Often, there will actually be anything important at stake in the ongoing debate, such as it is, between religion and atheism. To wit: I am gravely concerned about the mealymouthed practice of "respecting the beliefs" of Pro-Lifers who so actively disrespect individual rights and care nothing of the consequences. Know more at: [FoolQuest.com]

I don't know much about attitudes among whatever New Atheist movement, but here is what I can offer: There are disagreements one takes seriously, and disagreements one does not or cannot, opinions that in all honesty to not garner respect the way that people deserve whatever modicum of respect.

So let's flip the question: Precisely what kind of respect do Theists demand from unbelievers? Can we be honest? There are many antirational believers in one thing or another, that demand agreeability or at least tactful silence. Abd there are even charlatans the likes of the Templtons seeking to make Theism appear credible by effectively buying respectful behavior from prestigious scientists. So I do hope that I don't hurt your feeling too badly when I say that religion is indeed superstition to be debunked.

Know more at: [FoolQuest.com]

Both. Social media make everything look worse, but there is a lot of unnecessary negativity and tribalism, even in person.

Looked up the phrase and got this: *"According to Richard Ostling, Bertrand Russell, in his 1927 essay Why I Am Not a Christian, put forward positions similar to those espoused by the New Atheists, suggesting that there are no substantive differences between traditional atheism and New Atheism.

New Atheism lends itself to and often overlaps with secular humanism and antitheism, particularly in its criticism of what many New Atheists regard as the indoctrination of children and the perpetuation of ideologies founded on belief in the supernatural. Some critics of the movement characterize it as "militant atheism" or "fundamentalist atheism".."*

As many have said atheists are people and people regardless of their religious beliefs come with all different kinds of personalities.

The perceived anonymity of social media has also created Monsters of many different stripes.

Atheist are still in the minority however we are a growing segment of society and therefore feel more comfortable stating our beliefs. Some of us do it quietly and firmly but some of us yell.

The traits you speak of here are common in all types of people.. Why do you ascribe it to atheists only in this post?

Oh no, Some of us have always been dicks.
Some grow out of it. Some never do.

Very unchristian of them to act in such away.
(Sorry couldn't help myself).
First time I have heard such a theory unfortunately I
cannt confirm it.
As a athiest I try not to get involved in these types of things.
People are free to deside for themselves
I do not try to push my beliefs on others and those for follow a faith not to push theirs on me.

I think that arrogance and abusiveness are personality things. we see it all the time amongst believers. I don't believe it has to do with faith as much as some people's needs to be seen as correct from their own perspective. so they present themselves as total jerks in attacking someone else's thinking. I think arrogance and abusiveness are tell tale signs of insecurity.

I think it's more a sign of the times. Most people seem to be angry and aggressive with their views these days. It seems to be a byproduct of the idiot in chief we have in office promoting a lot of anger everywhere. That is bound to infect other areas of society. It might also be a counter effect of the passiveness of "millennialism" so to speak. Likely both with that fear of not being heard thrown in. Any which way I'm seeing a rise in that aggression in a lot of different areas.

People being arseholes online... surely not?!

You're quite right, though - there is a definite undercurrent of nastiness and disrespect among some atheists which can sometimes be seen here and elsewhere. Personally, I feel it's important to remain polite towards religious people and ask only that they show me the same courtesy. If they do not, I ask that we change the subject; if they will not I walk away.

What I’m curious to know is who it is who has coined the phrase “New Atheists”. The religious are not afraid of other religions, but they are scared as hell of secularism and atheists. I think this smacks of a fear of a more assertive stance which is being taken by some nonbelievers who are taking the message of non belief out to the general public, and challenging some hitherto unchallenged religious shibboleths. Prominent atheist authors and polemicists have been given greater publicity than in past decades, and are noticeably more vocal and willing to challenge long held religious beliefs and hold them up to scrutiny on public forums such as TV. This is very concerning to the religious institutions who have never really been challenged openly in such a manner in earlier generations. Atheists and agnostics have “come out “ of the closet, and in the same way that the religious right are finding it difficult to accept LGBT rights and are demonising and branding then as deviants, they are smearing atheists as immoral. All we are doing is actually being more vocal and more visible, and asserting our right to not believe in god if we wish, instead of being almost invisible and afraid to speak up.

"If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and yell like hell."
Carl Sandburg

Also the almost eugenic leaning language type racist anti semite, anti Muslim type behavior. There is an alt-right neoconservative stench to it that creeps into online spaces and make the conversation into something else.

It is a fine line when discussing disdain for religion and I do not consider questioning, disregarding making fun of or insulting religion to be those things. Some people take it to a different place that I am not comfortable associating myself with. They seem to be the loudest and want to take over the conversation in alot of spaces. I have found myself having to step back from in alot of online places. Including here sometimes.

In any group of people, there are always going to be a few bad eggs and extremists who will misbehave. There are however a lot of atheists on this site, and as far as I can see there are very few who are abusive, and I certainly see no organized grouping intent on abusing theists deliberately.

Maybe this site only attracts the better behaved I don't know. But you have to remember that the term "New Atheism" may well have been created by theists, it is certainly one which is mostly used by them, and based on past experience, theists are quite capable of setting up straw men and promoting near total fabrications, as part of their propaganda.

Be carefull where you dig, people sometimes bury treasure, but that is not all they bury. LOL

The only contact I have with overtly atheist people is here as in my peer group no one could care less about atheism or religion. They get on with life.

My experience here is a bit of both, but that's people

I'm not sure about the arrogant part but I have been verbally abusive to religious types trying to shove their religion on me I am not agnostic at all I am atheist there is no evidence to support the existence of god if people insist god is real and I'm going to hell for not believing I will insist they have mental problems and should seek professional help.