Why do many atheists consider religionists to be intolerant?

Just some food for thought:

But I live here in liberal New England. More of my friends are agnostic/atheist than religious, but this just isn't an issue here.

Too bad about the rest of the country. I get pretty fed up with people (some mere acquaintances) prying into my beliefs when I travel to the midwest or south. I have no idea what motivates people from these regions to think it is ok to ask my religion. It seems as rude to me as asking someone's annual income.

It's that simple.

How in the world can someone who embraces no belief in a god or gods feel threatened by someone who does? Religious mutterings can be intrusive at times, but they are so easy to tune out.

:shrug:

considered intolerant.

The Popes' opposition to contraceptives.

9/11

Witch burnings.

Atheists face greater odds in elections than believers.

"Intelligent Design" in schools.

Bigotry against gay people.

Don't like the Pope's policies? Then don't be a Catholic.

Witch burnings was done out of fear using religion as an excuse.

Your claim about elections is odd. Maybe you can document it, maybe not.

Of all your claims, intelligent design is the only one with any merit. It actually takes a bit of effort to flush that shit from the curriculum, but it is not hard to do.

Some Muslims continue to kill innocent people in the name of Islam.

"Don't like the Pope's policies? Then don't be a Catholic."

Since the Catholic Church is so large, the Pope's opinions have real effects around the world, such as abstinence only sex education.

"Witch burnings was done out of fear using religion as an excuse."

The fear of Satan comes from religion. Fear of witchcraft comes from belief in the supernatural.

"Your claim about elections is odd. Maybe you can document it, maybe not. "

http://newsjunkiepost.com/2009/09/19/research-finds-that-atheists-are-most-hated-and-distrusted-minority/

This link is from another R/T thread. This article explains American's views towards atheists, and they are not very nice.

Very few believers in this god soaked country of ours are tolerant of unbelievers.

We don't proselytize. A simple statement that we're atheist, no thanks to the church offer, will set most religious people off. The best we can expect is the cold shoulder and ostracism. You don't know what the worst is.

If that is "bothering" you, then you need a thicker skin and some personal boundaries. Our unbleief has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Who knocked on your door passing out his literature?
Who stood on the street corner yelling about how great he was?
Who gave him his own channel(s) on television?
Who killed in his name?

Get the point yet?

No mention of guns, television stations, or street corners.

There is no question whatsoever that Richard Dawkins is an Evangelical Atheist; the fact that he isn't as good at it as the Mormons or that his followers aren't as dedicated as the Jehova's Witnesses is simply a matter of degree.

Just taking the first definition I find...

evangelical - relating to or being a Christian church believing in personal conversion and the inerrancy of the Bible especially the 4 Gospels; "evangelical ...
proselytize - convert to another faith or religion

Since atheists aren't Christians, evangelical atheist is an oxymoron. Since atheists are defined by NOT having beliefs, faith, or religion, they can't proselytize.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/proselytize

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No guns. No exclusivity to Christianity. I'm surprised Dawkins's picture isn't posted next to the definition.

Have a good one. I have a busy day in front of me.

1. How did I cherry pick when all I did was type 'define: proselytize' into google and take the first definition? :eyes:
2. Each one of your definitions deals specifically a 'belief', 'doctrine', 'cause' 'faith', or 'political party'. How is atheism any one of those? Please cite one example.

Oh, and please read Warpy's post #28. While we're arguing about semantics, Warpy has hit the real issue here on the head.

Or is he merely explaining his own point of view to people who buy his books?

Believers find us incredibly threatening, which leads me to think most are secret doubters, nasty and defensive at the mere mention of someone who doesn't agree with them.

That's why a high profile writer like Dawkins sends them around the bend, an intelligent man who is able to explain his reasoning in a clear manner. The biggest threat to a religious edifice is disagreement. Unorthodoxy of any type must be punished.

Quite honestly, once we get over the initial anger, none of us particularly cares what gets a believer through a long and lonely night. We are just too honest to pretend we share it.

Believers would do well to understand the difference between explanation and proselytizing. There is a very big one, the former simply telling who we might be and the latter insisting believers join us.

I've listened to at least two hour-long interviews of his. He's fascinating in some regards if you can get past the arrogance, the insults, and the endless attempt to convert believers to non-believers. And if you happen to be an agnostic -- there's a special place in hell(?) for you.

Does he knock on doors, insisting people convert?

Once again, dear, there is a difference between writing and selling a book and proselytizing unwilling people.

Please learn it.

On edit: there is a wonderful invention called the off switch. Why didn't you use it instead of subjecting yourself to a two hour message you found distasteful?

to tune out when it adversely effects ones life. If you live in large swathes of the US you'll struggle to access abortion, mostly as a result of other people's religious beliefs. If you're a gay there's a million ways in which other people's beliefs adversely affect you.

This is the issue with religion - I certainly feel ZERO threat from a sky god, I do however have LEGITIMATE reasons to feel threatened by people who DO believe.

Just about everywhere but here on DU, if it becomes known that a person is an atheist, they are ridiculed.

Is it really necessary to wear one's non-belief like some sort of badge of courage? How could anyone identify a self-assured, emotionally secure atheist if they didn't self identify? And why would an atheist proclaim their atheism? It's the absence of something. "I'm the proud non-owner of a cat." Huh? Pardon me if I don't give a damn.

I have no sympathy here. This issue pales in comparison -- vanishes completely! -- when compared to the injustice borne by the GBLT community. There isn't one single right in this country denied to an atheist: they can vote, marry, adopt children, obtain insurance, etc etc. These discussions about "oppression of atheists" are the silliest ever, almost like bad satire.

You don't like comments about your atheism? Then STFU because no one really cares that you don't believe in God. Seriously -- nobody really cares.

It bothers you to hear about us not believing in God, or you wouldn't be so adamant that we STFU.

If believers can whine about how persecuted they are in today's environment, then so can atheists.

Unless you're saying what's good for the goose ISN'T good for the gander...

Could it be intolerance?

Maybe?

parallels the term atheism?

I'm using an inclusive term.

A religionist is a zealot and is often used as an insult.

Not all religious people are zealots.

Are all Atheists?

Nope.

It plays both ways.

religionist is correct. That's the word I used in my poll. Are you a religionist? No? Then I have no brief with you. Are you tolerant of atheism? Would you vote for an atheist for public office? Then you are not a religionist.

Why do you think I misused the word? I use precisely the word I mean to use.

You are using the incorrect term.

I have no brief with people who believe that some religion is correct. Those folks never do any of the things I mentioned in the poll.

My brief is with religionists.

You didn't give me that option. I myself am a devoted believer in God, but not in religion which I consider simply another political organization. I want my brothers & sisters to be happy whatever they believe. I don't ask their beliefs, however I'm not offended when they ask mine.

I am sick to death though of people who ask me if I watch Faux News. Even God doesn't watch Faux News. Peace:)

by far. :(

How do atheists compare with gays (who are often victims of hate crimes), Muslims, African Americans, etc.? I could be wrong but there are other minority groups who might be more hated or at least come close.

at the notion that religious beliefs are off limits while political/social and other beliefs are open to criticism or downright derision.

I don't care what the religious amongst us believe, I may think it's ridiculous or sad or deluded but those are MY beliefs which I am free to hold, however the actions of the religious are often worthy of "intolerance".

that mocking a religion itself is equivalent to burning crosses and calling for the death of all gays.

SOME of them:

Come up to TOTAL strangers who are minding their own business, and try to "save" them.

They think that because they're "saved" they're better than you, the "unsaved."

They think if someone doesn't believe EXACTLY the way they believe, that person is going to hell forever and ever. They, of course, are going to heaven forever and ever.

They think they're always right about any matter to do with religion, afterlife, etc., and anyone who believes otherwise is always wrong.

If they find out you're "unsaved," attend a UU church, or any other church other than theirs, they act as if you're a convicted sex offender. That is, somebody not nearly as good as they are.

They think if they attend church a lot, do stuff for the church, etc., they are automatically "good" people. Never mind if they are abusive assholes in many other ways. IOW, they "talk the talk" but they don't "walk the walk."

They are intolerant of anyone different from them and their ilk.

They are sexist and racist (REMEMBER, I said at the top of this list, SOME are like this.)

They don't seem to get it that other people are turned off by their arrogance, their beliefs that they're superior, they're God's chosen, etc.

edited to add: they are often Republicans.



Did I leave anything out? If I think of anything else, I can post again later.

I only think that when a believer insists on applying his or her religious standards to those outside of that religion.

It seems lazy to me to attribute negative qualities to all or most "religionists" and all or most "atheists."

In real life I have met many tolerant religious people and tolerant atheists. The same is true for meeting intolerant religious people and atheists.