I do not hate Christians, Muslims, Theists, et al..

[Taverner]

I think some could use some growing up (Michelle Bachmann comes to mind)

I think some could use some science (Creationists and ID)

I think some could use some empathy (Pretty much ALL Right Wing Christians)

And I think some could use some tolerance for us Atheists (many theists on DU)

We Atheists, Non-Theists, Agnostics, Irreligious and other forms of doubters have feelings and needs too

Treating us like we are the enemy does not follow with most of your precepts or common sense

Understand us

Respect us

And don't just tolerate us, accept us

We're all brothers and sisters here

[laconicsax]

1. Why do you insist on persecuting Christians?!?!?!?!?!?

You must hate all Christians, Muslims, Theists, etc.

:P

[Kurmudgeon]

9. How about count how many times the topic has came up here?

How many anti-theist threads vs anti-atheist threads have been posted here?
How do you define anti in this situation?
However, I don't remember any anti-atheist anything being posted here, if there was I may have missed it.
How about anti-theists posts? You know, just general snarky or testy comments against people of faith vs the opposite?
What do the numbers tell you?

[laconicsax]

10. That you have skin made of gossamer?

:shrug:

[darkstar3]

11. Sooooooo many Jack Nicholson quotes...

:rofl:

[David Sky]

12. Please try to differentiate, atheists are not AGAINST people of faith, whom you

properly label "theists". Atheists post numerous threads and posts against THEISM! Theism is a philosophical, religious, or personal set of OPINIONS, BELIEFS, theories, mythologies, whatever.

These threads and posts are only hurtful to people IF they take arguments about "theism", about the " set of OPINIONS, BELIEFS, theories, mythologies, whatever" personally!

If I were arguing against the theory that the world is the center of the universe, would geocentrists see that as a PERSONAL insult? If I were arguing against a flat Earth, would flat Earth advocates take that as a personal insult? If I were arguing against Creation Science, would a Creationist take that personally as an insult?

Try to distinquish the differences here. There is no ANTI-people bigotry, in atheism's arguments, there is a rational questioning of a certain set of OPINIONS, BELIEFS, theories, mythologies, whatever, but NOT any arguments against those people who hold them!

[laconicsax]

13. It's difficult for many religious people to differentiate between criticism of ideas...

...and criticism of people. It's what you get when someone makes an idea part of their identity. The only difference between religion and other ideas is that religious people have constructed excuses (pleadings, if you will) for why religious ideas are special.

[David Sky]

14. Yes, I think you stated it well. One's religious beliefs come from inside

and are as much a part of their person as their teeth or their family members.

If I were to criticize someone's teeth or family members, naturally I would be seen as personally insulting someone.

[safeinOhio]

2. You left out us

Ethical Humanist.

[William769]

3. Talk about multiple sarcasms!

[Deep13]

16. okay

The doctor told me I needed an operation. I said I want a second opinion. He says, okay, you're ugly too.

I told the doctor, it hurts when I go like this. She said, don't do that.

Why do doctors send their kids to law school? Subpoenas envy!

[Drale]

4. I don't hate religion

I hate stupid people. One of the most intelligent people I've ever met is a Brother, but some of the stupidest people I've ever met have been ultra religious.

[David Sky]

5. I, as an atheist, think you made a lot of sense. Free thinkers and skeptics of

religious dogma and organized religions in particular have a lot to offer members of any faith. We challenge those members to think critically and not to simply accept what they have been taught.

I harbor no ill will toward any person who freely and openly chooses to believe in any faith. I simply want them to know that there are alternatives, and productive ways of using their rational brains to make life-altering decisions.

I also want them to be aware of the weaknesses and problems any particular faith presents to a world of human beings of all descriptions and of all beliefs. I want them to learn, as doctors learn, "First, do no harm".

[Meshuga]

6. No way!

What would R/T be like without the lack of understanding and without the divisions? I am all for passing down the tradition of total madness and "snarkiness" to the next generation of participants. Let's keep it alive! In other words, let's disagree and not understand each other just for the hell of it.

[Taverner]

7. Can we both wonder at either the Hubble Deep Space Image or Coltrane's 'Love Supreme'

And if you haven't listened to that album, do not pass go, go out and get it...

[AlecBGreen]

8. I will check out the Coltrane

grooveshark here I come! Thanks for the tip :hi:

[Deep13]

15. Same here.

I do not hate people just because of their religion. I have generally, though not universally, found that the more religious a person is, the less I like him.

As for the religion itself the ideas and institutions of it, however, I fluctuate between disapproval and hatred.