

[Affray]

Hitler and Stalin were both atheists as far as I know.

 

No one should be listened to or trusted simply because of their religious belief system.

There are good guys and evil schmucks on all sides of the theology scale.

[Bowsette]

I am an atheist myself and I find it quite disturbing that people are willing to trust anyone but us. 

Probably because there are people like you, tbh

[Reflex F.N.]

Probably because there are people like you, tbh

I apologize; I did not mean to offend anyone with my post. That was not my intention.

 

Although I would be very grateful if you could explain what I did wrong, so that I can avoid committing the same mistake in the future.

Thank you.

[Bowsette]

Put it this way. Everyone has their own beliefs. Some believe in a god, and some don't. To completely dismiss the majority of the world because they don't 'trust' you is pretty much the height of arrogance, and is one of the exact reasons why there's a wedge driven between the religious and non-religious.

 

Being an atheist in no way makes you any more or less intelligent than a Christian, it just means that you believe something different. If you're gonna look down on people because they share different beliefs, there's no reason for anyone to trust you. Adolf Hitler looked down on the Jews, then he killed a few million of 'em. He was an atheist. (nice blonde-haired, blue-eyed avatar by the way)

 

If religion is something that brings someone comfort, helps them through the darkest nights, who are you to mock that?

[Reflex F.N.]

Alright, I apologize.

NOTE: I edited this post because I feel embarrassed about my rude behaviour.