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As a group of mostly open minded people, I am surprised by the number of persons who are openly hostile toward anyone who has a different opinion, outlook, or attitude. As atheists, agnostics, and skeptics, we are, as a group, more intelligent and educated than the population at large, and should be more open to questioning and challenging all of our beliefs and ideas. I am honestly beginning to wonder why some people use social media if they cannot seem to avoid being so easily offended and hateful.

Piratefish 7 Oct 13
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50 comments

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2

Hmmmm, bitchy, passive-aggressive post followed up by patronising insults to anyone who responds negatively. If you keep having negative experiences on social media, ever thought that the problem may not lie with everyone else?

9

Just because we are atheists/agnostics, doesn't mean that we are saints! (every pun intended)
These are hostile times. There is a whole lot of unmasking going on right now. Sometimes hostility is necessary but mostly always as a last resort. In times like these however, the low road has becomes a matter of necessity.

Not sure we're talking about the same things here. 🙂

@Piratefish I thought we were. I was addressing your hostility statement and posting my opinion as to why there is hostility. Who knows...maybe I have misunderstood your point...that is entirely possible.

@patchoullijulie The "unmasking" and "hostile times" part is where you lost me and made me think we may possibly be referring to two different phenomena.

@Piratefish Oh gotcha ya. I could have been a little more specific. I meant unmasking in terms of todays exposure of things like misogyny, bigotry, etc. which is the basis for a lot of the hostility in conversations today. I don't know if that clears or muddies it up my previous comments. 😀

9

Sorry, i thought i was being openly hostile to trolls, fools, and scam artists....

Fortunately, I haven't run across those three groups here on this site ... yet. When I do, I will simply block them. 🙂

@Piratefish i enjoy getting all snarky with these fools, and my android tablet does not have a "block" button ( i queried Admin about 5 months ago on this). So i get to enjoy what they have brought upon themselves!

@AnneWimsey I've read others' comments about interactions with evangelists on this site, but I have yet to actually witness one of these misguided people trolling on here myself. Maybe one day ....

@Piratefish There used to be a very few, easily spotted.
There are a bunch more now, and they are Much better at it. They post interesting questions, usually seemingly erudite, and ingenuous. BUT the question requires you to respond AS IF there were a "gawd"....thus undermining your hard-won independence from that whole concept.

@AnneWimsey Why not just ignore those posts? I refuse to have a conversation with anyone who is clearly only trying to be antagonistic or contrary.

As an aside, I am surprised that admin does not do more to address the influx of shit-stirrers and deliberate trolls. We have to put up with enough ignorance and hatred toward us in the "real world", our few havens should not be places where we have to be subject to harassment as well.

@Piratefish If you spend enough time here, you, like I will likely encounter those that assert "Someday you will pay for your science belief" implied within context (because science is lies and my faith (belief without evidence) is the only way to find truth)" and a host of other face-palm nonsense too lengthy to list. They exist and I am not kind to them.

@Piratefish 1. I abhor censorship in every form!
2. I am on here about 6 hours a day, and read over 800 words per minute...i do not think "patrolling" is possible, even if I thought it was desirable, which I do not.
3. Hey, get your own hobby, snarkiness is one of mine!

@AnneWimsey I think there is a difference between censorship and not allowing troublemakers to seek you out in your own home, so to speak. Imagine if we started showing up in their churches and disrupting their fellowship. It is in poor taste, and is never censorship to show disruptive jerks the door. It's no different than declining to invite a Jehovah's witness into your home when they come knocking.

@NoMagicCookie And those are not the people to whom I am referring. I am referring to people who wax political or social and then get really upset whenever anyone has a different opinion or view. Upset to a point where they become unnecessarily nasty, rude, and hateful. My original post is about them, not the handful of religious diehards who come here to troll. Hence my reference to atheists, agnostics, and skeptics.

@Piratefish "troublemakers" get, and richly deserve, trouble.

@Piratefish my feeling is, if you express an opinion, you should Expect to get some back....and not always couched in the most polite way, too bad so sad.....

8

It's quite simple. Let me first point out that the percentage of people possessing the willingness to consider other ideas or to disagree in an agreeable fashion is somewhat higher here than in many other places, but we must also bear in mind that we represent a microcosm of our civilization and it is to be expected that our cross section will, in all likelihood, not differ greatly from Earth's population as a whole.

Well put!

6

I think you might be endowing all those on here with traits that are not necessarily present.

Not believing in god(s), does not automatically make someone intelligent and educated.

Many folks are both on social media, and out in public, just itching to get into a confrontation, or get all offended by the slightest upset.

6

In all fairness, I feel no responsibility to be accepting of dangerous, exploitative beliefs. I have no problem answering hate with more hate if necessary, because polite acceptance of bad ideas for the sake of civil discourse is not a sound option. If that means I am a "know-it-all atheist" then I will wear that t-shirt with pride. And please, give me a condescending title for being an antitheist as well while we are at it, that would be swell.

I agree, as long as they are actually and truly dangerous or exploitative beliefs. However, the comments I have made are neither, yet have been met by outlandish hostility by some. I just expected more from a group known for its ability to question and be open minded.

@Seeker3CO Spot on!

6

Everyone is offended and hateful when it comes to politics. Myself, I just don't understand stupid. If a policy only benefits the few then it is not good for everyone. Pretty simple really.

yeah, but many americans bot the trickle down BS & now they & their progeny are pretty well fucked.

6

If the "different outlook or attitude" you are referring too happens to be god and/or theism, then I think we are justified in being a bit hostile, especially considering how hostile theism and theists are to "open minded people" and "atheists, agnostics, and skeptics". How would you interact with an adult who wanted to have a serious discussion about mermaids, leprechauns, dragons, santa, fairies with pixie dust as something that is real and affects our lives on a personal level and encroaches on our government, laws and public education?

5

Points of view or beliefs have real consequences. People act upon their beliefs. If you support the removal of regulations that protect humans from the pollution consequences of much of industrial civilization. we have a problem. Trumps policies are an ecological disaster-hint. this means the air, water and food get dirtier,He talks about clean coal-that is stupendously stupid. There is no such thing. Where does he think much of the mercury pollution come from? IF you tell me this is OK, when shocker of shocks, I believe that mercury is a poison and you vote for a moron who promotes clean coal, I will be very angry and tell you so. If I came into your house and poured mercury into the water that you and your family drink, would you let me?

5

Tolerance of intolerance is cowardice.

@OwlInASack anytime

5

I'm not so sure about that. I have seen plenty of close minded people on here. I don't think generalizing either theists or non-theists is an accurate way to assess their intelligence and education. I think people in general are tribal when it comes to beliefs and defense mechanisms. There have been some studies done that seem to suggest that non-theists are on average more intelligent than theists, but it doesn't mean that non-theists can't be tribal or close minded about things especially when they are being challenged.

Trouble is, you don't even have to challenge some of the people on this site. Just disagreeing with their opinion or view is enough to launch some into a tizzy.

@Piratefish I've definitely encountered it before. I made my own post about it. Even though it's just a difference of opinion, I guess they view it as a challenge to their own belief. Maybe it just feeds their ego.

5

Where there are people involved there will always be dissonance.
For example, There are hundreds of sects of Christianity, so even they can't all agree.
The only thing that Atheists, Agnostics, freethinkers, etc. have in common is they all (for the most part) don't believe in a god, or gods.
We all have vastly different ideas about every other aspect of life and the universe.
Same as believers.

To say that we ( Atheists, Agnostics, freethinkers, etc) are more educated, and intelligent is just silly, and historically inaccurate.
For example; Isaac newton, Micheal Faraday, Gallileo, and many other very intelligent and giants in their field were all devout Christians.
Even today there are believers, albeit a minority, of elite Scientists that are tops of their fields. Francis Collins for one, Kennith R Miller another. plus many more.

In all honesty I am glad there is an amount of some sort of dissonance even here on this site.
Life would be fucking boring if every one believed and thought the same about everything.

I would submit that the scientists that you noted as “devout” were required to be Christians in order to be accepted in their societies.

@Science-guy I have to disagree with that point, although can't say that it hasn't happened.
Newton, was so into the scriptures that he spent years trying to formulate the second coming.
Faraday never gave up his belief in god no matter what Scientific discoveries he had amassed.Gallaleo, even though he had his beef with the religious, he still held on to his belief of god.
Farther more, the vadican itself has a very advanced astrophysics department that has worked hard with other Scientists on discovering what we can about the cosmos.

Of course, that is the modern way. I agree that the vadican did in fact years ago did repress any one who differed from scriptures.

And I will also renote that there are still today a few believers in the Sciences that are giants in their field.

My best conclusion about why that is.
I can only venture to guess that they have found a way of not taking the bible literally, and are able to meld together both.
Personally I don't agree with their beliefs, but I'll never discount their Scientific achievements.

5

Yes it's been hard. I'm pretty used to science-minded non-woo folks who are willing to have civil discourse on a topic.

Watching people freak out about the simplest things is just hard.
Granted FB was worse.

4

Valuing someone's opinion and respecting an opposing point of view is one thing. But tolerating the stupidity that is turning our country into a fascist state is quite another.

godef Level 7 Oct 14, 2018
4

I haven’t been on the site for a week, It started feeling like Facebook with its subtle intolerance... I’m hanging out on the fringe and will filter back in but I have learned that just because people don’t believe in a god it does not automatically make them critical thinkers. Everyone says they are but I can see past the end of my nose and I’m currently a bit off-put... that said, I have found a handful of awesome people here, perhaps I have been thwarted by my own expectations? I was hoping for a somewhat more enlightened community.

Precisely how I am feeling.

4

You over-generalize. There are stupid atheists among us. Typically, most do not st;stay on this site long before they realize that they are very different from the rest of us in too many ways. Atheism is simply the absence of religious belief, not a sign of intelligence.

Perhaps it is more accurate to say that atheists, as a group, have a far greater proportion of better educated and more intelligent people compared to the general population. In fact a number of studies have concluded as much. And a s a group, atheists have certainly demonstrated the ability to be more open minded. I, perhaps naively, had higher expectations from a community of atheists, agnostics, and skeptics. But sadly, politics and self-centerdness seem to fuck up any group they taint. By 47, I should know better.

4

It's the militants and know-it-alls, who know me better than I know myself, who love to put words in my mouth or spin and twist things for their agenda that I can not stand.
It seems they are spoiling for a confrontation, that's why I shy away from the political posts.
It also makes me wonder if they will be that antagonistic if we were face-to-face instead of hiding behind a keyboard.

4

I would say there is less of that here than many other sites I've visited.

3

When you became an agnostic or atheist was your asshole removed? No? Like assholes, everyone has opinions and it doesn't matter if a person is more or less intelligent or educated, they still have opinions.

It's more than having an opinion. It is about being completely close-minded and intolerant of other views to the point of hostility. And I am not referring to dangerous or unreasonable views, either. I am referring to any view that is simply different or doesn't include generalizations, stereotyping, prejudice, hatred, etc. It's amazing how comfortable some are with hating entire groups of people based solely on the actions of a reprehensible few.

3

Can you give an example of an outlook or attitude that people are openly hostile toward but should instead be accepting of?

One that does not include generalizations, stereotyping, hatred, prejudice, etc. I have noticed that it is okay to hate certain groups but not others, based solely on the actions of a reprehensible few. To me, this seems to be a bit of a double standard. But it seems rather unpopular to some if it is brought up.

@Piratefish interesting...but can you give any specific examples you've seen?

@imnotdavid

How about any of Betty Coleman's comments on this post?

@Piratefish quote one please

3

This is why I tend to avoid 'discussions' on here. There is a lot of aggression lurking. If I see a question that even suggests anger, I stay away. I didn't join to do battle. I have yet to find any cause worth fighting over. (Reply with antagonistic comments....... Now.)

I have still come across a few people who come out of the blue with ugliness. Right out of the gate, both guns blazing. And I have been like "wow, where did that come from"? I can usually spot it coming, too, but a couple of people have come from out of left field, obviously harboring a lot of personal issues and a lot of pent up anger and hatred. It is these few people to whom I am referring. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. More disappointed. I just had higher expectations from a group I viewed as being more open-minded and intelligent as a whole. Oh well. 🙂

@Piratefish
In that respect, we have both been let down. This is why I tend to sit on a log at the campfire and let the angry ones do what they do while I watch the fire.

and you are so right. i avoid rooms that are notorious for hatred and prejudice. I almost quit. I left here many times and then decided to stay out of those rooms. This is the first out of place post in a long time. The group owner should police their group. I am here to say HELLO and Welcome. Just put topics where they belong.

@BettyColeman
This may be an out of date question, but I always ask 'Why can't we all just get along?'

3

You have a point there, however I have found that some people cannot discuss anything without getting angry because you have a different attitude. Those seems to happen usually with people from the US. I have also visited there several times and found that it is almost impossible to discuss US foreign policy and how it affects the rest of the world. People want to punch you if you don't agree with them. Sad really. Other countries do not act that way.

You speak of countries as if all the citizens therein act in a singular way. This is not true. I have no idea who in the US you are talking about, but I have no problem talking about US foreign policy and I have had conversations with people from other countries in relation to their foreign policy in which they became enraged at my perspective of what their government is doing. To attribute this to America alone is simply wrong.

@redbai You may says so but my experience in my travels to the US have been different. Also when I travel in other countries and discussed their government what they do and not do, people don't get aggressive about it. Just because you are a level headed person many are not.

3

In my experience, tolerance can be as difficult for skeptics to develop as it is for many religious fundamentalists.

3

Your pain is felt here. Unfortunately, since people who reject gods and theologies have different motivations for doing so, we still end up a mixed bag.

There are non-believers who are fiercely independent in their formations of beliefs and opinions but others who are moved to rejection over such simplicities as prefering the scientific method for 'faith' or simply disliking evangelists or disagreeing with this or that so-called morally based rule for living.

Reason often has no bearing on a state of non-belief. It's best evidenced by political sycophants who cling to party 'chapter, verse and preachings' as tenaciously as any back woods Baptist does to a Bible that he/she doesn't understand either.

Consequently, we still find ourselves 'grouped' as though monolithic, yet as diverse as any (often used comparison) herd of cats.

3

I look at it like this... if I understood it, I'd be standing in line with them to do what they do. I'm happy not to and if you don't bother me, we'll both be happier.

Btbd Level 7 Oct 13, 2018
3

Don't let open hostility discourage you from expressing what you believe to be true. Confirmation bias usually prevents a person from changing his/her mind when first encountering the truth. Repeated exposure to the truth can unconsciously affect a person over time. At least thats the way it works for me.
Repeated exposure to a conflicting idea can motivate me to investigate further its verasity. Sometimes that investigation results in a change in my position.

It's not speaking the "truth" so much as being able to express a different view on social or political issues without some people completely flipping out.

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