When I called someone out for being “delusional” and “a problem”, I was perma-banned from the r/atheism. Have I missed something? Are atheists at literal war with theists? Is it the common belief that theists are willing members of “murderous organizations”? What propaganda is being passed around atheist circles that I’ve been missing out on?
More directly, I guess, is today’s Atheism strictly about anti-Christianity? Cause that’s not where I’m coming from nor interested in going.
For added context of the conversation I was attempting to have - “everybody or nobody”; if a pride flag alone fails to represent everyone (which it inherently does), wouldn’t the proposed argument prevent hanging the flag? I thought it was a reasonable reply to the idea and was shocked by “murderous organizations” coming into play.
(I mean, people have been hanging American flags and singing the National Anthem too.)
Atheism can seem like it’s about anti-Christianity, because a lot of American atheists have a Christian background. They’re justifiably pissed about the lies they were taught, and the rampant hypocrisy of Christianity. They’re often very vocal, especially online.
Over time, people usually get less angry about their personal experiences, and find it easier to step back and take a broader view. Too much of any religion is a problem.
I don’t share this militant ideology. I know a lot of religious-ish people who are beautiful humans. But that makes sense for people to revolt against a group and a philosophy that took advantage of them and caused them so much pain.
I guess I’ve had this incorrect assumption that atheists were inherently more logical and less prone to misinformation and propaganda. I thought we were the smarty-pants club so it’s disappointing and embarrassing to see some of these comments.
Yeah. Being sensible enough not to let superstition rule your life is a plus, but a lot of atheists are nothing but obnoxious people who like to be contrarians and think they’re smarter than others. That’s not a very helpful attitude, and I think that taking atheism to such an extreme that you automatically look down on theists is, well, kind of similar to being religiously intolerant. Isn’t that something we should avoid?
I also know a few smart, wonderful folks who happen to let religion play a role in their lives, and I think that’s fine. They actually use religion for its stated purpose, which is (generally speaking) to improve themselves and the world around them. They do it in a tolerant, non-evangelical way, too, that respects the beliefs of others. Yeah, they happen to believe some things I think are unnecessary, but so what? Who am I to judge, when they live such positive lives?
I also know many more people who use religion as an excuse to be willfully ignorant, hypocritical, and closed-minded. That’s the kind of religious “belief” I look down on.