you know what pisses me off?

it pisses me off that as an atheist, i'm supposed to tiptoe around other people's beliefs, not step on any toes, and never risk offending anyone, but it's okay for people with other beliefs to stomp all over mine.

No, it's not OK for people to stomp over your beliefs, whatever they may be.

That just doesn't stop people from doing it, anyways. :p

first, i appreciate the fact that you acknowledged that you have belief(s)

second, in what ways are people stomping all over them?

Generally speaking, the only thing I mind about organized religion is evangelism.  By that, I mean the compulsion to convert others to one's religion, believing it to be the one and only valid belief system. 

Believe what you wish, and I'll be fine with that, as long as you don't harm anyone and don't try to force me to acknowledge the superiority of your ideology.

I'm with ya, pg.

cannot resist a reply, here. I agree everyone should be treated respectfully regarding their religious and spiritual beliefs. character assasination is wrong in any debate, regardless of the position one is debating.

Oh... so we're just going with ONE of the things that piss you off ;)

i'm not speaking specifically about here, nomo - although it has happened.  but often, if an atheist talks about their belief system, it's taken as an attack, whereas it's socially acceptable for christians to do the same in any context they choose.

yes, iggy.  just one for the moment ;-)

you know what pisses me off, when i tell people i'm not a christian and don't affiliate with any major religion, and they say "oh, so you're an athiest!"

no jerks, i'm not.*

if i were an athiest, i'd say "i'm an atheist."

*i'm not refering to anyone here when i say jerks, i'm refering to IRL jerks :)

I think it's thay way for a lot of things.  If you're pro this, the anti's of that are going to harass you to no end.  If you don't believe in one thing, those who do will say you're wrong.

I've always told myself a person of good faith will accept others of different faiths and try to understand their beliefs. 

I've had a Christian friend who was convinced I needed to be saved by God and couldn't answer any of the questions I had about her religion, only saying I'd understand it all once I gave myself to God and He'd tell me everything.  I've also had a Christian friend who answered my questions and accepted the fact that I don't follow a religious path, but more of a spiritual one. 

I see your religious evangelism and raise you political proselytization.

I hearyou on this one. I do not consider myself an atheist but do not subscribe to religion and I find I am not able to speak freely of this without offending people and getting ganged up on, but people feel it is okay to judge me based on my way of life. Very frustrating indeed.

i see

what do you think about the concept of that which you resist, persists?

That's because Christianity is the vastly accepted 'religion' of the United States.

Yes, we educated and open-minded folk know better, but for the majority of the people in the US, Christianity is THE religion. 'in god we trust' and all.

It's hard for people with rigid beliefs to be open minded to anyone else. It's not just you as an atheist. Though, it is easier for one who believes in God to listen to someone else's beliefs about God than it is to hear someone deny all existence of something they hold dear.

I'm not saying they're right by any means, I don't think they are. I think everyone should have the right to talk about their beliefs, be it in one god, multiple, or no gods, without persecution or prejudice.

You can talk to us PG, we're open minded enough to listen without stomping on you :)

Original Post by ignayshus:

I see your religious evangelism and raise you political proselytization.

 I see your political proselytization, and raise you fundamentalist fanaticism.

Original Post by purespark:

Original Post by ignayshus:

I see your religious evangelism and raise you political proselytization.

I see your political proselytization, and raise you fundamentalist fanaticism.

Meh I see your fundamentalist fanaticism and raise you philosophical jingoism.

As always RELIGION is a touchy subject for many.  Without regard of anyone elses feelings they feel they only can preach what they know and stand up for what they were raised to believe in.  Whether you are religious or not.  I was raised Islamic, but have ventured in other beliefs.  I dont feel as though partial to one belief or religion i should say.  I believe in spiritualism, and good morals! 

Yesterday, my fiance (who is Catholic, but not strict), were watching an old episode of Trading Spouses on CMT.   Ti was the episode with the morbidly obese woman who had to swap with a woman who was a hypnotherapist, and whose husband was a psychic.  Well the obese woman, was one of the southern baptist types!  You know, the ones that slur about the blood of jesus and dmanation and evil of any kind that isn't godly.  It was appaling for her to be around the other famly's beliefs(they were Buddist/Aethiest), to be in their home with their deity's around and pray flags.  She didn't want them to talk about stars, and astrology because it was offensive to her.  But being the hypocrite tha tthis woman clearly was, wante dto have provate talks with the children about "God and the Bible" and felt it was appropriate for her to do so without the consist or willingness of their father.  This woman got them all to attend church with her...for her!  they were delicate to her beliefs and were very acceptable of her beliefs, but she wasn't of theirs. 

There are just people like that.  you can't change the world with stooping to their level.  you can only keep on being yourself and believing in you, and politely asking htem to just respect your opinion and move on.

You can't take it personal because they might not see that they were wrong in the first place, but that they are just too ignorant to see the other persons side.

good luck.

I see your religious evangelism and raise you political proselytization.

I see your political proselytization, and raise you fundamentalist fanaticism.

Meh I see your fundamentalist fanaticism and raise you philosophical jingoism.

this thread is giving me a virtual annurism!

Don't think you're going to buy the pot with that weak backraise sparky.

Original Post by ignayshus:

Original Post by purespark:

Original Post by ignayshus:

I see your religious evangelism and raise you political proselytization.

I see your political proselytization, and raise you fundamentalist fanaticism.

Meh I see your fundamentalist fanaticism and raise you philosophical jingoism.

 Oooooo.  Well, I see your philosophical jingoism and raise you nationalist xenophobia.

we're open minded enough to listen without stomping on you :)

haha Many here are not.

and raise you nationalist xenophobia

Wooo! Welcome to Korea!