Don't confuse anger with an assertive, confident and questioning attitude to religious practices and beliefs. I don't accept your characterisation of Richard Dawkins. All movements need change agents, those who lead the charge, take on orthodoxy and take the blows because of that. The media stereotype him that way because mainstream media are part of the establishment structure that supports religion. Religion is good, religion gives people something to believe in. Controversial figures are neutralised.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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!

Is that a picture of the Bryce Canyon area ?

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?

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