Proselytism and Atheism (Jesus, follower, choice, experience, atheist)

[Dunemeister]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

I don't try to convert people and I don't mind people being of different religions. What I issue with is when people try to turn their little personal religious views into everyone else's laws.

So basically you're happy if religious views are merely private hobbies people do in their spare time but not if they actually inform all of a person's life and make public truth claims or have public implications. Is that about right? If so, I can understand it because my conversion to Christianity took longer than it would have if it hadn't had these implications. My sticking point was the "you can't have sex outside of marriage" bit.

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by lilithu

It's those other people! They're the one's who are evil! If only they didn't exist then I wouldn't have to hate them! It's all their fault!

I think what Logician means is that some religions, at least the fundamentalists of such, have a "annihilate what you can't assimilate" mentality which I don't think is exactly wide spread among atheists. Personally, I couldn't care less what others believe in as long as they're not trying to stuff it up others.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

I think what Logician means is that some religions, at least the fundamentalists of such, have a "annihilate what you can't assimilate" mentality which I don't think is exactly wide spread among atheists.

True, it's not wide spread amongst atheists. But it does exist and is becoming more prevalent, which I think is the point of fluffy's thread.

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by Dunemeister

So basically you're happy if religious views are merely private hobbies people do in their spare time but not if they actually inform all of a person's life and make public truth claims or have public implications. Is that about right? If so, I can understand it because my conversion to Christianity took longer than it would have if it hadn't had these implications. My sticking point was the "you can't have sex outside of marriage" bit.

Well, of course people can share their beliefs. Civil discourse and the exchange of ideas is healthy for society. I'm talking more about them trying to enforce their religious views by turning them into laws, and hostilities, harassment, discrimination or even violence against people who don't fit their religious norms.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

I think what Logician means is that some religions, at least the fundamentalists of such, have a "annihilate what you can't assimilate" mentality which I don't think is exactly wide spread among atheists. Personally, I couldn't care less what others believe in as long as they're not trying to stuff it up others.

The impression I am getting from Logician's posts is simply spite towards those who are religious.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

Well, of course people can share their beliefs. Civil discourse and the exchange of ideas is healthy for society. I'm talking more about them trying to enforce their religious views by turning them into laws, and hostilities, harassment, discrimination or even violence against people who don't fit their religious norms.

Could you cite some examples? I know what you mean but the only example I can think of is Homosexual marrige, which is split even among Christians.

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by lilithu

True, it's not wide spread amongst atheists. But it does exist and is becoming more prevalent, which I think is the point of fluffy's thread.

Could a zealous promotion of reason and critical thinking be seen as a "annihilate what you can't assimilate" attitude?

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

Could a zealous promotion of reason and critical thinking be seen as a "annihilate what you can't assimilate" attitude?

Don't know. Personally I'm quite fond of reason and critical thinking but tend to disagree with atheists on whether they are supreme. That seems to me merely a difference of belief.

But do I see a zealous promotion of "theists are irrational and unable to think for themselves" as an "annihilate what you can't assimilate" attitude.