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Why are some atheists angry?

I know some of you will answer, "because religions turn people into dicks", I paraphrase and boil it down to a general colloquial type response.

Richard Dawkins is the poster boy for the angry atheist. Why? Probably because he is like most of us and has discovered with compounded evidence that it is stupid to believe in a crazy god, in the case of the Old Testament's JEHOVAH and the whacked GOD THE FATHER who killed his own SON. To be honest, I don't believe Jesus ever existed.

I'm not looking to bother Christians and they've learned, in short order, not to evangelize me, therefore, I am not angry at them except when they VOTE, otherwise, we get along royal because they know I am a righteous "pagan" and consigned to the First Circle of Dante's Hell.

No anger is always appreciated by everyone. If a Christian is angry at you, don't feed them. If we get angry, we are just like the anger thrown at us. In this, I am a "better" Christian than a Christian asshole.

rabbibubba 5 Dec 26
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46 comments

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18

My being angry has less to do with me being an atheist, and more to do with the fact that I don't like stupid people.

12

I don’t think it is angry per say, to some degree, but if some atheists are angry, I reckon it is probably because atheist for so long has been dehumanized. Atheist are the least trusted and to make matters worse, we are expected to believe in an insane God, who could not have possibly be the ruler of our Universe. Religion really is an ugly thing and for so long, they’ve forced their rules on people.

11

Dawkins may be assertive in condemning religion but every time I have watched him he has been very courteous to the religious. One of his best videos is where he reads letters from the religious written to him in the vilest language possible and makes lite of it. It appears that you are saying to make arguments against ridiculous superstition but don't get angry at the person making the argument. From my observation of Richard Dawkins, that is exactly what he does.

gearl Level 8 Dec 27, 2017
10

"There’s simply no polite way to tell people they’ve dedicated their lives to an illusion." I actually have pity for those trapped in religion. I only get angry when they try to translate their bad ideas into actions that negatively impact others. If you're going to pass legislation that requires people do or not do something, it needs to be based on verifiable, objective truths. I support mandatory vaccination, for example, but vehemently oppose bans on homosexual marriage.

9

If some atheists are angry, and some angry people are Christians does that mean that some atheists are Christians?

lerlo Level 8 Dec 27, 2017

????that’s awesome

Lol no it's means that they're human. (snark intended)

@Nickdavison The real answer is just "no" but thanks for playing our game, lovely parting gifts. Last I checked everyone has the right to be angry--seemed like a dumb question so I added one of my own.

9

Sorry dude, IMHO your take on Dawkins is off. Maybe you're projecting; don't know. But his determination to stand for truth will always be interpreted as aggression by the defenders of religion who see any disagreement as attack.

7

I do not believe that Richard Dawkins is an angry Atheist. He is a confident assertive individual who when provoked (usually rudely) responds in kind.

He is a biologist, he is logical, he is passionate. And he often says he is a militant atheist. He talks often about how biology is under attack by creationism.

I think people ( like us) who are not on the front lines of forcing change into the minds of people are never attacked the way he is are never shoved into the media and forced to put up with the attacks he endures.

I saw him speak once and I was amazed at how rudely religious people in the crowd ( and yes they came) asked questions.

There is a good video to watch: [ted.com]

7

We should be angry, atheist or not, when religion (or any ideology) is used as an excuse to abuse and mistreat people. Please let me know if you need examples.

7

I know I am angry, because for all of my childhood, I was subjected to forced indoctrination, and I have so few real happy memories of childhood. I am very resentful and angry about that... Although I keep it all in check most of the time.

6

Not going to speak of others and generalize but what I feel to fit the so called "angry atheist" term is due to being sick and tired of seeing religious posts, billboards, references, overtones, undertones, hidden messages in conversations relating to some sort of religious crap, seeing over and over again when someone is sick to pray but they forget about the doctors & ER nurses who had a real hand in the matter, government trying to weasel their way into our lives with religion, need I go on about this but you get the point. That's what I think some of us are tired of dealing with on a daily basis. It's frustrating, aggravating to say the least.

6

It is in the individual's personality, not in the lack of religious belief.

5

When I first came out as an atheist last December, I was angry. That is gone now. Now it's just comical to read about the devout Christians.

4

I am angry because conservative so-called "religious" people are using their fake christianity to manipulate and control the rest of us.

Mostly of course in the political arena. I try not to get angry so much as more logical and very pedantic.

3

Anger is an appropriate emotional response to danger. We feel angered by religion because we see the danger it presents. The trick is to channel that anger productively rather than letting it make you act a fool.

3

I wouldn't be inclined to anger, since it's a waste of energy, but when the righteous pricks start telling me I have to believe their bullshit or celebrate their holidays or have my school calendar revolve around theirs, then I'm inclined to get irritated

3

Hey, you want to see irrational anger at its best? Run into a Catholic Church. Run right up to the nearest crucifix (the larger the better) and pretend to be tickling its nipples!

3

When you feel righteous, everyone else is an peon that should listen to you. To brake this horrible cycle, simply admit that you are human.

No need to break any cycle if I am in fact both much smarter AND much more well-versed on a given subject. Some people are indeed simpletons with an opinion who need to be called out and shut down.

3

I don't get angry-thats wasted energy. Walk away.

2

Is this a trick question 😉 -- Let’s see… how about a lifetime of religious persecution? Or religious persecution throughout the bulk of recorded human history? Societal ostracization? Political exclusion? Sub-minority status? Or knowing others are being jailed or murdered for their honesty…? Yes, I’d say anger’s justifiable 😀

Varn Level 8 Dec 31, 2017
2

Because in order for religion to get people to maintain their beliefs, they MUST try to stop people from questioning and to continue to indoctrinate and proselytize. If they don't try to enter the public sphere and influence politics, on who we can marry, what we can teach, I wouldn't care - any more than I care if you believe in palm reading or astrology.

Geoff Level 5 Dec 29, 2017
2

The question of "angry at religion" gets interpreted different ways. I've have my share of Christian proselytizers jump to the conclusion that I'm "angry at God." Nothing could be further from the truth. How can I be angry at something that doesn't exist? What I do get angry at is social injustice and hurtful oppression and coercion of people. And guess what! Religion is arguably the number social tool used to try to control people; not only people, but laws, public opinion, and unwritten social rules. Anger is a valid emotion. It is also a motivator to spur people to action against destructive forces. Yay Anger!

"...arguably the number ONE...," that is. I can't seem to get away from typos. :/

2

Is that a picture of the Bryce Canyon area ?

2

Why does anyone of any religion get angry. Because they feel disinfranchised, I know for instance that the Christian religion pushes for forgiveness "turning the other cheek" while some athiests don't have a set Creed for that. What form of paganism do you practice?

@rabbibubba How many omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, benevolent atheists have you met?

1

I do not feel angry, the religious might be angry with us because we accept what is real provable and coherent.

1

I would like to ask, Why are many religious persons angry? You'd think, with all that goodness & mercy raining down on them, and happiness in the forever all set up they'd be singing & smiling small 24/7. But noooooooo, they are ranting & raving and calling names, shaming, damning, and generally making themselves annoying, if not actually dangerous... Wth? So, sic 'em, Mr. Dawkins!

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