Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

Such irony.

“We wouldn’t hate the atheists so much if they would just keep it to themselves and not state their beliefs “

This kind of bad faith comment is exactly why I cringe at people who announce themselves to be atheists. I assume it’s about to be contentious. And I’m usually right.

In contrast, DH comes from a Muslim family and I never have any sort of unpleasantness with them, even though I’m not Muslim.

This is hate speech.

My husband is an atheist. When asked, he answers. He does not wish to get into it, but he feels he must reply accurately. It's never contentious because he never has anything else to say on the subject. If someone persists in talking about religion, he will smile politely and try to change the subject.

Why are you so full of hate?

DP. I don’t see that as being full of hate. It’s simply stating a fact, that some of us have had too many bad interactions with atheists.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

Such irony.

“We wouldn’t hate the atheists so much if they would just keep it to themselves and not state their beliefs “

This kind of bad faith comment is exactly why I cringe at people who announce themselves to be atheists. I assume it’s about to be contentious. And I’m usually right.

In contrast, DH comes from a Muslim family and I never have any sort of unpleasantness with them, even though I’m not Muslim.

You just keep proving the point, post after post.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

PP says we hate atheists because they post what they think. End period. Nothing in bad faith about it. That's what it is.

DP. You’re demonstrating the very problem. Nobody said people dislike atheists because you “post what you think.” You’re simply lying here. The post you quote says people dislike atheists because they *trash* faith and certain types of faith, and you see it here on a daily basis.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

Such irony.

“We wouldn’t hate the atheists so much if they would just keep it to themselves and not state their beliefs “

That's not what was said. Don't be hateful is the point.

DP. But... you just were. Please don't impugn atheism just because you read some hateful posts about your religion online. Do you understand this? You cannot generalize if you want to be fair and open-minded. Generalization = lies.

No. I was responding to atheist pp’s distortion of what was actually said above her. And you can’t deny that some atheists here conduct themselves aggressively and/or hatefully. Yes, we all try not to generalize, but when so many interactions with atheists are contentious, we come to expect the worst.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

Such irony.

“We wouldn’t hate the atheists so much if they would just keep it to themselves and not state their beliefs “

This kind of bad faith comment is exactly why I cringe at people who announce themselves to be atheists. I assume it’s about to be contentious. And I’m usually right.

In contrast, DH comes from a Muslim family and I never have any sort of unpleasantness with them, even though I’m not Muslim.

This is hate speech.

My husband is an atheist. When asked, he answers. He does not wish to get into it, but he feels he must reply accurately. It's never contentious because he never has anything else to say on the subject. If someone persists in talking about religion, he will smile politely and try to change the subject.

Why are you so full of hate?

OP, I think you were fine. I’m religious/a member of a church (although in rarely talk about religion when I’m not in church).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

Such irony.

“We wouldn’t hate the atheists so much if they would just keep it to themselves and not state their beliefs “

This kind of bad faith comment is exactly why I cringe at people who announce themselves to be atheists. I assume it’s about to be contentious. And I’m usually right.

In contrast, DH comes from a Muslim family and I never have any sort of unpleasantness with them, even though I’m not Muslim.

You just keep proving the point, post after post.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

PP says we hate atheists because they post what they think. End period. Nothing in bad faith about it. That's what it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

Such irony.

“We wouldn’t hate the atheists so much if they would just keep it to themselves and not state their beliefs “

This kind of bad faith comment is exactly why I cringe at people who announce themselves to be atheists. I assume it’s about to be contentious. And I’m usually right.

In contrast, DH comes from a Muslim family and I never have any sort of unpleasantness with them, even though I’m not Muslim.

I have a problem with your title, OP.

One does not "disclose" atheism, as if it was an infectious disease.

You don't have rabies, ebola or a new and supremely lethal Covid variant.

You have a belief system, to be respected just as much as the other person's belief system. The other person started the topic first. You responded.

End of story.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

This is the first time she’s meeting these neighbors. She can save the atheism chat for the block party after a few White Claws.

Highlighting the discriminatory posts. It's unbelievable there are still people in the world who think like this.

Do you have the courage to voice your opinions about Blacks, Hispanics, Asians? LGBTQ+?

Because I'm sure you have some choice words to say about them too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

You know what would help with that? If hundreds of DCUM readers didn't click into the Religion forum every day to see atheists trashing faith and showing bigotry towards certain faiths. I mean, if you want to change the perception of atheists.

Such irony.

“We wouldn’t hate the atheists so much if they would just keep it to themselves and not state their beliefs “

That's not what was said. Don't be hateful is the point.

DP. But... you just were. Please don't impugn atheism just because you read some hateful posts about your religion online. Do you understand this? You cannot generalize if you want to be fair and open-minded. Generalization = lies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

This is the first time she’s meeting these neighbors. She can save the atheism chat for the block party after a few White Claws.

She was responding to a "religious chat" someone religious began, and no one seems willing to criticize that person for starting that conversation, but plenty of criticism for the atheist answering honestly.

Anonymous wrote:You did fine. It is what it is.

Agree. Maybe they never met anyone like you.

I'm an Atheist but if someone talks to me about church etc, I say I'm not religious... Maybe I should be more direct..

I cannot understand for the life of me why some people have problems with atheism.

It's just as legitimate a position as belonging to a religion.

Indeed, atheism IS picking a side. So really, it's the same thing: you are consciously choosing a certain ideology, one where you do not believe in an all-powerful entity that commands the universe. It's not really that different from choosing to believe in an all-powerful spiritual entity, or believing in liberalism, or marxism, or the free market.

These are ALL constructs of the human mind, and work only because there are enough people in the world that share each of these beliefs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just say I’m not religious

True, but it's the easy way out -- sort of like a gay guy saying he's not the marrying kind (in the old days -- now people bring up their same sex spouse like it's no big deal.)

And it does nothing to help change the perception of atheists as nasty, bad people.

This is the first time she’s meeting these neighbors. She can save the atheism chat for the block party after a few White Claws.