are atheists as irratating as born again christians?

gothictwilight

is it just me or are strident atheists as boring, arrogant and irratating as a zealot of any religion?

Dave!

OMG YES!! FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS WHAT WE'VE ALL BEEN THINKING!!!

TwoShedsJackson

It's just you.

Links234

No.

seamus

It's just you.

I don't know any atheists who spend their time telling people all about how there's no God.

Joey the lips

Yes they are.

MagicMarker

gothictwilight wrote: »

is it just me or are strident atheists as boring, arrogant and irratating as a zealot of any religion?

Couldn't say, haven't met any.

thread in "some people are irritating regardless of creed" shocker

news at 11

robindch

oldrnwisr

gothictwilight wrote: »

is it just me or are strident atheists as boring, arrogant and irratating as a zealot of any religion?

Zillah

The worst atheists sound arrogant. The worst fundamentalists are either overbearingly condescending, false and unctuous, or worse, ravingly hateful and vicious.

Northclare

Only the ones who are irritating,there seems to be a few diehard atheists who can be wind up merchants or critical to some and funny to others.

aidan24326

Zillah wrote: »

The worst atheists sound arrogant. The worst fundamentalists are either overbearingly condescending, false and unctuous, or worse, ravingly hateful and vicious.

That's the thing. Even an arrogant irritating atheist isn't likely to picket funerals, stone women to death or blow himself up in a crowded marketplace.

bhamsteve

I'd say that in the last few years a Richard Dawkins inspired OTT preaching atheism has become common, that is on a par with the most annoying door knocking, bible bashing christian.

Sarky

Yeah, who do those atheists think they are, preaching on street corners, knocking on doors and filling your letter box with sh*tty pamphlets? Not to mention all the deaths they publicly call for, the wars they start, the utter disregard they have for women, gays, single parents, foreigners and religious people! And don't even get me started on the radical atheists who blow up churches and bible groups.

Bloody atheists. They're always doing that sh*t.

Galvasean

bhamsteve wrote: »

I'd say that in the last few years a Richard Dawkins inspired OTT preaching atheism has become common, that is on a par with the most annoying door knocking, bible bashing christian.

Do atheists knock on people's doors preaching how there is no God?

MagicMarker

bhamsteve wrote: »

I'd say that in the last few years a Richard Dawkins inspired OTT preaching atheism has become common, that is on a par with the most annoying door knocking, bible bashing christian.

Can you give examples of the preaching atheism on par with door knocking, bible bashing Christians that you speak of?

Galvasean

Funnily enough I was talking to a workmate's teenage son the other day. He is moving to the States shortly and I asked him if he was nervous about the move. His response: "Not really. i just hope I don't run into any of that born again sh/t."

Northclare

I have never seen a public display of atheists handing out pamphlets or booklets etc

I have to be honest on that one.

Delirium

Bit unfair to say all gay Christians are irratating :pac::pac:

Sonics2k

Galvasean wrote: »

Do atheists knock on people's doors preaching how there is no God?

Well, now I know what my plan for the weekend is.

Galvasean

Sonics2k wrote: »

Well, now I know what my plan for the weekend is.

"Excuse me sir, have you heard the bad news?"

Sarky

And what about atheists publicly calling for horrible things to happen religious people, Northclare? Or publicly humiliating or condemning a single parent, or someone who's gay? Or telling the world that such people are a danger to society and civilisation itself?

Gurgle

Evangelical athiests, sure you always see them out during the march for apathy.

Sarky

koth wrote: »

Bit unfair to say all gay Christians are irratating :pac::pac:

Only the ones that don't lube up before all that sodomy they engage in to bring about the downfall of society.

Northclare

I'm not Religious Sarky

Sarky calm down your ok I know where your coming from,I don't like that **** either.

A lot of people seem to think people like Richard Dawkins are shrill, arrogant, intolerant etc. That doesn't make sense.

First of all, fundamentally, not all ideas are equally valid. The religious claim there is a god but they present no evidence. As such, it is not reasonable and just because more people believe it than in (for example) unicorns, doesn't mean it should be criticised or ridiculed any less. Theism is just a bad idea - end of.

The claim is accepted by the majority of the world's population. As such, it has obvious consequences on people's actions and world affairs. Militant religiosity is known to everyone: suicide bombings, honour killings, genital mutilation, totalitarianism and the subjugation of women. We all know what the religious are up to in the West, as well.

The 'new atheist' movement simply disagree. To demonstrate their opposition, they write books, give talks and engage in debate. Oh no! Militant atheism!

If I pass the GPO on O'Connell Street and there is some loon on a soapbox, preaching about Jesus, I ignore him. But would it make me arrogant to challenge him? No. Everyone has to listen to the religious spew their disgusting, hateful, barbaric delusions, so I have every right to criticise their ideas.

'Militant atheism' is a pejorative invented by people who are just too afraid to challenge religion and believe that it's mean to do so.

Galvasean

Deleted User wrote: »

The 'new atheist' movement simply disagree. To demonstrate their opposition, they write books, give talks and engage in debate. Oh no! Militant atheism!

Rev Hellfire

Are some atheists as irritating as some born again Christians?
Yes.

Though I'm not sure you realistically assume personality characteristics apply universally to large groups of people in manner you propose with your question.

Northclare

I love cartoon time

Penn

gothictwilight wrote: »

is it just me or are strident atheists as boring, arrogant and irratating as a zealot of any religion?

Strident atheists? Yes.

Normal atheists? No.

Sonics2k

How is this surprising?

Some people are dícks, no matter their stance on religion.

magicbastarder

Deleted User wrote: »

A lot of people seem to think people like Richard Dawkins are shrill, arrogant, intolerant etc. That doesn't make sense.

First of all, fundamentally, not all ideas are equally valid.

the validity of an argument often has little to do with how shrill or irritating someone is. many people can annoy the **** out of you no matter how valid their argument.

bhamsteve

Galvasean wrote: »

Do atheists knock on people's doors preaching how there is no God?

No, but i have noticed an increase in people going out of their way to belittle the beliefs of those with religion/ spirituality.
It seems to have gone beyond atheists voicing their beliefs to just trying to antagonize Christians at every opportunity, through the media, forums or any other means.
For the record I am not religious or a particulaly spiritual person but I have respect for other peoples beliefs. I would not go to an Islamic country by rubbishing their faith, I wouldn't go to Tibet and preach to everyone that there is no scientific evidence for reincarnation.
I fail to understand why atheists seem to have an axe to grind, just live and let live.

seamus

bhamsteve wrote: »

I fail to understand why atheists seem to have an axe to grind, just live and let live.

There would be no axe to grind if everybody abided by your last statement.

The reason why atheist groups exist at all is because religious groups exist and attempt to interfere with how the rest of the world lives their lives.

bhamsteve

MagicMarker wrote: »

Can you give examples of the preaching atheism on par with door knocking, bible bashing Christians that you speak of?

No, the sun is shining and life is too short to spend the next hour researching and writing a detailed reply. I don't have to look too far to detect the condescending disrespectful attitude of atheists towards those with religion, there's enough of it here on boards.
Yes, we all know that their is no scientific evidence in any god or divine force, atheists can claim the intellectual superiority, but it is important to some people so why piss on their parade?

bhamsteve

seamus wrote: »

There would be no axe to grind if everybody abided by your last statement.

The reason why atheist groups exist at all is because religious groups exist and attempt to interfere with how the rest of the world lives their lives.

I'm all in favor of a secular society, and see the need for atheists to be represented. It just seems to me that people get off on rubbishing the beliefs of others, and atheists are becoming as guilty of this as people of religion.

quaalude

Two words - Ricky Gervais. I'm an atheist, and this twonk makes me want go to mass.

MagicMarker

bhamsteve wrote: »

No, the sun is shining and life is too short to spend the next hour researching and writing a detailed reply.

No research or detailed reply is needed, a brief explanation that would take no longer than it took you to write your post would have sufficed. Maybe there's another reason why you won't provide an example? Hmmm....

NegativeCreep

The majority of them on internet fora such as this are. They are militant about their atheism. Anyone who disagrees with them is immediately dismissed as a fool. I'm atheist myself but I wouldn't dream of dissing anyone about their beliefs unless they bring it up. Live and let live is my motto!

TwoShedsJackson

bhamsteve wrote: »

No, but i have noticed an increase in people going out of their way to belittle the beliefs of those with religion/ spirituality.
It seems to have gone beyond atheists voicing their beliefs to just trying to antagonize Christians at every opportunity, through the media, forums or any other means.
For the record I am not religious or a particulaly spiritual person but I have respect for other peoples beliefs. I would not go to an Islamic country by rubbishing their faith, I wouldn't go to Tibet and preach to everyone that there is no scientific evidence for reincarnation.
I fail to understand why atheists seem to have an axe to grind, just live and let live.

Religious beliefs are not deserving of any special respect simply because they are religious.

bhamsteve

quaalude wrote: »

Two words - Ricky Gervais. I'm an atheist, and this twonk makes me want go to mass.

Case closed. He must be the most arrogant, smug, annoying knob on the TV. I'm not surprised he's jumped on the bandwagon, anything to distract from the fact he is the most un-funny comedian of his generation :-)

Sarky

When your case consists of one data point, there's something wrong with your case. But you just don't have time to find more supporting evidence, do you?

robindch

bhamsteve wrote: »

[...] it is important to some people so why piss on their parade?

Perhaps because some of them take every opportunity they can to indoctrinate my child against my explicitly-stated wishes to the contrary?

Alternatively, well, if they don't want to be laughed at, perhaps they should believe something that isn't atrociously silly.

bhamsteve

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Religious beliefs are not deserving of any special respect simply because they are religious.

They are deeply important to the people who hold them though.
But why not show people a bit of respect? What do you get out of challenging peoples belief? Satisfaction? Kicks? A feeling of superiority?

MagicMarker

bhamsteve wrote: »

They are deeply important to the people who hold them though.
But why not show people a bit of respect? What do you get out of challenging peoples belief? Satisfaction? Kicks? A feeling of superiority?

This is the A&A forum, if religious people come here they should expect to have their beliefs challenged. Why do you have a problem with this?

bhamsteve

Sarky wrote: »

When your case consists of one data point, there's something wrong with your case. But you just don't have time to find more supporting evidence, do you?

If that is aimed at me, I was saying it tongue in cheek.

Wiggles88

bhamsteve wrote: »

They are deeply important to the people who hold them though.
But why not show people a bit of respect? What do you get out of challenging peoples belief? Satisfaction? Kicks? A feeling of superiority?

Why does the fact that they are important to some people automatically mean I have to respect religious views despite them being bigoted and nonsensical?

bhamsteve

MagicMarker wrote: »

This is the A&A forum, if religious people come here they should expect to have their beliefs challenged. Why do you have a problem with this?

I was writing a reply to the original post, are atheists as irritating as born again christians. I think they are. Nearly.

Dades

bhamsteve wrote: »

Case closed. He must be the most arrogant, smug, annoying knob on the TV. I'm not surprised he's jumped on the bandwagon, anything to distract from the fact he is the most un-funny comedian of his generation :-)

You say case closed yet go on to explain the motivations behind what he's done? Publicity.

Is it just this forum that bothers you? People in here no showing respect for other people's beliefs?

Because there's fcuk all of it going on the Irish media. Just this week they released a poll suggesting that religiosity in Ireland was diminishing at a rapid rate. I've heard two radio shows and seen one TV piece about it - all were either fluffy tippy-toeing around the idea of "faith" or nonsensical rhetoric from cathiolic apologists (one of whom called atheists "stupid" on air). Not one voice did I hear from the hoards of so-called militant atheists that have infiltrated our media.

Why do non-believers have an axe to grind? Because there things in their lives that are affected by the "harmless" faith of others. My kids will almost certainly be taught someone else's religion in school for a start - funded by my taxes.

It's simple naiveté to think because your life isn't impacted in any way by something, that all is rosy in the garden. Or to think that anything - including religion - should be free from question or scrutiny. Well guess what - religion has every chance to defend itself, and it's about time it started proving why it deserves to remain on it's pedestal.

seamus

bhamsteve wrote: »

They are deeply important to the people who hold them though.
But why not show people a bit of respect? What do you get out of challenging peoples belief? Satisfaction? Kicks? A feeling of superiority?

So if someone believes that black people are evil and require segregation, we should show those beliefs a bit of respect and not challenge them because they're "deeply important"?

No, you're going to say that it's OK for someone to hold that belief provided that they don't act on it or try to push it on others. As soon as they express it in public or try to force it on others, they should be ridiculed, right?

Bingo.