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I find, as a group, atheists are highly intelligent and I enjoy the mostly well thought out conversation threads. However, sometimes, atheists can be quite mean in their delivery. I've been on the receiving end of comments that were very hurtful. I would caution all those "meanies" to lighten up. Please don't perpetuate the "angry atheist" moniker. There are too few of us. Kindness is much more attractive.

paulette96 4 Apr 30
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38 comments

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4

In almost every group there will be nice people and mean people. Agnostic.com is not a lot different, but on the average a little more intelligent. So, I appreciate the nice people and ignore the few assholes we have. And I made it to level 7 without blocking anybody.

You are in a white male privilege bubble. Men aren't sending you photos of their junk, discussing your genitals, or saying they will rape you. You don't have a clue. If I couldn't block men I wouldn't dare post here.

@birdingnut Wow! I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. For the record, I haven't had any of those things happen here so far. I've had a few scammers contact me but I find this site pretty swift at removing them.

@birdingnut I think your response to him was a bit extreme.

I am not a white male and the only naked photo I have received of someone on this site was from a woman not a man.

@UpsideDownAgain, @birdingnut Okay, hear your pain. And I certainly don't disagree with your blocking assholes. And yes, I'm a privileged white male. Sorry about that. But I do NOT live in a bubble. Or if I do, I seem to be able to see out of it pretty good.

@Lucy_Fehr BTW, I did geocaching, but they're all in Virginia. I don't do any hiking around here. But I really enjoy Fort Myer's 75+ miles of paved bike paths.

@mischl I think we all have our personal bubbles. I live my life assuming everyone has their blind spots, including myself. I think recognizing that is the best anyone can do at seeing through the bubbles.

6

I am trying to get better, but when I see gender bashing, or gun loving nut jobs, or some of the backward thinking conservatives spewing ignorance, I will get angry, and I will not hide it.

But, isn’t that the best way to express real anger, be upfront and own it...but not attack the person with our anger. It needs to be the issues that gets out ‘dander up.’ Hopefully the person’s position can be altered, when it is simply cruel to humanity!

@MissKathleen Sometimes I do, and they are bottom feeders. 🙂

@MissKathleen Right back at you girl. 🙂 You are a much more civil person than I am. I am working on it.

4

I go to the profiles of people I observe being rude, lewd, or crude to me or other women, and block them so we can't see each other's posts. If they have been offensive, I also flag them to the admin.

@Donotbelieve I used to try to argue with insulting jerks but now I head for the block button. I prefer that person removed from dating consideration completely,

I've never come across any of this. I must be in the wrong groups!

0

You want to see as mean dogfight. Watch an Atheist debate an Agnostic. Atheist now days seem even angrier towards Agnostics. Its quite funny.

I've not seen them, but I imagine atheists take agnostics to task for sitting on the fence. And agnostics taking atheists to task for their dogmatic sureness. I come down on the atheist side, science notwithstanding, because I don't know, nor do I care!

@Larry-new it could be a said all divisions of humanity are silly until one weaponized them.

7

Nah, we're just as dumb as any other group. It doesn't take a special intelligence to figure out atheism. I'm certainly not highly intelligent.

You're right that things get a little too heated, too quickly here a lot. I've seen it, been a part of it. However, I think that's the internet in general. I have been working on injecting politeness into each of my posts that could be considered part of an "argument" because sometimes ill intent is taken where none was meant. I guess it's hard to discern sometimes.

Thanks though, it's always good to have a reminder.

@Allamanda it's entirely undeserved, but I appreciate it. I'm a naturally snarky person and I can see where it comes off as mean-spirited when I'm just trying and failing to be funny.

2

This may be due to poor communication skills or not fully knowing one’s self. The latter person strikes back at others, believing THEY are the reason for an uncomfortable or even angry feeling that comes up, from a thought or opinion. I think this is common through society. Hopefully maturity will help.

@BeerAndWine and in print is a little more difficult!

Yes, that whole maturity thing. Still waiting...

2

You are not wrong.

I've found that Atheists come in many stripes. Some still embrace magical thinking (Satanists, Pagans, Spiritualists). Some seem dogmatic, almost mechanical ... say a word on their "wrong word list" ... like say "soul" .... then no matter what you mean by it, you are damned!! Some are really Christians trying to build "creds" for their return to their flock as "a former Atheist".

If you are patient, you will find a few that are more to your liking. Enjoy!!

As for me, well, I like to think I reflect the other side of the conversation. If they are nice, I try to stay nice. But if they are nasty, ..... I'm not entirely sure I do it on purpose, but I've found myself being pretty nasty in return ... frankly, I often regret it. Will I change?? ... I don't know.

By definition people who are Satanists, Pagans, and Spiritualist aren't Atheist. Just saying

@Biosteelman That's not what they will tell you. Many claim to be Atheists. I'm not agreeing with them, I'm just accounting for them as they are people one will encounter.

@Normanbites I get that. When I meet them I give them a hard time too. If we're gonna use labels let's use them right.

5

That's the new secular form of self-righteous expressing itself in the same way as the old.

"I'm so right I don't even need to be mannerly".

We could be good examples demonstrating that one doesnt need religion to be kind, generous, loving, etc.

6

Welcome to the asylum. Enjoy your stay.

That said, a thicker skin is definitely something worth cultivating.
Most people don't care about the delicate sensibilities of others.

It pays to have thick skin in the world but I'd like to be able to relax when in here!

@paulette96 Not going to happen.

4

Please cite some examples from clearly stated atheists, and exactly what they said. I'd like to know what you're referring to.

I'm growing tired of complaining posts like this impugning atheists without examples.

I agree. It sounds too much like the christian persecution complex.

When I identified myself as a member of a 12-step group, I was told to stop pretending to be an atheist, to go back to my god groups. Lots of !! and **. That kind of stuff. I didnt mean to come off as a complainer, I just want our group to be attractive and welcoming to those who might want to join.

10

We do need to be kind whenever possible. Still, we do need to be constructively critical of fallacious reasoning, misinformation, false beliefs, and bigotry

6

Unfortunately, close-mindedness and atheism are not mutually exclusive. I call myself an atheist because I am 99.9% sure there are no gods. I do leave that miniscule grey area because, hard though it may be to believe, I have been wrong about things in the past, but for all intents and purposes, based on rational reasoning, I am convinced there are no gods. It would seem that. percentagewise, there are almost as many atheists who "know the truth" as there are theists who "know the truth", and people who are all-knowing are usually not very tolerant of those who don't know everything, whether the question is how to deal with believers, how to deal with non-conformist children, or how to bake a cake. No one is omniscient, so when it comes to the existence of supreme beings they cannot possibly "know", whether they think they do or not. It would be nice if atheists could adhere to a higher standard than theists, but unfortunately we're dealing with people, and there are going to be some people who suck, no matter what they do or do not believe.

Well said, sir. Which is chiefly the reason I have to use the "agnostic" tag. In the overall scheme of the universe, there might be some creature out there that lays claim to being a "god." If I find it, I plan to kick its ass.

5

Agreed. Sometimes printed words sound mean because there's no inflection. Sarcasm and irony are two hard ones to pull off in print.

The other problem is that what triggers one does not trigger another. And, let’s face it, we have all run across those that take dissent, disagreement, etc. as harsh reactions to their “beloved” thoughts. For them, even slight hints, on a bad day, can be devastating. (Yeah, it’s a bit over dramatic, but we’ve all met overly sensitive people and we have all had days where we would bite the had caressing us. )

7

I blocked my first idiot the other day who was arguing for no reason. I've had several men on this site be jackasses to me about things like abortion, misogyny, and racism. They may have taken the self righteous religious wool off their eyes, but they have a few more layers to go.

Remi Level 7 Apr 30, 2019

There are plenty of completely monstrous men on here, I agree. Liberal use of the blocking button has worked for me. Cheers!

6

Sharper minds tend to have sharper spears.

So true...I find I am irritated with ostriches and memes that are syrupy...it is more frustration than anger or being mean...I much rather be around people with a bit of bite to their bark...if I wanted everyone to get along and play nicely, I would go to Disneyworld... 🙂

2

What I’ve concluded ..if from around here, are there being two kinds of Atheists. Those who value knowledge, science, and look for social opportunities to promote the best of humanity. And, those who don’t get along well with others… I’m afraid we’d best get used to the others ..as the good ones have made it safe & easy for them.

Varn Level 8 Apr 30, 2019

Because sweet kind non-confrontational people have Always been prime movers? MLK, for example?

0

I did take away some valuable lessons from my Christian upbringing. Mainly, devoting the time of detailed attention it takes to actually hate another person, who's not worth my time, is a waste of my time. Ergo, I hate no one. Also, being mean and angry will get you nowhere in the long run and cause those you can influence, or intimidate, by doing so in the short run to view you in a suspicious manner. I recently quit the popular social media platforms out of this frustration. Frustration caused by mean, hateful, small minds. I hope to find enlightened people on this sight. Your post is spot on, Paulette. Kindness is much more attractive.

I guess I do kind of hate some people. I hate the people that tell me I'm going to be put into the lake of fire forever and ever. In 94, 4 Angels appeared in front of me and told me they were gonna take Mom, and I could NOT go with her....(I was scared shitless).....Later, I asked them to do something very specific to prove to me they were real, AND NOT HALLUCINATING.......I wanted to talk about them, they were gorgeous.......well they did it. So the world can go fuck itself, it was between ME AND THEM......(yeah, I stayed out of the nut house)....
Yes, I get angry, I'm sick of hearing self-righteous Christians telling me that "SATANIC BEINGS" came and got Mom. Yeah....right "Satanic Beings'....got some news for you. You think this is it? You are in for a big surprise. Read BEYOND THE LIGHT by PMH Atwater. Read PROOF OF HEAVEN by EBin Alexander......he was a brain surgeon and died.....wow...what a book.

0

When Trumpsters call me nasty names for being a Democrat and feminist, I report and block them.

Personal attacks are against Agnostic.com Community Guidelines.

Brushes off hands.

My daughters are Evangelic idiots....TRUMPERS......and one of my son in laws carried a concealed weapon.......he is a gun toter....which doesn't make any sense to me. I tell you what, their Jesus Christ and Trump bullshit is so bad, I don't hardly want to visit them anymore. Bad news....I'm so lonely.....but I'd rather just be alone. No more church services for me and I will probably NOT go there this year for Xmas.....I like the tree and presents.....it's great for the kids, but I'm NOT a CHRISTIAN....and...I'm not an atheist either...... Xmas trees were started the pagans anyway.....if mention anything that is NOT in the Bible.....then I am satan.....

6

Unfortunately being kind and polite seems like a lost art for some; especially on the internet, where many choose to unveil their insecurities by lashing out. I know it seems easier said than done at times, but try not to let the comments of people that don't know you personally, affect you personally. There are also people who will claim that the problem is your interpretation of their words. Whatever the case, just know that some of us are "actually" here for enlightenment, camaraderie, and community, and know how to be kind.

1

Duly noted

2

I have noticed a similar patern or percection. Its exasperating trying to discuss or continue a discussion when this happens.plus I'm as stubborn as a new born mule which doesn't help.

1

I agree with your post that we should be nice on here and not hurtful. I have received some unkind comments on here. I tell myself that they are entitled to there opinion.

1

Very well said Paulette. Let’s change the perception that’s out there.

4

I agree wholeheartedly! I used to meet up with some angry atheists...but I came to realize that they just wanted to bash the religious...so I stopped going and am much more content to be the pleasant atheist.

3

There are mean people everywhere. Also good people. I have to weed out the people who have an agenda and also be very discerning about who I respond to and why.

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