What do you say or do when someone is a known atheist and Is constantly making atheists as a whole look bad? There's a girl at my work who is horrible, anger issues, abusive to her gf, just an all around shitty person and she's constantly telling ppl she's an atheist. I don't talk religion at work but other coworkers are constantly making comments about how messed up the girl is bc she is an atheist and vice versa and it's getting on my last nerve. Any suggestions?
Do they know you are an Atheist as well? If so, why don't you take advantage of the situation to educate them on the subject by comparing her behavior to yours and making them to see the difference?
They don't. My friends and family know but i don't talk about me or my beliefs at work
Point out all of the religious sexual predators, spouse abusers, and hate mongers who have been actually convicted of crimes. Then posit that it isn't her beliefs that inform her behavior because if that was the case there would be no such thing as religious criminals and predators. Moral debates typically never end with an agreement, but if you provide evidence to refute their reasoning, even if it doesn't register immediately, it will eventually, and they will be a little less judgmental until it's convenient for them to forget again. It's really a battle of attrition.
Just comment that fanatics are messed up no matter what their beliefs are, as there are many more people who are messed up who are religious. Most atheists whoi are messed up, got messed up via a religious upbringing. I've never heard of a religious person beign messed up due to an atheist upbringing.
Just a couple of points to throw out there.
I definitely sympathize. I've built up trust at work and also represent atheism in a positive way. Most people I know well identify atheism with me. Some are also atheist but not many. Most of them do not know who else is an atheist among them. So when a "bad apple" atheist comes along they don't see it as representative of atheism. If they don't have that "good apple" example, they will associate her behavior with atheism. That is why it is important to speak up and against the bad behavior at the same time as you identify yourself as non-theist. Break the stereotype that they have.
Her behavior reflects solely on her and not on all atheists. If theists around you make assumptions and generalize, that's their problem.
I don't know anyone like that, but i have a little rule that applies to atheist, theist, women, men, black or white.
"Life is too short to spend it in assholes."
So live your life as better as you can and do not waste time in people who does not deserves it.
Cheers!