Atheists - the most hated minority

[_Buffalo]

Not very well. You don't trust me just because I'm an atheist. And even though I'm not a bigot, you called me one anyway. :(

Oh? Where did I write that?

So, okay, as a general rule I would distrust an atheist more than one with religious worldview.

Nonetheless, according to the operating definition of this thread (and dictionary.com) you are a bigot. You have no tolerance for the intolerant. Which, of course, means you're a hater.

Then, as it would seem, your brand of bigotry and hatred is acceptable.

Not true, Hoops. I tolerate you, despite your bigotry.

And the old "why don't you tolerate the intolerant" is typically an argument made by racists trying to justify themselves. I'm not sure why you'd want to make that sort of argument.

[_Panopticon]

Not very well. You don't trust me just because I'm an atheist. And even though I'm not a bigot, you called me one anyway. :(

Oh? Where did I write that?

Nonetheless, according to the operating definition of this thread (and dictionary.com) you are a bigot. You have no tolerance for the intolerant. Which, of course, means you're a hater.

Then, as it would seem, your brand of bigotry and hatred is acceptable.

If people believed your theory (intolerance toward the intolerant = bigotry), there would have been no civil rights movement.

[_Hoops]

If people believed your theory (intolerance toward the intolerant = bigotry), there would have been no civil rights movement.

Yep. Holding up tolerance as the supreme civic virtue is tricky business. I wonder if simple good manners might be better?

[_ludwigm]

I tolerate you very well. Even though you're a bigot.

I tolerate you very well. Even though you're a bigot.

This is why I like Hoops.
He/she/it has unique and original thoughts.

[_Panopticon]

If people believed your theory (intolerance toward the intolerant = bigotry), there would have been no civil rights movement.

Yep. Holding up tolerance as the supreme civic virtue is tricky business. I wonder if simple good manners might be better?

Defining good manners is tricky business also. I think that most people would agree that bigotry and intolerance are not mannerly (except possibly in 1950s Alabama).

You have admitted your bigotry and even, apparently, your attitudes about civil rights. How can I dig a bigger hole for you than you have dug for yourself?

[_Hoops]

You have admitted your bigotry

Yes I have. I am bigoted against a lot of things. Arent you?

and even, apparently, your attitudes about civil rights.

Preposterous. But typical.

How can I dig a bigger hole for you than you have dug for yourself?

Actually, I'm standing on that grand and glorious mountain called being intolerant of evil. Where do you stand?

[_Panopticon]

You have admitted your bigotry

Yes I have. I am bigoted against a lot of things. aren't you?

and even, apparently, your attitudes about civil rights.

Preposterous. But typical.

How can I dig a bigger hole for you than you have dug for yourself?

Actually, I'm standing on that grand and glorious mountain called being intolerant of evil. Where do you stand?

I admit I'm intolerant of intolerance (but not of the intolerant). I have nothing personal against you or others who are bigoted toward atheists. I suppose I am with Jefferson when he said "I have sworn upon the altar of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" (minus the whole "altar of God" part). Intolerance and bigotry are tyranny.

By "evil," are you referring to atheism?

[_Blixa]

I tolerate you very well. Even though you're a bigot.

This is why I like Hoops.
He/she/it has unique and original thoughts.

Lol. I just don't understand why Hoops is so touchy about atheism. I mean, sure there are some obnoxious atheists with bad arguments, but there are also obnoxious believers with bad arguments. And yes, you can find both on this board.

So why engage in that form of back and forth that never goes anywhere? And why continually deploy generalizations about atheists and say things like:

So, okay, as a general rule I would distrust an atheist more than one with religious worldview.

when you know its going to be offensive to people you claim to like and admire?

Hoops, my nonbelief is not exactly the same as gender, but one might be able to point out some similarities in a general way in terms of my ability to quickly change it. I've never really believed in god and I don't think I could. That could change at some point, but I suspect it would be as result of a slow process or some dramatic supernatural intervention. Either way, I could not just "decide" I believed some morning.

I could masquerade as a believer, but that would be akin to someone masquerading online about their gender. Does that help you understand, Hoops?

[_Blixa]

Actually, I'm standing on that grand and glorious mountain called being intolerant of evil. Where do you stand?

I'm looking around the peak and there's nobody else up here with me, Hoops. /Jenn Kamp

[_Hoops]

I admit I'm intolerant of intolerance (but not of the intolerant).

It would appear I'm a lot more tolerant than you. I'm quite tolerant of intolerance. Oh wait, there are some things...

child molestors, murders, people who abuse women in any way, and the list goes on. Can you tolerate that kind of intolerance?

I have nothing personal against you or others who are bigoted toward atheists.

Oh, it's bigotry now. Okay... here are some things on my list. Again, here's the definition...



big·Old Testament·ry
   [big-uh-tree] Show IPA

noun, plural -ries.
1.
stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.

But wait... there's that pesky word, intolerance. So do I tolerate atheists beliefs? sure. Go ahead. Be the grandest atheist you can possibly be. I love atheists. Some of my best friends are atheists (I threw that in to whet your superior than thou mettle)

I suppose I am with Jefferson when he said "I have sworn upon the altar of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" (minus the whole "altar of God" part). Intolerance and bigotry are tyranny.

That is just silly flaming emotionalism. If you're not intolerant of some things than...yeah... I have no tolerance for you.

By "evil," are you referring to atheism?

Not in the least. While I think individual atheism is selfish, there are lots of way people are selfish. I probably have most of them. I'm SURE I have most of them. My atheist friends are just at a different mile marker on the road (whether it's further ahead or behind is another discussion). But societal atheism certainly has the potential for great harm - and has met that potential many times.

Of course, you're answer will be something like.... look at what religion has done. But that's a different question.