Ugh. I think pushy atheists are just as bad as if not worse than pushy religious people. I think most religious people are pushy from a good place. Lots of atheists also have a great point - for example, religious belief shouldn't get in the way of scientific discovery - but those who are trying to prove religion wrong for the sake of it are so irritating.
to be honest, i find this attitude rather unfair - how is being a pushy atheist worse than being a pushy religious person?
either way, it's someone pushing other people to accept their view point as the correct one. usually because they think the world would be a better place if everyone else agreed with them.
if i try and prove religion wrong, it isn't "for the sake of it" - it's because i think it is wrong and that the truth actually matters.
full disclaimer - yes, i am an atheist. i don't think i'm a pushy one, because i don't have the interest to lurk on forums, and don't wish to alienate my friends by pushing a view point on them - if someone isn't interested in having the discussion, pushing it on them won't help. and that true whether you are pushing atheism or religion.
obviously, there are assholes in both camps, but i do get really frustrated that it's somehow more okay to be shoving your religion down people's throats than your non-religion.
Me: those who are trying to prove religion wrong for the sake of it are so irritating.
You: if i try and prove religion wrong, it isn't "for the sake of it" - it's because i think it is wrong and that the truth actually matters.
You'll notice I didn't say everyone is doing it for the sake of it - just that those who do are annoying. I'm not accusing you of anything and actually find it a little confusing that you've read anything resembling it from what I consider a fairly clearly-worded statement. All I'm saying is that I've very, very rarely come across theists who try to convince someone of God because they're being ornery - almost all theists who've tried to convert someone in my presence have done so because they believe it's what will 'save' that person. Misguided? Some might think so. Still, to me it's sweet and even noble, even if it can come across terribly obnoxious and patronizing. By contrast, I've come across many an atheist who will try to prove religion wrong for the sake of somehow proving themselves intellectually
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obviously i can't speak to your experience. people don't try to convert me very often, one way or the other.
i objected to the statement "pushy atheists are just as bad as if not worse than pushy religious people", because i do strongly disagree.
it's obviously a subjective judgement, but i personally find pushy religious people pretty damn offensive. i think it's deeply presumptuous to tell someone that you are going to "save" them, and a lot of the most pushy people are the "you'll burn in hell" variety. which i find deeply morally disturbing. and plenty of this type also are more interested in their own superiority and rightness than in notions of charity.
and, of course, i've never met a single atheist who tried to convince someone for the reasons you've mentioned. i believe they exist, but i'm having to imagine it as i've never experienced it.
of course, it may be it's just because i happen to agree with the other side. so i'm biased.
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either way, it's someone pushing other people to accept their view point as the correct one. usually because they think the world would be a better place if everyone else agreed with them.
if i try and prove religion wrong, it isn't "for the sake of it" - it's because i think it is wrong and that the truth actually matters.
full disclaimer - yes, i am an atheist. i don't think i'm a pushy one, because i don't have the interest to lurk on forums, and don't wish to alienate my friends by pushing a view point on them - if someone isn't interested in having the discussion, pushing it on them won't help. and that true whether you are pushing atheism or religion.
obviously, there are assholes in both camps, but i do get really frustrated that it's somehow more okay to be shoving your religion down people's throats than your non-religion.
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You: if i try and prove religion wrong, it isn't "for the sake of it" - it's because i think it is wrong and that the truth actually matters.
You'll notice I didn't say everyone is doing it for the sake of it - just that those who do are annoying. I'm not accusing you of anything and actually find it a little confusing that you've read anything resembling it from what I consider a fairly clearly-worded statement. All I'm saying is that I've very, very rarely come across theists who try to convince someone of God because they're being ornery - almost all theists who've tried to convert someone in my presence have done so because they believe it's what will 'save' that person. Misguided? Some might think so. Still, to me it's sweet and even noble, even if it can come across terribly obnoxious and patronizing. By contrast, I've come across many an atheist who will try to prove religion wrong for the sake of somehow proving themselves intellectually ( ... )
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i objected to the statement "pushy atheists are just as bad as if not worse than pushy religious people", because i do strongly disagree.
it's obviously a subjective judgement, but i personally find pushy religious people pretty damn offensive. i think it's deeply presumptuous to tell someone that you are going to "save" them, and a lot of the most pushy people are the "you'll burn in hell" variety. which i find deeply morally disturbing. and plenty of this type also are more interested in their own superiority and rightness than in notions of charity.
and, of course, i've never met a single atheist who tried to convince someone for the reasons you've mentioned. i believe they exist, but i'm having to imagine it as i've never experienced it.
of course, it may be it's just because i happen to agree with the other side. so i'm biased.
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