As everyone does, I have both religious and non religious friends and family, and on both counts I know those who hold fairly strong views about either atheists and theists.

I’ve mostly been of the opinion “If it aint hurting me or being pushed in my face, I’m not bothered about what you do or do not believe” and I’ve tried to maintain that in the various discussions I’ve had. On youtube there is an obvious community of polytheists, atheists, agnostics and theists from all walks of life and invariably they argue.
There is one atheist user who I personally find repulsive. I quote his description
“I am an atheist and virulent anti-theist as well as a major advocate of freedom, even when said freedom is unpopular due to the general myopia of the public when giving such issues their due consideration.”
If you feel the need to go watch this ranting and raving bearded man for yourself, Go For It. I recommend all 6 (to date) “Just about Sick…” or my personal favourite “Re: Is rape actually wrong?”

Why someone has to be an anti-theist has eluded me due to my “live and let live” opinion. Whilst religion has never made sense to me, no one can deny it does help many people, just as much as no one can deny it causes a lot of pain and suffering. However, despite my utter disgust at the self professed “amazing atheist” Having watched the video I included above, I am beginning to understand why people are frustrated with religion being increasingly used as an infallible weapon in discussion. Yes, religion should be considered on certain issues - its part of the experience of humanity and so to ignore it would be just as ridiculous as using it solely as the basis for decision in these larger issues (I’m talking about the abortion laws etc) but it should not be used as an argument to end all arguments without need for explanation. In primary and high school I know we joked about the magical words “its against my religion” validating any of our actions. For example

“Did you do the maths homework?”
“Oh crap! I forgot. Oh well I’ll just say its against my religion.”

Yes, a flippant example but to me it does seem that many people do believe that just because something they believe in is part of their religious beliefs, everyone should also comply. I’ll admit to being cautious when talking about this kind of thing for fear of offending people, but I guess I’ve never really thought about theists offending me, which has obviously happened. Yet it also concerns me that both theists and atheists are becoming more and more extremist in thought and the way the express these thoughts and seem to have less time for each other as human beings rather than the ideas they might stand for. As Shakespeare said through Shylock in The Merchant of Venice “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?”

Lotsa Love
Kat
xxx