Christians touchier than atheists?

[Anonymous]

I notice that when something negative is said about Christians, they tend to respond with some version of "how dare you insult my faith?"

In contrast when something negative is said about atheists (e.g. "atheists have no morals.") they tend to respond with facts and explanations.

Why do you think this is?

[Anonymous]

I think you are an atheist and it is all a matter of perspective.

[Anonymous]

Because religious people have no use for facts and explanations? See also, climate change, evolution.

[Anonymous]

Oh, of course, OP! What a great observation.

Now let's get your take on some other really important serious stuff: which state do you think is better, Maryland, or Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Because it's religion based on faith, which has no facts on which to base it. And because you are questioning someone's core belief system. Also, religion is supposed to be for the good whereas atheism isn't premised on anything.

[Anonymous]

I've noticed that atheists insult Christians 3-4 times for every time a believer insults atheists.

So it's just basic math that you'd see Christian reactions 3-4 times as much.

I find all the atheist pot-stirring and baiting kind of boring. Yawn. But others react.

[Anonymous]

The problem is pretty simple: there's no such thing as having a "respectful" disagreement about religion with a deeply religious person. Because they demand "respect" for every tenet of their faith. And respect seems to be synonymous with "assume it's correct."

They're incapable of hearing any deep critique of religious thinking without getting offended to the core. Case in point, when you ask the most basic and obvious question about religious belief, "Why privilege the Christian God over every other god that humans have worshipped throughout history? Why not Poseidon?" they completely ignore the implications of the question and immediately jump to outrage.

The outrage is pretty normal: When you frame it like that, religious belief--at least the literal, fundamentalist kind--is pretty ridiculous. Therefore you're disrespectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed that atheists insult Christians 3-4 times for every time a believer insults atheists.

So it's just basic math that you'd see Christian reactions 3-4 times as much.

I find all the atheist pot-stirring and baiting kind of boring. Yawn. But others react.

*pot stirring and baiting BY atheists

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is pretty simple: there's no such thing as having a "respectful" disagreement about religion with a deeply religious person. Because they demand "respect" for every tenet of their faith. And respect seems to be synonymous with "assume it's correct."

They're incapable of hearing any deep critique of religious thinking without getting offended to the core. Case in point, when you ask the most basic and obvious question about religious belief, "Why privilege the Christian God over every other god that humans have worshipped throughout history? Why not Poseidon?" they completely ignore the implications of the question and immediately jump to outrage.

The outrage is pretty normal: When you frame it like that, religious belief--at least the literal, fundamentalist kind--is pretty ridiculous. Therefore you're disrespectful.

Way to make sweeping and wrong generalizations. You don't speak for me at all. Or for my parents who talked respectfully about Buddha and Mohammed. Or for anyone I know, really.

I see this kind if seeping generalization from you atheists all the time. THIS is definitely part of what makes it impossible to have a respectful dialogue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is pretty simple: there's no such thing as having a "respectful" disagreement about religion with a deeply religious person. Because they demand "respect" for every tenet of their faith. And respect seems to be synonymous with "assume it's correct."

They're incapable of hearing any deep critique of religious thinking without getting offended to the core. Case in point, when you ask the most basic and obvious question about religious belief, "Why privilege the Christian God over every other god that humans have worshipped throughout history? Why not Poseidon?" they completely ignore the implications of the question and immediately jump to outrage.

The outrage is pretty normal: When you frame it like that, religious belief--at least the literal, fundamentalist kind--is pretty ridiculous. Therefore you're disrespectful.

You must be either really insincere or really stupid. Which is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is pretty simple: there's no such thing as having a "respectful" disagreement about religion with a deeply religious person. Because they demand "respect" for every tenet of their faith. And respect seems to be synonymous with "assume it's correct."

They're incapable of hearing any deep critique of religious thinking without getting offended to the core. Case in point, when you ask the most basic and obvious question about religious belief, "Why privilege the Christian God over every other god that humans have worshipped throughout history? Why not Poseidon?" they completely ignore the implications of the question and immediately jump to outrage.

The outrage is pretty normal: When you frame it like that, religious belief--at least the literal, fundamentalist kind--is pretty ridiculous. Therefore you're disrespectful.

Your first sentence reflects a dislike and disrespect for those who are "deeply religious." If you typically begin your discussions and disagreements with this approach, I can certainly see why someone might not be able to engage in meaningful conversation with you. You're not really open to the discussion either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I notice that when something negative is said about Christians, they tend to respond with some version of "how dare you insult my faith?"

In contrast when something negative is said about atheists (e.g. "atheists have no morals.") they tend to respond with facts and explanations.

Why do you think this is?

Because atheists are used to explaining themselves. We are a minority.

Christians are a majority and aren't used to being challenged. It's a bit privileged, but c'est la vie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed that atheists insult Christians 3-4 times for every time a believer insults atheists.

So it's just basic math that you'd see Christian reactions 3-4 times as much.

I find all the atheist pot-stirring and baiting kind of boring. Yawn. But others react.

As an atheist I would agree with this, but with a caveat: Christians are insulted 3-4 times for every time an atheist is insulted. Of course, the entirety of our culture is built around soothing the prejudices of religious folks (and Christians in particular), and doesn't give a fig about the sensibilities of atheists, so it's quite likely that atheists have thicker skins than Christians, etc...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/wolf-blitzer-atheist-tornado-survivor_n_3316312.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I notice that when something negative is said about Christians, they tend to respond with some version of "how dare you insult my faith?"

In contrast when something negative is said about atheists (e.g. "atheists have no morals.") they tend to respond with facts and explanations.

Why do you think this is?

Because atheists are used to explaining themselves. We are a minority.

Christians are a majority and aren't used to being challenged. It's a bit privileged, but c'est la vie.

+1, but I would change "a bit privileged" to "extremely privileged"

[Anonymous]

These discussions are never productive. Religion is based on fatih, not fact, so there is nothing to discuss. You either have faith or you don't. Silly discussion.