To really hate it when atheists take the piss out of those who believe in God?

[sharkirasharkira]

I have several FB friends who are obvious atheists, and often share things about science and/or about the concept of God being stupid -basically saying that anyone who believes in God is an idiot, a child (with an 'imaginary friend') or someone who has no idea about science and the universe.

I get that not everyone has faith in a higher being/religion etc but why the childish name calling and the necessity to take the piss out of those who do? It just really irritates me! Belief in God and an appriciation of science are not mutually exclusive. I find it quite offensive that people who don't know my personal beliefs are essentially saying that if I believe in God I must be an idiot or a child who believes in magical sky fairies, because theres no possible way I can believe in evolution (for example) and be an agnostic.

Aibu to think that people should just let others believe what they want to believe without mocking them for it, even if they don't agree with it?

I don't feel under any obligation to respect anyone's religious views. I simply don't respect them.

I wouldn't take the piss out of my religious friend, because I like her, but we have some very interesting debates.

On an online discussion about religion I see no reason to hide the fact that I think believing in God is absolutely ridiculous, but at the same time I wouldn't share something anti-religion on FB unless someone asked for my opinion.

But "God" culled the majority of the human race once, to "cleanse the Earth". Sailing around in his ark was Noah with two of each of the animals of the world that magically got to the ark from Australia, Antarctica and their native areas.

If this was done once then surely "God" could cleanse the world now of the corrupt world leaders? In fact, I think he'd probably find it quite easy, being God and all that.

But no, he chooses to cull innocent children instead, by various methods including famine, Aids, cancer, child abusers, school shooters, car accidents etc.

He must have a really odd way of thinking.

Gravity? That invisible force that is not proven and just a scientific theory. It isn’t even a hypothesis because there is so little evidence.

It could just be that as most items have weight, that they drop.

Life Rule #1: "Don't be a dick"

You, and others like you, might think you're a "nicer" person than Richard Dawkins (as an example) but he has acheived more for humanity than you can imagine.

For male humanity, possibly. For female humanity, he's been awful. Teaching a new generation of 'free thinkers' that loud, obnoxious misogyny is A-OK if it's done in the name of Science™. Dear Muslima, indeed. I own and value many of his books, he is no doubt an prominent scientist, but as a person he can shove it. Neil Degrasse Tyson has done a huge amount for humanity without behaving like an utter dick to half of it, for example.

The rest of your post only holds water if you believe that violence is directly caused by religion. I think that position is arguable and, on the whole, humans are innately violent creatures just like a lot of mammals are. Religion is an excuse.

@TabbyMack The problem with that is that it goes both ways. If atheists should be free to insult whomever they so choose because they do not subscribe to those beliefs, then religious evangelists should have the freedom to evangelise on their beliefs to whomever they feel needs converting.

Personally I think that the practicing of any kind of religion anywhere than in the designated areas i.e. the church/mosque/temple should be illegal.

If you want to believe in a God of whatever type then go to church/the mosque etc to meet with other like-minded individuals who believe. If you don’t want to go to church then you practice those beliefs in your own home.

The shouting on street corners in the name of anything however should be banned, and imo that goes for charity collectors and believers in other causes as well. Except that has other implications after all laws have been changed through protest etc.

And the knocking on doors should just be illegal full stop. So many scams could be shut down that way anyway.

But ultimately it’s just as insulting to tel someone they have an imaginary friend as it is to tell them they’re going to hell. Tell someone you don’t believe and they should shut up. If not you’re incompatible anyway. :)

People have believed in some form of God for thousands of years. If there is nothing behind this "feeling" then why does it exist? Ok, it's not the same God, but there has been a form of worship since we were able to speak. Surely that's proof that there is something that as a species we suspect but we just can't quite prove?

Don't attempt to ram your belief/absence thereof down anyone's throat; don't use your beliefs as justification for killing/abuse/being a cunt; respect other people's views, even if they differ from yours

Works for me

I actually think it’s more amazing how much wonder and beauty there is in the world and it’s happened by pure chance and time. I also think most people are generally good regardless of their beliefs. I can imagine in 100 years or so most people won’t be practising religion and I don’t think the world will be a worse place for it.

Man made issues;
Car crashes
AIDS
Famine
child abusers
Cancers - most are environmental or man at fault
School shooters

Still not getting it are we? As we were not programmed and we were gifted with free will, there is room for man to turn on themselves.

YANBU, you believe what you believe and have every right have others respect that.
Equally I hate it when people knock on my door and try to convert me or when people rant in the street about how I will go to Hell for not believing in God.
I think it works both ways, we all need to respect other's beliefs and keep our opinions about other people to ourselves a bit more.
I do think you could just unfollow these people on Facebook if you don't want to see their views though. They won't even know that you have done so.

How am I a troll? Because I said something a lot of science relies on is a theory?

Gravity isn’t a proven force. That is fact

People d it because they’re twats. Not because they’re atheists.

Same as Christians who hate on others etc etc.

You get twats in all religions.

I’m an atheist and have friends of all religions. As long as they’re kind, tolerant people then what does it bother me what they believe in.

Plenty of people on this thread have explained whybthey don't believe in a god. They've done it in a respectful, well thought out way and I have no problem with that. There's nonreason to be condescending about it

And as an atheist I find atheists who try and convince others they’re right as distasteful as I find Christians trying to convert people.

Religion is like a penis. It’s great to have one but keep it to yourself.

I think I'll tweak that great line to ' religion is like a backside - the rest of the world doesn't want to see it'.

You’ll believe in God but not gravity? I think that’s going come back and hit you in the face

The thing is if I was trying to "ram my beliefs down other people's throats" then to have people be rude would be fair enough. But I've been on threads where the OP has asked a "I'm interested in Christianity can you tell me about your faith" kind of question...so Christians do so....then people come on and make "sky fairy" or "imaginary friend" or "low intelligence" comments. I don't think that's fair really.

If in real life someone asked me about baking cakes and I talked therefore about baking cakes and other people in the group started making "good grief, why are you on about cakes! You are so stupid! Who even makes their own cakes! I've got a right not to hear about cakes the whole time!" Comments I'd be a bit

People have believed in some form of God for thousands of years. If there is nothing behind this "feeling" then why does it exist?

Control and scaremongering.

@HandbagKrabby

I lost a very dear friend of over 30 years over his FB posts. He's always been an atheist, and I've always had religious beliefs, which I have never discussed or argued about with him, and he was fully aware of. He posted a ridiculous meme on FB, and I said that I thought it was a bit patronising as many scientists do have religious beliefs. He blocked me at once, which I didn't realise, and when I got in touch with him to say let's meet up for a chat and a pint got the most hysterical ranting back. Considering he thinks he's a scientist his reply was the most illogical silly thing I've ever read! He's a Dawkins atheist!

Gravity is a proven force. That is fact

Fixed that for you.

The people who believe in God but think gravity is just a theory: you are why people call religious folk stupid. Which is unfair to the rest of them, its only a minority of you.

Ah, good old man, inventing cancer and Aids.

“Plenty of people on this thread have explained whybthey don't believe in a god. They've done it in a respectful, well thought out way and I have no problem with that. There's nonreason to be condescending about it”

“Sky fairies” & “imaginary friend” to quote a few