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Note that I said stigmatizing, as a verb. Subjective feelings of stigma may or may not be in response to specific stigmatizing actions.
Some of the examples you listed above are discrimination. Calling someone a “devil-worshipper” because they are an atheist is a discriminatory slur. Trying to convert someone or shaming them for a lack of faith because they are an atheist is discriminatory harassment. Just because some Christians would do the same discriminatory things to Jews or Muslims or even the “wrong” types of Christians doesn’t mean it’s not also discrimination against atheists.
And the same is true for atheists who disparage or harass the religious. The major difference, of course, is that it’s extremely rare for atheists to have institutional backing (and therefore systemic power) in support of such discrimination.
then do you seriously consider it "harassment" and "discrimination" when atheists (on this forum for instance) call believers delusional dishonest sheeple? and when they shame and ridicule theists for their faith?
that is a question for any atheists on the forum. do you think that making disparaging remarks, holding different views, holding bigoted views (such as those found in the opening post for instance) is harassment. is complaining about why you dislike religion harassment? is boasting about the superiority of atheism harassment? is disliking the presence of "those people" in your work place, in the neighborhood, at the potluck dinner, is that harassment?
the glaring disconnect and double standard is for an atheist to complain about how they are "viewed" as an atheist, and then turn right around and do the same thing disparaging those who believe differently than they do.
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 02-23-2024 at 08:46 AM..
then do you seriously consider it "harassment" and "discrimination" when atheists (on this forum for instance) call believers delusional dishonest sheeple? and when they shame and ridicule theists for their faith?
that is a question for any atheists on the forum. do you think that making disparaging remarks, holding different views, holding bigoted views (such as those found in the opening post for instance) is harassment. is complaining about why you dislike religion harassment? is boasting about the superiority of atheism harassment? is disliking the presence of "those people" in your work place, in the neighborhood, at the potluck dinner, is that harassment?
the glaring disconnect and double standard is for an atheist to complain about how they are "viewed" as an atheist, and then turn right around and do the same thing disparaging those who believe differently than they do.
There's no difference in how an atheist feels about being harassed and discriminated against than if the same things were being done by Christians (or any other faith group) to Jews. You, of all people, should understand that. Your opinions of atheists seem to be entirely one-sided as far as how they express their opinions on religion, however. Most of them seem to be pretty much of the mindset that they simply want to be left alone, IMHO.
then do you seriously consider it "harassment" and "discrimination" when atheists (on this forum for instance) call believers delusional dishonest sheeple? and when they shame and ridicule theists for their faith?
As I said:
Quote:
And the same is true for atheists who disparage or harass the religious. The major difference, of course, is that it’s extremely rare for atheists to have institutional backing (and therefore systemic power) in support of such discrimination.
It’s not the same in the sense that atheists don’t have the power and institutional backing (which, again, is important, just as prejudice by white people has a far greater societal impact than prejudice from people of color) but it’s just as wrong from a moral standpoint. I do not condone it.
All our friends and several relatives are quite religious, although not in your face so. So I dutifully bow my head during grace and if asked just say I'm not much of a church goer although I do attend sometimes. I like looking at the architecture and if paying attention analyzing the absurdity of what is being preached. They don't need to know my real feelings.
Years ago before retiring, I had some friends with whom we would sometimes trade off fixing dinner. When I was at their house, there would always be a brief christian prayer before we began eating. I was a Buddhist even then, and would just sit silently. At my house, nothing...we just ate. Then one evening I decided to turn the table, and, at my house, I said a brief Buddhist sort of prayer, and when I was done they asked, "Why would you do that when you know we're not Buddhist?" And I responded, "Why do you say a christian prayer when I am at your house when you know I'm Buddhist?" "Well, that's different!" Really?
then do you seriously consider it "harassment" and "discrimination" when atheists (on this forum for instance) call believers delusional dishonest sheeple? and when they shame and ridicule theists for their faith?
that is a question for any atheists on the forum. do you think that making disparaging remarks, holding different views, holding bigoted views (such as those found in the opening post for instance) is harassment. is complaining about why you dislike religion harassment? is boasting about the superiority of atheism harassment? is disliking the presence of "those people" in your work place, in the neighborhood, at the potluck dinner, is that harassment?
the glaring disconnect and double standard is for an atheist to complain about how they are "viewed" as an atheist, and then turn right around and do the same thing disparaging those who believe differently than they do.
Nope. It's never bothered me. I've never made any attempt to hide it. I don't go around announcing it but if someone asks, I tell them.
I just think if people are going to view / treat me differently because I'm an unbeliever then they're probably not people worth knowing and the type of people I wouldn't want to associate with. I thought believers were suppose to be full of love anyway. A bit hypocritical of them otherwise.
I've always lived in liberal environments though so...
I don't usually mention that I'm an atheist. I don't see that it is relevant to most non-romantic relationships.
However, if some damned deist is yattering on and on about their god (especially if they've knocked on my door to do so), I'll tell them I'm not interested because I'm an atheist. That shuts most of them up.
A few try to reason or convert, at which point I tell them that I think deists aren't good at logic.
If they persist, I am not above telling them I think their ideas are stupid.
I don't usually mention that I'm an atheist. I don't see that it is relevant to most non-romantic relationships.
However, if some damned deist is yattering on and on about their god (especially if they've knocked on my door to do so), I'll tell them I'm not interested because I'm an atheist. That shuts most of them up.
A few try to reason or convert, at which point I tell them that I think deists aren't good at logic.
If they persist, I am not above telling them I think their ideas are stupid.
iis it arassment to tell people their ideas are stupid and they are not good at logic? Shaming, disparaging, ridiculing the beliefs of others is a behavior that the opening post objected to. And that behavior is seen in the post above.
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