Why are “some atheists” so intolerant of religious believers?

[Revoltingest]

But don't you think that is pretty arrogant? I mean why should I acknowledge that THEY have the Truth when I have my own beliefs? That would be terribly dishonest and misleading. I do not expect THEM to acknowledge what I believe as the Truth if they don't believe it but I guess not everyone is going to extend the same courtesy.

I agree that they're arrogant.
But even worse, they're mean.

 

[Skwim]

Thanks, I know that.
What I do get upset about is injustice, being accused by the forum owner and moderators of what I KNOW I am not doing and of having motives I KNOW I do not have. Nothing is more unjust than that. Also, unless I have broken a rule, putting me on moderation is just a way to control what I post and I won't tolerate it because it is unjust.

Injustices are part and parcel of human interactions. Sometimes we can avoid them and sometimes not, but the clue in dealing with them is to put them in perspective. Is there anything you can do to change an injustice? If so, you have to decide if the effort is worth the result and proceed accordingly. If there's nothing you can do then consider the source: Ask yourself "Why do I respect the offender so much that what he says makes a difference to me? If you actually do respect that person you might want to more carefully consider what he's said and see if it might actually be of value. I've found that people I don't respect can say whatever they wish about me. I can't care because I don't respect them. Simple As That! Then there are those whose hurtful words, while erroneous, may have been made in good faith. For them the best thing to do is keep their remark in context. We all make mistakes. Let it go.

.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

In December 2017, I left a forum I had been posting on for about four years to come here because of a falling out with the atheist forum owner. I was here for about a year and then that atheist forum owner saw me posting on another forum in that forum group and invited me back to his forum. I went back in December 2018, reticently, and since then I have only been posting here on RF on a limited basis, because I do not have time for both forums. I am now very sorry I ever went back there and I hope I never make the same mistake again.

That forum pretends to be a forum for believers, ex-believers and nonbelievers but it is inhospitable for believers of any kind, particularly for believers of the Baha’i Faith. That is putting it mildly. We are discriminated against because the forum owner has a vendetta against my religion. Christians and Jews are tolerated as long as they do not talk too much about God or their religious beliefs. Mostly what they talk about on that forum are politics and social issues. So they really should not call themselves a “religious forum.”

My most recent academic background is in psychology, so I wonder why people think and do what they think and do. It seems rather obvious to me that if the atheists on that forum are hostile towards me it is because they are threatened in some way. Of course, they would never admit that. It is not as if I am a bit pushy about what I believe, and in fact I only discussed my beliefs if someone else posted to me about my beliefs. Then I responded and I got blamed for proselytizing. This is wholly unjust.

This last falling out was precipitated by the forum owner having a hissy fit for what he considered me mentioning my religion too much and then he put me on moderation. I sent him a private message that I will not post on his forum while on moderation because that is unjust, since I broke no forum rules, and I told him I was leaving his forum. Of course most of the atheists are glad I am gone. I am also glad I am gone because now I am back here and the atheists on this forum have been so different. They are mature adults, not little children acting out.

There is no reason why those atheists would act out that way unless they were afraid of what I have to say. They do not react to the other believers on that forum that way because they do not dare talk much about God or their religion, because they are too afraid of being insulted. But I never cared about being insulted; I stood right up to them, but I was always polite. And I never told them that they should believe in God, as I am very well aware of the reasons atheists do not believe in God and I respect those reasons. Why can’t we all just get along? Is that too much to ask?

Imagine that! I dare to talk about God and my religion on a “religious forum.”

The forum owner just wants to control everything I post, it is so obvious. Why can’t other people see this? It is psych 101 stuff. I know atheists are intelligent, but the atheists on that forum seem to wear blinders regarding the reasons for their fearless leader’s behaviors.

Finally, they call that forum a “free thinkers” forum and I find the very ironic, because nobody has changed the way they think since I went there five years ago. They are not free to think anything that contradicts their atheism and they don’t want to hear about it. Then they rank on believers and say we are not free to think because we have a religion. They say we are just “brainwashed believers.” It is comical that they cannot understand their own behavior, but it is also rather sad.

I understand that a lot of atheists are ex-believers who were hurt by Christianity but it is not fair to take that out on me. I did not do anything to them except try to be their friend. But they cannot be friends with a believer, all they can do is tell me I am wrong about what I believe. They say there is no God, no soul and no afterlife but they have no proof of that. I readily admit believers have no proof either, but there is evidence. By contrast, atheists have no evidence that there is no God, no soul and no afterlife, so they should just admit that, instead of insisting they know. I guess it makes them uncomfortable to have to think about these things, but if they are so sure they do not exist they would be able to just blow me off instead of getting antagonistic. This is psych 101 stuff.

I am interested in what the atheists on this forum have to say about this, but I am also open to hearing the opinions of believers.

I wouldn't assume that their attitude toward you is their attitude to religious people in general.

 

[paarsurrey]

In December 2017, I left a forum I had been posting on for about four years to come here because of a falling out with the atheist forum owner. I was here for about a year and then that atheist forum owner saw me posting on another forum in that forum group and invited me back to his forum. I went back in December 2018, reticently, and since then I have only been posting here on RF on a limited basis, because I do not have time for both forums. I am now very sorry I ever went back there and I hope I never make the same mistake again.

That forum pretends to be a forum for believers, ex-believers and nonbelievers but it is inhospitable for believers of any kind, particularly for believers of the Baha’i Faith. That is putting it mildly. We are discriminated against because the forum owner has a vendetta against my religion. Christians and Jews are tolerated as long as they do not talk too much about God or their religious beliefs. Mostly what they talk about on that forum are politics and social issues. So they really should not call themselves a “religious forum.”

My most recent academic background is in psychology, so I wonder why people think and do what they think and do. It seems rather obvious to me that if the atheists on that forum are hostile towards me it is because they are threatened in some way. Of course, they would never admit that. It is not as if I am a bit pushy about what I believe, and in fact I only discussed my beliefs if someone else posted to me about my beliefs. Then I responded and I got blamed for proselytizing. This is wholly unjust.

This last falling out was precipitated by the forum owner having a hissy fit for what he considered me mentioning my religion too much and then he put me on moderation. I sent him a private message that I will not post on his forum while on moderation because that is unjust, since I broke no forum rules, and I told him I was leaving his forum. Of course most of the atheists are glad I am gone. I am also glad I am gone because now I am back here and the atheists on this forum have been so different. They are mature adults, not little children acting out.

There is no reason why those atheists would act out that way unless they were afraid of what I have to say. They do not react to the other believers on that forum that way because they do not dare talk much about God or their religion, because they are too afraid of being insulted. But I never cared about being insulted; I stood right up to them, but I was always polite. And I never told them that they should believe in God, as I am very well aware of the reasons atheists do not believe in God and I respect those reasons. Why can’t we all just get along? Is that too much to ask?

Imagine that! I dare to talk about God and my religion on a “religious forum.”

The forum owner just wants to control everything I post, it is so obvious. Why can’t other people see this? It is psych 101 stuff. I know atheists are intelligent, but the atheists on that forum seem to wear blinders regarding the reasons for their fearless leader’s behaviors.

Finally, they call that forum a “free thinkers” forum and I find the very ironic, because nobody has changed the way they think since I went there five years ago. They are not free to think anything that contradicts their atheism and they don’t want to hear about it. Then they rank on believers and say we are not free to think because we have a religion. They say we are just “brainwashed believers.” It is comical that they cannot understand their own behavior, but it is also rather sad.

I understand that a lot of atheists are ex-believers who were hurt by Christianity but it is not fair to take that out on me. I did not do anything to them except try to be their friend. But they cannot be friends with a believer, all they can do is tell me I am wrong about what I believe. They say there is no God, no soul and no afterlife but they have no proof of that. I readily admit believers have no proof either, but there is evidence. By contrast, atheists have no evidence that there is no God, no soul and no afterlife, so they should just admit that, instead of insisting they know. I guess it makes them uncomfortable to have to think about these things, but if they are so sure they do not exist they would be able to just blow me off instead of getting antagonistic. This is psych 101 stuff.

I am interested in what the atheists on this forum have to say about this, but I am also open to hearing the opinions of believers.

Which freethinkers forum were you writing your posts, please?
No compulsion though.
Regards

 

[lewisnotmiller]

What forum? Give details, otherwise it sounds like random accusations against atheist.

Meh, he also stated that atheists here haven't acted like that which is;
1) Nice to hear and
2) Not sounding like a vendetta

 

[Subduction Zone]

I am a glutton without gluten.

Gluten is not that bad (don't tell anyone I said that). It is the protein part of wheat. I usually celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother and family and they are Seventh Day Adventists. I bring and cook the turkey, stuffing and gravy. They handle most of the vegetables. Some of them are more vegetarian than others so tried gluten is on the menu too. I have eaten it and lived to tell the tale.

 

[Revoltingest]

Which freethinkers forum were you writing your posts, please?
No compulsion though.
Regards

We should be careful.
It's a rule violation to criticize another forum.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I know atheists are intelligent, but the atheists on that forum seem to wear blinders regarding the reasons for their fearless leader’s behaviors.

There's no entrance requirements or even consistent belief system. Atheists can be intelligent or not, polite or not, blue eyed or not, left-handed or not.

The only atheist that speaks for me is me.

Having said that, web sites and forums have culture in the same way everything does. If you find yourself in a place with a poor prevailing culture and you can't be part of the solution, it's best to leave.

 

[Revoltingest]

Meh, he also stated that atheists here haven't acted like that which is;
1) Nice to hear and
2) Not sounding like a vendetta

Vendettas sound like this.....

 

[Subduction Zone]

We should be careful.
It's a rule violation to criticize another forum.

Sounds reasonable. It does no good and could only harm in one's relation to other fora.

 

[Revoltingest]

Gluten is not that bad (don't tell anyone I said that). It is the protein part of wheat. I usually celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother and family and they are Seventh Day Adventists. I bring and cook the turkey, stuffing and gravy. They handle most of the vegetables. Some of them are more vegetarian than others so tried gluten is on the menu too. I have eaten it and lived to tell the tale.

Gluten is generally a good thing for those of us who don't have an intolerance, eg, celiac disease.

 

[Vinayaka]

Gluten is generally a good thing for those of us who don't have an intolerance, eg, celiac disease.

So much fake meat is gluten based. I am gluten intolerant. One daughter has Celiacs. You could probably find fake bacon made of gluten.

 

[Revoltingest]

So much fake meat is gluten based. I am gluten intolerant. One daughter has Celiacs. You could probably find fake bacon made of gluten.

I've prolly eaten it....& regretted it.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Gluten is generally a good thing for those of us who don't have an intolerance, eg, celiac disease.

Yep. And that disease is too often self diagnosed incorrectly. I remember how I first learned of it on a now defunct forum. A lady asked how to "destroy"gluten since her son had celiac disease. Looking it up I found it could have some serious consequences for that afflicted with it. I also found that it was often misdiagnosed, especially in stress filled homes. There is a relatively simple test for it. The more the lady posted the more suspicious I became. It was largely confirmed when I asked her if she had her son tested and explained how it was a simple reliable test and she admitted that she had not. She just "knew". She disappeared shortly after that. Never found out if the kid had celiac or not. I do not think that was the case. Either way I feel sorry for her son.

 

[Jollybear]

I am a glutton without gluten.

Ohhhh....you dont eat bread?

 

[Revoltingest]

Ohhhh....you dont eat bread?

Oh, I do.
But if you cooked me up, I'd be gluten free.

 

[Jollybear]

Oh, I do.
But if you cooked me up, I'd be gluten free.

If i cooked you, youd he gluten free? How so if you eat bread?

 

[Revoltingest]

If i cooked you, youd he gluten free? How so if you eat bread?

I digest it, & convert it into fat, gristle, & muscle.

 

[Trailblazer]

Injustices are part and parcel of human interactions. Sometimes we can avoid them and sometimes not, but the clue in dealing with them is to put them in perspective. Is there anything you can do to change an injustice? If so, you have to decide if the effort is worth the result and proceed accordingly. If there's nothing you can do then consider the source: Ask yourself "Why do I respect the offender so much that what he says makes a difference to me? If you actually do respect that person you might want to more carefully consider what he's said and see if it might actually be of value. I've found that people I don't respect can say whatever they wish about me. I can't care because I don't respect them. Simple As That! Then there are those whose hurtful words, while erroneous, may have been made in good faith. For them the best thing to do is keep their remark in context. We all make mistakes. Let it go..

Those are all good points and well taken...
I always try to put things in perspective so as soon as something like this happens, I think about what happened and what I want to do about it. Each time it happens (this has happened repeatedly) it gets easier to decide what I want to do. I knew right away this time that I was done posting on that forum unless the owner drew back and admitted he was wrong. If he had any evidence, I would have gladly admitted I was wrong, but he does not have any evidence, just a false impression. Yet he won't admit he is wrong (regarding how many posts I posted about my religion). I proved that ratio was only a little more than 10% over 200 posts by doing a careful search (they have a search tool on that forum) and still he did not acknowledge what I reported. He just said I had many more posts than I had reported, and I told him he is probably right, but I could only search for what the search tool allows for, since I do not have the upgraded membership as he does.

I do respect him in many ways because he has principles and morals and I think he is a good person in general. I do not CARE if he is a committed atheist, that makes no difference to me. I gravitate towards and respect people according to their character, not their beliefs or lack thereof. In all ways I respect him except when it comes to his vendetta against my religion. He is very even-handed when it comes to other religions or viewpoints, just not my religion. I realize he has a right to dislike it, but I just wish he could be more honest about it and stop blaming me for things I am not doing and accusing me of having intentions I do not have.

If he does not want me on his forum all he has to do is say so and I will leave voluntarily, he does not have to ban me. I decided to leave voluntarily. I told him that I do not care if a couple of posters do not want me there, all I care about is if he wants me there because he is the owner. Yet he won't tell me outright and I am not sure if he even knows if he wants me there. All he ever says is that "maybe it is best that I leave." I think maybe he likes me as a person because he has indicated that in the past, but he just does not like my religion and I know some of the reasons why he doesn't. But his forum is either a forum for all religions or it excludes some of them. That should be in the rules if he wants it that way.

Just as a comparison, there is another forum in that forum group that has a Christian on it who does not like my Baha'i beliefs and he says horrible things about them, false things, and he calls me a religious atheist because I am not a Christian. He does not like that I always side with the atheists on that forum. He outwardly insults me and my religion. No, I do not have any respect for him, so I never respond to his posts anymore. By contrast there is a Christian on the forum I just left who is the nicest person you could ever know and we have been friends for years. I actually saw that he had been banned from a Christian forum and invited him to my forum, which is for everyone of all beliefs and non-beliefs, kind of like this forum. He has essentially the same beliefs as this other disrespectful Christian but he is humble and respectful, as a Christian should be.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Why cant all groups of people just be free in discussing and make the discussing about the subject and not eachother? Is that too much to ask?

Mayby it is. But thats incredable that it maybe too much to ask.

So, if its too much to ask, MAYBE the answer is just love instead of debate. Mayby.

I agree with you. Needling people about what they believe is terrible. Making false statements against them is the worst. I have had other Christians attack me just because they cannot support their claims about science. And these Christians did not know the first thing about science either.